Innehållsförteckning för September - October 2018 från Creative Machine Embroidery

“Pumpkin spice season” is upon us! There are pumpkin spice candles, cheesecake, hummus, sausage—you name it, there’s a pumpkin spice variety of it. I happen to love the smell of a pumpkin pie baking in the oven; I’m just not one to chew it in gum form. Pumpkin as a color, however, is my absolute favorite. (My bridesmaids wore pumpkin colored dresses at my wedding.) This is one of the many reasons I love the Orange Crush Cape on page 38. It’s a plush, wool cape that elevates a simple jeans-and-T-shirt ensemble to high-end couture status. The subtle embroidery adds just enough interest without being overdone. You can wear this to work, a sporting event or even a party. And if you hate everything pumpkin spice, choose a rich navy…

1. Are you new to quilting? If so, the Ultimate Quilt Block Collection book is a must. With over 60 block designs, colored and labeled block templates and step-by-step instructions you’ll be ready to quilt in no time. Create endless amounts of quilt designs by combining and arranging different quilt blocks. ($19.99, foxchapelpublishing.com) 2. Get Halloween ready with CME’s exclusive Dress Up Play Embroidery Design Collection. This collection makes dressing up easy: just put on a solid color that matches the headband design and you’re done. Or pair the intricate headband with an elaborate costume for a well-suited match. The collection is complete with devil horns, bat wings, monster bolts, antlers, cat ears and a princess crown. ($4.99/ design, $24.99/collection, shopsewitall.com) 3. Lighten your entire sewing area with the Slimline…

MATERIALS + Tear-away stabilizer + Two 3" squares of marine vinyl, cork or felt + 2" length of 3/8"-wide grosgrain ribbon + ½" clasp or any size key ring (See “Source.”) + Thread: black & red embroidery EMBROIDER • Download the ITH Apple Charm embroidery design from cmemag.com/freebies until Oct. 31, 2018. Find the design after the expiration at shopsewitall.com. Load the design onto the machine. • Hoop a piece of tear-away stabilizer. • Using black thread, embroider step one to create the apple outline and a straight ribbon placement line on the stabilizer. • Fold the ribbon in half and slide the clasp or key ring into the fold of the ribbon. Place the raw edges of the ribbon with ½" extending below the lower edge of the placement…

MODERN INTERPRETATION This laborious hand-stitching technique is quickly simplified with machine embroidery collections. Most designers will suggest that a quality stabilizer be directly secured in the hoop, floating a fluffy batting and then the fabric on top (A). The embroidery stitches out, usually in matching thread and fabric colors. Some elements of the overall design will simply be outlined, remaining puffy, while the background will be tamped down with fill stitches. SPECIAL SUPPLIES A quality cut-away fabric stabilizer that is strong, yet supple to the touch, such as Sulky Soft ’n Sheer, works well for trapunto. For best results, use a 100/16 topstitch needle and slow the embroidery machine down by at least half-speed, since layers of fabric and/ or batting will be secured together. Although any embroidery thread can…

These tips and tricks will help create spooky towels that last and look professionally finished. • Use high-quality glow-in-the dark thread for strong luminescence in the dark. (Find glow-in-the-dark thread at shopsewitall.com.) • Some glow-in-the-dark threads are slightly thick and shred during embroidery as the layers build up. If shredding occurs, install a larger size needle with larger eye. • If the embroidery machine doesn’t have automatic thread trimmers, pull the bobbin thread to the design right side and hold the tails as the machine begins stitching at each step. Trim the thread tails when the machine stops for trimming. Using this technique prevents the bobbin thread from being carried across the design wrong side. • If they need to be freshened, rinse the towels by hand, lay flat to…

