Welcome to the wonderful world of machine embroidery! You’ve joined a family of folks who experience the joy of creativity™ and brighten the world one stitch at a time. As with any new passion, there’s a learning curve. But there’s joy in the journey and we are here to help!
Below is basic, helpful information to get you started, including what you need to know about hoop sizes, embroidery fields, stabilizers, thread, needles, bobbins, and more. You might start by reviewing our Glossary of Terms, as machine embroidery definitely has its own language.
In addition to the materials provided here, we encourage you to visit your local quilt shop to attend classes, product demos, Make-and-Takes, and Kimberbell Events. The more you learn, the more you’ll be able to fully enjoy your craft and take your talents to the next level!
Easy Thread Matching With Kimberbell’s Conversion Chart!
As a machine embroidery enthusiast, you know that choosing thread colors is half the fun. Like an artist with her palette and brush, you decide the hue for each stroke (er, stitch)! But what about those projects, like Bench Pillows and Feature Quilts, where you want...
Introducing…Kimberbell Stabilizer!
Behind every beautiful stitch there is an unsung hero: stabilizer. Quality stabilizer is a crucial part of machine embroidery and a key player for many quilting and sewing projects as well. Why? Well, it's simple: as a needle pokes fabric, the fibers have to shift...
10 Helpful Tricks Every Embroiderer Should Know
Whether you’re brand-new to machine embroidery or a longtime stitching enthusiast, one thing’s for sure: there’s always something new to learn. I recently sat down with Lauri, Kimberbell’s very own “machine whisperer,” and asked, “What are the most valuable tricks...
Machine Embroidery File Formats
Choosing (and Loading) the Right File Type When you purchase a Kimberbell CD or USB, you’ll see that we provide ALL of the embroidery machine formats for each design (ART, DST, EXP, HUS, JEF, PES, VIP, VP3, XXX). So, with all of these mysterious abbreviations to...
Machine Embroidery Glossary of Terms
Below is a list of terms used in embroidery, particularly with home embroidery machines, designs, and instructions. (Additional terms and definitions will be added as needed!) Applique A separate piece of fabric sewn into the design in place of stitches. Applique adds...
The Finer “Points” of Needles
Needles may be little tools, but understanding them sure makes a big difference! So let’s keep your needle knowledge sharp by reviewing a few key “points.” (Sorry...some puns just have to be said.) Needle Anatomy First, let’s talk about the parts of a needle and how...
Unraveling the Mysteries of Thread
For the machine embroidery enthusiast, shopping for thread is like being a kid in a candy store. But when faced with such a delicious assortment, how do you know which spools to choose? (As much as we’d like to buy them all…) Before selecting colors, first narrow...
Hoop Sizes vs. Sewing (Embroidery) Fields
If you’re new to machine embroidery, you might be thinking that your hoop size is the same thing as your sewing/embroidery field. After all, the hoop size is how big a design can go, right? Well...not quite. In order to accommodate the mechanics of the presser foot...
All About Stabilizer
Stabilizer is an essential part of machine embroidery. But with so many options available, how do you know which type of stabilizer to choose? At the Kimberbell Product Development Lab, we use a variety of stabilizers on multiple machines all day, every day. So we’ve...
