Add a backing fabric to your embroidery - I explain why, when and how!

Why do I stitch on 2 pices of fabric? In this video I explain all!
Are you an embroidery beginner? Or thinking about how to get into the hobby? Go to the 'Beginning Embroidery' page on my website to learn more:
www.sarahhomfray.com/beginner...
Like this video and subscribe to the channel for more hand embroidery tutorials.
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Visit www.sarahhomfray.com for your hand embroidery supplies.
Hand embroidery for beginners and experts!
00:00 Introduction
00:34 Why I use backing fabric
04:08 What fabric I use
06:16 How I use backing fabric
10:33 When I wouldn't use backing faric
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#SarahHomfrayEmbroidery #SarahHomfrayNeedlepoint #SarahHomfrayStitchLibrary #BeginnersEmbroidery #BeginnersHandEmbroidery #EmbroideryForBeginners #HandEmbroideryForBeginners #HandEmbroideryTutorial #HandEmbroidery

[@solarwinds-]

I'm having a "where have you been all my life" moment. For years I've seen beautiful embroidery on KZbin but due to insurmountable language barriers I cannot learn anything except stitching procedures. They were all very kind and tried to help me but it gets lost in translation. Thanks to you, I can learn everything I need and I now can return their kindness by sharing with them what I've learned.

[@cindyevans219]

All explained in 12 minutes. Amazing !! You are such a good teacher 🍎 🍎 🍎 😊

[@bluemoon5766]

When you were explaining of sewing the 2 pieces of fabric together the leaves are amazing. I didnt know embroidery could look so realistic. Beautiful

[@pamallen2498]

Your work and teaching are wonderful, thank you. I might add as a side note, you have the most beautiful hands. I have done embroidery a little over the years and still have some of it kicking around on pillows and such, but you have taken it to a different level. Your work could easily end up in a museum some day.

[@SozzalsWozzals]

Now i know where i've been going wrong!! Thanks Sarah for sharing your vast knowlege, it is so much appreciated in my journey in learning embroidery, i have bookmarked so many of your videos. Your instructions are always so clear and you've really made this craft a joy to learn. Thank you so much.

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

Thank you for watching and supporting my channel Sozzals Wozzals!

[@violette4841]

I am enjoying your videos. I learned English embroidery as a child, but now I want to improve and advance all my knitting and sewing skills and I include my embroidery skills. Thank you. I am so glad that someone taught me the basics (that included my father teaching me to darn and do basic mending). And the British ladies who taught me the embroidery stitches and the knit and purl stitches. Now I have one to teach me to improve. I enjoy sitting down and doing a sampler along with you. I had just sewn a sweatshirt and embroidered it with an iron on backing and people thought I had machine sewn it. I had done it by hand, but I forgot to put my embroidery threads away tidily and basically threw money away, so thank you on helping me learn how to put things away and with the labels. No more waste.

[@issystar96]

One of my favorite embroidery artists. I love when I get a notification that you have a new video! ❤

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

Thank you issystar!!

[@marianna6926]

This is a great video. Thank you for the very useful information and advice.🌷💟

[@susanash1498]

Thank you for providing so much education and pleasure to my embroidery!

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

And thank you for your support Susan! X

[@junee9466]

Another great video, Sarah - so helpful to have the benefit of your knowledge and expertise. Invaluable tips. Thank you.

[@queentasha5364]

Your videos are helping me so much. Never knew you could put anything on the back of the fabric so glad you done this video. Also all the different kinds I could use

[@nabru3491]

Thank you for all these great tips

[@conqueringmountscrapmorewi2509]

Great tip! Thanks for sharing!

[@tanyawersinger2693]

Thank you for sharing, and giving clear explanations for why you do what you do. Your work is beautiful and inspiring.😊

[@Quilts4fun]

Fantastic video (again)! I learned so much about were to place the stitching to hold the fabrics together. I was just basting and removing as I went. Your way is much easier. Also, great info on fabrics that need and don’t need a backing.

[@elainehilliard9508]

This was so very helpful. Thank you!

[@elainet5870]

Very informative. Thanks! 😃

[@gracepatane9384]

Lots of good information! Thank You!

[@joyd5000]

So glad I found your site! Very helpful!

[@elaines8297]

Your clear instructions and your beautiful examples are so, so inspiring!!!! Thank you for sharing!!!

[@marsal822]

I love your videos!! You are the best, thanks!

[@crochetsensei3353]

This was great. Thank you Sarah for directing me here!

