No Fear Machine Embroidery

If you’ve ever looked at the newest Kimberbell project, and thought “I’d love to do that BUT”, then keep reading. Machine embroidery projects like the ones from Kimberbell and OESD are so cute, but they are truly a different sort of skillset than your regular sewing machine skills. Let’s be honest, it can feel a bit intimidating when you’re just starting out. If you’ve been staring at your machine and embroidery module or you keep going back and forth about getting one, but the thought of learning all the steps overwhelms you, never fear! Quilting Mayhem has tips to help take the fear out of machine embroidery.

First off, don’t try to tackle a huge project right away. Start small and manageable. Think little projects like mug rugs or embroidered quilt labels. They’re a great way to get comfortable with the machine embroidery steps and to test out different types of stabilizers and materials. As far as stabilizers go, understanding which one is used where is essential for you to get the results you want in machine embroidery. Luckily, there are plenty of handy reference guides available, like BERNINA’s Big Book of Embroidery, that break down everything you need to know about stabilizers, thread types, and how to use them with your projects.

One of the best ways to get familiar with machine embroidery is by joining a community or club. Many shops, like your favorite Quilting Mayhem, offer machine embroidery retreats, Kimberbell events, and classes where you can learn from experts and try out different designs in a guided setting. This allows you to experiment with your machine without the fear of messing up a large project. Plus, it’s a great way to meet others who are learning right alongside you.

If you’re still feeling a bit uncertain, don’t forget that your machine is your best friend! Many embroidery machines today, like the new BERNINA 990, come with built-in designs and features that make it easy to get started. You don’t need to be a tech whiz—just load the design, hoop up your fabric and stabilizer, and let the machine work its magic. And if you want to try something more complex, like piecing a quilt block in the hoop, your machine will handle the tricky bits like matching up seams and points.

Finally, never underestimate the power of practice and having good resources on hand like Quilting Mayhem! Learning machine embroidery gets easier the more you do it, and is even better with a shop you trust filled with experts. We have explainer videos, classes, clubs, and of course fellow machine embroidery enthusiasts to help you troubleshoot every step of the way. So, breathe easy, take it step by step, and don’t hesitate to reach out to us or help. Machine embroidery is fun when you can do it with Quilting Mayhem!