10 Household Tools for the Machine Embroiderer Part 2
We received such a positive response from my recent blog: 12 Household Tools for the Machine Embroiderer that I decided to revisit this subject.
- JoAnn Connolly of Garden of Daisies Embroidery thinks craft foam and a cardboard carton are great reusable items to keep your hoops clean when using temporary spray adhesive. To get a custom fit, use your inner hoop as a template. Trace around the inside edge and cut the foam ¼” smaller than the traced line. Leave the foam “whole” so that it will cover the entire hoop when spraying.
Place the hoop in the bottom of a deep carton. Place the foam over it before spraying. Pull the carton’s “flaps” in a bit, if possible when spraying, to contain the overspray. Make one for each hoop.
- Toilet brush – What’s a toilet brush doing in your sewing room? Scooping up threads from carpeting. When a pristine toilet brush is swept across the carpeting, the bristles easily grab all threads and even pins. Stash it under your sewing desk so a family member doesn’t use it for its original job
- Rubber mallet – A rubber mallet lets you apply force to grommets, snaps, rivets and the like without damaging the metal parts. Keep it handy in your sewing room.
- Needle nose and flat jaw welding pliers. Needle nose pliers are great for turning small items. I used them all the time when turning tabs for one of my Designer Handbags.
Welding pliers have a 3 ½” wide flat jaw that firmly grasps the corner of a stiffly-interfaced handbag. I don’t have to worry about damaging the fabric by stressing a small area like the needle nose pliers.
- Toothpick. A toothpick is ideal for sewing on buttons by machine. Just place the button over the toothpick to create a ‘thread shank’ when using the button foot and the zigzag stitch with no stitch length.
- Lisa Archer from Pickle Pie Designs loves to use Scotch tape for their In the Hoop designs. It’s great for holding fabrics to your stabilizer while your machine stitches each step of the design.
- Rubber mat for hooping and placing under your machine. I like to use the lines on a cutting mat as reference points when hooping but the hoop slips all over the place on the sleek mat. To avoid this, I cut a hole in a rubberized mat so I can view the cutting mat behind it. Make one for each of your hoops – you’ll be glad you did.
- Nylon cord: a cone of nylon cord is handy when creating ruffles. I like to zigzag (or couch) over the cord when creating long ruffled strips. Just make sure you don’t stitch on the cord. The nylon glides through the stitches when the cord is pulled on one end.
- Baker’s Cooling Rack: after stitching lace on water soluble stabilizer, I rinse the lace and place it on a baker’s cooling rack. The air circulates around the lace and speeds the drying process.
- Starch – the original stabilizer. Don’t overlook the power of starch when preparing fabrics for embroidery. Soft, supple cottons and linens benefit from a generous spray of starch before adding additional stabilizers for hooping.
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91 COMMENTS
Mary Catherine Black
12 years agoI love the Aberesque Style as this is a favorite design of mine that I woul use for Linens, hankerchiefs and collars. It is very old english looking and a style that I love
Angi
12 years agoLove thr ideas
Karen Poole
12 years agoMy favorite monagram from the mentioned web site is the candlewicking one! I LOVE candlewicking, it is fancy looking, somewhat old worldly, and you can still tell what letter you are using!
Baye
12 years agoI love Moderne! I’m doing some kid’s quilts and like that the letters are simple for doing an alphabet.
Bonnie Gray
12 years agoI like Moderne Monogram Set 3. Embroidery Arts does great work. When I first started machine embroidery, I didn’t have software and wanted to do our business logo on shirts for my husband. I found Embroidery Arts thru an ad probably in Designs magazine, sent them the logo and they digitized it for me. I am still using it!
Pam J.
12 years agoMy favorite would have to be GOTHIC 5, i would use this to embroider towels for family and friends!
gayle Hill
12 years agoI love the Moderne 1, I would use this one a lot. The tool tips are great too.
pat baker
12 years agoLove the candlewick monogram, would use it on many things, like pillowcases and clothing
Gail Beam
12 years agoMy favorite is the number 1 Applique monogram set. It would be so great for beach towels, totes, and sweatshirts. The applique aspect enables one to change the fabric and the look of the letters.
Gail
Kathy Martin
12 years agoI like the Arabesque Set 12. I think it would look great on a set of pillowcases!
