Sewing and embroidery are similar but different activities. While both use a needle and thread, either in your hand or a machine, the purpose, techniques, and results are all different. The following is a guide to these two stitching practices.

Sewing

Sewing is used to connect pieces of fabric together or finish the edge of a piece. For example, you might use it to make a pillow or hem a skirt. Stitches are typically supposed to blend in with the fabric, so people typically choose thread that’s the same color as the cloth. You can sew by hand or with a machine.

Where sewing by hand uses one single long strand of thread, a machine uses two strands which lock together. To achieve this, you need to set up a spool of thread on the top part of the machine and feed it through the needle, then add a bobbin (a small spool of thread) to a second area below, usually inside the machine.

A sewing machine has several different stitch patterns, including straight lines, zigzags, and sometimes more intricate shapes like a long vine with leaves. The sewing machine pulls the fabric through in a line; to sew around a curve or corner, you have to turn or move the cloth by hand.

The texture of the fabric changes the way the machine pulls on it, so slippery materials are more difficult to sew than coarse ones, and stretchy knits are more difficult than stiff cotton.

Embroidery

Instead of fastening fabric together, embroidery is used to create decorative designs on the surface. These designs are raised and are usually colored differently from the background, so they stand out. They may include knot or chain techniques to create patterns and textures with the thread. You can embroider clothing and linens, or create standalone embroidery pieces to frame as artwork.

An embroidery machine has more complex programming than a sewing machine. Its stitches move in many directions, not just a straight line, and instead of sewing a simple repeating pattern, the machine is programmed with images made up of hundreds of stitches.

Rather than guiding the fabric by hand, you'll insert it into a frame structure on the machine. The machine moves the frame with every stitch to ensure each thread lands in the right place. Some embroidery machines have a way for you to input designs of your own, either on the unit’s display or by designing the pattern on a computer beforehand.

For deals on a wide selection of sewing and embroidery machines, as well as supplies like embroidery thread, visit Bernina Sewing Center of Lincoln. Serving Lancaster County, NE, they are the only local authorized dealer of Bernina® products, and they also offer repairs and classes. Call (531) 500-2731 with any questions, or visit their website to learn more about their products and promotions.