Make a quilt label, embroider a name or stitch out a favorite phrase using easy hand embroidery stitches. Here is a tutorial to show you how to embroider letters wash-away stabilizer transfer, by transferring your design and then stitch your message. Do you have a dark or thick fabric that will not work with a light box for tracing? Then these transfer tips that leave no marks behind on your fabric will help! You can use stranded embroidery floss or perle cotton and choose from a variety of linear stitches to get the look you want. I chose back stitch for this project: upcycled jeans.
How to Embroider Letters with Wash-Away Stabilizer Transfer
Personalize a pair of upcycled jeans or embroider letters on any washable fabric using wash-away stabilizer for your pattern.
Select a printer-friendly product and you can make your pattern with your computer and ink-jet printer. Fast and accurate!
Materials
- Your print-ready chosen text for embroidery.
- Water-soluble adhesive stabilizer. Sticky Fabri-Solvy is a printer-friendly option.
- Background fabric or upcycled clothing
- Embroidery thread - I used size 12 perle cotton
Tools
- Computer and printer
- Embroidery scissors/thread snips
- Paper scissors
- Embroidery needles - I used size 5
- Embroidery needle threader - optional
- Thimble - especially if you are embroidering on a heavy fabric, such as denim
- Tub of water or washing machine
Instructions
- Decide on the text you want to embroider and select a font and arrangement in a word processing program. Fonts with simple lines are the easiest to stitch. If you want to try the font I used, it is Tempus Sans ITC in Microsoft Word. Following the instructions for your wash-away stabilizer, print your letters onto the stabilizer.
I chose something my father-in-law-to-be said to a friend of his when he asked about me before a party, "What is she like?" That was 45 years ago. I couldn't be more proud of his response, and I'm told the description still fits. 🙂 "She doesn't say much, but when she does, duck." - Using paper scissors, cut out your letters, then remove the backing layer and place the sticky side on your background fabric. Gather the rest of your supplies. If you need more contrast to better see the stitching lines, trace over with a dark wash-away marker.
- Thread your needle with a single strand of perle cotton, about 18-24 inches in length. Tie a knot at one end and begin the back stitch through all layers, following the printed lines. Remember your thimble if you are working with heavy fabric!
- Continue with the back stitch, tying off and adding thread as needed, until all letters are embroidered.
- Plop your embroidery into the washing machine or follow your stabilizer's instructions for soaking in a tub of water to dissolve the stabilizer.
- When your embroidery is washed and dried, the stabilizer disappears, and all that remains is your background and embroidery stitches.
Recommended Products
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4 Pack Sewing Thimble Finger Protector, Adjustable Finger Metal Shield Protector Pin Needles Sewing Quilting Craft Accessories DIY Sewing Tools Needlework(2 Sizes) -
Bohin Super Automatic Needle Threader, 3"x2"x1.25" -
kai 5 1/2 inch Embroidery Scissors, Black Handle -
Sulky Bulk Buy Sticky Fabri Solvy Stabilizer 20 inch x 36 inch (2-Pack) -
Bohin Crewel Embroidery Needles, Size 7, 15 Per Package -
Valdani Perle Cotton Embroidery Thread Size 8 Vintage Hues Collection
How do you use wash-away stabilizer for embroidery?
Transfer your design to the wash-away stabilizer. You can do this by either tracing the design onto the stabilizer or running the stabilizer through your printer. Layer the stabilizer on top of your fabric. you can baste it in place or hoop both fabrics together. Then follow the lines to stitch out your embroidery design!
What is the difference between wash-away stabilizer and tear-away stabilizer?
Wash-away stabilizer is just that – it washes away. It is best to soak your project with a gentle rub to remove the wash-away stabilizer. For a tear-away stabilizer, after stitching your design, gently tear the stabilizer away from your stitching. TIP: use a pair of needle nose tweezer to gently get under your stitches to remove the little bits of stabilizer that are stubborn to tear away.
See our article on 6 ways to transfer your embroidery designs. Browse through how to embroidery tutorials to learn more embroidery stitches.
