Whether you’re working on a custom gift or sprucing up your wardrobe, summer is all about adding a personal touch. From floral appliques to beachy vibes, let’s get started!

Seasonal Inspiration: Summer Designs to Try

When it comes to summer, the possibilities are endless!

Here are some of the top summer embroidery ideas to get your creative juices flowing:

Floral Patterns: Daisies, sunflowers, and tropical blooms.

Beach Themes: Palm trees, seashells, and beach waves.

Fruit Designs: Watermelon slices, strawberries, or lemons.

Bright Color Palettes: Colors like coral, turquoise, and bright yellow.

Tropical Patterns: sunshine themes, sea wildlife and pineapples.

Summer Picnic Patterns: ice cream, picnic tables and refreshing drinks.

These are just a few ideas to get you started—let your imagination run wild!

In-The-Hoop Projects for Summer

Summer is all about fun fresh vibes, and these in-the-hoop projects are the perfect way to add some personality to your summer! Whether you’re making gifts or sprucing up your space, these designs are a must-try.

Pro Tip: Mix bold colors and light fabrics for a fresh, summery look!

3D Flowers & 3D Butterflies: Give your summer projects a fun, textured twist! Stitch these onto shirts for a fresh, nature-inspired look, or add them to coasters for a cute, whimsical touch at your next outdoor get-together.

Lace Clutch: A lace clutch is the perfect blend of elegance and practicality! Use it as a stylish evening bag for summer weddings, a chic organizer for small essentials, or a unique handmade gift. Pair it with light, airy fabrics for a breezy, sophisticated summer look!

Sunglass Holders: Keep your shades scratch-free in style! These in-the-hoop sunglass holders are perfect for tossing in your beach bag, keeping in the car, or gifting to friends. Customize with fun summer fabrics for a look that’s both practical and stylish!

Wine Coaster Charm: Add a fun, personal touch to summer gatherings with in-the-hoop wine coaster charms! These stylish coasters not only protect your surfaces but also help guests keep track of their drinks. Stitch them in different colors or monogram them for a custom, party-ready look!

Stained Glass: Bring a bold, artistic touch to your projects with stained glass embroidery! These vibrant designs look stunning as sun catchers, decorative patches, or even framed as unique home decor. Use sheer fabrics and bright thread colors to let the light shine through for a true stained glass effect!

Lemon towel topper: Add a fresh, summery touch to your kitchen with a lemon towel topper! This in-the-hoop project keeps your towels handy while bringing a pop of color and charm to your space. Perfect for brightening up your home!

Fruit Mug Rug Coasters: Add a splash of summer to your coffee table with cute fruit mug rug coasters! These fun, in-the-hoop designs are perfect for protecting surfaces while bringing a bright, cheerful vibe to your space. Stitch them in vibrant colors for a playful touch that’s perfect for summer entertaining!

Tips for Summer Embroidery Projects

As you dive into your summer embroidery projects, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

Light Fabrics: Summer projects often use lighter fabrics like linen, cotton, and denim. Make sure your stabilizer and thread choices are suitable for these fabrics.

Bright Colors: Summer is all about bold, vibrant hues! Use bright yellows, blues, pinks, and greens to capture the season’s spirit.

Think Small: For quick projects, try embroidery on accessories like sunglasses cases, beach towels, or even flip-flops!

Unleash Your Creativity: Design Personalized Summer Projects with EL Digitizer Software

Ready to take your summer projects to the next level? Our new EL Digitizer Software makes it easy to create your own personalized designs!

Whether you’re adding custom touches to beach bags, creating fun apparel, or personalizing home decor, this software lets you bring your unique ideas to life with ease. With user-friendly features, easy to follow lesson tutorials, and endless creative possibilities, you’ll be crafting one-of-a-kind designs in no time!

Free Summer Embroidery Design

To help kickstart your projects, here’s a FREE Summer Embroidery Design just for you! Download the design below and create something awesome for your summer collection.

This free beach scene design is 3.56″w X 2.13″h 

Ready to Stitch Your Summer Creations?

As summer heats up, it’s the perfect time to dive into creative embroidery projects that bring all the bright, cheerful vibes of the season to life! From beachy designs to floral accents, there’s no shortage of ways to add a personal touch to your summer essentials. So grab your hoop and let your creativity shine this season!

Remember to share your creations with us—we’d love to see what you make! Stay tuned for more fun seasonal embroidery ideas, and keep stitching your way through summer.

This blog will share beautiful spring-themed embroidery ideas, must-try projects, helpful tips, and a free embroidery design to make your stitching bloom. Let’s dive in!

Fresh and Fun Spring Embroidery Ideas

Spring is all about renewal, growth, and vibrant energy!

Here are some popular spring embroidery patterns to brighten your projects:

Floral Embroidery Designs: Daisies, roses, tulips, and cherry blossoms.

Nature-Inspired Patterns: Butterflies, bees, ladybugs, and birdhouses.

Cheerful Easter Embroidery Themes: Easter eggs, bunnies, spring rainbows, and pastel patterns.

These embroidery designs can be stitched onto a tote bag for spring shopping trips, a denim jacket for a fresh wardrobe update, or embroidered onto decorative pillows for new seasonal inspiration.

In-the-Hoop Embroidery Projects for Spring

Spring calls for entertaining and regrouping with friends! These in-the-hoop projects are perfect for adding a touch of elegance and fun to your decor.