[@jeanetteaphillips]

Thankyou very helpful. Thankyou for the way you encourage us.

[@dianeknott3655]

I just shared this video too, Sarah. It's so helpful. I use backings too and this is all excellent advice. 🙂

[@shamillamissra]

Hello There's so much to learn . Thank you dear sister . And you do have the prettiest hands. Love from Durban South Africa

[@sapphiregordon8568]

This video is amazing! Thank you.

[@magdastar2249]

I love your wonderful videos. Thank you for sharing. ❤

[@paulafrypaulaf2660]

Very helpful, thank you

[@larysacherner312]

Thank you very much, it is very helpful!

[@giannabella9183]

Thank you for this info 🙂 great video as always. 💖🌷🪴🤓

[@desireeyoung2814]

Ver helpful information. Thank you!

[@marietteforget7804]

Thanks a lot! 🌸🌸

[@trailingthewind6891]

Yes backing fabrics! Thank you for this video. I am embroidering on to a t-shirt at the moment and before I started was in two minds whether or not to add a backing fabric and what kind of fabric to use. I ended up not adding one as the material is a bit thick and it appears to be alright but this information is useful in helping me decide for when I do another project

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

Try an iron on interfacing for things like t-shirts...

[@trailingthewind6891]

@@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery I will on my next project. Thank you so much for the advice!

[@trinacolson4079]

@@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery hey Sarah, was wondering the same thing about embroidery on a dish towel. Would I need a backing for it, to keep it from buckling up after a few washes?

[@fboehlke]

Very helpful!!

[@lizziedae91]

First of ur videos ive come across. What a wonderful resource. Immediately subscribed

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

Welcome aboard MrsB8T!

[@susanlivingston3075]

I would like to know more about painting on the fabric. Very helpful and well presented video, thank you.

[@bethcares17anonymous38]

Love your videos in Arizona❤❤❤❤

[@melginger3794]

Brilliant❤

[@shirleyupvall9360]

Good idea

[@christinepointer6766]

Thanks - this was so interesting and made me smile quite a bit as I could relate. You covered quite a lot. Some really great ideas and information there. Some I actually do, so a pat on the back, other areas where I need to improve greatly- as I have far too much ‘stuff’ and probably need to ‘off load’ some, need to toughen up when it comes lessening my ‘hoard’!!! 😂😂

[@belindasmith8790]

Very informative. Thank you. Would you consider using an interfacing with adhesive on one side that can be ironed on the back of the front fabric?

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

You could try that Belinda, I hesitate because they actually have glue on them which I try to avoid!

[@JEHomestead]

This is just what I was looking for!! I was also wondering if I could hand embroider on Weavers Cloth used for Punch Needle? Thanks for another lovely video ❤️

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

Give it a go to find out!

[@Early100]

Thank you x

[@dianedardis1890]

I love to stitch thru wadding or thin blanket behind my work. I use linen cloth for top fabric usually. Love the feel of it when working my stitches and normally I do the pieces in my hands no frames etc. guess I’m a rogue sewer. Anyone else do this? 😊

[@patarcher1813]

How did you transfer the design on the dark fabric? Google doesn't know anything about embroidery.

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

Sarah does though Pat! Check out our video on the prick and pounce design transfer method

[@magdastar2249]

🤣🤣That is funny. Imagine that. Probably not on Google's radar. 😂

[@CupcakeCottage]

I love your videos and have watched a bunch of them. I haven’t seen what kind of paint you use before you stitch. Is it textile paint?

[@juliehirschboeck1415]

Sarah, is the pattern for the rabbit on navy available on the website? Thanks so much for explaining backings. It makes sense to me now!

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

It's the 'Love, Sin and Morality' distance learning class Julie!

[@suzispringfield7376]

Super video again, Sarah! Thank you for your fabulous, clear explanations! I’m just wondering what kind of paint you used on the sunflower embroidery at the beginning? I do a little silk painting… would I be able to use those? Perhaps you can let me know? Many ☺️ thanks!

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

It was water colour paint Suzi so obviously it can't be washed afterwards but fabrics and silk paint would both work really well as you can set these. Have a play!

[@suzispringfield7376]

@@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery Thank you Sarah… I can feel a playtime looming! 🤗

[@nancy-katharynmcgraw2669]

Yes, having a backing fabric is similar to having a stabilizer in place, when performing sewing/embroidery machine embroidery. Sometimes I have used stabilizer when mending clothing, so there is more support for the mending stitches!!! Love your reasons, & ability to see that floppies of 1 layer. Thanks, Sarah.

