Embroidering with Mylar, The Dos and Don’ts

Mylar Embroidery® is the trademarked name owned by Patricia Gates, the owner of Purely Gates Embroidery. For the last 15 years she has been creating machine embroidery designs made specifically for use with Mylar which is an opalescent film. Her designs are beautiful and always turn out perfect when you use the proper Mylar that she sells. Her product can be washed and dried and there is no loss of film from flaking. The designs are exquisite and you can get just about any design category you want. How about cute lady or male chefs on an apron for a Christmas present, or a fun glitter camper on a tea towel as a gift for someone who owns an RV. You can purchase her products direct or at your favorite quilt or embroidery shop. Check it out here https://purelygates.com

Embroidery designs for Mylar are digitized differently than regular designs. They are more like machine applique with the Mylar, and sometimes fabric, being the component that makes the design. They are fun because they are shimmery, giving that design some bling and pop! Designs for Mylar have light, spaced out stitches, that show the Mylar applique off. Regular machine embroidery is more solid, so the Mylar would be buried under the fill stitches. You can use these designs on Christmas cards, projects and quilts that are designed for use with this versatile product.

What is Mylar? There’s a website that sells all types of film that everyone calls Mylar, both washable and non washable. That website is https://www.heirloomsbysharon.com/. On her site there is a wonderful explanation of what Mylar is. She also explains the difference between washable and non washable and how and when to use each. I learned about this site not long ago, through a virtual webinar with Anita Goodesigns. https://www.anitagoodesign.com/. .

Many people have been buying the clear colored package wraps from Michael’s. You know, the kind they use for wrapping gift baskets etc? I tried it and wondered why it flaked off or lost it’s color when I washed the towel I put the design on. I found out there is a WORLD of difference when you use the correct product with the correct embroidery designs. The companies I talk about here, guarantee their Mylar will wash and dry, and won’t flake off.

Another nice site is Charming Station Designs. She has beautiful designs and her prices are very reasonable. http://www.charmingstation.com/ She has some great free snowman designs. How about some fun in the hoop mug rugs you won’t be able to resist., and at a reasonable price. They come in all sizes from 4 x 4 and up. Check it out. She also has a nice explanation of Mylar.. What it is and what it is made of.

I could go on and on about the virtues of using Mylar in your projects. Why not check out the companies I have mentioned above and below, and jump in and do something fun. Some of these companies also have video tutorials that show you how to use their products. You will be amazed at how beautiful these designs are with Mylar. Why not go all out and use Floriani’s metallic thread over the Mylar. Your designs will be a stand out.

The following companies also have some designs that use the product called Mylar. All the companies I mention in this blog use Mylar in a different way. Be sure to follow the instructions that tell you when to place the Mylar in that particular design, or when to take off the excess. Each company is a little different.

https://hopeyoder.com/ – https://www.kimberbell.com/ –

I will be doing more educational blogs in the future and I genuinely hope you enjoy them. Please pass my link on to your sewing friends. I try to make them informative and help you to enjoy what you are creating. If you haven’t already, please sign up to follow my blog as Google likes us bloggers to have followers. You will get an email each time I publish a new blog. Also, please check out my past blogs. They cover things like, stabilizer,  threads, needles, etc. Use it as a reference source. Also, if something new or different has come on the market, I will revise that particular blog, so you are always up to date.

Meantime, stay safe and happy sewing,

Molly