letsgosew.com
  • Home
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sign Up for Sewing News, Freebies, & Updates
  • Order Just Jackets Embroidery Collection
  • Just Jackets FAQ
  • Order Wrapped in Embroidery Book by Joanne Banko
  • Joanne Banko's Blog
  • It's Sew Easy TV Online Blog
  • Machine Embroidery Survey
  • IT'S SEW EASY TV Videos & Bonus Files
    • NEW! It's Sew Easy TV Series 2100
    • It's Sew Easy TV_Series 2000
    • It's Sew Easy TV_Series 1500
    • It's Sew Easy TV - Series 1600
    • It's Sew Easy TV_Series 1700
    • It's Sew Easy TV Series 1800
    • It's Sew Easy TV Series 1900
    • NEW! Superstar Sewing Stitches
    • NEW! Classy Textured Cape
    • NEW! Baby Bath Wrap
    • NEW! Detachable Collar
    • Sew a Swimsuit
    • Machine Embroidered Garments
    • Kimono Blouses
    • Custom Covered Hangers
    • Sewing Beautiful Belts
    • Felted Flower Hat Trim
    • Sew a Waffle Weave Robe
    • Learn about Couching accessories!
    • Turn a Pashmina into a Trendy Topper
    • Machine Embroidered Reverse Applique
    • Machine Embroidered Knit Dress
    • Use Non-Stick Foot to sew a Custom Luggage Tag
    • Serge & Sew Broomstick Skirt
    • Machine Embroidered Western Jacket
    • Machine Embroidered Bobbin Work Pashmina
    • Embroidered Pajamas
    • Sewing Pearls and Sequins
    • Learn how to use the Fringe Foot
    • Quilted Pinwheel Patchwork Tote
    • Machine Embroidered Lace for Lingerie
    • Sewing Circles with a Circular Attachment
    • Sew with the Edge Joining Foot
    • Re-style Tops for Little Girls
    • Short Style Tip- Blouse Embellishment
    • Learn how to make pretty piping using the Piping Foot
    • Embellish with the Three Slot Cording Foot
    • Facebook Live Interview 12-4-2018
    • Machine Embroidery - Starter Tips
  • FREE Tutorials and Tip Sheets
    • NEW! Embroidery Placement Positioning Tips
    • Free Embroidered Snowflake Coasters
    • Tip sheet - 5 Reasons Quilters Need A Serger
    • Free In-the-Hoop Patch Pocket Design
    • Serging versus Sewing
    • FREE Project-Embroidered Gift Tag with Gift Bag
    • Tip Sheet - Pillow Pointers
    • Tip sheet_Sew Straight Laser for Seams
    • Embelishment Tips from dime V.111
    • Tip sheet - Shannon Embrace Double Gauze
    • Tip sheet - Fun with Fonts
    • Fabric Tip Sheet- Sewing Faux Suede
    • Tip sheet for Sewing & Embroidering with Metallic Thread
    • Fleece Ruana Pattern: As seen on PBS It's Sew Easy TV
    • Fabric Tip Sheet - Crepe Back Satin
    • Fabric Tip Sheet-Sewing Slinky Type Knit
    • Fabric Tip Sheet - Fleece
    • Fancy Footwork Tipsheet - About the Walking Foot
    • Fancy Footwork Tip Sheet_Basic Appliqué
    • Fancy Footwork Tip sheet - Ruffler Attachment
    • Fancy Footwork Tip Sheet - Narrow Hems with a Standard Foot
    • Fancy Footwork Tip Sheet - Non Stick Foot
    • Tip sheet - Machine Embroidery Pattern Connection Resources
    • Tip Sheet - Machine Set up for Shirring
    • Tip sheet - Snowman and Target Markers
    • Tip Sheet for Printing on Fabric
    • Tip sheet-Five Ways to Finish Fleece Blankets
    • T-Shirt Transformation Tutorial
    • Project- Serge a Little Girl's Sweet Summer Dress
    • Tip Sheet for Fleece Frame Shape Appliqué
    • Tip Sheet - Bobbin Work Sewing & Embroidery
    • Tip Sheet - Custom Covered Buttons
    • Tip Sheet - Liquid Stabilizers
    • Tip sheet - Appliqué with Brother XV8500D & ScanNCut
    • Project - Sheer Chiffon Wrap
    • Project - Pearl Trimmed Candle Ring
    • Tip Sheet -Mitered Satin Blanket Binding
    • Fabric Tip Sheet_Knit Know How
    • Tool School Tip Sheets
    • ITH Project Planner
  • As seen in DiME Magazine - Photo Gallery
  • Sewing and Embroidery Events
  • About Joanne Banko

The beauty of machine embroidered bobbin work

3/2/2015

4 Comments

 
Picture
Is it possible to embroider
with Aunt Lydia?
Picture
You'll find the  answer to this question in the March/April 2015 issue of Designs in Machine Embroidery magazine. This very same skein of classic crochet cotton is featured in an article I wrote for DIME Volume 91. My upcoming article is designed to show the beauty of bobbin work with machine embroidery. It is quite an easy technique when you use the right tools and select an embroidery design specifically suited for bobbin work. The design highlighted in the article is built into several Brother embroidery models with bobbin work designs as part of their standard menu. 

