How to Embroider Letters With a Sewing Machine

An embroidery hoop keeps fabric taut while you embroider letters with a sewing machine.

Many modern sewing machines have an embroidery option and even a standard set of letters for creating your own monograms and embroidered letters. Specialized sewing and embroidery machines offer several font choices and the ability to download letter styles from embroidery software on your computer. Whether you have a specialized sewing machine or a standard machine with fewer capabilities, you can embroider letters on almost any fabric.

Things You'll Need

• Embroidery software (optional)
• Embroidery thread
• Pin
• Embroidery placement kit (optional)
• Tear-away lightweight stabilizer
• Iron-on stabilizer (optional)
• Temporary spray adhesive
• Embroidery hoop
• Self-adhesive stabilizer (optional)
• Water-soluble stabilizer

Instructions

1. Choose a fabric to embroider on. If you use a thick fabric like a terry cloth towel you'll need three types of stabilizer. Thinner fabrics only need lightweight tear-away and water-soluble stabilizers.

2. Program your sewing machine with the letters you want to embroider. A combination sewing and embroidery machine has many font options and the ability to use embroidery software on your computer to create intricate monograms. Choose the letters you want to embroider from your machine's options menu.

3. Thread your machine with a spool of embroidery thread. Follow the threading instructions provided with your machine. Embroidery thread is sturdier and a heavier weight than regular sewing thread.

4. Decide where you want to embroider your letters and insert a pin to mark the center of the area. You can eyeball this or get an embroidery placement kit. A kit provides plastic templates to find the best placement for your letters.

5. Spray temporary adhesive on a piece of lightweight tear-away stabilizer and press it onto the wrong side of the fabric behind your pin. The stabilizer should be cut slightly larger than the area you plan to embroider. This adds weight to the letters and keeps the thread from tangling while the letters are stitched. If you embroider on a towel or thick fabric, use iron-on stabilizer instead of tear-away.

6. Place the fabric in an embroidery hoop and tighten the hoop to make the fabric taut. If you're using a towel or other thick fabric, put a piece of self-adhesive stabilizer in the hoop. Tear away the protective adhesive cover and stick the iron-on stabilizer side of the fabric firmly onto the self-adhesive paper. The towel will stick to the stabilizer in the hoop and stay taut while you embroider.

7. Put the fabric and hoop under your sewing machine needle and remove the pin. Place a piece of water-soluble stabilizer on top to prevent thread tangles, then push the start button on your machine to begin embroidering. Keep your fingers on the hoop while the machine forms the letters you programmed.

8. Remove the fabric from the hoop when the sewing machine is finished. Carefully tear away the stabilizer from the front and back of the fabric.

References

• Brother International: Monogrammed Sachet Project
• Nancy's Notions: Learn How to Monogram Towels