1. Pinch and Saw the Tip Method: For needles smaller than size #10, snip the very end of your embroidery floss or thread so the thread is not puffy and frayed (a clean cut is necessary for this method). Next, pull the thread between your thumb and forefinger (so the tip of the thread is barely visible between the two). Lay the eye of your needle up on the tip of the thread, using a gently sawing motion, move the needle down between the skin of your thumb and forefinger. With this method, you will “saw” the thread into the eye of your needle. If this doesn’t work, turn your needle over and try the other side.

2. Fold and Pinch Method: Take your thread and fold your thread around the shaft of your needle. Slide your thread off, pinch the fold, and stick the thread in the eye of your needle. Next, pull your thread through the needle so the folded over part is all the way through (situate the length of the tail however you like it). You might have to hold the pinched fold close between your finger and thumb and lay the eye on the folded thread and gently “saw” the needle down onto the thread. This method works great with  needle size #10 and larger needles. It also works with size 11, depending on the thread you’re using.

3. Assisted Method: If the first two methods prove to be too difficult. Acquire a fine needle threader and use it (simple). There are many brands available which you can find in the needlework section of most hobby, craft, and sewing places.

We hope you have found this article useful. Imagescapes Embroidery (located in Apex, North Carolina offers professional embroidery and screen printing services for your company.

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Have you ever been to a business event and noticed certain individuals with eye-catching and professional looking work shirts with the company or group logo embroidered right on the shirt? Have you ever considered a professional embroidery service for your own company? If you have ever wondered what are the benefits of professional embroidery, keep reading on. In this article, IMAGEscapes provides 3 great advantages of professional embroidery for your business!

First of all, embroidery is the art of stitching your design onto a shirt using high tech computerized embroidery machines. The finished product is polished, durable and professional which makes embroidery one of the preferred methods of logo apparel decoration for several reasons:

Advertisement For Your Business

For many years, custom embroidered shirts have been a great way to get your business’ name out there, think of it is as walking advertisement. Solid colored button down shirts or plain polo’s are too simple and boring. Custom professionally embroidered shirts are a fantastic way to stand out from the crowd and send the message that your employees are all a team working together. Imagine the statement your company would make with your logo embroidered on the front of the shirt!

Add Uniqueness To Your Business

A well embroidered design will always give a good impression; you want a design that gives you a professional look and has a carefully design with high value. This adds uniqueness to your business! Also, the embroidered design must be consistent from piece to piece. As the customer, you have full control over the design, after-all, your company design is a representation of your company.

A Durable Product

Professional custom embroidery designed shirts are an expense, but well worth the investment. One of the advantages of these products is the quality and durability. A quality embroidered design is very hard wearing and is designed to stand heavy laundering and the colors will not fade on high temperatures. In fact, it is more likely for a shirt to wear out before the embroidered image does. The stitching is tough and hard-wearing and will not be ruined by common wear and tear! Your money will be well spent on such durable materials.

There are many reasons why embroidery is important for your business. IMAGEscapes is a custom embroidery and screen printing workshop that takes pride in creating unique embroidered and screen printed designs for all your apparel and gift item needs.  Our custom embroidery and custom screen printing is considered the state of the art in value, quality and service. Inquire about our custom professional embroidery services today and your business can experience the benefits!

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Embroidery has been around for a very long time. In fact, did you know that Egyptians used embroidery for decoration purposes on the hems of royal robes? Embroidery was also used in tapestries during the Middle Ages! Embroidery has always been considered an art form, one which is certainly worth learning. ImageScapes Embroidery has put together this guide to help you get started on your embroidery journey, find out what the 5 hand embroidery must have tools are:

#1: Lighting and Magnification

This is one of the most important necessities because the last thing you want to do is strain your eyes due to poor lighting conditions (this would make your experience much less enjoyable). Magnifying is not necessary for everyone but it certainly does help too.

#2: Storage

Storage for your embroidery projects is necessary in order to keep your embroidery materials not only organized, but also to have effective management for your projects (plus, it also helps keep your work area clean).

