Table of Contents
Introduction to Transparent Embroidery
Transparent embroidery lets light do part of the storytelling: edges look extra sharp, color transitions feel luminous, and your work appears to float. In the featured video from KB Embroidery with Love, the design is a sleek tuna worked on sheer fabric with a disciplined outline and layered color blocks that finish in a neat, see-through presentation.
What is Sheer Fabric Embroidery? Sheer fabric work simply means you’re stitching on fabric that lets light pass through. In the comments, the creator confirms using organza for this piece. That transparency rewards clean technique—especially tidy backs and saturated stitches—because everything shows.
Why Embroider a Fish? Fish are tailor-made for transparent art: streamlined bodies, bold bands of color, and elegant fins that benefit from directionally placed satin stitch. A tuna’s strong silhouette and color zoning make it an ideal subject when you want both clarity and drama.
Gathering Your Tools and Materials
Essential Embroidery Supplies
- Sheer fabric (the creator confirms organza in the comments)
- Embroidery hoop
- Embroidery needle
- Scissors
- Embroidery thread (DMC colors listed on screen early in the video)
DMC Thread Color Guide The video lists threads and strand usage right at the start, then shows each color in action through the sequence:
- Black for outlining and eye (2 strands for outline/eye noted at the outset; a later on-screen note mentions 2–4 strands around the outline phase)
- DMC 160 for the darkest blue upper body and tail
- DMC 307 for the mid-blue band and tail blending
- DMC 517 and DMC 932 for greys in fins, plus structure on the tail
- DMC 747 and DMC 3046 for light yellow details on upper and pelvic/eye highlight
- DMC 3042 for the bright yellow body stripe
- DMC 3750 and DMC 3847 for the white belly sections
If you’re tracing or transferring your own pattern, be sure the outline is crisp—transparent fabric shows every decision you make.
Step-by-Step Fish Embroidery Guide
Outlining the Design The piece begins by tightening sheer fabric in a hoop, then creating a continuous black outline around the tuna’s head, body, and fins. The outline is your guardrail for every color decision that follows; keep the line even and the fabric drum-tight to avoid puckers.
Watch out
- Pulling too hard can ripple sheer fabric. Ease your tension slightly if you see puckering.
- If a segment looks jagged, unpick and re-stitch before moving on.
Quick check - Does the outline read as one smooth, connected path around the body and fins?
Layering Blue Hues The dark blue (DMC 160) fills the upper body first, stitched in parallel satin lines that track the fish’s curve. This gives you a smooth, glossy surface with built-in flow. Then a mid-blue (DMC 307) takes over the center band, set immediately beneath the dark top. For a clean transition, keep your stitch direction consistent and, at the boundary, consider slightly shorter stitches so the seam feels soft rather than abrupt.
Pro tip
- Use stitch direction to suggest form. Slight angular adjustments cue the curve of the body.
- If any sheer gaps peek through, add stitches to tighten coverage.
Once the mid-blue section is filled, the fish already reads with depth—dark water above, lighter water mid-body.
Adding Vibrant Yellows and Whites Now the lower body wakes up with a bright yellow stripe (DMC 3042). Place it cleanly under the mid-blue band so the transition is crisp. The belly completes with white threads: first DMC 3750, then DMC 3847 for the final lower edge. On sheer fabric, dense satin stitch coverage is key to achieving opacity, especially in pale colors.
Watch out
- Yellow and white can look patchy if stitches aren’t close. Crowding satin stitches slightly improves coverage without building bulk.
Quick check - Do the color bands read as solid blocks with neat edges? That’s your cue to move on.
Creating Lifelike Fins and Details
Stitching the Delicate Fins Fins define attitude. The tail starts in dark blue (DMC 160), then shifts through mid-blue (DMC 307) and grey (DMC 517) for subtle structure. Dorsal fins use grey (DMC 517), with additional upper fin accents in light yellow (DMC 747). Pectoral and pelvic fins are worked in grey (DMC 932). Keep satin stitches compact and intentional; slight direction shifts imply curvature without heavy shading.
Pro tip
- On small fin points, shorten stitch length to prevent frayed or fuzzy edges.
The Expressive Eye and Mouth A small black eye (2 strands) becomes a focal point, with a tiny light highlight (2 strands of DMC 3046) that adds instant life. The mouth is formed with understated stitches—just enough to shape expression without overworking.
From the comments
- Fabric choice: The creator confirms organza works beautifully here.
- Stitch resources: Techniques are listed in the video description; a slower version is not available.
- Color info: All colors used are shown in the video’s first minute.
Finishing Your Masterpiece
Trimming and Securing Threads On sheer fabric, the back counts as much as the front. Flip the hoop and trim excess threads closely, keeping knots secure and hidden. The video shows methodical trimming until the back looks clean through the fabric. This is what makes transparent work feel professional from both sides.
Displaying Your Transparent Art You can leave the piece in the hoop or remove it for another display method—the video shows the finished tuna presented in the hoop for a luminous, floating look. When light hits the organza, the fish appears to swim.
Quick check
- Is the back as tidy as the front? On organza, it should be. A neat back prevents shadowy distractions.
Tips for Successful Transparent Embroidery
Maintaining Even Tension
- Keep fabric taut in the hoop from start to finish; re-tighten if you notice slack.
- Balance pull so stitches lie flat without rippling the fabric.
Choosing the Right Needle
- A fine, sharp embroidery needle helps place precise satin stitches and clean edges—especially crucial along color boundaries.
Pro tip
- For blended borders, use a row of slightly shorter stitches right at the transition; this softens the seam without mixing colors.
Watch out
- Pale colors on sheer fabric need more density. Build coverage intentionally so you don’t have to rework broad areas later.
From the comments
- No slower tutorial is available; rely on the on-screen color cues and the description notes for stitch types.
Beyond hand embroidery—if you also stitch by machine While this project is entirely hand stitched, many crafters also work with machines for other projects. If that’s you, you may already be exploring hardware like magnetic embroidery hoop or complete magnetic embroidery frames to speed hooping on delicate textiles. Some readers prefer a versatile embroidery sewing machine for mixed media projects, while others look for an embroidery machine for beginners to practice color banding techniques similar to these satin fills. If you’re upgrading your setup, choosing a comfortable embroidery frame and reliable magnetic embroidery hoops can make fabric handling and tension more consistent—useful when translating sheer-fabric aesthetics to machine embroidery. And if you’re sourcing supplies internationally, browsing trusted retailers for embroidery hoops uk can help you compare sizes and finishes without guesswork.
Troubleshooting at a Glance
- Uneven outline? Unpick short segments and re-stitch with consistent length and spacing.
- Puckering on sheer? Loosen tension slightly; keep the fabric drum-tight in the hoop.
- Patchy yellow/white areas? Add closely packed stitches to increase opacity.
- Harsh color seam? Use shorter stitches at the boundary to soften the transition.
- Messy fin tips? Reduce stitch length near points to sharpen edges.
Results You Can Expect
By following the sequence—black outline, dark blue top, mid-blue middle, yellow stripe, white belly, then fins, eye, and mouth—you’ll achieve a vivid, cleanly banded tuna that reads lifelike on sheer organza. The finishing touches—careful trimming on the reverse and a tidy presentation—let light complete the illusion.
Credits Inspired by the step-by-step visual tutorial from KB Embroidery with Love, which demonstrates the entire process—from outlining to finishing—with clear color cues on screen.