Learn how to machine embroider on clear vinyl. With water soluble stabilizer and a few tips, you too can learn how to machine embroider on clear vinyl!
My husband and I took a trip to Texas about a month ago now. In preparation, I sewed some clear vinyl zipper pouches. I was also working on embroidering some reading pillows for our friends grandchildren.
I’m also fascinated with stained glass. In fact, have you seen what you can create with Plaid Gallery Glass Paint? If you’re interested, you can watch this Plaid video.
So, if you combine vinyl zipper pouches, machine embroidery, and faux stained glass, you get embroidered designs on clear vinyl. Now you can see how my brain works. Kinda scary, right?!
Like I said, I’ve had this idea for a while, but just finally got around to trying it. Now I’m sharing what I learned with you!
How to Machine Embroider on Clear Vinyl
Although I have only tried several different redwork designs, along with 16 gauge clear vinyl, I do plan to do a little more testing with various density in embroidery design and different weights of vinyl. I’ll update this post as I learn more.
Video Tutorial
I put together a quick video tutorial that shows how to machine embroider on clear vinyl. Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel while you’re there so you can get notifications when new tutorials are made available. THANK YOU!!
Equipment Needed
- embroidery machine (I use a Brother PE770. It has been replaced with the PE800.)
- 75/11 embroidery machine needle
- embroidery curved tip scissors
- scissors
- acrylic ruler
- rotary cutter
- self-healing cutting mat
Supplies Needed
- embroidery design (I used the Jacobean Hummingbird Redwork designs from Designs by JuJu. I also buy designs from Embroidery Library and Sweet Pea.)
- water soluble stabilizer
- 16 gauge clear vinyl
- embroidery machine thread
- embroidery hoop
- twine or ribbon
Tips for Embroidering on Clear Vinyl
Use Less Dense Designs
For the best results and to keep the needle from cutting away the vinyl, select designs that are less dense. If you are familiar with embroidering on cotton clothesline rope, you’ll want to select similar designs. Here are a few examples:
- Jacobean Hummingbird Redwork
- Buzzing Bee and Blooms
- Mehndi Butterfly
- Dainty Blooms Bouquet
- Pretty Wildflower Border
- Woodlands Flower Friends – Bear
Okay, you get the idea!
Use Matching Thread in Bobbin
By selecting designs that are less dense, you are also more likely to have fewer thread color changes – which is a good thing. Why? Because you will want to use the same color thread in your bobbin as your top thread. This will help prevent the bobbin thread from obviously showing through on the front of your design AND it will help to make the back of the design look just as good as the front. (Remember, you’re working with clear vinyl!)
Use Water Soluble Stabilizer
If you haven’t used water soluble stabilizer before, this is the perfect opportunity to use this amazing stabilizer. Simply cut a piece of water soluble stabilizer to fit your hoop size. Then you will hoop the stabilizer and the vinyl. Once you have finished stitching your design, hold your design under running water to wet the stabilizer. Wait about 30 seconds or so – to give the stabilizer time to react to the water. Then hold the back of the design under running water and watch the stabilizer disintegrate before your eyes. You may need to gently rub your fingers over the back to help remove any residual stabilizer.
Don’t Use Spray Adhesive
You do not want to use spray adhesive. It will just simply make a mess on the back of the vinyl.
Don’t Use Pins
Because you are using vinyl, you do not want to use pins. Pins will leave permanent holes in your vinyl. Just hoop the WSS and vinyl and you’ll be good to go.
Remove Wrinkles/Creases with an Iron
If you have wrinkles or creases in your vinyl, you can use a warm iron to remove them. Place a piece of cotton fabric beneath AND on top of your vinyl. Then use the iron on a warm setting to press out the wrinkles.
More Questions?
If you have more questions about embroidering on clear vinyl, please leave them in the comments below and I’ll be glad to answer them.
