Embroidery Basic Embroidery 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the function of a thimble in hand embroidery?
- To hold excess floss while stitching
- To protect the finger that pushes the needle through fabric (Correct answer)
- To measure stitch length accurately
- To keep floss strands separated
Correct answer: To protect the finger that pushes the needle through fabric
A thimble protects the middle or index finger from the repeated pressure of pushing the needle through fabric.
Question 2: Which direction should you generally work satin stitches relative to the shape being filled?
- Always horizontally across the shape
- Always vertically along the shape
- At an angle that best follows the shape's natural contour (Correct answer)
- In a spiral from outside to center
Correct answer: At an angle that best follows the shape's natural contour
Angling satin stitches to follow the natural contour of a leaf or petal creates a more realistic and visually appealing result.
Question 3: What is 'waste canvas' used for in embroidery?
- Practicing new stitches before working on the main project
- Temporarily overlaying non-evenweave fabric to allow counted stitching (Correct answer)
- Disposing of used thread scraps
- Backing fabric to add stability permanently
Correct answer: Temporarily overlaying non-evenweave fabric to allow counted stitching
Waste canvas is a temporary grid fabric basted onto any fabric so counted stitches can be placed precisely; it is removed thread by thread after stitching is complete.
Question 4: What is the main advantage of using a hoop or frame while embroidering?
- It makes the fabric easier to cut
- It keeps the fabric taut to prevent puckering and distortion (Correct answer)
- It allows you to embroider without a needle
- It automatically spaces stitches evenly
Correct answer: It keeps the fabric taut to prevent puckering and distortion
A hoop or frame holds the fabric at consistent tension so stitches don't pull the fabric and cause puckering or distortion.
Question 5: When splitting stranded embroidery floss, how do you separate the strands most effectively?
- Pull all strands apart at once from the skein end
- Cut the floss then strip each strand individually from a single length (Correct answer)
- Wet the floss before pulling strands apart
- Use scissors to cut between the strands lengthwise
Correct answer: Cut the floss then strip each strand individually from a single length
Cutting the floss to working length first and then pulling strands off one at a time prevents tangling and twisting.
Question 6: What is 'couching' in embroidery?
- Laying one or more threads on the fabric surface and securing them with small stitches (Correct answer)
- Filling an area completely with closely packed stitches
- A technique for embroidering on velvet fabric
- Padding a design area with felt before stitching
Correct answer: Laying one or more threads on the fabric surface and securing them with small stitches
Couching involves laying a thread (or threads) on the fabric surface and tacking it down with small stitches in a different thread.
Question 7: What causes 'thread twist' to build up while hand embroidering, and how is it corrected?
- Using too long a thread; shorten to 12 inches to fix it
- The needle rotating as you stitch; periodically drop the needle and let it unwind (Correct answer)
- Using the wrong needle size; switch to a larger eye needle
- Pulling the thread too tight; loosen tension on each stitch
Correct answer: The needle rotating as you stitch; periodically drop the needle and let it unwind
Natural hand motion causes the needle to rotate during stitching, twisting the thread; letting the needle dangle freely allows gravity to unwind the twist.
Embroidery Basic Embroidery 4
What is the function of a thimble in hand embroidery?