Do you think it's possible to embroider with Aunt Lydia?!? 
Picture
These special designs are quite unlike most embroidery designs. They are made up of a simple straight stitch outline and have no knots or tie off stitches  at the beginning or the end of the design. You'll find motif No.014 featured in the article as a neckline design. Stitched with variegated crochet cotton, the result mimics embroidery done by hand. In addition to the neckline,  I used this design as an all over pattern on the blouse front and back, adding color and texture to otherwise ordinary and plain white fabric.
Picture
Thin silk ribbon and even fine yarn will work. I have used all of these "threads" with great success. The yarn and thread you see below was featured in a previous article from Volume 70 of Designs in Machine Embroidery. The ball of yarn is a fine, soft bamboo blend and the spool you see is YLI Candlelight Metallic, designed for use in the serger. Check with your local sewing machine dealer to purchase YLI and similar serger style threads. Decorative serger threads are  economical and great starter threads for this technique.
To use an unconventional thread like this for embroidery, it's necessary for the thread to feed from the bottom (meaning the bobbin), instead of the top, (meaning the needle). Since the featured decorative thread is in the bobbin, bobbin work embroidery designs are stitched upside down. Many decorative threads that would never go through the needle are the perfect candidates for bobbin work. There are some important thread rules to follow. The thread must be smooth, relatively strong, and thin enough to reel out of the bobbin case easily. I find threads that are designed for decorative serging to be the most foolproof.  However, as I said at the beginning, even ordinary crochet cotton will work. Pearl cotton is a good choice too. 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Your sewing machine dealer will also be able to tell you if this technique is possible with your sewing machine model. A specialty bobbin case is needed or an alternative bobbin case that is set with a looser than normal tension. This may be an optional accessory that's available for your machine.
Picture
Since bobbin work designs are light and airy, they work especially well for garments. The article features a breezy batiste blouse made from a tunic style pattern. Personally, I would rather embroider on flat fabric than on ready-made garments. Yet, if you choose to sew a garment "from scratch" with the addition of embroidery motifs, you may be a little apprehensive at the start. If you are anything like me you probably dislike investing time sewing a style that may not work for you. While the addition of embroidery makes a custom garment more unique and valuable, it's a heartbreak if the time invested turns into an unflattering finished garment. Here are some tips to avoid a situation like that:

Experiment with the pattern prior to making the embroidered version. Make a “muslin” or a mock up garment in similar fabric. Before  you  choose a pattern shop ready to wear and try on similar styles. Bring a tape measure and note overall length, width at the hemline, etc. Do this before you commit to purchasing pattern and fabric, then find something similar at the fabric store. Today patterns are much more in keeping with the times and reflect current trends. Select a pattern that has multiple choices to get the most for your money. A pattern like the one below provides many opportunities for embellishment of any kind. You could also consider other lightweight embroidery motifs in place of bobbin work designs.  You can never go wrong with embroidery near the neckline. Multiple rows of decorative stitches from the sewing side of the machine would be ideal accents on the neck and sleeve facings as well. A style like this is begging for some sort of embellishment. Look for Volume 91 locally or visit www.dzgns.com. If you read the article I'd love to hear your comments!
Picture
Want to see more tips and techniques for embroidering bobbin work designs? CLICK HERE to Watch Episode 602 of It's Sew Easy TV where I demonstrate bobbin work on a pashmina scarf. Bobbin work embroidery is beautiful. Quick to stitch too!
4 Comments
Bass Embroidery Designs link
5/12/2016 09:27:51

You simply cover the major phases of the topic. Simply brilliant.

Reply
Fran Zaino
5/5/2020 09:20:27

Hi Joanne,
I am starting to play around with bobbinwork and I have the designs you show in your 2015 article on my Ellisimo machine. I am wondering can a person use any other loose (e.g. Redwork) pattern in the hoop for bobbinwork since I am having a problem with finding designated designs for bobbinwork. Thank you for your time
Regards
Fran

Reply
Gerard link
1/7/2021 17:16:15

Lovely blog, thanks for taking the time to share this

Reply
Gerard link
1/11/2021 20:17:42

Great blog you have hhere

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Author:

    Joanne Banko
    Brother Ambassador


    I'd love to stay in touch with you!

    Click Here
    and Sign up for
    ​Sewing News, plus tips, tricks, and notifications about new blog posts.

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    October 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    September 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    March 2015
    January 2015
    October 2014
    July 2014
    May 2014
    March 2014
    January 2014

    *As a believer in full disclosure, I'd like you to know that Blog posts may contain affiliate links for products and services I know and trust. Purchasing items through a link marked * results in a small commission for me, with no extra charges for you.

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

© Copyright 2023 by Joanne Banko. All rights Reserved