Experimental Machine Embroidery

Starting the machine embroidery on Thermogauze

This is the first attempt at free machining on Thermo gauze (heat removable stabilizer / Muslin)

I was hoping that after machining I could iron away the fabric, it worked but not as well as I hoped. The white edges stuck out of my stitching and I couldn’t achieve a crisp edge of stitch, not to mention tiny fibres that went everywhere.

I didn’t want to give up and decided to continue trying to resuscitate the piece.

After laboriously cutting out the design by hand, I began adding layers of colour using shear scarves, the kind you find on older ladies at the hairdressers, as I find they layer beautifully. After more stitching with copper and red metallic thread, I stitched painted Tyvek (builders paper) on the back and applied heat with the iron to shrink and distort the Tyvek.

I think the piece was finally saved from the bin!

Stretching the work in a hoop helps to keep it stable and I use a

darning foot on my old Bernina which enables me to draw with the needle in any direction.

Layering the scarves

A close up of the finished piece after adding Tyvek

Ok, so moving on to my favourite machine stabilizer… water soluble, or wash-a-way. http://www.amazon.com/Solvy-Soluble-Machine-Embroidery-Stabilizer/dp/B009BGK0UE

I find this works well and if the tearing bothers you, there is a thicker one called Romeo that doesn’t require a hoop.

A good website for more on embroidery stabilizers http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/4631/making-sense-of-stabilizers

The photos below were sewn on wash-a-way and then modelling paste and beads were attached.

These works were inspired by my Lichen photos.

Original article and pictures take http://kbsellar.wordpress.com/2013/06/23/experimental-machine-embroidery/ site