Indholdsfortegnelse for January - February 2019 i Creative Machine Embroidery

Dear Readers, The holiday craziness is winding down, and we finally get to take a breath from the stress of finishing last-minute projects. Now we can focus on sewing for ourselves again! That is, until Valentine’s Day rolls around. With this issue, we’ve got a few simple valentines you can make to show your love for your coworkers, friends and family. The best part? The projects are made in the hoop, so you can create them assembly-line style and crank out several in one afternoon. All you need to do is gather the fabric and materials and you’re off to the races. We particularly love the new Furry Friends Fobs on page 60. We made sure to include a llama, for those of you loving that trend. Use these to…

1. Make scraps and leftover threads into a work of art with the Sweet Pea Make-Your-Own Fabric In The Hoop Zipper Purse design. The project requires one hooping and comes sized for 5×7 and 6×10 hoops. The finished purse is fully lined with no raw seams. Finally a use for all the little bits of rickrack, lace, ribbons and fabric laying around your sewing room! ($8, swpea.com) 2. Learn the names of advanced colors and patterns that designers use every day with the Helmsie Pattern and Color Learning Flash Cards. Discover what makes damask a damask and learn how to identify indigo. The pack of 25 cards arrives in a custom-designed box and is printed on high quality, thick card stock. ($24, helmsiebaby.com) 3. Stitch a cute companion from CME’s…

START SMALL Paper-pieced postcards, mug rugs and potholders are a fun way to get started with paper piecing on an embroidery machine. Start small before working up to table runners, wall hangings and quilts. The basic steps, however, are the same. • Place a square of lightweight cutaway stabilizer in the hoop. Thread the machine and bobbin with all-purpose thread. • Stitch the first layer to create a map of the entire design (A). • Lay the first fabric selection over the number 1 position and stitch in place. Trim about 1/8" around the outside stitching (B). • Place the second fabric selection over the first, right sides together, lining up the raw edge with the edge of number one along the position 2 stitching line; stitch the next step…

MATERIALS + Four 5" squares of cotton fabric + Tear-away stabilizer + Two 2½ "×4½ " rectangles of fusible web + 7"-long or longer zipper + 3" length of 3/8"-wide ribbon + Key ring + All-purpose thread PREPARE • Fold one fabric square in half with wrong sides together; press. • Open the fold and sandwich fusible web inside. Fuse according to the manufacturer’s instructions. • Repeat to fold and fuse one remaining fabric square. EMBROIDER • Download the ITH Penny Pouch embroidery design from cmemag.com/freebies until Feb. 28, 2019. Find the design after the expiration date at interweave.com/sewing. • Hoop a piece of stabilizer. • Stitch step one to create a placement line on the stabilizer. • Center the zipper right side up and vertical to the placement line,…

MATERIALS + Knit raglan-sleeved dress pattern (such as Butterick 6494, View C) + Ponte de Roma fabric (amount according to the pattern envelope plus ½ yard) + ½ yard of black faux leather + 1½ yards of tracing or pattern paper + Stabilizer: Fusible no-show mesh, mediumweight cutaway & water-soluble topper + Thread: all-purpose, bobbin & embroidery + Markers: fine-tipped permanent & removable fabric + Temporary spray adhesive + Vellum paper + Fabric clips + Neckline border embroidery design (approx. 5¼ "×7"; see “Design.”) PREPARE • Test the fabric marker on the fabric to ensure the marks will show up and are easily removed without damaging the fabric. • Test the design on an extra piece of knit fabric. Make any needed setting adjustments. • Fold the pattern or tracing…

Learn essentials techniques for embroidering on wool fabric. • Wool is a natural fiber that is great to embroider on. Use 100% wool with a tight weave, which supports a variety of designs, including complex ones. • Wool doesn’t fray and is very durable. • Cut-away stabilizer provide the best support for embroidery on wool, especially after repeated wear and washing. • To achieve the best embroidery, bond the wool fabric with the stabilizer before hooping. Spray the wool wrong side with temporary spray adhesive, and then finger-press it over a piece of cut-away stabilizer. • Select a size 75/11 embroidery needle when embroidering wool. However, if the stitching looks fuzzy, try using a sharp needle. Sharp needles have a finer point, which creates smaller holes in the fabric resulting…

