How does an embroidery machine work?

An embroidery machine is different from a sewing machine. It is a specialist piece of equipment that makes embroidery easy for those enthusiasts out there. If you love personalising clothing, towels, or creating bespoke goods, buying an embroidery machine from Sewingtime is essential for taking your skill to the next level. 

Here are a few of the most common uses of embroidery:

1. Applique on items of clothing.
2. Adding monograms of your initials to items.
3. Creating logos for branding purposes.
4. Embroidered patches (for backpacks, sports jerseys or to be sewn onto coat sleeves.

Let’s start by explaining exactly what an embroidery machine is and how it works. It uses needle and thread to stitch a design onto an embroidery blank, which could be one of a variety of fabrics, from cotton to denim, to cardstock paper. Businesses often use embroidery to create branding and logos on textiles, such as uniforms, or you can use it at home to personalise all kinds of things around your home. Perhaps putting your initials on your scarf and towels.

Getting Started

First and foremost, you require all the supplies and accessories to get started, as well as the machine itself.

Embroidery Machines: Choosing the correct machine is imperative. We only stock world-leading brands that can add intricate details to whichever fabric they meet. Take a look at our range of machines and get in touch for expert advice on which is right for you.

Accessories: Your new embroidery machine deserves the best embroidery accessories. With everything you need from bobbins to oil, snips, tension gauges, hoop fixtures and frames, you can find everything you need at Sewingtime. Choose what you need and increase your inventory with us.

Embroidery Blanks: Now you have everything you require, you need something to embroider. ‘Blanks’ can be anything thinner than 6mm. This could be curtains, towels, handkerchiefs or even toilet paper! To start with, woven fabrics are best as they have less stretch. So start easy with a simple design and slowly build your repertoire. Our final tip? If you are embroidering something that will require washing in the future, make sure to pre-wash. Fabric often shrinks on its first wash and you’ll want this to happen before spending your time adding an intricate pattern that could be ruined by shrinkage.