Pro Tip: Experiment with fabrics and thread colors to create a mix-and-match set.

Bunny Ribbon Rose Pillow: an adorable accent piece perfect for Easter or brightening up any space with a playful touch.

Floral Chicken Pot Trivet: bring farmhouse charm to your kitchen—perfect for protecting your surfaces while adding a spring-inspired touch.

3D Rose Flower: Perfect for embellishing hats, headbands, or bags.

Fringe Flower Heart Brooch: give your spring style a fresh update —perfect for adding playful texture to jackets, bags, or even your go-to denim. 

Flower Bookmark: add a touch of spring to your favorite reads or gifting to the book lovers in your life.

Hoppy Easter Mug Rug: add a festive touch to your coffee breaks —perfect for protecting surfaces while celebrating the season in style.

Flower Fonts: make a bold statement—large, floral-themed letters perfect for personalizing sweaters or adding a fresh, stylish twist to your wardrobe.

Tips When Stitching for Spring Embroidery Projects

Here are some handy tips to get the best results this season:

Choose Lighter Fabrics: Spring is all about light and airy materials like cotton or linen.

Play with Pastels: Incorporate pastel threads for a soft, seasonal look.

Tackle Intricate Details: Use a finer needle to stitch small floral patterns or delicate designs.

Flower Embroidery Pattern Free

Celebrate the season with a free embroidery design!

Download our exclusive tulip applique design to add a fresh, floral touch to your projects.

This free tulip rose design is 2.93″w X 3.20″h

Celebrate Spring with Every Stitch

Spring is the perfect season to let your creativity blossom. From vibrant florals to cheerful projects, there’s no shortage of inspiration to bring your embroidery to life. Whether you’re crafting for your home, wardrobe, or gifting, spring embroidery designs offer endless opportunities to create something special.

We hope these ideas have sparked your imagination and motivated you to start your next project. Don’t forget to check out our spring design collection and download your free tulip design! Stay tuned for more seasonal inspiration as summer approaches. Until then, happy stitching and enjoy all the beauty this season offers!

If you’ve ever glanced at an item and thought that could use something extra, you’re not alone! Embroidering pockets is a great way to add creativity and style to your projects.

You can use them on pants, and they are also stylish and functional for shirts, bags, and placemats!

How To Machine Embroider A Pocket

You can personalize your pocket with your thread color and the fabric you’ll use as your applique!

There are pocket embroidery designs with all the different embellishments that make it so easy to upcycle your garment!

The process of making a pocket design is quite simple!

• Iron-on fusible no-show mesh stabilizer
• Tear-away stabilizer
• Fabric for your pocket
• Matching embroidery thread
• Pocket embroidery design

• Pre-wash the applique fabric before stitching it onto the shirt. Manufacturers typically make T-shirts from knit fabric that doesn’t shrink. The cotton applique on the pocket may shrink if you embroider it onto the shirt and then wash it.
• Apply HeatnBond to the applique fabric before tacking it down to help the design stay in place. It also keeps the fabric from unraveling around the outside edges.

Embroidery Pocket Tutorial

Step 1: Place the applique material upside down and iron on fusible no-show mesh stabilizer (this helps avoid fraying later on in the project).

Step 2: Hoop your tear-away stabilizer. Add your design file to your embroidery machine. After your first tack-down placement stitch, stop your machine.

Step 3: Place the very end of your applique material and no-show mesh fusible sandwich over the placement stitch and run the following placement stitches.

Step 4: Fold the applique material tightly over the placement stitch (you can use painters tape to hold the end down), then run the tack down and decorative stitches.

Step 5: Remove your design from the hoop and cut closely along the stitch line.

Step 6: Tear away all the stabilizer.

Step 7: Hoop the garment you’ll be applying your pocket to with a cut-away stabilizer. (Using a T-pin can help mark the center of your hoop and placement stitches.) Add your second pocket file to your machine.

Step 8: Run your next placement design. Place the pocket above the placement stitch and run the finishing stitches.

Step 9: Remove your garment from the hoop and cut away the stabilizer.

Your embroidered pocket is now complete!

Are you more of a visual learner? Here’s a quick video:

Regarding clothing or bags, the smallest details can sometimes make the most significant impact! These are not only fun but also easy. You can create them for adults or children; they have become a trend you’ll want to practice!

We can’t wait to see your personalized garments – happy stitching!

Our easy-to-follow tutorial will help you create intricate and stunning edge-to-edge designs. Whether you’re a seasoned quilter or just starting, we’ve got tips and techniques to help you turn your quilts into the works of art you’ve dreamed of! 

Tips When Creating Edge To Edge Designs

• The beginning and end of your design need to be directly across from each other to allow you to re-hoop and line up the design easily. 
• Turn on “Snap to Anchor” to draw continuously by connecting one segment (line) to the next without a tie-in and out. The red dot indicates that “Snap to Anchor” is on. 

Edge To Edge Quilting Design Tutorial

Step 1: Draw your design. I used the straight line tool for simplicity, but you can use the Free Draw Tool for more complex designs.

Step 2: Select design > open Properties Docker. Change the Stitch Length and Stitch Style to what you’d like. 

Step 3: Under Command > change Tie On to NONE > change Tie Off to NONE.

Step 4: Copy and Paste the design. I changed the color to green so you could see it better when lining up the designs.

Step 5: Drag the copied design so the Start point touches the End point of the first design.

Step 6: Select the last design.