MATERIALS + Fat quarter each of 100% wool or wool felt in ivory & orange (See “Source.”) + Fat quarter of coordinating cotton print + Adhesive cut-away stabilizer + Thread: embroidery & matching all-purpose + Removable fabric marker + Hand-sewing needle + Store-bought purse handle (optional) + ½ " metal snap + Cat face design (approx. 4.9×6"; see “Design”) PREPARE • Download the Meow Pouch pattern from cmemag.com/freebies until Feb. 28, 2019. Purchase the pattern at interweave.com/sewing after the expiration date. • Tile and cut out the paper pattern pieces. • From the ivory wool, cut two 1"×3" rectangles for tabs and one bag body (for the bag back). • Fold the bag body paper pattern piece at the dotted line and cut two lining pieces. EMBROIDER • Load the…

Add a pocket to the back of a fob to use as a pet tag, luggage tag or just as a place to tuck a special message. • Cut a 3" square of clear vinyl, ensuring that one cut edge is perfectly straight. • Follow the instructions at left, ending before the final embroidery step. • Turn the hoop over. Place the vinyl square over the back of the main design (excluding the tab), positioning the straight edge at least 1/8" below the upper edge stitching line. Tape in place (1). • Step the design back one color stop so it’s set to stitch the tacking stitches one more time. • Place the hoop on the machine and embroider the next-to-last step again to tack down the vinyl. The top…

lisa archer (“In the Hoop: Penny Pouch”—page 27) is the owner and creative director of Pickle Pie Designs. She loves the challenge of creating in-the-hoop designs that reflect her personal style. picklepiedesigns.com ramona baird (“Work of Heart”—page 30) is Education Director for the American Sewing Guild. She has over 15 years of both commercial and home embroidery experience. asg.org/resources/conference nancy fiedler (“Quilt This: Paper Piecing in the Hoop”— page 20) has served as an Educator for Janome America for 14 years and designs and writes from her studio in Dwight, Illinois, with the help of her cat Jon Snow and dog Beckett. sandra geiger (“Edgy Does It Dress”—page 44) loves to experiment with a variety of fabrics and sewing machines to create new techniques and add extra pizzazz to her…

Digitizing a paper-pieced block is a fairly simple process. • Bring artwork of your chosen block into digitizing software. • Create a cutting line of the block (1). • Use the same color thread as the cutting line and set the stitch length to 3mm. Draw all the interior lines to create a “map” and add the number sequence for easy reference (2). • Choose a new color, set the stitch length to 2.4mm and create a stitching line around all sides of number 1 position (3). This line will stitch the first piece in place. • Choose a new color and create a stitching line for number 2. Make sure to draw the line so it extends 1/8" past the next lines (4). • Choose a new color and…

MATERIALS + Stabilizer: fabric-like water-soluble & liquid fabric (optional; See “Sources.”) + Thread: cream & red embroidery + Pip-berry heart-shaped wreath + Hot glue gun & glue sticks + FSL heart designs (See “Designs.”) EMBROIDER • Download the FSL heart designs from cmemag.com/freebies. Load the designs onto the machine. • Thread the needle and bobbin with cream embroidery thread. • Hoop two pieces of fabric-like water-soluble stabilizer. Place the hoop onto the machine. Embroider the first heart design, changing thread colors as needed. • Remove the hoop from the machine and the stabilizer from the hoop. Trim away the excess stabilizer close to each design perimeter. • Repeat to embroider as many hearts desired. • If desired, group as many designs as possible to fit into one hooping, making sure…

DESIGN CHOICE Believe it or not, mesh is a suitable foundation for lightweight embroidery. As long as the embroidery design is of moderate density, the mesh structure is sufficient to support the embroidery. Denser designs or those using a wider satin stitch require additional layers of stabilizer to ensure an accurate stitchout. Consider the drape of the skirt when choosing the design. In order to maintain volume, it’s essential that the individual embroidery designs are lightweight to not weigh down the skirt layers. The featured sample showcases approximately 4"-square heart designs with lightweight fills and narrow satin columns to add decorative whimsy without sacrificing drape and movement. WHY APPLIQUÉ? Embroidering designs onto a mesh backing is a great alternative to stitching them directly onto fabric. As long as adequate stabilizer…

