Have you ever sewn out an embroidery design and wanted it to turn out perfect...but...something's definately not right?  No need to despair.  Here are some tips that will improve your machine embroidery!

First of all, always use the correct backing/stabilizer.  Backing helps to keep the fabric stable during the embroidery process.  There are several types of backing/stabilizer: tear-away backing (which can be torn away after the embroidery is finished), cut-away backing (which is cut away), water-soluble backing (dissolves upon application of water), and cut-away mesh backing.  If your embroidery item is going to be worn, you should either use a cut-away backing, or a mesh backing since tear-away backing can leave fibers that are irritable to the skin.  Heavy-weight fabrics such as denim, etc. require only a light-weight stablizer.  To keep the embroidery stitches from sinking in to certain fabrics such as fleece or terrycloth, you should use a water-soluble stabilizer on top of the fabric, along with a backing.

Also, correct thread tension can mean the difference between a good design and one you want to pitch in the trash!  If your bobbin thread is showing through to the top of your embroidery design, your thread tension is too tight and should be loosened.  One tip for perfect embroidery is to use the same color thread for your bobbin as you use for the embroidery!

Does your embroidery thread break too often?  There are several reason this could happen.  First make sure your machine is threaded properly.  If that's not the problem, try replacing your needle.  If that doesn't work, it could possibly mean that your thread isn't of good quality, or there are flaws in the embroidery design itself.

Proper hooping is essential in embroidery.  Always make sure the fabric is pulled tight but not stretched, and the hoop is tightened correctly.  Have you noticed that your embroidery hoops do not "grip" the fabric well enough to hold it in place?  To solve this, wrap medical tape around your inner hoop.  It works wonders!

I think most embroiderers have encountered "looped stitches" at least once.  This is where the stitches have looped and give the embroidery a very uneven appearance.  Never cut these loops as it will cause the embroidery to come undone.  Instead, turn the embroidery over and scratch the back of the area where the thread has looped.  This will pull the extra thread to the back of the design and no one will ever notice!

Happy Stitching!!