#3: Use The Right Needle

A needle is the most basic tool you will use during this process. Now, any needle can draw a piece of thread through the fabric, however, using the right needle for the task at hand will guarantee better results (it really does make all the difference in the world!).

The most common needles used in embroidery are the following:

• Tapestry Needle– The tapestry needle has a much longer eye and a shorter shaft and a blunt tip.
• Milliner Needle– The milliner needle has a short (almost round) eye, and a very long shaft with a sharp tip.
• Crewel Needle– The crewel needle is the most basic needle for embroidery and it is is a sharp, tipped needle that has a medium-long eye which is slightly larger than the shaft of the needle.

#4: Frames and Hoops

This tool is helpful for a couple of reasons. One, it helps keep your embroidery fabric in place. Two, it helps avoid making your embroidery warped. Frames and hoops are available in both wood and plastic.

#5: Scissors

When it comes to scissors, you don’t want to use just any pair. Embroidery scissors are different from regular craft scissors. They are sharp and thin; they are designed this way to be able to get really close to the ground fabric to cut threads cleanly.

Of course, there are many other embroidery tools available but these 5 are the must haves you need to get you started on your very own embroidery project! Investing a little time and a little bit of money will allow you to create beautiful art. For more information or if you have any questions, please feel free to contact Imagescapes Embroidery and Screen Printing, we are always happy to be of assistance.

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Embroidery has always been considered an art, but what crafters are doing with needle and thread today totally exceeds “traditional” embroidery by far. Today, they are using innovative designs and materials, taking embroidery to new artistic realms!

One of the basics that makes embroidery possible is the use of embroidery patterns. There are several different ways to do this and the choice of techniques can often depend on the weight or color of the fabric being used. Imagescapes Embroidery and Screen Printing explores different embroidery pattern transfer methods and provides 5 pattern transfer tips in this article:

Tip #1: Heat Transfer Pencils

Heat transfer pencils or pens are a great option for marking your embroidery design on fabric and will work on both light and heavy weight fabrics. They are available in blue or red and the ink is activated by the heat of an iron. Please be aware that these pencils are permanent and the markings will not wash out. The marked lines must be completely covered with the embroidery in order for them not to be visible.

To use a heat transfer pencil simply trace the design in reverse on a lightweight sheet of paper. The design must be traced in reverse because the pressing process creates a mirror image of the design marked on the paper. The easiest way to to do this is to print your patter, turn it over and then trace the design on the back side of the paper.

Once you have traced your pattern, place the paper against the fabric and press with a hot iron. Lift the iron off the paper before moving it to the next location, otherwise moving the iron back and forth will distort the image.

Tip #2: Use Light

You can transfer the designs directly onto your embroidery fabric using a light source such as a light box or window if your fabric is fairly thin. To transfer a design using this method, tape the pattern to the glass and cover the pattern with the fabric. You should be able to see the design very clearly through the fabric, mark the lines with a chalk based marking pencil or a water soluble transfer pen or pencil.

Tip #3: Transfer Paper

This method is oftentimes called the dressmakers’ carbon paper. Designs can be transferred to thicker fabrics using carbon or wax based transfer paper.

This lightweight transfer paper is coated on one side with a powdery colored ink and is made specifically for the use on fabrics that will wash out of the finished piece. When using these papers, use the light colored piece of paper to mark designs on darker fabrics and a darker color on lighter fabrics. Just in case the ink is a bit stubborn when washing it out, use the lightest color possible.

After you have determined what paper you will use, you are ready to transfer your design. First, lay the fabric (face up) on a hard surface, such as a table. Next, center the transfer paper over the fabric having the waxy ink towards the fabric and arrange the patter on top of the transfer paper. Finally, transfer the design to the fabric using an empty ball point marking pen or a stylus, making sure to press hard enough for the design to transfer successfully through the layers of paper.

Tip #4: Pouncing

Pouncing was a very common way to transfer embroidery designs to fabric long before transfer paper and iron-on inks were used. This is a very neat method and pouncing supplies can still be found in specialty needlework shops.

When using this method, a paper pattern is pricked with pins at regular intervals. The design pattern is then secured to the fabric, and a powdered pigment is worked through the holes in a pouncing motion using a soft fabric pad.

