Welcome to Fashion Embroidery! On-trend with contemporary style, Fashion Embroidery allows you to select a really hip design, transfer it onto a favorite pair of jeans or bag and stitch over the lines to create a customized fashion statement. It is super simple, and so quick to do. So unleash your creativity and add your personal touch to a favorite garment, accessory or home decor item with a few simple stitches.
YOU WILL NEED:
• The item you plan to embroider (jean, bag, cushion cover – whatever you choose)
• Iron-on Transfer, Stencil or Tracing Paper
• DMC Pearl Cotton Size 5 with Chenille Size 22 needle or
DMC Embroidery Floss with Embroidery Size 8 needle
• Embroidery Hoop
• DMC Transfer Pencil or Pen with removable markings (only if you are using a Stencil)
• Beads (optional)
CHOOSE YOUR FASHION OR HOME DECOR PIECE
 | Choose the piece you would like to stitch on. Make sure to wash it before starting, to remove sizing and prevent shrinkage or puckering later.
|
TRANSFER A DESIGN
There are several ways of transferring a design onto your fabric including Iron-on Transfers, Stencils and Tracing Paper.
 | Iron-On Transfer Designs are very simple and easy to use. They are printed with a special, permanent ink that works on light and most dark fabrics. Simply iron any transfer design onto the fabric and then stitch over the lines with your favorite color of DMC Pearl Cotton or Embroidery Floss.
|
 | Stencils are great for repeat patterns, mixing and matching for a unique creation. It takes only a few elements of a design to create your own distinctive look. Simply trace any stencil design onto fabric using a Transfer Pen or Pencil with removable markings. Then stitch over the lines with DMC Pearl Cotton or Embroidered Floss for your embroidered embellishment!
|
 | DMC Embroidery Transfer Pen has a non-permanent, blue ink that allows for easy transfer of designs onto fabric using stencils. The ink is removable by using a damp cloth or cold water. The DMC Transfer Pen works well on light and medium colored fabrics and can also be used for creating free hand designs.
|
 | DMC Embroidery Transfer Pencil allows designs to be easily transferred onto dark colored fabrics using stencils. The white pencil markings are removable by using a damp cloth or cold water. It’s also ideal for drawing free hand designs. |
 | Embroidery Tracing Paper gives you the flexibility of transferring any design onto fabric for a unique look. It is a wax-free carbon paper that comes in several colors. All you have to do is choose a design, place the Tracing Paper with colored side down on the fabric and trace over lines of the design using a ball point pen. The design will be transferred onto the fabric. Stitch over the lines with DMC Pearl Cotton or Embroidery Floss.
|
THREADS
We recommend using DMC Pearl Cotton Size 5 or DMC Embroidery Floss for your embroidery projects.
 | DMC Pearl Cotton Size 5 is a non-divisible, 100% cotton colorfast thread that is perfect for beginners (just use it as is, no dividing of strands). It is available in hundreds of shades, including multi-colors and metallics, for endless color combinations. It can be purchased at your local needlework and craft stores.
|
In order to use the DMC Pearl Cotton skein, remove the labels from each end and untwist the skein, as illustrated in the diagram below.
1. Open skein into an oval shape and cut it in half at one end.
2. Pull out one strand of Pearl Cotton from skein. Hint: When first learning to stitch, you may find it easier to work with a shorter length of thread, so simply cut this piece in half.
3. Thread your needle and tie a knot at the end of thread.
| |
 | DMC Embroidery Floss is the highest quality and most widely used Floss in the world. It is a 100% cotton, colorfast thread composed of six individual strands.
You can stitch with three strands for a more delicate look, or all six strands for a bold fashion statement. You should stitch with at least three strands to cover the transferred lines of the designs.
|
DMC Embroidery Floss is available in hundreds of shades, including multi-colors, and metallics. It can be purchased at your local needlework and craft stores.
It is easier to work with shorter lengths of Floss, so cut the Floss into 12" lengths. Then separate the six strands of Floss by holding one end between two fingers and pulling out one strand at a time. The Floss in your hand will bunch up, but it will loosen once you pull out the single strand completely. Pull out the desired number of strands, one at a time, and then place them together for stitching.
|
NEEDLE
You will need a sharp pointed DMC needle for embroidery. For DMC Pearl Cotton Size 5, use a DMC Chenille Size 22 needle, as this needle’s eye easily accommodates the thickness of the Pearl Cotton. For DMC Embroidery Floss, use a DMC Embroidery Size 8 needle.
To thread the needle, hold the Pearl Cotton or strands of Floss, and moisten the thread tip into a stiff flat point. Then glide the thread through the eye of the needle.
EMBROIDERY HOOP
It is recommended that you use an Embroidery Hoop. It is easier to stitch with a hoop as it helps you to keep the fabric taut and prevents it from puckering. The hoop should be large enough to cover your entire design.
A hoop has an outer and an inner ring, plus a screw to tighten the rings together. In order to use a hoop, place the smaller inner ring on a flat surface. Lay your fabric, right side up, on top of the inner ring. Place the outer ring on top of the fabric and press it down firmly. Tighten the screw so that the fabric is tightly stretched within the hoop.
BEADS
Beads are a great way to accent your designs. Make sure to use large hole beads that can accommodate a threaded Chenille Size 22 or Embroidery Size 8 needle.