Step 7: Open the Properties Docker > Commands > Change the Tie Off to Basic

Step 8: Select the first object.

Step 9: Open Properties Docker > Commands > Change Tie On to Basic.

Step 10: Save your design as a JDX file and then in your machine’s file format.

We can’t wait to see what you come up with for your next edge-to-edge design! 

In this article, we’ll talk about transforming a plain canvas into a stunning work of art!

Why Embroider On Canvas

Canvas is such an economical and versatile choice for fabric. It is available at Fabric, Hardware (as drop cloths), and Dollar stores. There are also many sites with premade totes and other ready-made goodies. We’ll give you some project ideas (enough to fill the biggest tote you can make)!

Before the fun projects, let’s discuss what canvas is and the different kinds.

We will discuss the three main types.

• Plain: wide weave with larger fiber. Often used for tents and durable goods.
• Duck: thinner threads and smoother finish. Often used in tennis shoes and drop cloths.
• Cotton: stretchy and softer. Often used in outwear.

Be careful when embroidering on canvas with a plastic coating or thick seams, as it may damage your needle. Most canvas is naturally colored, but it comes in white, black, and a rainbow of colors!

As far as embroidery designs, the world is your canvas! Get creative! You should stitch out with great results if you use high-quality embroidery designs.

Embroidery Threads On Canvas

Polyester threads work wonderfully on canvas, but you can also use cotton or rayon.  

The only drawback to rayon is that it frays more easily than polyester. The more rough the fabric, the more you can fray your thread.  

Best Stabilizer for Canvas Machine Embroidery

Canvas is a firm fabric. Therefore sometimes you don’t need a stabilizer, but using one gives the best results. A medium-weight cutaway or a tearaway works very well.

Embroidery Machine Needle For Canvas

Canvas has a very coarse weave and is quite strong, so there are only a few drawbacks.

When embroidering lettering on canvas or long straight lines, you often see your stitching line “jump” over one fabric thread. When using a dull needle or ballpoint, the embroidery thread tends to move sideways instead of going through the fabric. This happens because the needle is not sharp enough to penetrate the material. As a result, the thread gets pushed to the side rather than creating a clean stitch.

We recommend using a sharp point needle.

Machine Embroidery On Canvas Projects

We will show you a few ways to use canvas, but this is just the tip of the iceberg! Denim is like canvas, durable and wearable, making it a stable fabric for embroidery.

Displaying Embroidered Canvas On A Wooden Frame

Here is a sweet little birth announcement. The lettering is embroidered, and the embellishments are colored with permanent markers.  

We painted a small frame and used a heavy-duty stapler.

Here are the steps for stapling canvas onto the back of a wooden frame:

1. Machine embroider your design. Lay your stitch-out face UP on a flat surface.
2. Lay your frame over it and adjust until it is square and centered in the frame.
3. Mark a dot at each corner. 
4. Place the frame’s front side DOWN on a flat surface.
5. Lay the stitch-out face DOWN on the BACK of the frame. Align the dots with the four corners of the frame.
6. Staple the corners first, working on opposite corners as you go. If embroidering on stretched canvas, do not pull too tight to distort your embroidery.
7. Turn over and check to make sure your design is aligned.
8. Working on opposite sides, staple the sides in the center of your frame.

9. Fill in the sides with staples so your canvas fits tight.

10. Trim excess fabric showing around your frame. 

11. Display and admire!

Canvas fabric is very strong, and you can pull on it, lining the fabric’s grain with the frame’s edge.

Display Your Machine Embroidery On A Canvas Frame

Embroider your design on any material you desire. Display it on a canvas frame as a gift, or hang it in your home as a stunning piece of wall art.

These can be budget-friendly and can be found at craft and dollar stores.

Join John in this step-by-step tutorial to transform your creations into eye-catching works of art!

Machine Embroidery Tile Scenes

When displaying embroidery as artwork, canvas material can be a wonderful medium. It is firm, stitches well, and is durable to stretch and display.

You can use multiple canvas frames to combine them into one big finished product.

This amazing Liberty Bell wall display has over 2.6 million stitches! Stitched one square at a time to assemble it as one picture, and display it as this magnificent piece of art! 

Canvas Project Ideas for Machine Embroidery

• Mug rug: simple, fast, and fun! Stitched right side up in the hoop! 

• Placemat: placemats made from canvas are so durable and washable!

• Patches for clothing: they’re simple to make. After stitching, sew onto a hole in your jeans and fray the edge for a vintage style.

• Chair backs and seats: like vintage director’s chairs, the canvas is perfect for making your special spot yours!

• ITH zipper projects: you can make anything in canvas that is made in vinyl.

• Hotmitts: super easy to make in the hoop! Simply stitch the design on batting and canvas. Place another layer of backing over it face side down and stitch in place. Cut the fabric. Trim it inside out. Finish the project by hand.

• Totes: either stitched on canvas fabric or a premade blank tote bag, it only takes minutes while the joy lasts forever!

Check out our funny yet cute tote embroidery designs for decorating your next tote! 

Conclusion: Embroidering On Canvas Is Easy With Great Results

Canvas is a wonderful fabric for embroidery; it’s versatile, stable, cost-effective, and available in many forms. As one of the most stable fabrics we use, you’ll find it works with virtually all of our 30,000 embroidery designs.  

You will be up and stitching with very few guidelines, creating various fun projects!  

Learn about mesh screen tips, our suggestions, project ideas, and a step-by-step tutorial to creatively embellish your nylon screen.