[@jessicadorlac]

What about a spray adhesive or double sided fusable interface to join the two fabrics? Thanks for the helpful video.

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

You can yes Jessica, I just try and avoid anything with glue

[@jeannemarie6750]

Hi Sarah, yes another great video, thank you! I never knew anyone that used a backing fabric but I really like the idea. Would you use a backing fabric on pillowcases? If yes, would you do anything about the edge since it wouldn't be in a frame?

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

You could try an iron on interfacing for a pillow case Jeannemarie?

[@jeannemarie6750]

@@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery thank you so much!

[@joannahemenway1718]

Oh this is so useful, thank you! Is it possible to add backing fabric after starting the project but before going too far into it? I started a piece on Kona Cotton that started puckering right away (it’s the biggest piece I’ve ever done, it’s in a 10” hoop). If I take it out of the hoop can I add a backing and keep going?

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

Once it's started to pucker, those aren't going to come out even after you add a backing so decide how much you mind the puckers Joanna! A 10 inch frame is quite large to try and keep something taut, consider a square frame for something this big (see my how to frame up Embroideries video)

[@jenniferwaugh8796]

Hi Sarah, I am enjoying watching your videos I am embroidering on some I/2 panama material and it frays terrible when I am handling it in the embroidery hoop any tips on how to stop it fraying whilst I am stitching it. Many thanks.

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

I suggest running a sewing machine stitch around the edge Jennifer - a zig zag is a good one as it will allow the fabric to move still. There are also iron on stabilisers and fray check (a type of glue) that might work too

[@jenniferwaugh8796]

@@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery Hi sarah, thanks for getting back to me and thank you for your good advice.

[@nathaliemaullin6590]

Wonderful video Sarah. Thank you for teaching us so many useful techniques. Curious, if you are not doing heavy embroidery and you want the fabric to stay flexible such as on silk lingerie, would you still use a backing fabric?

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

If you are doing it on clothing you could consider an interfacing on the back instead Nathalie which is a bit more delicate

[@nathaliemaullin6590]

@@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery Thank you for the idea. I will give it a go:)

[@judybraden1553]

Hi Miss Sarah. Do you any thing about Sampler embroidery? How it got started ? I only seem stamp one .. but can you make your own Sampler?? Thank you Sarah , Keep up the good work!

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

There is a sampler video in the pipeline Judy!

[@grandmagreko]

Need to know how to use the bars and how to place the pins along side. I tried and the linen was too loose.

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

We have a video on stretcher bars Gracie, check it out!

[@Emikomusic1]

Hi Sarah, how would you recommend using backing fabric for 8in x 10in project with stretcher bars? Should I sew the two pieces of fabric together first?

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

You could do as this is quite a large size but I would probably just pin both pieces together on the frame

[@beverlyb5144]

I just found your channel and I wholeheartedly agree with backing the main fabric piece. How does Calico Cotton translate in the United States. Is it Muslin or do I look for something else here in the U.S.?? It might just be me but I am not familiar with the term CALICO COTTON. I am loving your video. New Subscriber and I will be binge watching your videos this weekend.

[@TisEyerish1]

Excellent video! I have a question, though, if you have a moment. Would a fusible interfacing work as a backing medium? Thanks for your reply.

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

It would but remember it 'fuses' because it has glue on it! I'm not a fan of glue and embroidery but give it a go, you might find it works for you!

[@TisEyerish1]

@@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery Thank you for the quick response! I'm going to try it!

[@TisEyerish1]

@@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery I tried the fusible interfacing out yesterday and I love it! I used several different sized needles and also varied the number of strands used. I didn't have any difficulty with any of them! When I released the sample from the hoop, it was nice and stiff...sooooo much easier to frame! I'm so glad I decided to try this! Thanks, again, for ALL your expertise. You are a wonderful teacher!

[@territhompsonarts]

Do you ever put a layer of cotton batting in between the two layers?

[@VAHelix]

I machine embroidery as well. Could you not use regular stabilizer? It is used for the same reasons and there are different weights and types.

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

Yes that would work too Xerix!

[@aema5124]

When you say backing fabric is that the same as stabilizer? Thanks

[@cathyn.martin7815]

Hello! Thanks so much for your videos. I have a question. Could you just use the same fabric that you're stitching on as a backing? For example, if i was stitching on 100% cotton fabric could i cut off an extra square of it and use that as my backing?

