Hey, Everyone! I am so excited to offer another hand-embroidery kit, great for beginners or more experienced sewists. Find out how to embroider your bib below.
Purchase your kit here! It includes everything you need to embroider including a 100% muslin cotton baby bib, a personalized piece of stabilizer, floss, and a needle. Don't need the kit? That's okay! Follow the tutorial below with your own items. Happy sewing!
Quick Note: While this tutorial is specifically teaching you how to embroider a baby bib, use the fundamentals to personalize any item!
Supplies Needed:
-6" Embroidery Hoop: this inexpensive set comes with several sizes included.
-1 Skein Embroidery Floss (I'm using DMC)
More on the stabilizer: The stabilizer I recommend is both wash-away and printer-friendly! Print directly on it, stitch over it, then wash it away! Please note: do a test on a scrap project BEFORE diving into your bib/other item. We want to make sure that our printer ink washes away. If you are concerned about this, you can use this stabilizer and pair it with a water-soluble marker instead. It will completely wash away.
Directions:
To Create the Name:
If you have purchased a kit, please skip this step. You will receive a personalized piece of stabilizer in your kit.
Measure your bib and decide how big you would like your name. For the example above, I wanted the name to be about 4" long. Head over to Canva and open an 11" x 8.5" (Landscape Flyer). Pick your favorite font and type out your baby's name. Drag your name until you see the size matches the measurements you would like. Download and print this onto the Stick & Stitch Stabilizer. Cut it out, leaving a generous amount of stabilizer around the name (refer to the above photo).
Let's get ready to embroider! Remove the paper backing from your name. I chose to align it with the bottom right corner of the bib, but feel free to embroider anywhere! Stick the name to the bib. If you need to readjust, that's okay! Press down firmly when you are happy with the placement. Quick Tip: Use as a reference point to make sure that your name is aligned straight.
Preparing to Embroider: First, hoop your work. The bib may not entirely fit into the hoop which is okay. Ensure that the bib isn't pulled too tight, but is still pulled securely inside. I am using all 6 strands of embroidery floss. Cut a decently sized-piece of floss. Thread your needle (I'm leaving a short tail to hold in my hand while embroidering), then tie a knot at the end. We're ready to go!
Embroidering: In the example above, I am using a chain stitch to create my name. However, a backstitch is much more beginner-friendly and easy to achieve. Use whichever embroidery stitch that you would like! Click the links below for a quick video on how to create each one. For a more in-depth tutorial on each, check out my Swaddle Blanket Tutorial (chainstitch) and Embroidered Onesie (backstitch) videos. I can't wait to see which you choose!
Finishing: Once you are done embroidering, secure a knot on the backside of your bib. Do this by weaving your needle through the back of the stitches up and down 2-3 times. Remove your needle and cut the thread down to about 6" or so. Split the threads in half (3 in each hand). Double knot this.
Removing the Stabilizer: Lastly, let's remove the stabilizer! Cut away the excess stabilizer, taking care not to cut into the bib or your stitches. Under warm water, hold your stabilizer until it starts to dissolve. It helps to agitate your stitches by gently rubbing them together and moving your fingers over and in between the stitches. We want to make sure that all of the stabilizer is removed. I don't recommend using hot water because sometimes the embroidery floss can bleed! Once you think all of the stabilizer is gone, toss your bib in the dryer! When it's dry, if you feel any stabilizer left (it will feel stiff and crusty), repeat this process.
Let me know what you think about your bib! As I mentioned above, this technique can really be applied to any baby or personal item. Don't forget to check out my shop if you'd like to start personalizing your kit!
Until next time...
Ashley