All That Glistens: Holiday Embroidery | Reva's Tips
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Time to read 4 min
My Favorite Materials for Holiday Embroidery That Sparkles
One of my most fond holiday memories as a child is seeing the reflection of the lights off the shiny ornaments and the embroidered tree skirt laden with sequins. I still have it. Each year, my goal is to create pretty things that invoke holiday spirit and memories. One tradition we have is that everyone in our family gets a stocking embroidered with metallic threads. I also like to make an ornament for everyone and freestanding buildings for our Christmas Village.
If you have holiday projects you want to make sparkle and glisten, here are some of my favorite materials for getting there quickly and beautifully.
Things to Add Sparkle Quickly and Easily
These are the materials I reach for whenever I want a project to catch the light and feel special. Each one brings something different, and they work together beautifully for holiday makes.
Metallic Thread
Use this when embroidering designs and names. I enjoy using KingStar Metallic Thread not just because it is pretty, but also because it stitches out so well and seems resistant to the troubles that other metallic threads have.
Give it a try. You will love it, even if you have not liked stitching with other brands.
SHOP METALLIC THREAD KIT
Tip: Use a Metallic Needle for stitching with metallic thread. It has a larger and smoother eye and treats the thread kindly for great results.
Glamour Thread
This may be one of my favorite threads lately. Glamour Thread is a 12wt sparkly thread, which means it can be used on a sewing machine, an embroidery machine, in the loopers of a serger, and even for decorative stitching with the Baby Lock Applaud Deco Coverhem Machine. If you do not have that machine, I hope Santa brings you one!
Tip: When stitching with a 12wt thread, use a topstitch needle. It has a larger eye and a deep groove down the front of the needle shaft that helps protect the thread from excess abrasion.
Luxe Sparkle Vinyl
The star of all things sparkly and pretty. This stuff is a heap of glittery joy! Unlike other glitter vinyls, Luxe Sparkle Vinyl is actually a canvas fabric with the glitter and shine overlaid. It is great to use for applique, freestanding buildings, and even just as fabric when making a bag or other fun sewing project.
SHOP LUXE SPARKLE VINYL
I love pairing it with embroidery designs for fast holiday ornaments. Stitch them on your embroidery machine, add a bit of Luxe Sparkle Vinyl, and you have a fast bling ornament that looks like you spent hours on it.
Tip: Since Luxe Sparkle Vinyl is fabric-backed, treat it like a regular fabric. I do like to lengthen my stitch length to 3.0 when using it in a sewing project.
Iridescent Vinyl
This stuff is so pretty! Iridescent Vinyl is a heavy weight clear vinyl that can be used as fabric to make a sewing project, or as applique material to make your ornaments or freestanding buildings glimmer.
Depending on the color fabric you put this vinyl over, it changes the final look of the iridescent area. That means every project turns out a little different.
SHOP IRIDESCENT VINYL
Tip: This product has a smooth finish. If your machine's foot sticks to it, use a non-stick foot to help the machine glide over the vinyl. When using it as fabric, lengthen your stitch length to 3.0.
Christmas Workshop Mini
If you are looking for the perfect holiday embroidery project to pair with your Luxe Sparkle Vinyl, this is the one. The Christmas Workshop Mini by Beach Potato Embroidery is the ornament design collection I have been using.
These cuties stitch out so fast and fun. Combine them with Luxe Sparkle Vinyl for a quick, beautiful holiday make.
CHRISTMAS WORKSHOP
Make something glisten and create a holiday memory for those you love. If you have questions about any of these products, give us a call at (800) 687-5175. We are happy to help you find the right thread, vinyl, or needle for your project.
Enjoy your Holiday makes!
Reva
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best needle to use with metallic thread?
A metallic needle is designed for exactly this. It has a larger, smoother eye and a deeper groove down the front of the shaft that protects the thread from friction as it moves through the machine. Using a standard needle with metallic thread often leads to shredding and breakage. Switch to a metallic needle and most of those frustrations go away.
What is the difference between Luxe Sparkle Vinyl and Iridescent Vinyl?
Luxe Sparkle Vinyl is a canvas fabric with glitter and shine overlaid on top. Because it is fabric-backed, you can cut it, sew it, and treat it like a regular fabric. It adds opaque glitter to your project.
Iridescent Vinyl is a clear, heavyweight vinyl. The shimmer changes depending on the color fabric underneath, which creates a unique shifting effect. Both work beautifully for ornaments and applique work.
Can I use Glamour Thread on a regular sewing machine?
Yes. Glamour Thread is a 12wt sparkly thread that works on a sewing machine, embroidery machine, and in the loopers of a serger. Pair it with a topstitch needle, which has a larger eye and a grooved shaft to protect the thread. It adds beautiful shimmer to decorative stitching, top-stitching, and embroidery projects.
My presser foot sticks to vinyl. What should I do?
Use a non-stick presser foot. Vinyl has a smooth, sometimes tacky surface that can cause a standard metal foot to drag and skip. A non-stick foot has a special coating on the bottom that allows it to glide over vinyl and other coated materials.
Also extend your stitch length to 3.0 when sewing vinyl. Fewer needle holes means a cleaner seam and less risk of the vinyl tearing along the stitch line.
Do I need an embroidery machine to make these holiday projects?
Not for everything. The metallic and Glamour threads work on regular sewing machines, and both vinyls can be used as fabric or applique with basic stitching. However, to stitch out freestanding ornaments or designs like the Christmas Workshop Mini, you do need an embroidery machine. Browse our embroidery machine collection if you are ready to add that to your sewing space. Questions? Call us at (800) 687-5175.
