Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums >
  • Main
  • Hand embroidery fabrics >
  • Hand embroidery fabrics

  • Hand embroidery fabrics

    Thread Tools
     
    Old 07-08-2020, 09:00 AM
      #1  
    Super Member
    Thread Starter
     
    Join Date: Jul 2010
    Location: Flagstaff, Arizona
    Posts: 9,475
    Default Hand embroidery fabrics

    I want to start doing some hand embroidery on about 6 patterns and was wondering what fabric would be the best to use. I had some cream colored muslin but it seems so thin so I went and bought some white premium muslin and that seems to be a little heavier and I am concerned about getting a needle thru it. Also, what is the best needle to use for hand embroidery.
    Any advice or ideas is so greatly appreciated.
    Jordan is offline  
    Old 07-08-2020, 09:23 AM
      #2  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: Mar 2011
    Location: Ontario, Canada
    Posts: 41,501
    Default

    I can only say what I like as many will have different opinions. I like a good quality fabric, I use a frixion pen and a light box to transfer a design, I hoop my fabric so I don’t draw my thread too tight and cause puckers, I use the little balls of perle cotton #8 and John James embroidery needles #8.
    Tartan is offline  
    Old 07-08-2020, 11:51 AM
      #3  
    Power Poster
     
    RedGarnet222's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jan 2009
    Location: Reno, Nv
    Posts: 16,529
    Default

    Of course the use of the embroidered blocks would dictate what would be the best fabric to use. I think a moda solid would be nice to use if they are for a quilt top, wallhanging or pillows. But, if they are for say a curtain or garment, I would think a washable blend that didn't wrinkle would be better.

    I think a quick wash would be good to shrink the fabric and a pressing would be where to start with the muslin. In my experience, muslin can shrink quite a bit.
    As far as the needle goes, use an embroidery needle. It has a larger eye for threading and is slim to go through the fabric nicely.
    RedGarnet222 is offline  
    Old 07-08-2020, 03:09 PM
      #4  
    Senior Member
     
    Railroadersbrat's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jul 2019
    Location: Gainesville, Missouri
    Posts: 520
    Default

    The Muslin you picked would be great to get started and I agree with RedGarnet222 - definitely wash and press the fabric before you start stitching.

    I use just a regular thin embroidery needle and because I cross-stitch as well, I use DMC floss. Its colorfast so it doesn't bleed, has beautiful colors and I don't have to have a separate storage box for just embroidery thread and cross-stitch thread.
    Railroadersbrat is offline  
    Old 07-08-2020, 04:38 PM
      #5  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: May 2011
    Location: Pacific NW
    Posts: 9,490
    Default

    I haven't done hand embroidery since I was a girl, but I have a friend who does beautiful, beautiful work. For the most part she uses regular quilting cotton, but she fuses something called form flex (or maybe it's flex form? no, I think it's form flex) to the back of the fabric before she starts. It's a lightweight stabilizer. She said she likes it because it hides shadows from traveling and knots, and gives the fabric some body and stiffness to hold up the embroidery. Hope this helps
    Peckish is offline  
    Old 07-08-2020, 05:54 PM
      #6  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Aug 2011
    Location: kansas
    Posts: 6,407
    Default

    I'm not a huge embroidery person--but my sis is the embroidery queen! She uses whatever she can get her hands on but tries to get a very nice quality muslin and doubles it so the threads don't show through. She likes DMC, sometimes uses Perl Cotton, and can't help with needle. She doesn't use a hoop--ever--and just works to keep her fabric flat and pucker free. Her stitches are Very tiny and many mistake for machine embroidery.
    quiltingshorttimer is offline  
    Old 07-09-2020, 01:39 AM
      #7  
    Junior Member
     
    Join Date: Jul 2010
    Location: Dunwoody, GA
    Posts: 156
    Default

    I really like embroidered blocks in a quilt. I use any cotton fabric and especially like tone-on-tone or soft prints for the background. I use Perle cotton and back the block with white flannel. I make sure I wash both fabrics in HOT water and dry in the dryer to take care of any shrinkage. (Flannel I wash twice) The flannel gives a nice softness to the embroidery work and eliminates shadows. I use a Sewline pencil and a lightbox to trace the patterns because it washes out and comes in several colors.
    jacqueck is offline  
    Old 07-09-2020, 08:22 AM
      #8  
    Super Member
    Thread Starter
     
    Join Date: Jul 2010
    Location: Flagstaff, Arizona
    Posts: 9,475
    Default

    Thank you everyone on your ideas and advice. I did wash my fabric as I always wash any fabric before I start on a project. I will be using DMC thread cause I have a lot of it due to cross stitching some time ago. I like to do hand work in the evenings and cross stitch got difficult for me to see. Will use everyone's advice to my advantage and see how it works out. Thanks again
    Jordan is offline  
    Old 07-09-2020, 08:51 AM
      #9  
    Super Member
     
    thimblebug6000's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jun 2007
    Location: British Columbia
    Posts: 8,113
    Default

    I have been watching Alex Anderson usually M-W-F do a little FB live program. One day she offered free her pattern for Love Thy Neighbor and gave us some tips. She recommends not traveling between letters and shapes so she uses just one plain piece of fabric with no backing. She also did a demo on how to start without using a knot....so cool, maybe you could google the method? I always have a hand embroidered project on the go, and have really enjoyed using her tips.
    thimblebug6000 is offline  
    Old 07-09-2020, 11:33 AM
      #10  
    Member
     
    Join Date: Oct 2010
    Location: Weldon, Ca.
    Posts: 27
    Default

    I use a Maywood muslin, I double it so that the thread does not show through as much. I don’t have a problem getting the needle through, I also use a hoop.
    dsilas is offline  

    Posting Rules
    You may not post new threads
    You may not post replies
    You may not post attachments
    You may not edit your posts

    BB code is On
    Smilies are On
    [IMG] code is On
    HTML code is On
    Trackbacks are Off
    Pingbacks are Off
    Refbacks are Off



    FREE Quilting Newsletter