Who says your pocket designs have to match or even coordinate? Have fun with your design layout to really make a statement. SPLIT DECISION Many designs have multiple elements that are easily split to cover both back pockets. Upload the design into software and find the center. Split the design in half, or thirds or at a logical point where the stitching doesn’t overlap or otherwise interfere with the break. Save the resulting two designs into two files. Embroider one on the left pocket and the other on the right. Some designs are even digitized as a split design from the start. These designs are most often borders or scenes that are split with the intention of embroidering in multiple hoopings. No software is required to split these designs, as…

MATERIALS + Three 10-yard packages of 4"- 6"-wide burlap ribbon + One 10-yard package of 2"- wide burlap ribbon (bow) + 14"-diameter wire wreath frame + Floral wire + 3 coordinating felt sheets (orange, red & yellow) + 18" square of batting + Medium- to heavyweight water-soluble tear-away stabilizer + Thread: bobbin & coordinating rayon embroidery + Polyester fiberfill + Embroidery tape + Chopstitck or point turner + Hand sewing needle + Wire cutters + Appliqué scissors (optional) WREATH • Begin with one wide burlap ribbon package. Tie the ribbon end in a knot around the back of the wire wreath, between two wires. Pull the ribbon through two wire frames to form a loop the desired length. Twist the loop base to secure. Repeat to create more loops through…

Need a quick Halloween costume? Stitch up a freestanding lace costume piece to quickly attach to a headband. Try the bolts on a ribbon around your neck for a truly monstrous effect. Orient the bat wings low on your head, attach them to a hat, or stitch them to the back of a shirt or jacket. The ears are versatile enough to use for several animals — think cat, dog or fox, among others — depending on the color choices. And what little royal wouldn’t love a pretty golden crown? Find the collection at shopsewitall.com.…

Lisa Archer In the Hoop: Apple Charm—page 18 picklepiedesigns.com Ramona Baird Towels of Terror—page 32 asg.org/resources/conference “I love to add a border design to outerwear and then, when possible, bring that design into an additional accent on a collar or cover buttons with an element.” Pamela Cox Heirloom Effects: Trapunto Techniques—page 28 Nancy Fiedler Quilt This: Hoop by Hoop—page 20 Julia Griffey Little Monsters—page 62 machineembroiderygeek.com Soni Grint Software Savvy: Stitching Order —page 24 Jessica Johnson A Dog's Life—page 50 Kim Saba Orange Crush Cape—page 38 Sue O’Very What a Hoot—page 42 sueoverydesigns.com “I’ve always lived in a climate that allows (or demands!) jackets and coats to be worn 8 or 9 months of the year. I especially appreciate the fact that a beautiful coat means…

A single embroidery design often has thousands of stitches. Multiply this by the number of designs in a project, and it’s easy to see that an embroidery machine does a lot of work in a comparatively short amount of time. The following steps help keep your machine looking and sewing its best between trips to a professional service technician. For complete care instructions for your embroidery machine brand, refer to the owner’s manual. TOOLS Keep the following tools on hand for maintaining your machine. • Screwdriver to open the side cover and/or remove needle plate • Long handled tweezers to grab threads that get caught in tight areas • Soft brush to clean out the large pieces of lint • Crocus cloth (available at the local hardware store) to smooth…

There are several quilting methods, including free motion, straight-line, in the ditch, quilting in the hoop and more. When deciding what kind to use, consider the quilt top, the desired finished look and your skill level. Using machine embroidery quilting designs, you can create textured fabric without any piecing, which is a great way to show off the quilting motifs in your embroidery library. Software is helpful for planning the layout; if you don’t have software, print several templates of the chosen quilt designs and place designs accordingly. The basic steps are quite simple. Cut the fabric about 4” larger than needed, spray-baste the batting to the quilt top wrong side and then place the fabric layers in the hoop to quilt. Once texturizing is completed, cut out the pattern…

