FanBroidery Blog

How to: Seamless Embroidery

April 29, 2024

Seamless Pattern Embroidery is a technique that allows you to stitch a continuous, repeating pattern across a larger project area by utilizing multiple hoopings with your embroidery machine's smaller hoop.
In other words, it's like playing a massive game of connect-the-dots, but with thread instead of a pencil! In this tutorial, we'll demonstrate how to create a square design by stitching the same seamless pattern four times, once in each corner of the project area.
This method enables you to achieve expansive embroidered designs that extend beyond the limitations of your embroidery hoop's size. So get ready to unleash your inner embroidery genius and turn a modest hoop into a canvas for embroidery greatness!

Materials Needed:
- Embroidery machine
- Largest embroidery hoop available
- Cut-away stabilizer (one piece for each hooping)
- Thin quilter's batting
- Fabric of your choice
- Embroidery top thread
- Embroidery bobbin thread
- Pins
- 505 adhesive spray for machine embroidery
- Fabric marker
- Ruler
- Printed template (actual size)

Instructions:
1. Determine the number of design repeats you will stitch, and cut your fabric 2 inches larger than the desired final project size. Cut the batting to the final project size.

2. Hoop the stabilizer and mark the center points. For this tutorial, we will stitch four repeats (left, right, top, and bottom). On the fabric, mark the center point. Place the printed template to outline the area you want to stitch, marking the crosshairs with a fabric marker. Secure the fabric and batting with pins and/or adhesive spray, and place them in the hoop, aligning the markings.

3. Ensure your embroidery machine is aligned with the center point. Trace the four corners to confirm correct placement. The first color stop will create a square rectangle outline, securing the batting and fabric while indicating the design's stitching area. Confident stitchers can omit the 1st color stop.

4. Embroider the design.

5. Once the design is completely embroidered, take it out of the hoop and trim away the excess stabilizer from the back of the embroidered fabric.

6. Repeat steps 2 to 5 for all remaining repeats.

7. After the embroidery design is fully stitched, carefully remove the square rectangle outline stitches (the first color stop) from your project. Confident stitchers can omit the 1st color stop.

Tips:
- If the first outline shows incorrect placement, stop the machine, remove the outline stitches, and start again from step 2 to ensure seamless embroidery results.

There you go! You've learned how to make a big embroidery design using a small hoop. Isn't it cool how you can use one design and stitch multiple sections into one seamless piece? With this technique, you can make all kinds of Big, Creative embroidery projects. Nice work!

Happy stitching!
Annemarie
annemarie@astitchahalf.com

Use this link to see the Video Tutorial

Use this link to see the variety of Seamless/Repeat Pattern Designs available.