Why Try Embroidering on Nylon Screen

Nylon screen, screen mesh, and pet screen are like tulle netting, only a bit larger and stronger. Screen doors and window screens use screen mesh.

Using nylon or mesh screens adds an unusual texture and dimension to your embroidery designs. Prepare for the “ou’s” and “ah’s” when your friends and family see it!

It provides a different way to display your machine embroidery. Put it in a frame, on your back door, or your hats and bags. It’s time to get creative! 

Nylon and mesh screens are known for their durability and are very wear and tear-resistant. Your embroidery will be sure to last. 

Recommendations For Embroidering On Mesh Screen

Types Of Screens To Use & Not Use

We have only one big don’t.

There are several kinds of screen mesh available in hardware stores.  

All of the projects shown below use nylon mesh. It is available right next to the metal meshes in the hardware store but is soft and pliable. (Be sure to ask someone if you need help distinguishing between the two so you purchase the right screen.) 

Thread For Embroidering Mesh Screen

Use any embroidery thread except metallic ones, as they won’t show and can damage the nylon screen.

Nylon Screen Embroidery Stabilizer

We suggest using a water-soluble (wash away) stabilizer for screen mesh embroidery. We used a double layer of cloth-like stabilizer to give a good surface while stitching. 

Embroidering on Mesh Screen Tutorial

Supplies Needed For Embroidering On Screen

• Nylon screen mesh (available at your local hardware store)
• Embroidery thread (we used polyester)
• Fabric-like water soluble stabilizer
• Your embroidery design loaded into your machine

Embroidery On Screen Mesh Tutorial

• Select your design. Keep in mind the density and level of complexity, as we talked about above.
• Hoop your screen mesh and stabilizer.
  • Lay your hoop bottom on a flat surface.
  • Lay the stabilizer over your hoop (remember, we used two layers).

• • Lay the screen mesh on top of your stabilizer and hoop.

• • Insert your hoop into your machine.
• Stitch your design- remember to stitch at a lower speed– this is important to have the best quality stitching.

• Trim the stabilizer and save extra pieces for other projects.
• Rinse out the rest of the stabilizer using hot water in a continuous spray from your tap.  

• Lay it out flat until dry. 

• When dry, check for small bits of stabilizer. You can remove any leftover pieces with a wet cotton swab.
• Mount in a frame for display. We used pre-made stretchers for painters and sprayed them black for show. Any wooden frame will do as long as you can staple in the back. (Keep reading for further direction.)

Embroidery Designs For Mesh Screen

Let’s discuss a few things to consider when choosing an embroidery design for your screen. 

Before picking your design, consider where you will display your stitching.  

Dense designs look good on screen, but they look even better with light shining on them from the front. (Dense designs could look like a dark form if you are looking at it with only bright light shining behind it.)

Here is an example of how a design on a mesh screen looks with a light on the front and back. 

Light designs are good, but colors won’t appear in a window if they’re too light.  

It is best to choose non-dense simpler designs. Remember that the nylon screen is a grid. There are vertical and horizontal threads, but far apart, so there is not as much to hold the design.  

You will want to choose designs with cleaner edges to lessen the dreaded pulling.

Here is a way of looking at it; any design will cause pulling, but try to get as little as possible. The simpler the design, the less pulling. Here are two examples of a simple and complicated design:

It does not mean you cannot try- you’ll only know if you do!

Some key points to remember when using embroidery on mesh:

• Choose lighter, smaller designs
• Think about where you will display your stitch out
• Lighter colors show better
• Use lighter (or white) bobbins

Different Ways to Embellish Your Embroidery Designs for Mesh Screen

Here are a few fun and unique variations to achieve different looks on the nylon screen tutorial we showed above.

Digitizing Fills For Screen Mesh

Create your own custom embroidery designs exactly how you want within your embroidery software. 

Here is an example of using a fill in our “sun catchers” designs.  

You can fill them with a tatami fill. For a lighter effect, remove the underlay.

We imported Sun Catcher 1 embroidery design into our software. We then used a Florentine curved fill and applied an effect filling from dense to light. Think of coloring “inside the lines” in a coloring book.

Screen Mesh Embroidery with Plastic & Coloring

Use clear plastic, like in tablecloths or shower curtains, to make a stained glass effect with permanent markers or gel paints.  

We stitched it in black to achieve this effect, but you may choose any color. A design like this allows us to fill in colors as we desire! These are awesome for kids of all ages and excellent for Christmas ornaments!

For this easy stained glass effect, you will treat this like an applique embroidery design (stitch, trim, then finish stitching).

Here are the steps:

• Hoop 2 pieces of fabric like water soluble stabilizer with a layer of screen mesh over it.
• Cover the hoop with a thick, transparent plastic sheet, such as a tablecloth or shower curtain. Place the hoop in the machine.

• Stitch the first circle of the design (the tack down).
• Remove your hoop from the machine and trim only the plastic.

• Finish stitching and remove from the hoop.
• Trim the stabilizer, set it aside for other projects, and then rinse the remaining stabilizer away from the stitching.

• When dry, fill spaces with a permanent marker, nail polish, or clear paint to create a beautiful stained glass effect. Make sure when you are coloring it; you work on the plastic side.

• Mount in an empty picture frame and enjoy!

Nylon Screen Embroidery with Ink Crayon

Another method when embroidering nylon mesh is to use an old polyester sheer as your base applique material. Color it with permanent markers or use Ink Crayons, activated with water.