Linda Coleman
12 years agoThe Celtic Monogram is my favourite
Linda Coleman
12 years agoSorry, forgot to put what I’d use it for. I would use it for placemats
Martine
12 years agoI love the Cutwork monogram sets, both set 1 and the XL. The XL would be nice on pillow slips, the smaller one for placemats.
le floch, anne
12 years agoI Like the arabesque 5 monogram. Might use it for the tablecoth I’m designing especially for the inauguration of our three-season porch!
karen
12 years agoI love the cutwork XL. it is so elegant.
Janet White
12 years agoI love the Teen and the Teen XL Applique. They can be stitched in the current trendy bright punchy colors. I plan to use them on my daughters quilted backpack and lunch box. Fun! Fun! Fun!
Rosalee
12 years agoGreat tips, thanks “sew” very much!
Margaret Brantley
12 years agoI like Arabesque 8 and would use it on bed linens. Thanks for the great tips.
Joanna Mackintosh
12 years agoWow, such gorgeous designs…..the romantic in me would go for Art Nouveau Monogram Set 1 ‘cos it’s just so pretty; the calligrapher in me (it is one of my many hobbies) would love Gothic Monogram Set 14 but the Mackintosh in me (my surname) leans me towards Arts and Crafts Monogram Set 1 as it’s in the style of Charles Rennie Mackintosh and I love it.
As for uses, I regularly embroider polo shirts for my husband and I to wear while we’re riding our GoldWing so our names in the Mackintosh style under an image of our motorbike would be perfect.
Rhonda G
12 years agoI love the Lace 1 monogram style. Thanks for the great tips too.
Kathy M.
12 years agoI do a lot of monogrammed bath towels for wedding gifts for friends. When asked their preference, most choose Empire or something scrolly like that.
For me personally, my favorite font is the Art Nouveau set #3. I just love the way that comes out on everything. I’ve done baby blankets, towels and hankies with that font! Love it!
Karen
12 years agoI like many of them, I think Cutwork 1 is a favorite. I would use on linens.
http://sitebuzz.tech/eldiario.es
8 years agoYour meals always look so good! I've never had brunswick stew before, but it looks great. It seems like a very thick stew. I think I would use the leftovers on a sandwich. 🙂
Rosalyn
12 years agoI like a number of the monograms, but the one I think I would use the most is Art Nouveau #3. This could be used on many different projects.
Sharon Aiken
12 years agoI love the Cutwork XL. I would use it for pillow shams.
Donna
12 years agoHard to limit myself to one because as you said you can never have enough monograms. But if I have too, my favorite would be the Circle 4. I liked the multiple colors and that you could use it with bright colors for children’s items or kitchen towels, or more monotone for napkins, hankies, etc. I think it would look great with a little sparkle to it for christmas towels or banners as well.
Whitney H
12 years agoI love Circle set 6! I would make a bunch of monogrammed linens for our new home!
Carol Seavitt
12 years agoSo many choices! The Diamond Monogram Set 3 has so many possibilities — shirts, large and small napkins, purses … love it.
Deb
12 years agoI like the Candlewick font for it’s timeless beauty. I’d use it for pillowcases & pockets.
carol
12 years agoI’d do tween for weddings- I have several coming up and I see some beautiful towels– or even a ring bearer pillow. I also love yoga. But I’d do it on dancewear.
Susan Wilson
12 years agoI especially like the Romanesque 1 design, and I believe it will be lovely on a set of nice bath towels.
Jamie Honley
12 years agoHi All,
I just love, love the arabesque7 XL, I would use this design on anything I could get my hands on, from towels, to bed linen. I think it would look beautiful on just about anything. Thank you also for all of the interesting information!!
Kathy
12 years agoI couldn’t believe all the different monograms. I especially like the Romanesque monopgram. I love to monogram pillowcase and this would be great on the border.
Terry
12 years agoI’ve been looking for a suitable monogram for a pair of beach towels for a soon-to-be wed couple going on a honeymoon to the Caribbean and love Embroidery Arts’ Diamond Monogram Set 5 for this purpose! This will be a great shower gift for them! Thanks for leading me there.
Cindy McCord
12 years agoHi Eileen. Congrats on your wedding!! I really like the Arabesque XL Monogram. These would look great on napkins.
eileenroche
12 years ago AUTHORThanks Cindy! Hope you’re doing well.
Anne Rita
12 years agoI love the Arabesque XL and I think it would be great on a scarf. Great Christmas gift!
Gloria
12 years agoI think that the Arabesque would be beautiful monogramed on a handbag.
Buck
8 years agopour les pâtes au citron j&;am#3i9e tellement la recette de Ducasse avec une crème parmesan citron que je ne fais que celle ci; je devrais en tenter une autre comme celle ci mais je n'y arrive pas…je suis addict
Liese
12 years agoI like the Moderne 4 set – the letters are clean and readable, and will work very well on some of the retro-type embroideries I have been creating.
susan w.