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

You can yes! It's a bit more of an expensive way of doing it and if your top fabric is a bit thicker this might make it harder to stitch through

[@Kberlyk]

Where would I purchase the suggested backing fabric? Thanks!

[@claudiamccarter2488]

Do you ever use an adhesive backing such as Super Solvy?

[@KL-kn4lz]

Hi Sarah, it's been suggested that the padding/wadding used for quilting makes a great backing fabric for embroidery. Any thoughts? Have you tried this?

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

I haven't but try it and let me know!

[@MariaMartinez-jb3zn]

Hi Sarah..here in California…is calico cotton also known as muslin fabric? 🙏🏽🙋🏻‍♀️👍🏽Mia I could just make it easy and order from you of course…next month ☝🏽🤔😉

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

Yes Maria, muslin will work fine! It's slightly finer than UK calico I think but it will do the same job

[@Julie-ik1pp]

Where do you find your design on the navy fabric. I find it difficult finding patterns.

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

I do all my own designs Julie

[@izziey17]

What are your thoughts about using stabilizers or fusibles?

[@christiyanageorgieva]

Great video as always! I would be very interested to hear if you have any experience with fabric stabilisers. I've used water soluble stabiliser which is super helpful, among other things, for transferring the design (I use it on the front). But there are so many kinds and it's confusing how to choose and use them properly.

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

I've never tried them Chrissy...

[@TheTippytee]

I’m new to the needle painting embroidery and I have trouble with my fabric wrinkling. I have wrapped my inner hoops and that helps a bit. But I’m still getting some wrinkles. Does this improve with time? I don’t pull to tight on my threads, if anything I’m too loose, I have picked out plenty of stitches trying to overcome this. I have also changed to a lap stand hopefully To overcome pain in my hand joints. I have arthritis. Do you have any suggestions? I have sent a photo of my latest project. Hopefully you can see my wrinkle areas.

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

Perhaps your fabric isn't tight enough in your frame Tippy Top?

[@christiancazares7916]

I’m new to any of this I have a embroidery machine and tested it out and my shirt got sewn together front and back am I supposed to roll up the back of the shirt ?

[@izziey17]

I have a proect that is about 1/3 done. Can I add a second layer now?

[@annamarieswanepoel5494]

Question: can I wash my Aida fabric. I got a piece from somebody that had it for ages. There is marks on it.

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

Yes, it will wash the dressing out so it won't be as stiff so I suggest a gentle hand wash

[@katzwhite5962]

I'm making a needlecase and I've embroidered the front of the case. It has distorted the felt fabric so the front of the case has shrunk. What is a good fabric to back the felt? Is calico ok as I have a lot of it?

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

Felt does distort when you stitch on it. Try applying it to another piece of fabric to bring it back tot he right size

[@katzwhite5962]

@@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery Thanks for replying. I inserted a piece of matching fabric in between the front (shrunken) felt and the liner felt. It looks very pretty and the eye is not drawn to the shrunken felt. I did blanket st around the whole rectangular shape.😁

[@Everyoneisanartist776]

When I spoke about “Sulky” the other day, (more or less based on which product you buy) it’s the same concept. However, I understand the term for a backing is stabilizer. The application process is stick-on, iron on, sew-on; some are permanent, tear-off, cut-off, water-soluble. There are additional variations for each application selection. So when I hid my knots on a project the other day, I literally did what you’re doing but the “Sulky” comes in different size packaged rolls and sheets. And of course there are many other companies like “Pellon.” I’m very new to embroidery so I get to go out and BUY EVERYTHING… your shop is next!

[@sharronyeates6568]

Is there a book that is ideal for a real beginner please?

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

Gosh there are hundreds of books about embroidery Sharron; better than a book though is my beginner's embroidery page on my website! It will give you all the basics and direct you to the relevant videos; you can't beat someone actually showing you: www.sarahhomfray.com/beginners-embroidery.html

[@katzwhite5962]

Easier to watch the videos on You Tube. I can never follow the stitches when I see them in a book.

[@Kansaschickie]

Is Calico the same as muslin?

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

Muslin is a thinner but like Calico so they are slightly different

[@ktilleyhappiness]

3/4 of this is black. The screen is black.

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

It's working fine on all my devices...

[@kuttykutty3633]

Hello maaam u have Instagram

[@SarahHomfrayEmbroidery]

Yes! Just search Sarah Homfray Embroidery