How To Do Machine Embroidery On Cardstock – Sweet Christmas Cards
Dear Friends,
Last night I had a little fun doing some embroidery on cardstock to make these sweet snowflake cards. Have you ever tried embroidering on card stock? It really is a lot of fun and I’ve made up a whole box of cards that I have ready to send. Paper crafting is something else I enjoy so it is a great way to use up those extra scrapbooking and paper crafting supplies.
First choose your design. This beautiful design comes from Needle Little Embroidery. It is a free design that was just posted on the Needle Little Embroidery Yahoo group which is open to anyone. The design you choose should be pretty light. Most red work designs work well for stitching on paper. If you use a dense design, chances are your paper will tear due to the many needle penetrations. If you have a design that you are concerned will tear the paper, Iron on a piece of light weight tear-away stabilizer to the back of the cardstock and this will help prevent tearing. I did not do that on these cards because the design is pretty airy.
As for the needle I use, I personally choose a 75/11 needle size as that is a smaller needle thus making smaller holes in the cardstock. Here’s a TIP: You know those needles you have that are only partially used? By that I mean, when you start a new project, especially a large project, you should always start out with a new needle. So you replace your old needle thinking that the old needle still has a bit of life left to it. Save those old needles and get one out now for making cards and doing paper embroidery. They work perfect for this!
Hoop a piece of light weight tear away stabilizer. I personally use pattern weight stabilizer that I get at JoAnn’s. It is inexpensive and just right for a project like this.
Float the cardstock on top of the stabilizer. (Don’t hoop the cardstock) Stitch your design. NOTE: Now, even though your stabilizer is tear away, CUT it away. Do NOT tear the stabilizer away. Tearing away the stabilizer can easily tear your cardstock and you don’t want that. Two side notes here. The red card is stitched with silver metallic thread. The metallic thread stitches easily and looks stunning on the paper. Also, I slow my machine down to stitch at a slower speed again to help prevent paper tearing.
Next, glue your design to a piece of folded cardstock and embellish as desired. Gluing it to the folded card hides the back side of your stitching and the stabilizer. On the red card, I paper punched the top edge. I’ve also rubber stamped a Christmas saying inside the cards so they are ready for me to add a quick note and send.
Everyone I’ve given stitched cards to loves them and I get lots of ohhh’s and ahhh’s and ‘how did you make that?’ Keep several on hand with birthday designs and for thank you cards.
These cards stitch up super quick and make great gifts and are also perfect for selling at craft shows.
Stay warm everyone. We got 4″ of snow yesterday and got to try out our snow blower for the first time. Brrrrrr….
Blessings to you all,
Nancy