Add a three-dimensional look to your projects with embossed machine embroidery. These designs tamp down the fabric nap, and the negative space allows the design element to stand out for an eye-catching and textural look. These project instructions will show you how to tackle your own embossed machine embroidery project step by step.
Embossed Machine Embroidery - Supplies & Materials:
Supplies:
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- Terrycloth towel
- Medium-weight (2.5 ounce) cutaway stabilizer (such as Sulky's Cut Away Plus )
- Water-soluble stabilizer for topping (such as Sulky's Solvy )
Gather Materials:
The first step is to select your machine embroidery design. Embroidery Library has an embossed machine embroidery design for every project. Look for designs with "embossed" in the product name. These designs have been specifically digitized and tested to work with high-nap fabrics like fleece and terrycloth.
Start Embroidering:
Cut a piece of medium-weight cutaway stabilizer a bit larger than the hoop.
Place the towel on top.
Place water-soluble stabilizer on top of the towel. This helps to prevent the stitches from sinking into the nap of the fabric.
Hoop all three layers together.
Embroider the design.
After embroidering, trim the excess cutaway stabilizer away from the back. Leave about 1/2" around the design.
Tear the excess water-soluble stabilizer away from the top of the towel. Use a damp sponge or tweezers to remove any small remaining pieces.
Once dry, your embossed machine embroidery project is ready to display!
Get Inspired:
There are so many ways to use embossed designs for machine embroidery.
Monogrammed towels make great gifts for showers, wedding and housewarming.
Create beautiful bath decor with embossed machine embroidery. Create an entire matching set by using multiple sizes of the same design.
Experiment with variegated thread to create pattern and depth in the background stitching. We used Madeira variegated thread for these examples.
High nap fabrics like faux fur and thick terrycloth can create even more textural effects and are particularly fun with animal machine embroidery designs.
A heavy water-soluble stabilizer topping is key to success when stitching embossed designs on high nap fabrics.
