Machine Embroidery
Handmade Cards & Tags

Selecting Embroidery Designs

In many ways, paper is like sheer or delicate fabric; large or very dense motifs may ripple or tear the paper. Tight, satin-stitched outlines will perforate the paper, and the embroidery will fall apart.

Motifs that work better for paper embroidery include openwork designs, redwork and quilting motifs. Designs with light or open fill stitching also work well (1), as do blanketstitched and chainstitched motifs and some appliqués. Cross-stitch motifs with larger stitches (14 or 16 crosses per inch) work well. Some digitizers even offer designs specifically for embroidering on paper.

If possible, alter less-suitable designs to make them appropriate for paper embroidery. Eliminate or skip the underlay stitching to reduce the number of needle holes (2); underlay is not necessary when embroidering on paper. Reduce the design density or increase the design's size without altering its stitch count to spread out the needle penetrations.

If possible, modify satin-stitch outlines to running stitches. Appliqué designs are digitized in multiple steps or thread stops, usually including a running stitch and possibly a zigzag before the final satin stitching. To adapt them for paper, simply eliminate the final satin stitching.

Bifold "Frame" Cards

For the simplest cards, begin with purchased, single- or bifold cards. Bifold frame cards (with three panels) designed to hold photographs work equally as well for embroidered designs. The third panel hides the wrong side of the embroidery.

Embroider a motif on either paper or fabric in a size and shape to fit the card's die-cut opening. Trim the embroidery so it's smaller than the card but at least 1/4" larger on all sides than the opening.

Test-fold the card with the embroidery before mounting, to ensure the design will be right side up. Open the card and with the inside of the card face up, rotate the card so the narrower backing panel is to the left of the frame panel, and the larger panel is to the right (3). Apply glue around the frame opening and attach the embroidery. Finally, glue the narrow, backing panel in place.

From the December 2004 issue of Sew News magazine.