Free Motion Embroidery – drawing and writing with my sewing machine

Got your eye on an expensive yet impressive embroidery sewing machine?  Think again!

I’ve been admiring the lovely embroidery machines with their numerous stitch options and the possibility of embellishing handmade gifts with a name at the touch of a button (or a few).  I remember watching a demonstration of someone programming in a word and then watching in awe as the machine punched out the letters perfectly.  All I wanted to do was justify the cost of buying a sewing machine which did this!

Well, my bank budget (and boyfriend) will be relieved to know that I no longer have this impulse!  While embroidery machines are amazing – especially the ones where you can put your design into the computer and then transfer it to the machine to stitch it – I discovered free machine embroidery this year through a local course.

I signed up to this course without much thought about what it entailed.  I’ve always wanted to do a textile based course, but they’ve always been a long commute away or I hadn’t been able to justify the cost at the time.  This course was a reasonable price, within walking distance, and with my new working hours, I could make the time of the session.

Free machine embroidery (also known as free motion embroidery) is when you drop the dog teeth on your sewing machine, which normally propel your fabric in one direction (away from you).  You attach a new type of foot – a darning foot – and reduce the upper thread tension a little.  You can do it without a presser foot attached, but it’s a lot safer with one!  You use an embroidery hoop to keep your material firm and you’re ready to go!

It’s best to move the hoop really slowly and have a play at first.  It takes time to learn to keep your hands smooth and steady as you stitch.  Originally, I practised drawing lines with the machine, then made loop patterns and some basic shapes.

first attempt
My first attempt at free motion embroidery!

In the course, we learned shading, appliqué, writing and using water soluble fabric (which is a whole other aspect to discuss another time).

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Some shading added to this cat drawing
applique
Some abstract layering of different fabrics using appliqué and free motion embroidery

I really enjoyed all of it, but I am quite fond of writing with stitch.  I love looking at people’s handwriting, and I used to enjoy writing stories as a kid, which may explain my fondness of handwriting.  I have used writing in combination with other free motion embroidery techniques in producing the designs for some of my Etsy items– cards in particular.

Ultimately, the reason I’m addicted to free motion embroidery is that it is creates personality and individuality in makes.  Embroidery sewing machines are programmed to be perfect, but I am always going draw something with stitch a bit different every time I use it, which makes it more interesting.

It’s also a great stash buster!

Here are some useful resources and artists to look at if you fancy a go:

  • Craftsy has a useful ‘how to’ on creating embroidered works of art.  It’s very clearly laid out in simple steps
  • Poppy Treffrey does some lovely free machine embroidered items, focusing mainly on the seaside and animals
  • Lou Gardiner is another amazing free machine embroiderer and describes how she creates her work well on the introductory video on her site
  • Jane Hall focuses on nature in her work
  • Rosie James has a lovely book on drawing with stitch
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Crafting with family – February

crafting at mum's angle better
Using the overlocker in my mum’s amazing sewing room!

Crafting with others is a great way to find inspiration and motivation.  Here is what we got up to when I stayed at my mum’s for a little craft retreat:

my doll editedWe discussed a possible focus the the meet up beforehand.  The main focus was dolls.  We have a few doll patterns in our stash, but I found a free magazine kit and decided to complete this instead (from Crafts Beautiful Magazine).  This was a fast make as all of the detail was printed onto the fabric and the limbs were not joined separately.

The bunny did come with a printed tail which protruded to one side but I opted for a button tail instead so it could go on the back.  Unfortunately the bunny is so small that I’ve misplaced it!

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The vintage doll pattern used
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Doll with temporary head – looking a bit like the box head in LMFAO music videos

My mum, on the other hand, decided to choose a vintage pattern she found in a charity shop.  As the head needed to be made with a kid’s nylon sock, she made the rest of the body first.

As with many charity shop pattern purchases, she was paranoid that there would be a piece missing, but we found them all secure in the packet!  What a find for 50p!

As I had chosen a quick doll pattern to make, I went on to my next challenge – recovering the pouffe.  This pouffe has gone round the family and ended up with me in the last year.  Despite it’s long time in the family, I could find only one photo where you can see its original cover!  Enthusiastic to recover it, I completely forgot to take the before shot.

We spent ages draping fabric over it and discussing the design (a reason why the doll remained headless at the time!)

I ended up using my mum’s stash instead of my own!  The top fabric is an old curtain she made about 20 years ago with material from Ikea.  The base is covered with  a corduroy remnant from a shop.  It’s a vast improvement but now I don’t want to put my feet on it!!

Continue ReadingCrafting with family – February