Turn everything you know about embroidery upside down with bobbinwork! For these specially digitized designs, you'll hoop your fabric-and-stabilizer combo with the fabric facing down, and the stabilizer on top. Using your main, decorative thread in the bobbin allows you to stitch with a wide range of threads that wouldn't necessarily fit through the eye of a needle. Follow along to learn how to embroider these unique designs!
Designs Used
To stitch bobbinwork embroidery, you'll need:
- Bobbinwork embroidery design -- we're using the Yuletide Peacock (Bobbinwork) design
- 12 weight embroidery thread (see note below)
- Matching 40 weight rayon or polyester thread (our thread lists suggest matching pairs, but you don't need to follow them -- as long as the match is somewhat close, it'll look great!)
- Medium weight cutaway stabilizer
- 75/11 sharp sewing needle
First, let's talk about thread. Bobbinwork designs require thick thread to achieve the maximum effect.
These bobbinwork designs are digitized for 12 weight thread, such as Madeira Burmilana (a wool/acrylic blend, which we're using here) or BurmilanaCo (a cotton/acrylic blend). These threads are available from a variety of retailers, including Madeira and The Sewphisticated Stitcher.
You can also substitute other threads of similar weight, such as this size 10, 3-ply cotton crochet thread) or this 8 weight polyester metallic thread.
To get started, spray a piece of medium weight cutaway stabilizer with temporary adhesive and smooth the fabric on top (we are embroidering on linen).
Next, since the main thread will be coming from the bobbin, hoop the fabric and stabilizer together with the stabilizer side facing UP (opposite of how you would typically hoop the fabric).
Wind a bobbin with each color of thick thread you will be using.
The tension of the machine will need to be adjusted to compensate for the thicker thread in the bobbin. We left the bobbin tension set for regular embroidery (no adjustment), and tightened the top thread tension (we set our top thread tension as tight as it would go).
For the top thread, match 40 weight rayon or polyester embroidery thread to each color of thick thread you will be using. Thread the 40 weight thread through the needle. We are using a 75/11 sharp sewing needle.
Attach the hoop to the machine and embroider the design.
After each color stop, remove the hoop from the machine, but do not unhoop the fabric. Turn the hoop over and trim away any long, loose threads.
Change the bobbin for the next color and match the top thread (40 weight thread) to that color.
Attach the hoop back onto the machine and continue with the design. After each stop, remove the hoop, trim any loose bobbin threads, change the bobbin to the next color, and match the top thread to the bobbin thread.
Your completed bobbinwork design is full of unique texture and bold color!
Have fun experimenting with different colors and textures. This example features size 10 crochet thread and 8 weight metallic thread.
Metallic thread adds shine and glamour to this silver-and-gold version!