Follow these tips for successful faux-leather sewing. • Any needle or pinholes will remain in faux leather fabric. Instead, use fabric clips and pattern weights to secure pattern pieces for cutting and hold seams together. Remember to not stitch over the clips! • Use basting tape to hold fabric pieces in place for topstitching. • Don’t press faux leather with an iron. Use a bone turner to crease the fabric instead of pressing. • Use a PTFE, or Teflon, presser foot to help the fabric glide under the foot. If one isn’t available, use a walking foot, digital dual feed or cover the foot underside with cellophane tape. • Increase the stitch length to 3mm for topstitching to produce even stitches.…

MATERIALS + Two 10" squares of cork fabric (See “Source.”) + Paper-backed self-adhesive cut-away stabilizer + Size 100/16 topstitching or denim needle + Cotton embroidery thread + Fabric glue + Removable fabric marker + Four size extra small or small double-capped rivets + Rivet setting tool +3/23" leather punch + Hammer + Embroidery design (approx. 7.48"×7.80"; see “Design”) PREPARE • Load the design onto the machine. • Test the removable fabric marker to ensure it’s suitable for cork and easily removed. Mark one cork square center using the approved removable marker (A). EMBROIDER • Hoop a piece of self-adhesive stabilizer. Score and peel away the paper within the hoop. Place the marked cork square over the stabilizer, centering the centerlines in the hoop. Gently finger press to secure. • If…

Welcome to the Sew & Tell Podcast! Listen in for some lively banter from your hosts, Meg, Amanda and Kate. They’ll be offering up some great tips and expert knowledge along with some fun. They each have their own sewing background—fashion, theater and indie sewing—so they each bring their own unique perspective on the hottest topics in the sewing community. And who knows, you may also be a part of the show, as they’ll be asking questions from our listeners and asking you to share your opinions. New episodes are released every other Thursday on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or wherever you get your podcasts. “If it’s not lime green, I’m not wearing it!” BurdaStyle Online Editor; Lead Educator, BurdaStyle Academy “I’m a slightly crunchy…

Stitch a cute companion to keep you or a loved one company everywhere you go. This set of animal friends is stitched entirely in the hoop, and then easily made into a clip by adding snaps to the attached tabs or stitching the tab around a key ring or swivel clip. The light stitching on the face and satin-stitch finish make the designs ideal for almost any material, including fabric, cork, vinyl or leather. The collection includes an owl, butterfly, cat, dog, llama and unicorn. Find the collection at interweave.com/sewing.…

BAG PATTERN Look for a pattern with a round or triangular shape that has at least one flat surface to embroider. Triangle Purse by BurdaStyle EMBROIDERY DESIGNS Look for an embroidery design that has a lot of different components so you can use many bright colored threads. FABRIC SWATCHES Choose a medium- to heavyweight fabric that’s suitable for accessories. Use all one fabric or alternate panels to achieve the inspiration look. COLOR PALETTE Try a fresh array of complementary hues for spring. FINAL TOUCHES Finish the bag with a dangling tassel made with matching thread colors to coordinate with the embroidery. • Cut a 23/8"-wide piece of cardboard or use a ruler of the desired width. Wrap the yarn tightly around the cardboard or ruler. The tassel thickness is determined…

Color this image using the medium of your choice: pencils, pens, markers, watercolors, you name it. Email a photo or scan of your finished rendering to info@cmemag.com and enter to win an assortment of adult coloring books! Two winners chosen at random from all eligible entries will receive: The Tula Pink Coloring Book, Farmer’s Wife coloring book, Jim Shore Angel Coloring Book and Tula Pink’s Coloring with Thread from F+W Media. Find the full rules at cmemag.com/color_page. Contest valid Dec. 15, 2018 to Feb. 15, 2019. Email info@cmemag.com or mail your completed coloring page to: Creative Machine Embroidery Color Page 741 Corporate Circle, Suite A Golden, CO 80401…

