Embroidery Supplies - Discount Embroidery Supply

Stop into any craft or embroidery store and you will find aisles filled with embroidery supplies. With so much to choose from, which embroidery supply should you use and why?

Find, Compare, and Buy an Embroidery Supplies

Although finished pieces can be beautifully intricate, the processes used to create embroidery are really quite simple and embroidery supplies are very logical once you understand their function. The most basic of embroidery supplies are thread or floss, needles, hoops, and scissors.

Below is an easy reference of these supplies along with their uses. This helpful information will guide you in putting together a simple embroidery kit from floss and beads to hoops and scissors:

Embroidery thread or floss

Rayon and polyester are by far the two most popular embroidery flosses. Polyester floss is made entirely from synthetic fibers that are twisted together to form thread. Part of the beauty of polyester floss is that it is resistant to discoloration caused by laundering, sun and chemicals. It also has a very long shelf life. Rayon on the other hand is manufactured from viscose and other natural fibers. It has much less elasticity and is weaker than polyester, and is easily bleached by chemicals and the sun. It has a shelf life of only two to seven years. Both flosses are available in 30- and 40- weight. Although it may seem just the opposite, 30 is the heavier of the two. Rayon is also available in 60-weight for those fine details and bead embroidering.

If using an embroidery machine, you will quickly find that bobbin thread is key embroidery supply. Pre-wound bobbins are readily available in every color, weight and fibers. You will find them in two configurations, on a cardboard core with or without sides.

Silk embroidery ribbon
Silk ribbon embroidery dates back from the Victorian times and uses ribbon, embroidery floss, and perle cotton to create magnificent floral stitch patterns by hand. Silk ribbon embroidery can actually be done with ribbons made of various materials. Silk of course is a favorite, but many synthetic materials prove to be less expensive and longer lasting. Lovely synthetic velvet ribbons make lush designs. Like embroidery floss or thread, you can buy this at a craft of embroidery supply store.

Embroidery Needles
Embroidery needles are distinguished by their uses. For instance, sharper points will cut the fibers of the garment. This creates a more uniform satin stitch. These embroidery needles are more appropriate for thicker fabrics, such as twill, canvas or denim for this reason.

Ball point embroidery needles penetrate the fabric slipping between the fibers, minimizing any damage to the fabric. This type of needles should be used for knits, and other fabrics that can run.

Hooping
Hooping stations are used to assure that your design ends up right where you want it to and doesn't slip. Though there are many different models available, there are certain characteristics that they all have in common. All hoops have a mounting board, a base and either templates or pins to hold the hoop in place during the hooping process.

Embroidery hoops come in two configurations, flat and tubular. A tubular hoop is constructed with the brackets attached to the inner hoop. A flat hoop is constructed with the brackets attached to the outer hoop. How do you decide which to use? Flat hoops should be used when embroidering on cut pieces, and tubular hoops should be used when embroidering onto pre-assembled garments.

Cutting Tools
The fact is that you'll need an assortment of cutting tools when doing embroidery. Most embroiderers will tell you that the proper nipper is the most important accessory in their kit. It is extremely versatile and can eliminate small jumps, correct mistakes and remove fuzzies.

There is literally a pair of scissors for every embroidery need. There are left- and right-handed scissors, ergonomic scissors, appliqué scissors and trimming scissors – and the list goes on.

Although not technically scissors, two tools worth mentioning are seam rippers and stitch erasers. They both remove mistakes. If you are embroidering manually, you will want a seam ripper. It is a tool with a hook-shaped blade that cuts individual stitches. The stitch eraser is used with an embroidery machine. It shaves the bobbin stitches from the reverse side of the embroidery, releasing the top stitches. Once this is done, the stitches can be easily pulled out.

If you are a beginner, stock your embroidery kit with the basic embroidery supplies, don't buy more than you need, and have fun with your embroidery design.

 

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