12 years agoGreat timing… I am going to start the designer bag this week..
I love your fonts.
Richelle
12 years agoI love all the Moderne styles.
Cathy Chalk
12 years agoYou forgot about doorstops. When I am sewing, not embroidering, I put door stops behind the machine to raise it up just enough that I am not straining my back. This works great at retreats when the tables are not as ergonomic at what I have at home.
Janet
12 years agoI like the Teen and Teen XL Applique’. I would use for making Key Fobs, towels, purses and many other things. I love alpha’s of all kinds. Thanks,
Deb Ervin
12 years agoWow those are some great ideas!!!!
Kellieann Austin
12 years agoI would choose Varsity. I have a 2 boys on high school sports and how cool to be able to make quilt with those letters. names, school name. could even be for college!
Angeles
12 years agoDiamond 3 is my favorite. It is very unique in design and it will look beautiful on decorative pillows and bath towels.
peg small
12 years agoLove my disney machine!
Sue
12 years agoArabesque 8 was ONE of my favorites – liked so many of them it was hard to choose. I would probably use it to embellish pillows I am making to match the Double-Wedding Ring quilt I just sent off to the LAQ’s for quilting.
Lisa C
12 years agoModerne Monogram Set 3 would be perfect for linens, towels, travel accessories… I could go on and on about this versatile style.
calculador de credito procrear
7 years agoThe Gaur incident is occurred when the Maoists has already joined the interim parliament and they are about to join the interim government. Those killed in the incidents are young cadres of the Maoist Young Communist League (YCL) which is formed by the Maoists as a tool to confront other parties during the constituent assembly election.
Paula Roney
12 years agoI love Modern 2. It’s very chic – not to fussy but it has great style.
Debbie Collins
12 years agoI like the Oval set 2. I’d use it on purses, towels, pillow cases. Very nice!
Nancy M
12 years agoI like the applique 2. Would be great for Kid’s stuff!
Patricia Thomas
12 years agoI always like to repurpose items if possible. That’s why having strips of stabilized left over after embroidering makes me feel like I am wasting perfectly good stabilizer. Therefore, I take an empty spool from a lint roller and wrap strips of discarded stabilizer around the spool and use it as a lint roller to pick up thread pieces from furniture, clothing, and carpeting. This serves two purposes – stabilizer doesn’t get wasted and it keeps the peace with my husband when thread clippings get out of control.
Colleen Bell
12 years agoWow! So many monogram fonts and they are all so gorgeous. it was so hard to decide. I have always loved calligraphy and flourishes, so the Arabesque 3 would be my favorite. I can see it on on so many things. Thank you for sharing this website with us. It was a great find.
Colleen Bell
12 years agoSorry. Specifically, I would like to put this monogram on our napkins and then a pillow for our bedroom. We have never had anything monogramed, so this is so exciting.
Terrie Pagel
12 years agoI simply can’t choose just one! There is no limit to using any monogram font. You can use them on anything your mind can imagine. I wish I had time and money to create all the things my mind can come up with when I shop for monograms and designs.
Helen Dyckson
12 years agoI think all the tools are wonderful. especially the foam blocks for your hoops. It prevents a real sticky mess.
Judith Frangella
12 years agoI really like the twigs they are so whimsical. Since I live in upstate New York I would incorporate them into an Adirondack quilt.
Ruth Robinson
12 years agoI like the Alphabet monogram set. I have a new GREAT Grandson and see many things I could use that on for him!!
Dee
12 years agoCouldn’t limit it to just one – Love the Five & Dime – simple yet beautiful – and also Cutwork 1 – elegant!
Penny Kitzmiller
12 years agoI love the cutwork XL and would use it on tablecloths.
Sandy waters
12 years agoI like the Teen XL Applique. I would use it on towels, pillowcases, maybe purses. It is a fund design and can be changed around with different material.
Barbara Rowlan Wong
12 years agoI love each mongram I’ve ordered from them. Stitch out beautifully. I’m in the process of making outdoor pillows and I think Circle XL would be my next choice. I especially enjoy the section on monograms in the movies and today I discovered they’ve added a new one since I last visited. Such a neat site.
Also wanted to thank you for the tips. My favorite is the foam creations to prevent overspray. It will save me a lot of time. Thanks!!!
