Finding an embroidery design for your projects is step one before you can get creative with your embroidery machine. There are multiple factors to keep in mind when choosing the perfect embroidery design; what type of project you are working on, what hoop you have available and what type of file formats your machine can read. In this article, we are going to give you some useful tips and inspiration.
Check your Machine and Embroidery Supplies
Before you can get creative, you need to make sure that you know what type of file format your machine can read. Different embroidery machines can read different types of embroidery machine file formats, Brother machines for example read PES and DST formats. You can find information about which type of file format your machine can read in your machine’s manuals and on the manufacturer’s website.
While most embroidery designers create multiple types of machine embroidery file formats for their designs, it’s good to know which file format you need before you decide on which type of design to get.
Another important factor is to check the size of your machine embroidery hoop. Your machine might have come with a standard hoop, or you have purchased additional hoops. The size of your hoop is important so that you can choose the right size design to fit in your hoop.
Most designers make their design available in multiple sizes so that you can choose one that fits your hoop so check the dimensions of the design and make sure you’re getting the right one.
Selecting an Embroidery Design
The most fun step is selecting the perfect embroidery design for your project. This is where you can get creative. If you have some knowledge of how to digitize, you can convert an image into an embroidery design format, but there are also a great range of quality machine embroidery designs out there to choose from.
Scouting quality designs online has never been easier with Creative Fabrica’s embroidery library. Creative Fabricais a digital marketplace in which talented embroidery digitizers can sell their digital embroidery designs, and you can browse through an ever-growing library of designs. A lot of NZ creatives sell their embroidery designs through Creative Fabrica!
You can find machine embroidery files, In The Hoop (ITH) projects, and appliqué files in a variety of themes; decorative, functional, stylish, and cute. They also have free embroidery designs, which you can directly download and use for your projects.
Find a large variety of ITH designs, like this cosmetic bag.
Creative Fabrica offers both individual designs along with a monthly membership plan which gives you access to the entire embroidery library.
Creative Fabrica have teamed up with Mandy from the New Zealand Machine Embroidery Addicts and are offering an exclusive 30% discount on all single sales on Creative Fabrica. To grab this discount – use this coupon code at the checkout:
NZMEA30
If you’d love having unlimited download access to Creative Fabrica’s entire embroidery library, plus all other millions of digital designs on Creative Fabrica, check out the monthly membership plan.
Cute appliqué Cherry design.
If you can’t find the format you need for your machine, you can simply reach out to the Customer Support team at Creative Fabrica and they can provide you with the right file.
Three embroidery projects to test out
Embroidering on clothing and apparel is always a great way to personalize an item, and make it more fun or stylish. You can choose a smaller subtle design like this Lips Design, or a statement quote, like this Believe In Yourself gradient design.
Embroidering on your home decor is a perfect way to upcycle your interior. It’s always a good idea to pick a timeless design, that you know will fit with the rest of your home decor. You can select a stylish and yet classic design like this Baroque Floral design.
By adding a cute embroidery design on your kids clothing it’s easy to customize your children’s clothing according to their current favourite animal, or favourite colour. This Llama embroidery design is a really cute idea for a baby bodysuit. Appliqué designs are also perfect for children’s clothing, as you can play around with the applique fabric to create unique looks and textures.
Have fun while you get creative with your embroidery machine!
Mandy Chamberlin is an embroidery digitizer and sewing & embroidery enthusiast on a mission to spread the love for machine embroidery.
Mandy is the founder and “head embroidery addict” of the NZ Machine Embroidery Addicts community group. Alongside her role as Echidna’s New Zealand Manager, Mandy also runs her own businesses, Veronica and Me Designs, where she offers embroidery digitizing and embroidery services both within New Zealand and around the world.
You can find out more about Mandy and connect with her through her contact info at mandychamberlin.com.