It doesn’t take much extra time or expense to add some bling to your embroidery using Mylar. You can get a sheet of mylar for under $15 and use that one sheet for a very long time, as it only takes a small piece to accomplish big results! The embroidery design needs to be digitized a little different, so when purchasing designs make sure it was created for Mylar. At Embroidery by EdytheAnne, we usually include a regular version along with our Mylar versions. You also will want to use Iridescent Mylar, which is translucent and will allow the fabric underneath the mylar to show through. You can achieve unique results depending on the print you put underneath
Here is my favorite for Iridescent Mylar. This is by Purely Gates and is available for purchase on Amazon. it contains one sheet, 18″ x 30″, which will last a lifetime!. The photo makes it look like it’s an opaque lilac color, but that is just because it’s folded. When you unfold it, you’ll see the iridescent quality.
Do not confuse the Mylar sheets above with a Mylar balloon, although I have read that you can use Mylar balloons just by cutting a portion off. I’ve also heard not to use Mylar balloons. So, you could give it a try and let me know how you like using the balloons as I have not tried it.
The design I’m going to show here is a new Christmas Stocking for this year completed in just two hoopings. Each hooping makes a portion of the stocking and then at the end the two sections are connected while still In The Hoop!
Here is a closeup of the angel. The shimmering blue, is a light blue fabric with the iridescent mylar over top. The wings are a pink fabric with the same mylar over top.
The excess Mylar comes off easily just by tearing it away from the outside edges.
If you’re using a solid color Mylar it doesn’t matter what fabric you put on the bottom, as the Mylar is going to cover it.
I want to point out that when you’re using Mylar you need a design that has been designed specifically for Mylar. Using a conventional embroidery design will simply cover the Mylar and you won’t even see it.
SOLID COLOR MYLAR OVER A PRINT FABRIC
In this butterfly design, we use a solid gold mylar You can see the gold coming through, but you don’t see the gold fabric. The solid color Mylar covers the fabric & as you can see it’s a very easy way to give a metallic look to a design.
In this example, we used the Iridescent Mylar and used a print fabric underneath After adding the mylar you are still able to see some of the print behind the Mylar. It usually makes an interesting look.
We have this design in our shop. You can view it by clicking HERE
With the design you will also get written instructions and a full video tutorial showing how to put the two hoopings together and finish the butterfly.
Don’t forget to download the two free designs using the link above that says “Free Machine Embroidery”
My-In The Hoop-Blog 