Troubleshooting for Modern Embroidery

A needle is being dangled from a hoop by the thread.

Introduction 


Let’s cover some modern embroidery troubleshooting before you dive into the actual techniques. Then these can sit in the back of your mind as you learn how to embroider.


So, take a deep breath, put your phone to the side, and let's dive into this fantastic world of embroidery together!


This blog will cover:


  • Unwinding a mistake

  • Dangling to prevent tangling

  • Flicking tails out

Unwinding a mistake: If you make a mistake with your stitching (don’t worry it happens to us all!), you have two options, which I’ll outline below:


  1. Take your needle off your thread, then use the blunt end of the needle to pop out the previous stitches which need fixing. Do this one by one, by pushing the blunt end of your needle under the stitch and pulling up. Then restitch that piece with the same thread.


    2. If your thread is firmly knotted, then you won’t be able to unwind the stitches - you’ll have to cut them out and re-start with fresh thread.

The blunt end of the needle in pulling out a stitch.

Dangle to prevent tangles: As you stitch along, your thread can start to twist up, making it more prone to tangling and knotting. It also means the thread doesn’t sit nicely on the fabric. So, every now and then, try lifting your hoop and letting the needle and thread hang down. You'll see that they naturally untwist, making your thread smoother to work with again.


A needle is being dangled from a hoop by the thread.

Flicking tails out: Using knots to start your threads has a little drawback – those mischievous thread tails might get caught up in your stitching and pop out beside your stitches on the top side. If this happens, just flip your hoop over and find where the tail is misbehaving. Then gently nudge it back under the fabric with the blunt end of your needle.

Conclusion


So there you have it, modern embroidery troubleshooting tips that I think you will find super useful when starting out on your embroidery journey, and throughout.


I’m so excited for you to discover the exciting world of embroidery! 

What's next?


If you enjoyed learning about modern embroidery, you may also enjoy my Modern Embroidery Foundations Course. 


This course takes you through all the beginner techniques and knowledge you need to make your first beginner pattern, Little Wildflower Meadow! Plus, it includes a beautiful second pattern, Blooming Lovely, which is a fantastic place to practice your newfound skills.


I would totally recommend this course, as it covers the modern embroidery techniques you will need to make some beautiful beginner patterns, and you can also do it at your own place. Plus, this is a great way to hold yourself accountable for your own me-time and continue on your path to becoming a modern embroidery superstar.


If you liked this article, then you may also like this one, 

What Essential Supplies do You Need to Get Started in Modern Embroidery?


So, are you excited to start on your modern embroidery journey?

Here is a beginner embroidery pattern, Little Wildflower Meadow, framed in a hoop. This is available for purchase from the Clever Poppy Shop with the Modern Embroidery Foundations Course.