Using Mylar for embroidery

First it is very advantageous to know what Mylar is. Its full technical name is polyethylene Terephthalate film. It goes under some different names but most commonly it is referred to as PET film or Mylar. Now Mylar is the name that developers of it have named it so that using it is supposed to have a registered trademark after it because that name belongs to Dupont. However, just as an icebox got to be named a Frigidaire® since Frigidaire® made the first ones, so Mylar has taken on a more generic appellation, and no one seems to put on the trademark as I have done with Frigidaire®.

Now one of the things you have to be told is that Mylar is Mylar, or put another way, a rose is a rose. What is meant by that is that there are not different kinds of Mylar. Thus, those online especially, who advertise that their Mylar has been especially formulated to be used for Mylar embroidery are hyping up their Mylar to get you to purchase it. More often than not you will see it labeled “an opalescence tissue gift wrap” since essentially, that’s what its most common use is for. It is also utilized for hydroponics as well as food wrap. Perhaps it’s best to call it polyester film.

Most people tape down the film so that it will not move, and then accomplish their stitching over it. Everyone loves the fact that the loose stitching over the film makes the entire work a true work of art considering the sparkly iridescent effect that one gets. Thus, you will always use a very loose stitch so that the film can sparkle through it.

The film itself appears to be rather resistant to such “torture” as machine washing, dryers that are set on low, and even ironing with a towel over it so as to not harm the film. Many people have used the film on t-shirts, granted, but consider the many other possibilities. It works very well on 3D butterflies, mermaids and flowers, lace ornaments, bags, purses, greeting cards and very fancy quilts. Those with a lot of imagination are using the film to great advantage.

Because of the immense popularity of Mylar embroidery today you can purchase a tremendous amount of Mylar embroidery designs for your embroidery machine. The designs are all especially digitized for use by way of Mylar. What this means is that the stitching is loose enough for the Mylar to do its job, and that is to give your work a metallic shine-through.

As the interest has grown, so has the amount of Mylar embroidery designs available. I especially like the little angels type of designs, for after all who but angels would have that glittery feeling about their robes? They are simply beautiful, shimmery and angel-like as anything! My best friend however, is absolutely crazy about fairies, and she must now have about 15 different things emblazoned with various beautiful fairies on them. I have to admit that fairies lend themselves very well to Mylar embroidery.