The steps are the same as the plastic version above. However, in this version, you will use an old drapery sheer made of polyester organza. You can also use silk organza or any fabric!

After coloring, lay it flat and mist it lightly with plain water from a fine sprayer. Be careful not to over-wet it.

How To Frame Embroidery On Nylon Screen

Use a wooden frame to staple the screen in place, but any frame will do.  

Staple the four corners in place, stretch your screen slightly, and align the mesh’s grid lines with the frame’s side. Then work on opposing sides until you have it secured.

Conclusion: Put Embroidering On Screen Mesh On Your Embroidery To-Do List

Screen mesh is so much fun! Get this textile for your collection! It can be put in a frame, tote, or ornament. Here are some things to remember:

• NEVER use metal screen “wire” in an embroidery machine. It will damage your machine, and you’ll be out of commission.
• Use two layers of stabilizer when you are embroidering on a mesh screen. It will give you better stitch-out results.
• Make sure your designs are simple and light. Dense designs are not see-through and can look like a dark “blob” hanging in a window. Likewise- avoid designs with fine details or wispy lines.
• Be creative and think outside the box! Mesh projects are not just for windows; you can make jewelry, bags, ornaments, and more. Try out the different techniques we discussed above. 

Embroidered necklines on blouses, dresses, and t-shirts can give a personalized look to your garment and create a unique look. Let’s move past the idea that embroidering necklines is too tricky. We will help you master this skill and get the best results.

How to Embroider a Neckline

Want in on a neckline secret? Embroidered necklines are easy to create! This trick involves a camera, a grid, and your embroidery software. If you can see it on your screen, it will be where you want it.

We’ll dive deeper into this technique shortly, so don’t worry if it doesn’t make total sense.

Embroidery Machine Designs For Necklines

Neckline embroidery is an interesting placement and jazzes up even the most boring shirts! But nothing is stopping you from putting any design along the neck!  

Here are a few great ideas…

A fun motif embroidery design can nicely hug your neckline (play around with something southwestern, sports, or tribal-related).

A curved embroidery design can hug the bottom of your neckline for a polished look.

Continuous embroidery script similar to that used in quilting.

Vintage embroidery lace can be an elegant embellishment to any garment.

Embroidering A Neckline Tutorial

Remember what we said above? Hoop first, take a picture, digitize, then stitch! Let’s go into further detail.

Items needed to embroider your neckline

• Embroidery machine
• One shirt (sweatshirt or T-shirt) with a boat (oval) or crew (round) neck
• Lightweight fusible embroidery stabilizer
• Grid mat (you can also use a plastic kitchen cutting mat from the dollar store. Mark in 1-inch squares with a permanent marker. They’re reusable, and you can cut them to size to fit in your hoop.)
• Embroidery font or embroidery design
• Scissors
• Iron
• Painters tape
• Camera (cell phone or a digital)
• Printer
• Mighty Hoops (not necessary, but it makes hooping a whole lot easier)
• Embroidery software

Step 1: Turn the shirt inside out and lay it on a flat surface.

Step 2: Cut two pieces of fusible stabilizer. One piece should surround the entire area to be embroidered. The other piece should be placed 45 degrees to the neckline.

Step 3: If you use a hooping station, mark the center with painter’s tape

Step 4: Turn your shirt right side out. Mark the center of your shirt with painter’s tape or washable marker. 

Lay down a grid template (cutting mats from the dollar store work great!). You can make a hole or a colored dot to know where the center of the grid is.

Step 5: Using the center line as a guide, place the hoop so that the edge is lined up with the edge of the hoop.  

Step 6: We marked the edge of the hoop with magnetic markers. This helps us know where to place the hoop when we remove the shirt and put the stabilizer on.

Step 7: Hoop your shirt with a stabilizer.

Step 8: Take a picture of your hoop, making sure to be straight down.

Step 9: Save the picture as artwork (.png or .pdf) – you will use this as “artwork” over which you will digitize

Step 10: Open a new workspace in your embroidery software and Insert your picture as artwork into your workspace. Rescale to inches (if that is the measurement you used on your template). This way, you digitize your embroidery at the same “real” size as the shirt.  

Since you placed a grid in 1-inch squares, this will help you size the artwork to 100%. If you need, you can digitize a line along a line in the picture and use it as a measure.

Step 11: Click and drag your image so it resizes the template with the guidelines of your embroidery software. You want the center of the picture at the center of the grid (0,0) on your screen. 

Step 12: Insert the lettering (or design) of your choice. In this example, we’re using the ESA font, Angelina. 

Adjust your sizing, spacing, and curve to match the neckline.

Step 13: Print the artwork from your workspace and print at 100% (life-size). This will give you an accurate center point. The picture you print should be the same as your shirt in the hoop.

Step 14: Tape the artwork in place to match the neckline.

Step 15: Load your design into your machine and place your hoop in your machine. Position your needle either over the design start (to match) or the dead center (if you use center start).

Step 16: Trace your design before stitching. This will ensure you won’t hit your hoop with your presser foot.

Step 17: Optional: Place a piece of water-soluble stabilizer on top of a heavier shirt, such as a sweater. This will prevent the stitches from sinking into the shirt.

Stitch & your new shirt is ready to wear.