Tip #5: Hot Iron Transfers

This is one of the easiest methods available because you can purchase these patterns ready to use and they feature a wide range of subjects, usually available printed in gray or blue ink. The designs are transferred to the fabric using a hot iron in the same manner as patterns traced using transfer pens and pencils.

Don’t be afraid to try some (or all) of the methods discussed in this article. Being a little adventurous will help you determine which options and techniques you prefer and expand your creativity. Most importantly, have fun!

Imagescapes Embroidery and Screen Printing takes pride in providing quality service above all else for our customers. For more information about embroidery pattern transfer methods or general questions about embroidery, do not hesitate to contact Imagescapes Embroidery and Screen Printing today!

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Are you new to the world of machine embroidery? First and foremost, welcome! Machine embroidery is a wonderful form of art. If you have invested money and time into getting equipment, tools and designs, you might now be wondering, what’s next? You have come to the right place!

Imagescapes Embroidery and Screen Printing provides 5 great tips for beginners to get started in machine embroidery in order to achieve success:

1.Read All You Can About Machine Embroidery:

Books are a great resource when it comes to just about any topic and machine embroidery isn’t any different. Machine embroidery books can be very helpful as you build sharpen your skills. But there are also a lot of other great resources too such as newsletters, e-books, magazines, internet and social media.

Newsletters are great because they are usually free and easily accessible just by signing up with your email address with your favorite embroidery-related shops. You can also find numerous e-books that some companies provide as an incentive for embroiderers to visit their websites and they are easy to download and can be accessed and read from just about anywhere (mobile device, laptop, tablet, etc.).

Magazines provide project inspiration as well as education in techniques and utilities such as stabilizers, threads and needles. Many magazines are also available electronically nowadays for instant download; sometimes they are free and sometimes you can obtain them at a reduced cost and publishers oftentimes even offer past volumes at a discount.

You can never really go wrong with the internet, it is vortex of resources! There are thousand of independent bloggers and most commercial websites have their own blogs as well. Today we also have they advantage of social media and many companies post sales and free designs through their social medial accounts so make sure to follow your favorite embroidery resources on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Pinterest!

2. Keep Good Notes:

Even the greatest scientists keep immaculate notes while doing research and beginning embroiderers shouldn’t be any different. Consider keeping an embroidery journal in which you document your projects and will help you learn what works, allowing you to easily mimic a project at a later date. Think of your notes as your embroidery recipes.

3. Take Classes:

Taking a class is not only educational but it can also be fun. Project classes further sharpen your skills and provide additional support from instructors and peers. Whether you take a class in person or online, embroidery classes are great for any level embroiderer because they help reinforce basic skills and machine functions.

Online classes and even YouTube tutorials are becoming more and more popular and the advantage of this resource is that you can view these instructional videos whenever, wherever and for as long as you want, plus you can use your own machine which is an opportunity to become familiar with your own tools and equipment.

4. Get to Know Your Dealer:

Whether you are a beginner, intermediate or experienced embroiderer, your machine dealer is your single best resource because manufacturers require dealers to be technically adept users of the machines they sell, making your dealer a true expert! Although all machine embroidery machines basically do the same thing, each machine is unique and operates in different ways. Most dealers are happy to provide owner classes that will help their customers become familiar with options specific to their own machines.

You can gain the knowledge, enthusiasm and confidence you need in order to succeed. Dealers become personal cheerleaders and offer and endless supply of tips, ideas, support and encouragement.

5. Schedule Time to Sew:

Learning machine embroidery does not happen over night, it is a progressive process and like anything else, practice makes perfect. Which is why it is important to make time for your embroidery passion whether you read, do research, take a class or sew (even if you only spend 30 minutes a day).

Remember that the more you stitch, the better your skills, knowledge and experience will grow and you will be a pro in no time! The time invested will definitely pay off and don’t forget that the most important thing is to have fun during this process. In the meantime, if you have any questions about machine embroidery or have any embroidery needs, contact Imagescapes Embroidery and Screen Printing!

