Sphinx Cat Portrait Large - 4 sizes

By knowing the speed of your embroidery machine, you can find out how long it will take to embroider a design.
To use the embroidery calculator, click on the number of stitches in the product description.

Size: 178.5x232.9 mm (7.03x9.17 "), Stitches: 72155
Size: 198.5x259.1 mm (7.81x10.20 "), Stitches: 85193
Size: 218.5x285.2 mm (8.60x11.23 "), Stitches: 99386
Size: 238.5x311.3 mm (9.39x12.26 "), Stitches: 114592
Formats: .dst, .pec, .exp, .hus, .vip, .pes, .dat, .vp3, .sew, .tab. xxx

Sphinx Cat Portrait Large Machine Embroidery Design: A Perfect Choice for Your Shopping Bag

The Sphinx Cat Portrait Large Machine Embroidery Design is a striking, detailed piece perfect for larger projects. It fits Mega hoops, making it ideal for embellishing home textiles, accessories, or custom creations like shopping bags. For smaller projects or medium-sized hoops, there is a companion Sphinx Cat Portrait design available.

Embroidering on Shopping Bags: Tips and Techniques

Decorating a shopping bag with embroidery is a fun and creative project. Follow these essential tips to ensure your design turns out beautifully and stands up to everyday use.

1. Choosing the Right Fabric

• Fabric Composition: Shopping bags are commonly made from durable fabrics like cotton canvas, polyester blends, or jute. These materials are strong and provide a stable base for embroidery.
• Fabric Weight and Density: Most canvas shopping bags range from 12 to 16 oz (340-450 g/m²), which offers enough stability for machine embroidery.
• Durability: These heavier fabrics are ideal for everyday use and can support intricate embroidery designs without distorting.

2. Stabilizers for Shopping Bags

Stabilizers are crucial when embroidering on thick or non-stretch fabrics like canvas, as they prevent puckering and help maintain stitch quality.

• Stabilizer Type: For most shopping bags, a tear-away stabilizer works best. It supports the fabric during stitching and is easily removed afterward.
• Stabilizer Weight: Choose a medium-weight tear-away stabilizer that’s around 2-3 oz (56-85 g/m²).

Here are some examples of stabilizers you can find in craft stores:

• E-Zee Tear® 2.0 oz (70 g/m²) – A reliable option for medium-weight fabrics.
• Sulky® Tear-Easy 2.0 oz (70 g/m²) – Offers easy removal and stabilizes canvas effectively.
• Gunold® Tear-Away 2.5 oz (85 g/m²) – Perfect for thicker or more challenging fabrics.
• Floriani Perfect Stick Tear-Away 1.5 oz (50 g/m²) – Ideal for use when hooping is difficult, especially for tricky projects.
• Madeira E-Zee Tear® Soft 2.5 oz (85 g/m²) – Works well with heavier fabrics, providing extra stability.

Q: How do I pick the right stabilizer for my project?
A: For heavy shopping bag fabrics like canvas, choose a medium-weight tear-away stabilizer (2-3 oz or 56-85 g/m²) for proper support without adding unnecessary bulk.

Q: Are there other stabilizer types I can use?
A: Tear-away stabilizers are best for non-stretch fabrics like canvas, but cut-away stabilizers can be used if your design is denser or has a high stitch count.

3. Choosing the Right Needle

• Needle Type: A sharp needle (75/11 or 80/12) is ideal for thick, sturdy fabrics like canvas. It cleanly pierces the material without damaging it.
• Needle Size: Depending on your fabric weight, use either a 75/11 or 80/12 sharp needle for the best results.

4. Hooping the Fabric

Correct hooping is essential to keep the fabric and stabilizer in place, ensuring a smooth embroidery process.

• Step 1: Cut the stabilizer slightly larger than your hoop.
• Step 2: Apply a temporary adhesive spray, such as Gunold KK100, to secure the stabilizer to the fabric, preventing shifting during embroidery.
• Step 3: Hoop the fabric and stabilizer together, ensuring the fabric is taut but not stretched. This prevents puckering.
• Step 4: Use non-slip rubber strips like Brother Embroidery Hoop Rubber: Non-Slip Rubber Strips to prevent the fabric from slipping in the hoop. These strips are designed for Brother hoops but work well with hoops from other manufacturers too.

Q: What if the bag is too thick to hoop?
A: Use the “floating” method by hooping only the stabilizer and attaching the bag to it using temporary adhesive. This method works well when hooping thicker or awkwardly shaped items.

Q: Should I use a topping on the fabric?
A: If the fabric is textured, such as jute or burlap, use a water-soluble topping like Sulky Solvy to prevent stitches from sinking into the fabric.

5. Embroidery Process

• Start Embroidering: Once the fabric and stabilizer are hooped, you can begin stitching. The Sphinx Cat Portrait Large is a solid design, which works beautifully on sturdy fabrics like canvas.
• Finishing Touches: After embroidering, carefully tear away the stabilizer. If you used a water-soluble topping, remove it by misting the area with water or steam.

Conclusion

The Sphinx Cat Portrait Large Machine Embroidery Design is a fantastic way to personalize your shopping bags. By following the above steps—choosing the right fabric, stabilizer, needle, and hooping techniques—you can create a durable, stylish bag. Whether working with canvas or other durable fabrics, this design will shine, making your bag unique and eye-catching.