Conclusion: Lining Up Your Hoop & Design Is Key

With this easy technique, getting the proper placement is easy! Remember:

• Hoop squarely – the better the hooping, the better the stitching
• Digitize at 100% every time. Check that the hoop in your software is the same size and shape as the one you are using.
• Take your time and measure twice so you only have to stitch once!

We know you’ll come up with some amazing things after a little inspiration and instruction. We can’t wait to see what you create next.

How our home is decorated says a lot about us and our style. It can add elegance and personality to your space while also displaying uniqueness.

Let’s explore machine embroidery in home decor/ interior design and how it can add to your home’s aesthetic appeal.

Why Use Machine Embroidery In Your Home

We all like to put our personal touches in our homes, so why not really personalize it while having fun? Think about how you can incorporate your own style into your home decor. Brainstorm unique designs that reflect your personality. Have fun exploring home decor ideas!

Creating your own embroidered home decor pieces can be wallet-friendly. You can save money on decor. Visit your local dollar or budget store to purchase blanks. Or, use fabric from your stash to create your own homemade pieces.

Not only can you transform your living space on a budget, but you can also personalize it exactly how you want! From different fabrics to different colored threads to using different designs, your options are endless!

Home Decor Embroidery

When creating home decor with machine embroidery, it is important to use the correct tools. This includes the right embroidery scissors, the appropriate embroidery thread for the fabric and design, and proper machine maintenance. But another critical factor is to use high-quality embroidery designs! The last thing you want is a bird’s nest forming on the back of your newly stitched throw pillow.

Explore our 30,000 stitch-friendly embroidery designs. These designs will produce excellent results. Allow your creative mind to wander!

Now for the exciting part! Below is a houseful of ideas for personalizing your home with embroidery art. Take notes as to what’s next on your embroidered decor list. 

Embroidered Pillows

A decorative pillow is just the right touch to add a pop of creativity or color to any room. It’s also a great way to show your holiday or team spirit or personalize it with some initials! Here’s a list of different pillows for you to consider.

Holiday Pillows

Many people forget how fun it is to rotate out home furnishings. We can add new pillows to a comfy couch for some holiday spirit.

Statement Pillows

These elegant pillows can class up average furniture in the living room or bedroom. There are many pillow blanks and pillow covers you can buy to give a boost.

Sometimes the statement really is a statement! We love a good embroidered throw pillow.

Baby announcements are long-lasting and personalized keepsakes.

Recovery/Comfort Pillows

Pillows can be used for comfort and recovery. Whether for kids or adults, these functional pillows make not feeling great feel a whole lot better! The first day of school or medical treatment is always better with a piece of home.

A quick and easy side pocket can hold everything you need. Port pillows for medical treatments can keep IV ports clean and safe.

Artistic Personalized Pillows

Spice up your home with your home by creating your own personalized sayings pillow. Set the mood of your room by creating an inviting atmosphere.

Embroidered Towels

Towels are one home decor item that should be changed frequently (if they’re in use). But we’re ok with that because that means more pretty embroidered things to show off!

As a kitchen or bath towel, towels can help you decorate in style!

Embroidered Curtains

Have you ever thought your curtains needed a little remodeling? How about taking down your curtains and stitching on designs? So easy and takes very little time to give your room a boost.  

Lay out the drape and mark the areas where you want the designs stitched. Use a measuring tape to make center hoop placements. Here are a few places you may have draperies waiting to be made new!

• Bathroom/shower curtains
• Kitchen curtains
• Camper curtains
• Auto sunshade
• Drapery sheers
• Heavy curtains

Embroidered Table Linens

Enhancing your dining area’s visual appeal by adding some elegant embroidery.

Holiday Runners

Blank runners are just waiting to be embroidered and wrapped up as a gift (they make great hostesses or housewarming gifts)! Some of our favorite blank table runners are one’s we’ve found at the good old dollar store.

Embroidered Placemats

Making them is so easy nowadays! Order ready-made blanks and get to work! You’ll have personalized placemats for your next celebration or Christmas party in no time.

Tray Liners

Trays at dollar stores can be made elegant with a customized tray liner. They are super easy, quick, and cost-effective; they make a great gift!

Napkin Holders/Rings

Need a way to use up scraps of vinyl and other fabric? Stitch out a quick napkin ring set. Not just for holidays. We’d love to see you at our door with a set of these fun rings.

Embroidered Napkins

Embroidered napkins make the perfect embellishment for any table and are super easy to make. Small details can have a big impact on your dining space.

Wall Hangings & More!

Wall Hangings

Wall hangings can be anything from a quilt, a picture, lace, or more!

Mount your embroidery in a frame between two pieces of glass. Staple it to a canvas square. Hang it from a piece of driftwood. Or, hang it from an invisible wire.

The method of displaying this needs only a wall and your imagination!

Embroidery on Screen or Sheer Fabric

Have you ever heard of embroidery on nylon door screens? Demonstrate your festive, group, and additional enthusiasm in a new way, or embellish your screen for some creativity!

Ensure you’re using a nylon screen (not metal!) and hoop it with a wash-away stabilizer and embroider as usual.

Take our advice, avoid dense designs!

Door Knockers/Handle Covers

Welcome new and old friends to your home with door handle coasters. You can hang bells for the holidays or use them as it.

Glow-In-The-Dark Embroidered Stars

This is an exciting idea for kids’ rooms. The glow-in-the-dark thread is now widely available. Why not embroider stars or planets with it? Your kiddo will run to bed to see their night sky.

