Embroidery Library Urban Threads The Study

Embroidery on Sheer Fabric

machine embroidery done on organza featuring leaves and flowers

Create sheer magic when you embroider on translucent fabrics such as organza or chiffon! This look is simple to achieve, but it takes a few special tricks and techniques. Follow along to learn how!

Supplies & Materials:

- Sheer fabric, such as organza or chiffon (we're embroidering on a purchased chiffon scarf)

- Embroidery thread

- Scissors

- Spray adhesive

- Heavy weight water soluble stabilizer (such as Vilene or Sulky Ultra Solvy)

- Air erase pen

The designs used in this tutorial include:

- Sheer Beauty Roses

.

Spray adhesive, clear embroidery stabilizer, two white thread spools, orange-handled scissors, purple fabric, and a purple marking pen on a wood surface.

When embroidering on sheer fabrics, it's best to use light, open embroidery designs; avoid designs with stitch-filled areas. This  Sheer Beauty Roses  has lots of light open fills and delicate details that blend into the sheer background fabric.

White floral embroidery on black sheer fabric features two large roses with detailed petals and leaves, surrounded by delicate swirly vine accents.

It's important to use a heavy weight water-soluble stabilizer when stitching on a sheer fabric (similar to what you'd use when stitching freestanding lace). We're using Sulky Ultra Solvy. Vilene is another good choice.

Hand holding a cylindrical blue and white package of Ultra Solvy water soluble stabilizer for embroidery on a plain white background.

Before embroidering, pre-wash the sheer fabric on gentle with like fabrics, according to the manufacturer's instructions.


Spray the back side of the fabric with temporary spray adhesive, and smooth heavy weight water soluble stabilizer on the back (we're using Sulky Ultra Solvy).

Dark blue sheer fabric laid flat and partly draped over a wooden surface, showing its translucent quality and smooth texture.

Loosen the embroidery hoops, and hoop the fabric and stabilizer gently, then tighten the hoop screws. If the hoop is too tight at the onset, some hoops styles will damage the delicate fibers during hooping.

White embroidery hoop holding deep blue sheer fabric stretched taut over a dark wood surface, with part of the fabric folded to the side.

Use clips to keep the excess fabric safely tucked away during sewing.

Blue sheer fabric stretched and secured with clips in an embroidery hoop on a wooden surface, showing fabric held taut for embroidery.

Embroider the design.

Close-up of white floral embroidery in progress on dark blue sheer fabric using an embroidery machine with needle and presser foot visible.

Trim away excess stabilizer, then soak away the rest according to the package instructions. Air dry the fabric.

White floral embroidery of two roses with leaves on a sheer, circular fabric piece placed on dark blue fabric, next to orange-handled scissors.

Sheer fabrics with a touch of embroidery are just the thing to create gorgeous and sophisticated fashions and decor!

White floral embroidery of two large roses with leaves and small swirls on dark sheer fabric, showing intricate stitch details and texture.

To make your embroidery design into a sheer doily, carefully cut around the outer edges of the design. Cut as close to the embroidery as you are comfortable. If you accidentally cut into the embroidery, use a small amount of clear fabric glue to help glue the stitches back into place, so they do not unravel.

Black lace fabric with purple embroidery in a spiderweb pattern, placed on a gray surface next to silver scissors with white handles.