If you have an embroidery machine such as the Brother SE400 and want to enhance your scrapbooks, you can have a lot of fun adding embroidery to your pages.

You can create a unique three-dimensional style for your scrapbooks simply by adding some embroidery to your pages. Embroidering on your scrapbook pages also allows you to easily attach elements to your pages while you are adding the stitchery itself. In addition, the embroidery thread itself adds color, texture, and depth to your design.

Here are four ways you can add embroidery to your scrapbooks:

• Embroider titles of pages and photos using the monogramming feature

• Embroider the corners of the binder for a unique photo album look

• Embellish the pages with frames and borders in all sorts of designs. I particularly like the old Italian styles from Florence.

• Sprinkle all sorts of fun and cute little designs over the pages.

Scrapbooking Techniques Using an Embroidery Machine

• Use coordinating fabric for the background of the entire page.

• Add an embroidered Christmas or other special message with the date

• Embroider a frame for the photos using one of the built-in frame patterns

• Use the trial feature in your embroidery machine to test out the size of the shape that you have chosen. Sew out with a straight stitch for the initial frame pattern. Sew out the shape of the frame (note the size of the frame that you have sewn out.)

• Cut out the center of the frame fabric along the straight stitching, while the fabric is still in the hoop.

• Use the Back button to select a decorative frame in the same size, proceed to embroider.

• Place the photo behind the embroidered frame.

Techniques For Sewing And Embroidering On Paper

The procedure for sewing on paper is just like sewing on fabric except for the following two tips.

• Make sure that you have enough thread in the bobbin to complete your design before you start to sew because if your bobbin runs out of thread, you will have holes in the paper without thread going through them.

• To secure the thread ends, glue or tape them to the back of the work. Don’t tie the thread ends or back-stitch which would create holes in the paper.

Embroidering and sewing is an easy and fun way to add interest and design to your scrapbooks. You can use any type of paper and thread to get just the look you want. You can simply add embroidery as an embellishment or you can sew papers together. You can download a vast number of free embroidery designs from the Internet to enhance your pages. It’s easy to copy the designs to the Brother SE400 via the built-in USB port and cable that attaches to your computer. If you have an embroidery machine such as a Brother SE400, you’re good to go. If not, check out the Brother SE400 over at The Brother SE400 Enthusiast to find out if it’s the right embroidery machine for you.