| Did you know that most embroidery machines come pre loaded with designs? This way you can get stitching right away. My Baby Lock machine has so many designs I don't think I have even looked through them all. I was contacted recently by a You Tube viewer who saw my Beanie Patch Video. In fact I have a couple of patch videos that have some great information in them if you are just starting out. See the video links to the right. As a beginner, she didn't know where to start. So I wanted to share details on how to create patches herself without software. Learning your machine and becoming friends with all of it's functions is the best way to begin embroidery. Then you can add to your skills with downloading designs once you are comfortable. So after we emailed back and forth for a bit, I knew what type machine she owned. With this information I realized she had a great tool box of Embroidery Design Frames built into her Brother multi needle. Baby Lock and Brother are close cousins in their function and design so I was able to talk her through some options to make a patch without digitizing software or downloading a design. | |
This information is helpful and I think it would be a fun way for you to play with your machine even if you don't have a Baby Lock or Brother. Sometimes we need to move through all of the menu items and just look. Also, that quick read you did on the owner's manual when you opened your machine the first time has probably been forgotten. You may have some of these options available in your embroidery machine but you won't know unless you get brave and search.
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A patch is usually a series of steps and all you have to do is let each one stitch out, then perform a task. If you have a run stitch and a satin stitch shape in your machine that are roughly the same size, you should be able to create a patch. My Baby Lock also has an Applique button so it will turn a run stitch shape into an applique with a satin outline.
In between those two steps there will usually be a tack down stitch that will sew and then stop allowing you to remove the hoop and carefully trim away the excess fabric. You don't have to have a satin outline on your patch. You could do raw edge applique, frayed edges on your fabric, decorative stitching, blanket stitching etc... In addition to the Applique button, you can manually add each step into the machine. You might prefer that method as it is a great way to become familiar with how patches will run on the machine.
If you have purchased a blank patch embroidery design like these, you can add your own fonts or text from the machine catalog. In the Baby Lock you press the add button and it will take you to the design area. So many fonts are available and you can resize them to fit inside the patch.
Your patch can be embroidered onto a clothing item or if you use Wash away cutaway stabilizer, you could have a patch with clean satin edges ready to adhere with stitches, glue or adhesive to an item like a beanie or shirt.
I made this quick patch using the manual process in my Baby Lock and I filmed a video to show you the applique and manual processes. Don't forget, I have digitized several blank patch designs in my store also. Just in case you don't have time to play and you need something right now. Are you ready to design a patch without software? Click on the video below and I know it will make you curious about your machine for sure. I hope you have enjoyed this post, share what you learn and are generous with what you create. Someone will appreciate your hard work.