Embroidered Odds N’ Ends

Embroidered plants 

Have you ever heard of making your own plants? Washable, durable, and sits in the corner looking beautiful 365 days a year.

Armchair protectors/organizers 

For those of us of a “certain” age… we remember the removable covers on the arms of chairs. Why not create a pocket holder for your remote, pencils or pens, and all the necessary gadgets?

Chair seats 

Turn a garage sale find into the find of the century! Amazing how a simple design can make a difference!

Tissue box covers  

These are not hard to make. Measure your tissue box and embroider four sides and a slotted top to hide an ordinary paper box!

Rope bowls 

A cotton clothesline is not just for hanging out your clothes. These are super easy to make and are functional too!

Lamp shades/Night Lights 

Take a dollar store lamp and shade and remove the paper. You can embroider it or use a new fabric of your own! Want a quick nightlight? Ordering LED lights with Lucite diffusers and night sensors provides ambient light in the dark!

Room divider 

This is a big project, but creating an heirloom that will last for generations is worth it.

Conclusion: Enhance Your Home Decor

This is only a scratch on the topic’s surface of home décor. Here are some key ideas we want you to consider when creating designs for your home….

• Don’t limit yourself to “standard” décor themes. Holidays, sports, nature, the sky is the limit (and the sky makes a great theme!).
• Use pre-made blanks to get you decorating faster. Remember, dollar stores as a source of materials.
• Do not stop at the living or bedroom. Every room deserves to be seen! Change with the seasons or when you need a “perk me up.”

We would love to see what embroidery project you try next. Show off your work in our Facebook group “Machine Embroidery and Digitizing Made Easy,” where we discuss all things embroidery.

In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to easily create and personalize your own embroidered earbud case.

Why Create This Embroidered Earbud Case

Earbuds are great, but being small, they can often be misplaced or hard to find. Using a case will help you easily distinguish where they are and help to keep them neatly stored to avoid the hassle of detaining a cord and to find them quickly and conveniently. This case is the perfect addition to your on-the-go lifestyle.

Creating your own earbud case is cost-effective! You can repurpose or use leftover vinyl or leather in your fabric stash.

Feel free to change the color of your fabric or thread to create the unique look you desire. Add a personalized touch by adding initials or your favorite designs to customize your new case. 

Our In-The-Hoop Embroidery Legacy Earbud Case design includes the EMB file format, so you can import it into your digitizing software and personalize it for yourself, friends, or family. They make great gifts!

Supplies Need to Make This Embroidered Earbud Case

• Embroidery machine
• Vinyl or leather
  • One 10×10″ piece
  • Two 10×4″ pieces
  • Two 3.5X0.5″ pieces
• Tear-away embroidery stabilizer
• Embroidery adhesive spray
• Embroidery scissors 
• Metal or plastic rivets
• Pin or marker to make a spot for your clasp
• Embroidery Legacy In-the-hoop earbud embroidery file – this file comes with 2 different earbud case versions
• Painters tape (optional but recommended)

Embroidered Earbud Case Tutorial

Step 1: Hoop a piece of tear-away stabilizer and put it in your machine. Stitch the first outline.

Step 2: Remove your hoop from the machine and turn it upside down. Using a light spray of temporary adhesive, place down your 10×10″ piece of vinyl on the BACK side of the hoop so it covers the whole stitch line (there should be a margin of ¼ inch). 

Step 3: Flip the hoop so it’s right side up. Use a light adhesive spray on your two 10×4″ vinyl pieces and place them over the stitch outlines. 

Step 4: Place your hoop back in your machine and let the music symbol & lettering stitch, keep stitching until you see the little straight line (this is where it indicates your next piece placement).

Step 5: Place the bottom of your 3.5X0.5″ vinyl piece over the stitched outline and secure the ends using painter’s tape. 

Step 6: Return the hoop to your machine and finish stitching. 

Step 7: Once finished, remove your hoop from your design and tear away the stabilizer around it.

Step 8: Remove the pieces of painter’s tape and trim the little leftover bits.  

Step 9: Using a nice sharp pair of scissors, trim around the outside edge of the case design.

Step 10: Fold up your earbud case to create the perfect triangle.

Step 11: Use a pin or marker to create marks for your grommet.  

Step 12: Create small holes for the rivet using a hole punch. 

Step 13: Insert the rivet and secure it.

Step 14: Fold the case so it clips together, and insert one end into the slit to create the perfect earbud case, and you’re done!

Conclusion: Create Your Earbud Case

Our ITH embroidered earbud case is a fun and quick and easy project for summer, birthdays, or even yourself! What color will your next case be?

Not when you have the right tools, information, and easy step-by-step tutorials!

Keep reading to find out everything you need to know to create your own cutwork, including the basics of the cutwork process and certain tools to perfect this technique. 

Cutwork Embroidery

Cutwork involves freestanding embroidery that is sewn onto fabric. Depending on your design and the project look you desire, cutwork designs can be stitched surrounded by fabric, or it can be half on your fabric and half freestanding.

Cutwork embroidery designs

Cutwork embroidery designs are specifically created for cutwork. These designs involve specific steps to aid with the process. First, they will include a cut line. This will give you an outline of where you’ll cut for your freestanding embroidery to be visible. You will cut inside the sewn lines. If your stabilizer has been hooped with your fabric DO NOT cut your stabilizer, only your fabric. Next, another embroidery file will stitch. It will line up perfectly with where you cut your fabric. This will be your selected embroidery design and should stitch and look like a cutwork design.    

