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Free Standing Feathers Embroidery Project

By Ramona Baird on April 11, 2018

PROJECT DETAILS

SKILL LEVEL

Beginner

TIME REQUIRED

01:30

Description

Use a clever technique to create feathers for a hat.

Project Preview Video

Materials

Straw cowboy style hat

Two layers of organza to fit 5 x 7 hoop

Choice of embroidery thread colors

Wood burning tool

Textile glue

Designs used in this project

https://www.embroiderydesigns.com/productdetails/adorable-ideas/stockdesign/1/ai_ffbp03_s

https://www.embroiderydesigns.com/productdetails/adorable-ideas/stockdesign/1/ai_ffbp04_s

Final Product: What You Will Create

Preface:

This project is fun, and simple to stitch and complete. Use a wood burning tool that is dedicated specifically to the burning technique for embroidery. Be sure to read and follow all manufacturers’ directions for the tool—it gets very hot. Also be sure to work in a well ventilated area as instructed in the directions. Have a damp rag near the work surface to wipe the tool off every now and again so the melted fiber does not accumulate on the tool tip.

Step 1:

Gather the materials and read through the instructions before beginning. Print out a paper template of the design. Read and follow the wood burning tool instructions—the tool is very hot. Hoop two layers of organza in the hoop and choose thread colors as desired to coordinate with the hat.

Step 2:

Load the designs on the machine. Rotate the designs to fit in the hoop. Leave enough room between the designs for stitching. Turn the speed down to about 500 spm.

Step 3:

Place the hoop on the machine and stitch the two feathers in the chosen colors; remove the fabric from the hoop.

Step 4:

First, just generally cut the feathers from the fabric and then cut the excess fabric away from the outer edge of each design leaving about 1/8” all around. Place the knife tip on the wood burning tool, plug in the tool, and let it heat up. Test the burning on the scrap of fabric cut away from the designs so you get the feel of how the fabric will melt away. When you are comfortable, begin to melt the edge of the fabric away from the feather very slowly and very carefully. Just allow the tool to work to melt the fabric back; do not touch the thread with the tool.

Step 5:

An option is to also melt some of the inner portions, too. Be sure to wipe the tool off every now and again on the damp cloth to keep the tip clean. Repeat for the second feather.

Step 6:

Now decide where you’d like the feathers placed: on the side of the hat, the front, or the back.

Step 7:

Place fabric glue on the back of each feather and adhere them in position as planned. If needed, use pins to temporarily hold the feathers in place until the glue dries.

Step 8:

Congratulations on adding a decorative element to a simple straw hat; enjoy wearing it!

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Meet the Author: Ramona Baird

Ramona Baird has been in the embroidery industry for over 23 years. She and her husband owned a commercial and retail embroidery store in Arizona for many years. She is an experienced digitizer having been mentored by award-winners Pat Williams and Lindee Goodall. Ramona is a contributor to “Creative Machine Embroidery” magazine having 5 covers to her credit. Ramona has worked for Wilcom America and served many years as Education Director for the American Sewing Guild. With a degree in fashion design, she is able to design and execute patterns which Pat Williams says are “out of the box” in creativity and application. Ramona likes to challenge the boundaries of embroidery and bring new and exciting designs, ideas, and projects to EmbroideryDesigns.com. She wants embroiderers of all levels to increase their skills and enjoyment in using their embroidery machine for gift-making and personal pleasure.