tion Embr e-Mo oider Fre y— Bu tton d s and Beyon Covered buttons offer an easy introduction
o matter how basic or I think of free-motion as a way to tails can compete with the humble up-to-the-minute your use my machine just like a pencil button for simplicity, function, sewing machine is, you for doodling, drawing, coloring, versatility, and bang for the buck. can use it as a very ver- and image-making, as I’ve done Let’s go over the basics of doing satile, very capable em- on the buttons and fabric swatches free-motion embroidery and cover- broidery tool just by above and on the following pages. ing buttons with your efforts. Then Ndropping the feed dogs and mov- As you can see, even simple thread we’ll explore some of the endless ing the fabric under the needle by “drawings,” like swirls, stars, dots, ways to use these provocative lit- yourself. This free-motion machine hearts, and outline pictures, can tle fabric gems. It won’t be long embroidery, practiced almost since produce extremely decorative ef- before you’ll be wondering what the sewing machine was invented, fects, requiring little or no draw- else you can do with this embroi- is a powerful option even if you do ing skill. And when it comes to dery. As you see on the pages that Sloan H oward
have a fully computerized model. using your embroideries, few de- follow, the sky’s the limit, whether Photos:
64 THREADS www.threadsmagazine.com tion Embr e-Mo oider Fre y— Bu tton d s and Beyon
to machine-embroidered embellishment by Saskia Wassing-Shepherd (from issue #87)
you prefer to sew wearables, wall tightly woven fabrics that won’t let such as Wonder Under or Stitch art, or home furnishings. the metal of the button form show Witchery (also available from through. And, of course, you’ll G-Street), in your tool kit for Simple materials want a covered-button kit (avail- no-fuss appliqué prior to doing All that you need to explore free- able from your local notions coun- the embroidery. motion embroidery is a 6- to 8-in. ter or G-Street Fabrics Mail Order wooden embroidery hoop, some Service; GStreetFabrics.com; 800- Embroidery the easy way colored threads designated for ma- 333-9191), which makes the cov- The first step is to place your fab- chine embroidery (rayon has a nice ering process a piece of cake. If ric in the hoop. Position the fabric sheen, but cotton works well, too), you want to play with embroidery right side up over the outer ring. and some scrap fabric. If you plan over multiple fabric or ribbon lay- Then push the inner ring over it, to try covering buttons, you’ll get ers as I’ve done in many of my ex- so the right side is inside the hoop the best results with lightweight, amples, include a little fusible web, rather than over it as it would be
www.threadsmagazine.com threads 65 66 for unimpeded motion when embroidering. when motion unimpeded for Use an extension table, or lower your free-arm machine into its cabinet table, table, cabinet its into machine free-arm your lower or table, extension an Use iding. gu smooth for hoop the on flat hands your keep and relaxed Stay FREE-MO THREADS TION EMBR to change it when you change the the change you when it change to on the right side, so you don’t need be shouldn’t This bobbin. weight of thread in any color for the similar a using color, chosen your en itifnecessaryasyouwork. should be drum tight—and retight- possible—it as much Tighten as fabric the embroidery. hand for Next thread your machine with with machine your thread Next OIDER Y ISEAS visible visible not, slightly reduce the top tension ommended tension adjustments. If dogs and whether there are any rec- you how to lower or cover the feed show will which directions, set-up free-motion embroidery or darning thread for design reasons. the top tension to reveal the bobbin top color, unless you want to adjust Check your machine manual for for manual machine your Check Y to engage the top tension, make tension, top the engage to down lever presser-foot the and ing clearoftheneedle). the bed of the machine (while stay- against flat fabric the keep to gers fin- your use and entirely foot the remove just or do, I as one, have you if foot embroidery or darning a Use setting. normal your from www.threadsmagazine.com With the hoop under the needle the under hoop the With
Drawings: Saskia Wassing-Shepherd BUTTON-APPLIQUÉ IDEAS
When the buttons need to make the garment, try embroidery (far left, tunic, Sentinel Peak Park pattern #11 from Park Bench patterns, ParkBenchPatterns.com; 619-269-9808). And why not add a shaped-appliqué buttonhole cover to work hand in hand with a great embroidered button (left). Stitch the buttonhole through an appliqué, then center covered button over it.
a single stitch, and pull on the top page. With a little practice, you’ll stitches. When you’ve finished a mo- thread to bring the bobbin thread find a comfortable combination of tif, fully raise the needle (not the foot to the right side. Holding both hand speed and needle speed for lever), and move to a new spot to threads to one side, gently move making fairly regular stitches in start again. You can clip the threads the hoop as you begin stitching. any direction you want. and pull them to the back when you Sit close to your machine, shoul- Start by stitching a simple spiral have finished embroidering. ders relaxed, and hands placed so or circle; then try squares, stars, tri- that your outer fingers at least are angles, or any other simple enclosed Making buttons touching the outside of the hoop, shape. Fill these in with random As soon as you get comfortable as shown at the top of the facing (perhaps circular), closely packed with free-motion embroidery, pull www.threadsmagazine.com threads 67 MORE BUTTON IDEAS
out your button-covering kit and directions that came with the kit. Beyond buttons select a button form that seems a Place the circle facedown over the Once you have a few buttons (or a good size to you. Stitch a motif that kit base, place the form facedown few jars full), perhaps you’ll want will fit on the face of it, perhaps over it, and press down until you to stretch out a bit and tackle drawing from some of the ideas hear a pop, indicating the form is something bigger. You might start shown here, then remove it from all the way in. Tuck in all the ex- by freeing yourself from the con- the hoop and press it. Next cut cess fabric, trimming it carefully if straints of the circle, as I’ve done in around it in a wide circle, leav- necessary, snap on the button the little square, appliquéd motifs ing a margin to allow for cover- backing, remove it from the base, you see scattered about on these ing the button, as described in the and you’re done. pages. This may lead you to try
68 THREADS www.threadsmagazine.com ...AND NOW FOR A LITTLE HOME DEC
Machine embroidery pairs perfectly with home dec. The author’s business, Saskia Designs, specializes in embroidered silks and velvets for upholstery and soft furnishings. At left, Triangle Ottoman (1999, 17 in. x 11 in.); right, Technicolor Tina cushion (1998, 10 in. long).
Download Traceable Designs Saskia Wassing-Shepherd your hand at even bigger, more a tiny button to a jacket, pillow, happen to you as a designer is that has prepared several elaborate embroidered pictures, or even a sofa, are scale and posi- you may learn something that full-size, scalable, and which will work equally well on tion. How big a hoop can you find will help your next project. If easily traced free-motion household furnishings, from pil- or handle comfortably with your you always keep a few ready-to- designs for your personal lows to upholstery, as shown chosen fabric? Where should you cover buttons around to remind use; they’re available above, and on garments, perhaps place your motifs, and how many you about simplicity, you’ll be in for downloading into in softer colors. should you use? Almost anything good shape. any Web browser or The primary new issues that you goes, but whatever you do, play graphics application at will encounter as you increase the and have fun with it. Just remem- Saskia Wassing-Shepherd designs and ThreadsMagazine.com. size of your backing object from ber that the worst thing that can writes in Toronto. www.threadsmagazine.com threads 69