An embroidery machine should be stored away from direct sunlight and heat. Wheeled, padded cases are available for moving the entire machine to classes, clubs or just to store when space is limited and the machine must be put out of sight when not in use. The embroidery unit also needs special care. When not in use, find a shelf, the original packaging or a specially designed storage unit to keep it safe. It’s also important to pack it properly when traveling. Special cases are available for some brands of embroidery units. Check with your local dealer for information.…

REDWORK HISTORY Redwork was most popular from the 1860s through the early 1900s. During that time, redwork patterns were often printed in magazines and newspapers. Muslin swatches pre-stamped with a redwork design were sold for a penny and called “penny squares.” Redwork was so popular, penny squares were sold as souvenirs at events, such as the 1901 World’s Fair. Red thread was traditionally used because it’s colorfast, making it suitable for a variety of projects, such as table linens, towels and handkerchiefs. MODERN INTERPRETATIONS Redwork is still very popular in both hand and machine embroidery and is used for virtually any project type. Redwork designs are appealing because they’re line-art designs that stitch quickly. With a few redwork designs in your collection and some ready-made items, such as kitchen towels,…

MATERIALS Materials listed are enough to make one 4"×10¾ "×11¼ " bag. + ½ yard each of heavyweight faux leather & cotton lining fabric + Heavyweight cut-away stabilizer + Temporary spray adhesive + Binder clips or Wonder Clips + 13" zipper with metal teeth + Topstitch or denim needle + Thread: embroidery & matching all-purpose + Hand-sewing needle + Two 1" swivel clips (optional; for strap) + Large-scale embroidery letter (approx. 5.62"×5.67"; see “Designs.”) PREPARE • From the faux leather and cotton fabric, cut two 10"×12" rectangles for the front and back, three 5"×11" rectangles for the sides and two 2¾"×12" rectangles for the zipper flanges. • From the faux leather, cut two 1½ "×4½" rectangles for the loops. • If making the strap, cut one 3"×11" rectangle from the…

MATERIALS +1/3 yard each of crushed velvet fabric, coordinating lining, fusible foam stabilizer & light- or mediumweight fusible interfacing (See “Source.”) + Matching all-purpose thread + ¾" square magnetic snap + Press cloth + Point turner + Hand sewing needle + 3D freestanding embroidery design (approx. 3.90" square; see “Design.”) PREPARE • From the crushed velvet, lining, foam stabilizer and interfacing, cut one 12"×20¾ " rectangle each. • Fuse the foam stabilizer to the velvet rectangle wrong side, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Designate as the exterior rectangle. • Repeat to fuse the interfacing to the lining rectangle wrong side. CONSTRUCT • Position the exterior rectangle right side up on a flat work surface. Designate one short end as the upper edge. Mark the vertical center along the upper edge. •…

MATERIALS + Two 3"×5" rectangles of felt, cork, vinyl, leather or fabric + Tear-away stabilizer + Thread: bobbin and embroidery + Embroidery or painter’s tape + Appliqué scissors + 8mm snap + In-the-hoop design (approx. 2.07"×3.93"; see “Design”) EMBROIDER • Download the Furry Friends Owl Fob design from cmemag.com/freebies until Feb. 28, 2019. Load the design onto the machine. • Hoop a piece of tear-away stabilizer. • Wind a bobbin with the embroidery thread that will be used for the final step. Use bobbin thread in the bobbin until the final step. • Place the hoop onto the machine and embroider the first step to stitch the placement line. • Remove the hoop from the machine, but don’t remove the project from the hoop. Place one fabric rectangle right side…

How do you stay creative? I see ideas everywhere—in stores, online, social media—even on vacation. I read a lot and love CME magazine, as it’s been a source of inspiration over the years. I thought having my hobby turn into a career would make it hard to sew and create, but quite the opposite has happened. What do you love most about your work? I love it all but the best thing is when I'm out teaching events, and someone says to me, “That was the best tip and worth the whole admission.” Every time I hear that, I know I'm doing what I was called to do. There’s something so satisfying about having a job that you love that makes you look forward to beginning each new day. “There’s…