Cutwork embroidery stabilizer

You don’t always realize how important stabilizer is until you’re doing cutwork! It’s also crucial to make sure you’re using the right stabilizer. If you used cutaway stabilizer for any embroidery cutwork project, you would spend way too much time with your scissors trying to get it out of the design. As the point of cutwork is to have freestanding embroidery, you want nothing left behind or shown in your embroidery. Using wash away stabilizer is a MUST in this technique. Getting rid of your stabilizer shadowing through is as easy as rinsing your design in warm water. 

Note: I would suggest first doing a test with your wash away stabilizer as all household water is different. If warm water isn’t removing the stabilizer, try adding a tiny bit of fabric softener or hair conditioner. 

To find out more about stabilizers, check out our Complete Guide to Machine Embroidery Stabilizers by clicking here. 

Cutwork embroidery fabrics

The fabrics you use in your cutwork projects can have an impact on your results. If you use a fabric with too high or too low density, it can cause too much movement or cause your design to stitch out poorly. I suggest using cotton materials but make sure your item is washed before to ensure it will not shrink after you’ve stitched on it. 

Threads for cutwork embroidery

Although many different thread types are making it hard to determine what’s best to use for cutwork, I suggest using Rayon thread. Rayon lays flatter, has a high sheen, and offers many different color selections. It can perform well in high-speed stitching and has a softer feel, great for intricate embroidery. I would not suggest using Poly. Although it has a higher breaking point, Poly’s synthetic nature causes it to become a little spongy in feel and appearance when the stabilizer dissolves.

Scissors for cutwork embroidery

You can use any embroidery scissor, but I highly suggest using 6-inch double-edge curved scissor when it comes to cutwork embroidery. The reason is because of how they’re designed. The handle is curved, which allows you to get in and under your fabric, similar to a shovel. The blade end of the scissor points upwards; this is so the blade doesn’t cut anything you don’t want cut, such as the bottom part of the stabilizer or fabric. This end also helps with precision and intricate detail, which is essential when creating cutwork in embroidery.

Why Create This DIY Cutwork Napkin

You’ve seen those beautiful kitchen tablecloths or stylish blouses with lace cutwork in them and thought, I want to do that! Well, this is a great project to help you discover the simplicity of cutwork steps while having fun, to produce something so intricate and elegant. It’s always scary trying out a new embroidery technique, but once you have a feel for it, you’ll be hooked! Be prepared to incorporate cutwork to everything around you. (Sorry, not sorry) 

These DIY cutwork napkins are the perfect decor for your next gathering. They’re a great conversation starter, and people will be impressed after you mention, “I made that!”. Be prepared for the “Do you think you can make me some?” comments. They also make great gifts! Whether for Christmas, birthdays, weddings, or even house warming gifts, they’ll always be appreciated. 

Not only are these cutwork lace napkins functional, but they’re elegant, and you can also personalize them to any color or fabric of your choice. Make different styles for different occasions. Using a red fabric with green thread would be perfect for your Christmas dinner decor; use white fabric with blue thread when you have company over to match your plates. Your options are endless, and you can set a different feel for your room as you choose.

How To Make Your Own Cutwork Lace Napkin

Follow the tutorial instructions listed below to create your very own beautiful cutwork lace napkin! The theory application in this tutorial can be applied to other cutwork embroidery designs. You got this!

More of a visual learner? We’ve got you covered. Watch our Youtube tutorial here:

Supplies required for this cutwork corner napkin:

• A napkin (or hanky or tablecloth -whatever project you are adding the cutwork corner onto)
• Wet N Gone stabilizer
• Rayon thread and matching prewound colored bobbin
• 5×7 or 8×8 hoop
• Scissors (we recommend 6″ double-curved scissors) 
• Cutwork lace napkin embroidery design

Cutwork lace napkin tutorial

Step 1: Load your cutwork lace napkin embroidery design file into your embroidery machine.

Step 2: Hoop your Wet N Gone stabilizer and place your hoop into your machine. 

Make sure you have the same color bobbin thread as your top thread.

Run the single “long” running stitch -you’re going to use this stitch as a placement cut.

Step 3: Tape the tip of your napkin in place onto the stabilizer.

Step 4: Run the tack-down stitch. After it’s finished stitching, remove the hoop from the machine.

Cut the tip of the fabric away, DO NOT cut the stabilizer during the process.

Carefully remove the “long” placement stitch from the stabilizer.

Step 5: Place your hoop back in the machine.

Run the zig-zag stitch on the borders of the fabric to secure the raw edge of your napkin.

Step 6: Continue to run the lace design.

Step 7: Remove the hoop from the machine, and then remove the napkin from the hoop. 

Cut any excess stabilizer around the design. Put the lace design into a bowl of hot water and let the stabilizer dissolve. Pat dry with a towel. 

Step 8: Congratulations on your completed cutwork lace napkin project!

Conclusion: Creating Cutwork Is Easy & Fun

Hopefully, this tutorial has helped you better understand a bit more about cutwork embroidery. Although the end result can look intimidating, the process is easier than you think. Remember to have fun learning this new embroidery technique. If you haven’t already, go try stitching out your cutwork design! Let me know if this tutorial helped or if you have any questions below!

P.S. Want to try stitching 21 Embroidery Legacy embroidery designs for free? Download our free Embroidery Legacy Design Kit today! Experience the difference quality digitizing makes with these smooth, stunning designs.