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Shopping for machine embroidery thread can be a mission. Let’s face it, stopping at the thread rack can feel like going to the candy store because there are so many choices and colors! It’s easy to feel a little overwhelmed but once you gain a little thread knowledge, choosing the right machine embroidery thread can be a fun and satisfying experience!

First things first; always use quality embroidery thread which are manufactured specifically for machine embroidery. Luckily, they are available in a vast variety of colors!

Now, some types of machine embroidery thread are a little more trickier to use than others but for the most part, a few slight adjustments can reduce thread breakage, looping and other unwanted issues. Three things to definitely keep in mind that can affect breakage levels are the needle you use, thread tension and bobbin filament thread (we suggest using polyester pre-wound bobbins instead of purchasing bobbin thread and winding bobbins at home because experience has taught us that almost all embroidery machines perform better with factory-made bobbins.

So, how do you choose the right machine embroidery thread? Imagescapes Embroidery and Screen Printing has put together the following informative list to guide you along the way:

Silk Thread:

Silk thread is the best choice when embroidering on silk or other luxurious fabrics because it is strong and stable with an unmatched noble sheen. Although it is more costly and harder to find than others, it is truly the aristocrat of specialty threads! Silk thread combines the strength of polyester and the stability of cotton, without being abrasive and sews smoothly without breaking. You can find silk threads in a wide range of weights but we have found that the 30 to 50 weights are the most suitable for machine embroidery.

Cotton Thread:

Cotton thread is great because it has a lovely and soft sheen with that is unattainable with other fibers. Cotton threads are also available in a wide range of weights (from 30 to 120, 120 being considered heirloom quality). 30 to 50 weights are usually the most popular due to their strength and sufficient fabric coverage. Cotton thread is particularly important when stitching complex designs with light and shade effects because with cotton you may achieve subtle shading between colors within a color family. If you want your designs to look much like hand stitched cross stitch then it is better to use cotton thread because the softer qualities it possesses is perfect for machine cross stitch.

Rayon Machine Embroidery Thread:

This is a popular choice among embroiderers because of it’s widespread availability, consistent trouble-free performance, appealing high sheen and the fact that it holds up to high-speed stitching without breaking or fraying. Rayon thread can be found in 40 and 30 weight and like many of the others, is also available in a wide range of solid, diverse and “twist” of colors (which is composed of two or more solid colors twisted together to form a single strand, which adds a visual effect of shading and dimension to embroidery designs).

Metallic Thread and Glittery Mylar Thread:

Although these are a fantastic choice for adding sparkling accents to embroidery designs, they are also considered to be the most tricky. They are available in a wide range of colors as well as holographic hues (which pick up light and color from surrounding objects and add spectacular luminous accents to machine embroidery). Be sure to experiment with these to find the ones that perform best for you because some might perform better than others on your machine. These threads sometimes tend to break with high-speed sewing and you might need to adjust the thread tension and use specialty needles for these types of thread, but, they are well worth using!

Polyester Machine Embroidery Thread:

Polyester thread is usually a little cheaper than rayon because of it’s synthetic origin and it’s also a great choice because it has a sheen almost comparable to rayon. Polyester threads are colorfast, exceptionally durable (they will not fade or bleed) and they have a high resistance to bleach and chlorine making this thread ideal for embroidering catering items, hotels, sportswear, work-wear and any other item that will be frequently and/or heavily washed.

There are so many choices out there that it is easy to feel intimidated. However, experimenting with threads can be beneficial because you can expand your color and texture palettes and add new life to your designs. Once you have a little experience under your belt, you will become a pro in no time. Please contact Imagescapes Embroidery and Screen Printing if you have any questions regarding embroidery or our embroidery services, we are always ready to help you!

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What’s so great about machine embroidery? Well, there are many things to consider. First, machine embroidery is an embroidery process where a sewing machine or embroidery machine is used to create patterns on textiles. Oftentimes, machine embroidery is used commercially by experienced companies like Imagescapes Embroidery for corporate advertising, product branding and even uniform adornment.

But what if you’re just a curious beginner who wants to try something new? Luckily, machine embroidery is also a form of art that is used by hobbyists for personal sewing and craft projects. Of course if you’re a beginner, this task might seem challenging but with our help, you’ll be on a pro in no time!