MATERIALS + Collared cape pattern with arm openings (such as BurdaStyle 08/2011 #112) + Wool fabric & interfacing (amount according to pattern envelope; see “Sources.”) + Mediumweight fabric-like water-soluble stabilizer + Water-soluble topper + Thread: all-purpose, bobbin & cotton embroidery + Temporary spray adhesive + Removable fabric marker + 1 13/16"-diameter sew-on snap + Large & small blackwork border designs (approximately 1¾ "×6" and ¾ "×9½ "; see “Designs”) PREPARE • From the wool fabric and interfacing, cut out the pattern pieces. Note: The featured cape was shortened 6". • Fuse the interfacing to the corresponding wool pieces, following the manufacturer’s instructions. • Construct the cape according to the pattern instructions, ending before stitching the shoulder/side seams. • Hand baste each arm opening closed. EMBROIDER • Load the small border…

A touch of lace always adds a little something special to any garment. Try adding peekaboo lace to enhance a simple skirt design. It looks fancy, but this design accent is easy to create. Simply replace a godet insert or contrasting box pleat with an embroidered element, or insert your own godet piece into a seam. PATTERN CHOICE Adding a lace embroidered godet or fancy pleat insert to a garment pattern is simple, as long as there are seams for insertion. Each vertical seam offers the opportunity for decorative insertion. There are many skirt patterns available that are ideal to use. BurdaStyle’s Pencil Skirt/Panel Pencil Skirt (08/2016#128A/B) is a great option, with fun princess seaming perfect for a flirty godet insertion. Another really great BurdaStyle design just begging for some…

MATERIALS + Ready-made denim button-up + Denim scrap, at least 8"×10" (or enough to match pocket template) + Tear-away stabilizer + Pattern paper + Thread: embroidery & all-purpose + Temporary spray adhesive +5/8" button + Square embroidery design (approximately 3.85" square; see “Design.”) PREPARE • Use an existing pocket template or draft one. To draft your own pocket, draw a 5¼ "×7¼" rectangle onto pattern paper. At one short edge, draw horizontal lines across the pocket at ¼ ", 1¼ " and 2¼ ". • Print a template of the embroidery design and center it on the pocket, no less than ¼" from the lowest horizontal line and 5/8" from each side and lower edge. Trace the template perimeter (A). EMBROIDER • Load the design onto the embroidery machine. •…

These jeans patterns have back pockets that are totally customizable. Pick one depending on the fit and style you prefer, with a lot or a little stretch factor. • The Ginger Jeans from Closet Case Patterns has a modern, flattering silhouette for most figures. • 8516 Mimi G Skinny Jeans from Simplicity is a great option for curvier figures in a trendy slim cut. • The Mountain View Pull-On Jeans from Itch 2 Stitch has a faux fly and tummy control waistband, perfect if you fear making jeans because of buttons, belt loops or crotch fit issues. If you’re on the fence about making your own jeans, check out “Jeans Demystified: Pant Fitting & Construction the Easy Way” on BurdaStyle Academy to learn how to sew your perfect pair of…

MATERIALS + Light- to medium weight super-stretch knit, ¼ yard (0.2 m) + Light- to medium weight heat-tolerant knit for the heart appliqué, ¼ yard (11.5 cm) + Double needle for hems (optional) + Thread: 2 spools coordinating with fabric, 1 spool coordinating with heart (if you’re using a double needle for the single-fold hem) + Iron-on adhesive + Heart Top pattern pieces: Front, Back, Appliqué template All seam allowances are ¼" (6 mm) unless otherwise noted. FABRIC NOTES • Main fabric: This pattern requires fabric with a lot of stretch! Use a 4-way super-stretch fabric with good stretch recovery. • Appliqué fabric: Use a knit fabric for no-fray edges. Any stretch percentage from low to super stretch will work. Add a little pizzazz with a shiny performance-knit fabric. Once you've ironed…