Rosalee Suchsland
12 years agoI love the Moderne pattern! I am pretty new and inexperienced with embroidery–I would love to try the best!
Thanks!
Lawana Whaley
12 years agolove the cutwork 1 designs… can see me doing those on my vintage styled work
Connie
12 years agoAll of them, I want all of them!
Pam
12 years agoLove…love….love!
Cecilia
12 years agoI like the Teen and Teen XL. I have 3 young granddaughters and think this would be great to use for them when they are older.
Cindy McCarty
12 years agoI loved this list of basic household items for the embroidery machine. The new ones for me would be the craft foam and cardboard to keep my hoops clean. Wow! When I started out with embroidery, I just got that spray all over the place. I also loved the scotch tape for holding things in the hoop and then the toilet brush for picking up threads? I love it, not that I would have threads all over the floor in my sewing room! ;^D
Betty Nebe
12 years agoI love Five and Dime. It displays well when used on the back of shirts. I am constantly asked to embroider sport shirts for various team competitions.
Cindi Dier
12 years agoI like the Diamond XL Applique … love putting this on little girl dresses and tops in bright fabric colors … in fact, putting it on my Grands’ swim coverups this week 🙂
Sue Duisenberg
12 years agoTeen monogram would be my choice. my granddaughters would love that one
Beth R
12 years agoI love the Avant Garde Monogram set 1 – I would make some table linens to use on special occasions.
Louise Moon
12 years agoI love the cutwork monogram. I’d love to make a summer tunic of white or icy pastel color with my initial L in cutwork as a trim on the tunic. I think the design could be run one up, one down, for a border at the bottom or one L and one R for a trim down the front, or it could be put on a top with a large ruffled collar on like a peasant top and the design could be on the collar running it different directions for the fun of it.
Louise, MI
aaquilting.com
Peg Schmidt
12 years agoI find it more and more difficult to make decisions as I get older and I do find I am getting needier!! LOL I love and need all of them for they each are unique.
Tammie Wallace
12 years agoI think the Arabesque style is my favorite. I really like all of the swirls. I am fairly new to embroidery and would like to try embroidering on some towels.
Susanna
12 years agoMy favorite is Cutwork 1. It’s just so delicate.
Carrie Burzan
12 years agoI really love the Arabesque 9 design. I would use the letter C to monogram and top that has a spot on the left side (must have dribbled coffee) –
Deb Bremer
12 years agoMy Fav is Art Nouveau 3 and would make everyone in my family monogramed towels for the pool. Maybe this way when my grandkids came ovder they would pick them up off the floor! LOL! At least I would have good looking towels to pick up if not!
Enis
11 years agoI love the Candlewick alpha. So beautiful and delicate.
gratissex
8 years agour site is much useful to me! I will say thanks u very much to posting this awesome info!
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8 years ago[url=http://www.newkakaku.com/gq1.htm]カルティエカルティエcléケースを慎重に見て、あなたは優雅さと洗練されたカルティエの誘発を確認したかったを賞賛することができます。カルティエで密接に見たとき、一連の非常に面白い線を取り入れたデザインを生じることで確かに成功し、遠くから見たときに魅力的な形状をした。[/url]
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8 years ago[url=http://www.ooobag.com/watch/cartier/baig/30f5513206b999ec.html]ブレゲ時計ですべてのシリーズの中で、最も直接Classiques経典シリーズを体現したブランドの伝統的価値観と完璧なタブ芸、このシリーズは200年以上の歴史を完璧にブレゲ伝承、それらのシンボル的な特徴が影響した高級腕時計制作史。2011年バーゼルブレゲプラダ カナパ コピー時計展が初めて発表されClassique 5717 Hora Mundi経典シリーズのタイムゾーンの腕時計、ブレゲ経典シリーズの精髄を演繹し。この項表は貴重な材料で作ら：18金やプラチナバラ950。オプション3種類の文字盤：南北アメリカ州、ユーラシア大陸やアジアやオセアニア—-分表世界を代表する一方、国境、計6種類の型番。時計の文字盤は同モデルで中央の藍鋼ブレゲ針の現在の所在指示タイムゾーンの時、分、秒、12時位の日付表示ボックスが同期が3日の日付読取り。一枚の隠しダイヤルを持って円環のマイクロ逆行指針は即時ボックスかも当面の日付を読み、24時間週期でゆっくり滑り。スーパーコピーブランド専門店当日の日付で、右に左からかすめ日付を帯び窓口後、円環の逆行指針は自らジャンプから窓の左側に同じペースで続けと新入生の日の調歩。[/url]
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