Technology and Livelihood Education

Module 1
Use Basic Tools in
Embroidery

What is It
It is very important that you have an idea about the tools and materials in
embroidery and the knowledge on how to use them properly to avoid accident/injury.
 In this lesson, you will learn the different tools and materials used in embroidery. But
before you proceed to the tools and materials, you need to know first what
embroidery is and its development.

Development of Philippine Embroidery

Embroidery is the ornamentation of textiles and other items with needle work not
only for home use and decoration but also for offices. The term embroidery is an
English word derived from ancient French embroidery, meaning border and edge.

The Netherlanders brought embroidery into the Orient in the 15th century. It was
purchased in the Philippines by that Spaniards where it has made a marvelous
growth, and the work done rivals the best work done in Switzerland, a country noted
for its exquisite embroidery.

During the Middle Ages, the embroidery achieved its highest development.
During their leisure time, the nuns in the convents were the first to create articles
with embroidery work. It has become so popular since then that women have started
to enjoy it and started creating their own design.

Embroideries were done by hand in the beginning, but with the advent of
technology and the invention sewing machine, people are now engaged in the
embroidery work due to the industry’s rapid growth, elegance of designs, and
fineness of workmanship. Embroidery work is best accomplished when using correct
tools and materials. Tools are applied to the small or useful sewing devices while
materials the ones consumed while finishing a project.

Below are the tools and materials use in Embroidery, its uses and maintenance.

TOOLS
1. Gauge- is a tool used for short distance
measurement .

2. Tape measure- is a tool used for

measuring distance of more than one foot
of materials.
3. Thimble- is a small, pitted cup worn on the
finger that protects the finger from being
pricked or poked by a needle while
sewing.
4. Embroidery hoop/stiletto- is a tool made
from wood, bone, metal, or plastic used to
produce eyelets in the fabric for
embroidery. It is often used to keep the
fabric stretched as stitches on the pattern
are added to the embroidery.
5. Embroidery scissor – is a tiny, sharp, and
pointed tool used for fine work, to trim
scallops, cut threads, and cut large
eyelets.
6. Needle threader- is a tool used to thread
a needle for sewers with poor eyesight.

7. Pounce- is a fine powder used in pricking

method when transferring material.

8. Embroidery needle- is a small piece of

steel where one end has a fine point and
a little gap like an eye at the other.
a. Crewel (Sizes 1-10) – is a sharp-
pointed, medium-length, with wide eyes
for quick threading, and used in most
embroidery stitching.
b. Chenille (Sizes 13-26) - is still sharp
needle but thicker and longer and has
wider eyes. It is the style of needle
appropriate for embroidery that is worked
with heavier yarns.
c. Tapestry needle (Sizes 13-26)- is a
needle similar in size to chenille but blunt
instead of pointed that makes it perfect for
embroidery thread- counting and even for
the needle point.
9. Watercolor brush- is a tool used for
pricking and pouncing to pass pattern.

10. Tracing paper- - is a tool used to trace the

designs.

11. Sewing box- is where embroidery tools

and materials are being kept together.

12. Bag- is a tool made of washable material

and is used to keep your work clean.

Materials
1. Fabric- - often called as fabric is of great
variety and differs in material, weight, weaving,
style, color, and finish.
a. Common weave- comprises the
tightest woven fabrics with a smooth surface,
such as linen, wool and cotton.

b. Even-weave- is intended for

hardanger embroidery where the threads are
the same for warp and woof per square inch.

c. Basket weave- ramie linen is

commonly used by beginners. It offers
instructions for cross-stitching and smocking
having a pattern that is equally spaced like
gingham fabric and polka dots.
 2. Thread- has various types that differ in texture,
color, number of strands and fiber content.
Threads are normally coded in numbers and in
colors.

Precautions to be Taken in Performing Embroidery

A) During and After Embroidering:

 Clip or tie your hair before you begin.
 The light should fall from the left side or from the front onto the working surface.
 Do not bite/cut the thread with your teeth nor tear it with your hands when
working.
 Keep the needles and the pins at a certain place (a special box, cushion,
etc.). Do not leave them in the workplace, never put the needles and the pins
in your mouth, and do not stick them in the clothing.
 Keep the needle, pins and other tools and materials after working.
 The embroidery hoop/stiletto should be fitted properly and should resemble a
drum before starting the embroidery.
 The thread should not exceed to 18 inches; otherwise it will tend to coil
towards the end.
 Use needles with appropriate numbers that suit the type of embroidery being
done.
 Do not use hot iron on the part with embroidery.
 Do not sun-dry the embroidered fabric.
 Assessmen
t
You are a smart student for reaching this stage. Now, let us test your
learning
from the whole module by answering this post assessment.
MULTIPLE CHOICE
Directions: Read each statement and choose the BEST answer. Write the letter
of your choice on the space provided/on your answer sheet.
1. It is an ornamentation of textiles and other materials with needlework.
a. crewel b. embroidery c. gauge d. stiletto
2. It is a tool used to measure more than one-foot distance.
a. gauge b. ruler c. tape measure d. tapestry
3. It is a tool used for transferring the design when using pricking and
pouncing method.
a. needle threader b. pounce c. stiletto d. watercolor brush
4. It is a tool in embroidery that is used to keep the fabric
stretched while embroidery stitches are applied on the design.
a. crewel b. embroidery c. gauge d. stiletto
5. It is a fine powder used in transferring design through pricking method.
a. needle threader b. pounce c. stiletto d. watercolor brush
6. It is a type of needle used for most standard embroidery
stitchery.
a. chenille b. crewel c. gauge d. tapestry
7. It is a tool used to keep pins and needles in place.
a. gauge b. needle threader c. pin cushion d. thimble
8. It is a tool used for easier threading especially by sewers with poor
eyesight.
a. crewel b. gauge c. needle threader d. thimble
9. It is a tool used to protect the middle finger and push the needle
while doing embroidery work.
a. crewel b. gauge c. needle threader d. thimble
10. It is a tool used to measure short distances.
a. gauge b. ruler c. tape measure d. tapestry
11. It is a tool made of washable material and used to keep your work
clean.
a. bag b. pin cushion c. scissor d. sewing box
12. They are of great variety and differ in material, weight,
weaving, style, color and finish.
a. bag b. fabric c. thread d. tracing paper
13. It is a tiny, sharp, and pointed tool that is used for fine work, to
trim scallops, cut threads, and cut large eyelets.
a. embroidery hoop b. embroidery scissor c. gauge d. tape measure
14. These are the styles of needles appropriate for embroidery that
are worked with heavier yarns.
a. chenille b. crewel c. pin d. tapestry needle
15. This needle is a blunt and not pointed.
a. chenille b. crewel c. pin d. tapestry needle