Embroidering with a sewing machine is exciting, immediate, and affordable; this practical book shows you how to do it. Packed with encouraging advice, it introduces the sewing machine before explaining how to design, plan, and make your own embroideries and turn them into finished items to treasure. Topics covered include: learning how to set up the machine and carry out basic cleaning and maintenance; discovering which thread types, fabrics, and mixed media elements are most suitable for machine embroideries; exploring how to use the pressure foot to turn functional utility stitches into exciting surface decoration; working freely with dropped feeder teeth and an embroidery foot and learning how to alter the tension to create different effects; and using soluble film to enhance your pictures, and stitch realistic thread paintings of landscape, animal, and bird embroideries. With over 900 color photographs and illustrations, it is the perfect companion for both those new to machine embroidery and those looking for new ideas and inspiration.