How to Machine Embroider on Clear Vinyl
Materials
- embroidery design
- water soluble stabilizer
- 16 gauge clear vinyl
- embroidery machine thread
- embroidery hoop
- twine or ribbon
Tools
- embroidery machine
- 75/11 embroidery machine needle
- embroidery curved tip scissors
- scissors
- acrylic ruler
- rotary cutter
- self-healing cutting mat
Instructions
- Follow the manufacturer's instructions for loading the embroidery design in your embroidery machine.
- Cut a piece of water soluble stabilizer (WSS) to fit your machine's embroidery hoop.
- Cut a piece of clear vinyl to fit your machine's embroidery hoop or larger, depending on the size of your project.
- Hoop the WSS and the clear vinyl. If you have vinyl that you need to secure out of the way, use clips NOT pins.
For my machine, I like to layout the WSS and center the vinyl on top. I then take the inner part of my hoop and place it on top, making sure the vinyl is centered with the center marks on my hoop. Then I carefully hold onto all three (WSS, vinyl, and hoop) and lay it inside my outer hoop. Press into place and tighten the hoop.
- If you haven't done so already, wind bobbins to match your upper thread color changes. Then load the first color into the bobbin and thread the upper part of your machine.
- Follow the machine prompts for color changes. Be sure to change the bobbin thread as well. YOU WILL ALSO WANT TO TRIM ANY JUMP THREADS AS YOU GO.
- Once the design is finished embroidering, remove the hoop from your machine and unhoop the design.
- Trim any jump threads from the top of the design that you didn't trim during the stitching process. Then turn the design over to the back side and trim all jump threads on the back as well.
- Go ahead and trim the stabilizer close to the outside of the design.
- Then follow the manufacturer's instructions for removing the WSS. I like to spray water on the back first. Let it sit for about 30 seconds, then take it to my faucet and allow the running water to dissolve the stabilizer. Sometimes I have to gently rub my wet fingers over some areas. NOTE: The dissolving stabilizer will be sticky. So, you'll want to be sure to wash and dry your hands afterwards.
- Use a paper towel to blot up extra water from the vinyl. Then lay out the design to allow it to completely dry.
- If you have wrinkles or creases in your vinyl, you may use a warm iron to remove them. Simply place a piece of cotton fabric on your ironing surface, lay the vinyl design on top, and place a second piece of cotton fabric on top of the vinyl. Use your iron to gently press creases out of the vinyl.
- Next, I like to hoop my design into a wooden embroidery hoop. Loosen the nut on your hoop first and separate the two pieces. Simply center your design over the inner hoop. Then place the outer hoop over, pressing the hoop down into place. Tighten the nut to secure the design in place.
- Use a small pair of scissors to trim the vinyl close to the back of the hoops.
- Then cut a 6-8" piece of twine, knot the ends together. Trim the loose ends. Insert the hooped end of the twine from front to back under the screw. Then insert the looped end back through the knotted end (over top of the screw). Pull on the loop until the knotted end is behind the screw. You can now hang your design!
Notes
- Don't use spray adhesive.
- Trim your jump threads as you go.
- If necessary, use clips not pins.
Recommended Products
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More Machine Embroidery Project Ideas
If you enjoyed learning How to Machine Embroider on Clear Vinyl, then you might like these other machine embroidery ideas from The Birch Cottage:
- Embroidered Rope Coasters
- How to Machine Embroider on Stretched Canvas
- How to Machine Embroider Greeting Cards
- How to Embroider on Cotton Clothesline Rope Basket
And be sure to pin this embroidery project to your favorite Pinterest board to save it for later or to share with family and friends.
Linda R
Tuesday 9th of May 2023
I love this idea! I don't have a embroidery machine, but my machine will do letters. Would this work to make a bookcover for a cookbook (or 2, or, 6)? I have one with no title on the binding, and I'm thinking this may be a way to keep my Mom's books from getting too much worse for wear. Thanks!
Pamela Baker
Tuesday 9th of May 2023
Linda, I think that is a great idea. You can actually sew vinyl just like you would fabric. Just remember to increase your stitch length.
Let me know how it goes!