An embroidery machine stitches a design onto an embroidery blank, which can be anything from cotton cloth to cardstock paper or balsa wood. Commercial embroidery machines are used by companies like EMB3 to add embroidered patterns and logos to caps, shirts, sweatshirts, and other items.
To secure the item for the machine to embroider, a stabiliser backing is placed inside a plastic or metal embroidery hoops. The embroidery designs, which have been digitised as embroidery files, then tell the machine’s internal computer when and where to stitch on the hooped blank.
A machine can have designs incorporated into it or downloaded and installed. While millions of designs are available online with just one click, digitising software also allows you to make your own designs.
Uses of embroidery machines
1. Monograming/personalising your items
Some people refer to embroidery machines as ‘monogramming machines’ since they can digitise two and three-letter monograms on a touch screen and sew them onto a variety of surfaces.
Many various sorts of blanks allow you to add any patterns or trademarks in addition to monogramming. T-shirts, hats, pillowcases, and other items you find about your house, for instance, can all be customised.
2. Appliqueing
Embroidery machines can make this activity much more feasible if you hate the accuracy and concentration needed when appliqueing with a sewing machine!
Utilising an embroidery machine for applique requires three main stages. The sewing machine starts by stitching a placement line. The machine then tacks down a piece of fabric that you have placed over this line. The machine finishes the border with a satin or other decorative stitch after you trim the extra fabric.
Most applique embroidery designs come with.svg files if you have a Cricut, so you won’t even need to cut the fabric for the appliqué procedure. Additionally, AccuQuilt fabric cutting ends include embroidery designs.
3. Make money with an embroidery business
While we advise establishing a home-based embroidery business before a commercial one, an embroidered side hustle is a simple way to supplement your income!
Start honing your talent with friends and family, then sell at local craft shows or to neighbourhood nonprofits. If you’re tech skilled, you might even succeed with your own website. On top of that, some artisans market their embroidered goods on Shopee, Lazada, and Etsy. (Make sure you have a distinct niche, though, as these sites are overrun with the basics).
Additionally, after becoming an expert at embroidery digitising, you can offer your embroidered patterns as a digital product if you don’t want to sell tangible goods.
4. In-the-hoop projects
Using your machine to make in-the-hoop motifs is one creative embroidery idea!
Small objects like coasters, wallets, key chains, and even stuffed animals can be sewn almost fully by your embroidery machine using in-the-hoop designs. You stitch placement lines, attach fabric layers, and then add embroidered motifs inside your hoop one at a time until the final design is finished.
5. Creating personalised gifts for loved ones
Looking for a quick, affordable and customised gift? Using embroidery machines, you can check these people off your gift lists! Using your machine, you can make embroidered gifts for Christmas, birthdays, weddings, engagements, and even Easter.
In fact, you can make 30 different embroidered gifts from the list, varying from ridiculous items like embroidered toilet paper as a hostess present to more useful goods like embroidered sports bags for children.
6. In-the-hoop quilting
Quilting with an embroidery machine is quite simple, in part because of entertaining and useful extras like magnetic hoops and Monster Block Makers.
For instance, an embroidery machine can perform the free-motion quilting for yourself if you are a passionate quilter but hate finishing quilts. All you have to do is load the design you desire and start rehooping the quilting area you desire.
Quilt blocks can be made in the hoop using embroidery machines, in addition to finished quilts. Using only your embroidery machine, in-the-hoop piecing entails producing something akin to a log-cabin quilt block. Additionally, your embroidery machine may make blocks using appliqué or redwork if that’s your preference.
7. Create unique designs with unique mediums
Want to simulate cross-stitch, redwork, or cutwork? That is possible with an embroidery machine and a correctly digitised design!
To give embroidered blanks a dazzling appearance, you can also learn to embroider with Mylar. Additionally, you can raise your embroidered stitches using puffy foam to get a 3D effect. These are but a few of the numerous original methods an embroidery machine might simulate.
8. Create patches and badges
With the correct tools and materials, making embroidered patches is simple. Patches are enjoyable to use to personalise your home or clothes and offer a great markup when sold. They also can be stitched to personalise other items like bags, handkerchiefs and socks.
9. Create free-standing lace
While adding stitches to cloth is the typical usage for embroidery machines, it is possible to embroider directly onto a stabiliser that dissolves.
Free-standing lace (FSL), which is made using embroidery machines, is made up entirely of thread in elaborate patterns after the stabiliser has been dissolved. With your embroidery machine, you can create FSL doilies, earrings, bookmarks, Christmas ornaments, and more!
10. Customising hats/caps
While a multi-needle embroidery machine and curved hat hoop make embroidering hats easier, single-needle home embroidery machines can also complete this work! For small embroidery enterprises, hats offer an outstanding markup and are wonderful presents for friends and family.
Conclusion
Now that you know what an embroidery machine is and learned about what it can do, you can explore the kind of embroidery you may want to try making before investing in your own embroidery machine. Alternatively, if you’re just looking to do a one-off embroidery project, get in touch with us and let us know how we can help!
