Free Embroidery Designs ? A perfect Collection For your Living Room

Posted by oregonpatchworks on December 2nd, 2013

As a quilter, machine embroidery enthusiast and all-around sewer, it’s easier to refer to myself as a fiber artist.  Whether it is fabric, yarn or thread, fiber is what I am working with.  However, I’ve come to realize that what so many of us do should more realistically be called Thread Art as the stitching is more reliant on the thread used than for anything else in the process.

With patchwork-style quilt making, the stitching of many seams requires a lot of good, strong thread.  When adding the actual quilting stitches, a nice cotton thread is required, although more and more quilters are embracing polyester machine embroidery thread for added flair and strength.  When finishing the binding of the quilt, yet more thread is needed, and this needs to be both strong and nearly invisible to the naked eye.  The color blending of poly threads really comes in handy here.  One fiber art style, as illustrated here, can use up to three different types of threads!

When it comes to machine embroidery, the types and variety of threads are almost mind-boggling!  Choices are made on the actual type of embroidery designs used, what the purpose of the project is, and who the project is made for.  Each thread type has its strengths and weaknesses that each of us will decide upon for each of our embroidery patterns.  There is no one-size-fits-all for threads!

On a recent visit to my favorite embroidery design gallery, I chose a set of airplane designs for my nephew’s Christmas gift.  This young one is all boy and often dirty, meaning his belongings take a beating.  For him, I will choose polyester threads for machine embroidery.  Polyester has wonderful sheen and strength.  It also has the added benefit that it does not fade or run when washed in bleach!  For messy kids or active kitchens, poly is perfect!

I also found some wonderful free embroidery designs that are perfect for my mother’s new living room.  She loves a tone-on-tone look in ocean colors, so I will choose super shiny rayon threads for her new throw pillows.  Rayon adds that sumptuous look that’s needed for elegant style.  It isn’t as hardy as polyester, but when used for adults, it doesn’t have to be.

My grandmother has asked for a new, lacy dresser scarf.  I have so many machine embroidery designs to choose from that it will be difficult to decide on just one!  However, I will opt for cotton threads specifically for embroidery that will give the finished project the look and feel of real hand-made crochet.  The trick here is to never use bobbin-weight thread in the bobbin as it throws off the balance and creates a sloppy look.  I simply use the same cotton thread in the bobbin and the needle for stitching perfection.

I haven’t even mentioned fun machine embroidery threads like metallics or variegated, or variegated metallics, all of which add their own look and charm to décor and fashion stitchery.  There is so much more to discuss, and it is endlessly fascinating to fiber/thread artists like us!

At OPW, select your design and begin your project right away. We have created each embroidery design with keeping you in mind. Enjoy free collection of embroidery designs and patterns.

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oregonpatchworks
Joined: November 13th, 2013
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