Take a look at the following machine embroidery tips for starters:

• Make time: Learning something new takes time, practice and plenty of research. Designate a specific time that you can dedicate just for machine embroidery. This includes reading, sewing or even taking a class.

• Learn: Learning is an increasing process. It’s a simple fact that the more you do something, the easier it will get and the better you become. Keep in mind that part of the learning process is making mistakes but, no matter what, don’t give up!

• Take notes: You might find that keeping a journal (or notebook) is very helpful while on your machine embroidery journey. Use this journal to record thread types, colors, fabric type, fabric blends, stabilizer used, machine adjustments and anything else that you can use to replicate or improve in the future.

• Organization: Because life is hectic as it is, it’s always helpful to be organized. A well organized area that is dedicated to sewing and/or arts and crafts makes the time you do spend on machine embroidery all the more pleasant and effective. The area does not have to be large but moving your tools/equipment/materials from one place to another every time you want to craft is not necessarily fun therefore, it does help to have an area where you can work and walk away without having to put everything away.

• Refrain from purchasing any (and every) gadget and gimmick in the market: As with anything new, it is easy to get excited and sometimes even a little carried away. Do your best to refrain from spending unnecessary money on getting unnecessary things. Start with the basics; hoop/machine, scissors, fabric, thread, stabilizer and a design. You might want to consider getting some stitching experience before investing in anything else.

• Relax: Now that you have prepared yourself to start your machine embroidery, you may find yourself feeling a little nervous. It is normal to feel a little nervous but just remember to relax! This will be fun and the worst that could happen is that if you make a mistake, you can just start over again. It’s no big deal, like anything else, practice makes perfect.

• Start small: We suggest starting small and then gradually progressing to more challenging styles as your confidence and expertise grows.

• Test the stitch: There are numerous variables that one design can stitch out due to many factors (stabilizer, digitizer, fabric and needle and thread). For this reason, you can avoid any problems by testing the stitch designs on a similar fabrics before embroidering the actual piece.

•  Fearlessness: After you have had time to practice and become familiar with the process, don’t be afraid to try different techniques. There are tons of free designs available, you have nothing to lose by at least trying. Doing so will allow you to gain experience and grow as an embroider!

• Enjoy the moment: Last but not least, have fun and enjoy the experience, which is the main goal!

Especially focus on the last tip because that is the most important thing, have fun. We hope you enjoyed this article and that you feel inspired to try the art of machine embroidery. If you have any questions about the information covered in this article or embroidery in general, contact Imagescapes Embroidery today!

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Embroidery is an art and if you appreciate crafts, you might really enjoy embroidery! Embroidery is the method used for decorating fabrics with a needle and a thread. This article will discuss the very basics of hand embroidery tools. So, what are some things you’ll need to begin your embroidery adventure?

The following are some of the basic and essential tools you will need:

Embroidery needles: Embroidery needles have bigger eyes than average needles do to accommodate the size of the embroidery floss.

Embroidery Floss: Embroidery floss is inexpensive and is available in countless colors.

Embroidery hoop: The hoop is a ring that consists of two parts. You put the fabric you will use in between the hoops (this will allow the fabric stretch, making the embroidery easier). Hoops are available in wood or plastic, but the kind of hoop you use comes down to personal preference.

Sharp scissors (small): Embroidery scissors are designed to have a pointed tip, and are very sharp making the ideal for getting into small corners and still do clean cuts.

Fabric: This is your fabric of choice and it should not be too loosely woven or too tight. Canvas, linen, osnaburg and quilting cotton are excellent options!

A marking tool: A marking tool is used to draw designs onto your fabric and this can be a water soluble marker or other marking tool. However, a water soluble marker is recommended so you can rinse the markings out with cold water when you are finished.

Although it may seem that embroidery is really challenging, it is not as tough as you might think. Like anything else, a little practice goes a long way and it really is a nice way to relax, de-stress and have fun! For any embroidery questions or embroidery needs, Imagescapes Embroidery offers custom embroidery services and is always available to assist you!

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