Shadow embroidery is a beautiful technique that used to be done by hand! Fortunately, the heirloom and vintage feel look can now be done on an embroidery machine. As with many things, there are different ways to do shadow embroidery by machine, however, this is the way that I have used and had great success with for many years.

Picture 1: When you open a shadow embroidery design in your embroidery software, you will see that the first several steps of the design consist of fill stitches. Stitch JUST these fill stitches directly onto your stabilizer. I prefer medium weight cutaway. If you hoop, just hoop only the stabilizer.

Picture 2: After JUST the fill stitches have been stitched onto your stabilizer, spray your stabilizer with spray adhesive. If you do not have spray adhesive such as 505, straight pins will work as well when it comes time to place your garment on your stabilizer so it doesn't move when completing the design

Picture 3: Place your garment over your stabilizer with the fill stitches EXACTLY how you want it to appear finished. I use a dissolvable fabric pen to mark center. If you normally hoop your garments, you'll need to float instead because you cannot unhoop your stabilizer to add the shirt or else the bottom stitches and top outline will be off. You can see in picture 3 how the bottom stitches are showing through!!

Picture 4: Stitch the remaining steps in your design. These are the outlines that will frame the fill stitches underneath on the stabilizer!! and TA DA!!!! Please shop the Shadow Embroidery section of the shop to create your own precious creation!