Five Tips for adding Embroidery to Quilts

Hand embroidery is a beautiful way to embellish quilting projects. These tips will help your embroidery look good, stand up to wear and tear, and work with your finished project.

Be sure to scroll down to see samples of hand embroidery on quilting projects.

See it All

Below you will find:

• Video
• List of Tips
• Sample Projects for Inspiration

Video

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Five Tips

Tip 1 – Secure the ends of the threads

Make sure the ends of the embroidery threads are very secure. Quilted projects usually get different wear and tear than other embroidered projects and you don’t want your stitching to come out of the fabric.

Securing the thread with a knot is fine, but you might want to use a slightly larger knot than normal.

Another good option is weaving in the end of the thread, but be sure to weave it in multiple directions.

Tip 2 – Keep the embroidery light

Think of lines of stitches rather than clumps of stitches. 

Solid groups of stitching looks nice hanging on a wall, but it isn’t usually practical on a quilt that will get regular use.

If you do have a section with dense stitching or are using a very lightweight fabric, you will want to add stabilizer to the back of your fabric to help support the stitches.

Tip 3 – Avoid long stitches

Long threads on the project are easily pulled and can break or distort your fabric. Satin stitch is particularly vulnerable, so I don’t recommend it on a quilt unless it is a very small section.

Tip 4 – Avoid carrying the thread on the back

If you carry thread from one section to another on the back of the fabric, it can show through to the front. This will detract from the stitching.

Keeping the back of the stitching neat will improve the look of the front.

Tip 5 – Plan the quilting in advance

Quilting can also be an embellishment on the quilt, so think about the quilting before doing the embroidery. Will it go around the embroidery or through it?

Thinking about the options before you start will help them work together and give you a better finish.

Samples

These projects show hand embroidery on quilting.

Traditional Blocks with embroidery

This collection of traditional blocks with embroidered embellishments can be used together in a quilt or alone in a smaller project.

Freestyle embroidered wreaths

I used these wreaths on a table runner, but they are very versatile.

Table Runner with Flowers

This table runner is embellished with flowers in different colours.

Under the Sea Quilt

This fun ocean quilt has block with embroidered scenes alternated with nine patch blocks.

No matter how you use embroidery in your quilt project, it will add a special touch.