Yarn Couching with the Topaz 65 Embroidery Machine

The features in embroidery mode I’ve been exploring on the Husqvarna Viking Designer Topaz 65 are pretty impressive. Previously, I examined some of the features in Embroidery Edit and the Embroidery Stitch-Out screens, both of which offer exciting, easy-to-use features.

Today, it’s all about stitching some embroidery designs, and I’m testing out those functions.

I can’t wait!!

While many embroidery designs rely solely on thread, the Designer Topaz 65 offers several different embroidery techniques that are really fun to stitch. While that’s great news, how do we access them and learn to use them?

This video explains where to find the Machine Embroidery tutorials in the JoyOS Advisor and how to use them efficiently. Lastly, the video explains how to find designs for the various embroidery techniques. Be sure to sit at your Designer Topaz 65 when you watch the video, as you will not want to miss any details.

To stitch yarn couching in embroidery mode, the optional Yarn Couching Feet Set is required. Inside the box, you’ll find two different embroidery feet, depending on the thickness of the yarn. They are similar to the included R foot but have a hole in the center to hold your yarn in place. There’s a threader to help facilitate threading the foot, as well as two sets of holders for the yarn. The ones shown below are compatible with Category 7 embroidery machines, including the Designer Topaz 65.

Setting up the Designer Topaz 65 for yarn couching in embroidery mode

1. Place the two holders in the slots under the handle on the back of the Designer Topaz 65. These guides ensure the yarn flows properly into the foot. Ensure your yarn flows freely from the skein; otherwise, it will not stitch properly.
2. Use a matching thread on top and the bobbin thread of your choice. You could use a contrasting thread, but I prefer a matching one.
3. Thread the yarn into the hole in the foot.
4. Attach the foot, and you are ready to start stitching.

Here’s a close-up of the yarn threaded in the yarn couching foot attached to the embroidery machine.

Tips for successful yarn couching in embroidery mode

1. Use the speed control to slow down the embroidery machine – at least half speed or less.
2. Use a soft yarn. I tried a variety of yarns and cords. While I love the metallic cord in this photo, it was stiffer, making it harder to turn corners and to anchor at the beginning. I could use it, but I’d have to go back and do some additional stitching in sewing mode, wherever it didn’t turn properly, and I don’t really want to do that. The white cord was softer, while the red yarn worked best.
3. Ensure that the yarn flows freely from the skein.
4. Leave a long tail at the beginning and the end. Use a darning needle to pull the yarn through to the back side of the work. Keep the thread tail out of the way when you start stitching.
5. TEST before you stitch! To do this test, I only stitched the yarn couching color block from the design.

Here is the yarn couching design that I discovered in the Content tab of the Yarn Couching tutorial in the JoyOS Advisor on the Designer Topaz 65. It’s easy to pull the yarn tails to the back of the work. Notice that this type of design lacks structure, so it requires a fabric base.

Here’s an example of a “Free-standing Yarn Couching” design. I used a water-soluble stabilizer, and after rinsing the stabilizer away, the design maintains its shape because it has enough yarn structure to support itself. I used a soft white cord for these designs.

You can also have designs that incorporate yarn couching with traditional embroidery. I searched through the online Creativate Design Catalogue and found a collection of beautiful, seasonal designs that incorporated the yarn couching with basic embroidery. Of course, I had to give it a try.

This video shows how I navigated the Design Catalogue and used the search functions to find these designs. I could have refined it a bit, but I always like to see all the designs in a category because there are so many, you never know when you’ll come across something you didn’t know existed.

Check out the video to see how the design appears on the Designer Topaz 65. Transferring files through the Creativate network is a great way to share designs between devices, such as the Creative Embroidery Software on your computer and any other Husqvarna Viking Wi-Fi-enabled embroidery machine.

You’ll also see a fantastic application for the Canvas/Workspace Customization and the hoop menu!

Now it’s time to embroider this design. This series of designs offers the option to use only the satin stitch for the bow, but also allows for yarn couching. How do you know the difference? If you are using ghost mode (in the Color Block List), you’ll see that the yarn couching is a small zigzag stitch, while the satin stitch is a satin stitch.

I decided to stitch out all the options because I can. I love experimenting with techniques, and just because a design uses specific techniques doesn’t mean you have to follow the “rules.” Think outside the box!!!

It was easy to use the Color Block List to select which bow options I wanted. Alternatively, I could have used the Creativate Embroidery Software to modify the design.

In this picture, I’ve stitched both the satin stitch and the yarn couching stitch. You can see a little bit of the satin stitch under the top loops of the bow.

I eliminated the final color block, which is the yarn couching.

And the third option is to bypass the satin stitch and only stitch the yarn. I think I like this third option the best. It adds a little bit of punch, and the bow is much more noticeable using the yarn. I stitched the yarn in place using a metallic gold thread.

Before I close, I made a very short video showing the Designer Topaz 65 in action as it stitched out the yarn.

And there you have it – a great way to embellish your embroidery designs using yarn couching. There are so many possibilities with the designs in the online Creativate Design Catalogue. There are not enough hours in the day!

Test out the yarn couching function on the Husqvarna Viking Designer Topaz 65. It’s so much fun!!!

Tomorrow, I’ll be back with another textured embroidery, so be sure to stop by.

Have a great day!!!!

Ciao!!!!

This is part 3 of 5 in this series

Go back to part 2: Incredible Stitch Out features on the Husqvarna VIKING DesignerTopaz 65

Go to part 4: Thread Velvet Embroidery with the HV Topaz 65