If you are an enthusiastic embroidery learner or a new entrepreneur who has just started a home-based business, you might have come across a lot of common yet tricky problems that you might not have identified them as a problem in the first place.
I have been in the same boat for quite some time. When I started doing embroidery, one issue I came across a lot; my struggle to keep excess fabric out of the way. Initially I thought that it is common thing and I have to deal with it like everyone in the industry by being careful. One day I was going through an embroidery forum and I noticed that this question has been asked many times by many people.

“Apparently, all of them wanted a solution to a problem that I assumed wasn’t a problem that I was struggling with”

Once I realized it was a serious issue which can be dealt with by using techniques and products, I started experimenting with things that could be used to keep fabric out of the way when embroidering. These products were very useful with smaller embroidery projects which didn’t have a lot of space like rompers for babies or with projects that had a lot of excess fabric.

Techniques To Help Keep Fabric Out Of The Way When Embroidering

1. Slow Down The Machine And Keep An Eye On It

First and the obvious solution is to be attentive to the machine embroidery that is going on. However, it is not as easy as it sounds. You can focus on it for long and the moment you move your attention, the machine makes a weird sound indicating that it has excess fabric stuck in it. So, the best way is to slow down the machine and stay around it. You can keep yourself interested and in same space by organizing your supplies and threads in meanwhile. Slowing down the machine will give you enough time to be active and stop the machine when it happens.

2. Turn The Garments Inside Out First

When you are floating instead of hooping, one more technique that is always helpful is to turn the garment inside out and stick the stabilizer to that side. Also use the larger opening in the garment instead of smaller one, when embroidering kids’ clothes. This gives more space for the machine and excess fabric can easily stay out of the way.

3. Keep A Chopstick Or Similar Object

This a preventive method of keeping chopsticks or any similar object that can be used to move the fabric away as soon as you see it moving near the hooped area or near the needle. It will ensure that your fingers are not injured while doing so.

Products To Help Keep Fabric Out Of The Way When Embroidering

Following products are my tried and tested options that has always helped me.

Clothes Pegs

Clothes pegs all-time favorite in keeping the excess fabric away. They are easily available in every household and have very firm grip. They are cheap hence you can buy as many as you want without worrying about the price of these little helpers.

Barrel Style Hair Clips

If you are a 90’s kid you must have seen these around or may have used them once in a while. If you haven’t seen them ever then I am guessing you are a millennial. These are hair clips that were used back then to keep hair secured on the top of the head once you have twisted them. These are still used to some extent and you can easily buy them. They are inexpensive and keep the fabric from going into the embroidery area. They are also very efficient and readily available but be sure to use the appropriate size that suits your embroidery.

Binder Clips

Binder clips are also everyday product that are available in every household. Like clothes pegs, these are not expensive and are multipurpose too. Just be sure to use the ones that are suitable in size for the machine and hoop movement.

Pins

Pins are used very commonly to keep the fabric in place and also to keep the excess fabric away from the embroidery area. However, there are two potential problems. First is that the pins can get in the way of the machine if you are using them to keep the fabric in place. Second problem is the marks that pins can leave on delicate fabrics or nylon windbreakers. Be careful when choosing them Personally, I prefer quilt pins as they are longer and hence more helpful.

Spool Holders

The discovery of these spool holders was rather accidental for me. One day I went to get my supplies and these colorful things caught my attention. After reading the description I thought they are waste of my money but their aesthetic made me buy them anyway. When I brought them home, after some time I got this brilliant idea of using them to hold the excess fabric from getting in the way of the embroidery machine. They do the job pretty decently and the colorful aesthetics make them difficult to lose them among the supplies.

Duck Tape

This commonly used everyday item is also an excellent product to keep the excess fabric in place when embroidering. This is a save option and never fails.

Fabric Being Pulled Under The Hoop And How To Fix It

As shocking as it might sound, there is also a possibility of fabric being sucked below the machine and being caught up in the stitches. I have experienced it myself and when this happened it was hard to believe as I was very focused on securing the fabric on the upper side of the embroidery area. So, I failed to notice when the fabric below was sucked in and embroidered. After it was done, I carefully took it out and removed the embroidery in the area. Then I did the embroidery in same area again and it looked very normal.

Conclusion

Being an embroiderer, you will always come across new mistakes and old ones, but you always need to remember that almost everything can be fixed and there is solution for every problem that you come across.