Spotlight: Hollis Chatelain, Textile Artist
Inspired by her humanitarian work in Africa, Hollis Chatelain creates art quilts that raise awareness of the human condition in the third world. Back in the States, she wanted to...
Machine Embroidery
Machine embroidery adds patterns and design details to quilts, garments and home décor. You can embroider with a dedicated embroidery machine, or use an embroidery attachment on your home sewing machine. Common designs are monograms, florals, quilt labels and more!
You can purchase designs that load into your machine to stitch out, or use embroidery software to digitize your own embroidery design. Some machines include lots of built-in designs, too. With a home sewing machine, you can draw or trace your design onto fabric, then use a variety of stitches to create your embroidery design.
Before embarking on a project, make sure to have some stabilizer so that your fabric doesn’t stretch during stitching. Collect the right thread types and colors for your design, too. A hoop keeps your design symmetrical and pucker-free.
Browse through our projects and stories that include machine embroidery as a creative technique.
Machine Embroidery Inspiration
Spotlight: Stephen Wilson, Mixed Media Artist
Stephen Wilson uses modern technology to create contemporary artwork rooted in traditional craft. He uses fabric and thread to create his images in the same way a painter might use...
Spotlight: Lea McComas, Thread Painter & Fiber Artist
As Lea McComas travels the world and immerses herself in rich and vibrant cultures, her art reflects the human experience. With fabric and thread, she captures moments that highlight the...
More Machine Embroidery
Thread Painting
I have always been interested in threadpainting. I took a workshop in Santa Fe from Jennifer Day. This was my first practice piece.
Super Kaden Cape
A Superhero cape is fun for Halloween or everyday play. The design was machined embroidered with polyester thread on cotton fabric. Hoop it, then stitch it!
“Courtship, 1947” – Embroidered Memories
A photo of my parents taken before they were married inspired this small quilt. I digitized the photo and stitched the image using brown thread to mimic sepia.