THREAD CAROUSEL Use a coffee cup carousel to store your thread spools for easy accessibility. Kaitlyn B., Facebook FUTURE PLANS Organize future projects by placing all components in a sealed bag and hang them with pant hangers for storage. Leah J., Facebook CONFIDENT CLEANSING Save time (and money) when prewashing new fabric by adding some laundry and a color-absorbing laundry sheet. The color-absorbing sheet will prevent the new fabric from bleeding onto your clothes. Betty B., letter NAME GAME When you have multiple USBs filled with design files and need to organize them, rename the USBs when they're plugged into your computer by right clicking on the C: drive. Slect "rename" from the menu, and label your USB to reflect the designs you have stored. Marilynn M., email LABEL LEFTOVERS…

Some owner’s manuals state “no need to oil.” This is because the parts that need to be lubricated are only accessible by opening the machine, or they’re self-lubricating. For warranty purposes, this is best left to your service technician. This person has been trained in the proper way of opening a computerized machine to prevent damage to mechanical parts and the circuit boards. For normal use, under 40 hours a week, a once-a-year visit to the service technician is sufficient. Machines that are working over 40 hours a week should be serviced twice a year. For machines that are used over 40 hours a week, it’s advisable to oil the moving parts in the needle bar area approximately once a month. It’s easy to find the parts that need oil…

While each embroidery software is different, digitizing principles are the same. The first step to good digitizing is making a plan. Good digitizers don’t just jump in; they think about what part of the design they want to stitch first, second, third and so on, and they thoughtfully plan the stitch types to apply to each area. PLAN To decide the stitching order, consider different criteria. The first is that the stitches should move from the background to the foreground. This should match how an object is seen. For example, in a landscape the sky is farthest away, then the ground, then the animals and grass (A). With a flower, the stem is usually farthest away, then the back petals, the center and finally the front petals (B). How you…

Spider Web Towel Use glow-in-the-dark thread to create a fun FSL spider web towel, complete with a creepy spider hanging from the web. MATERIALS Supplies listed are enough to make one spider web towel. + 20"×28" hand towel + 8" length of 1/8"-wide ribbon + Fabric-like water-soluble stabilizer + Liquid fabric stabilizer + Thread: embroidery, glow-in-the-dark, water-soluble & white bobbin (See “Sources.”) + Small, sharp scissors + Glue gun & glue sticks + Small, black plastic spider + FSL spider web design (approximately 4.93"×5.30"; see “Designs.”) EMBROIDER • Press the towel flat. Apply liquid fabric stabilizer to the lower third of the towel following the manufacturer’s instructions. • Download the spider web design from cmemag.com/freebies. Load the design onto the machine. • Thread the needle and bobbin with water-soluble thread.…

Supplies listed are enough to make one necklace. + Two 3¼ "×3½ " rectangles of non-woven material (such as cork or vinyl; see “Source”) + Tear-away stabilizer + Thread: bobbin & embroidery + Size 75/11 embroidery or sharp needle + Seven 5/32"-diameter eyelets + Eyelet punch & attachment tool + Ten 6mm-diameter jump rings + 39"-long necklace chain + Fabric paint to match the project material + Small paintbrush or cotton swabs + Rotary cutting system + Embroidery tape + Needle-nose pliers + ITH owl necklace embroidery design (approx. 3.25"×3.49"; see “Design”) EMBROIDER • Download the What a Hoot embroidery design from cmemag.com/freebies until Oct. 31, 2018. Load the design onto the embroidery machine. • Install a size 75/11 embroidery needle into the machine. Thread the needle with embroidery thread…

If the skirt pattern doesn’t already include a godet insert, create your own. • Decide the godet length. Measure the godet length from the hem along the seamline and mark the godet insert upper edge. • Determine the godet width. Use this measurement, along with the desired length, to draft the godet insert. A godet is essentially a triangle. The measurement from the triangle apex down each leg is the same as the skirt seam opening length. This measurement is consistent all the way across the godet, creating a slightly curved hem (1). • Add seam allowances to the godet insert pattern. Note: For the featured sample, no hem allowance was added as the edge of the lace embroidery acts as a hem. • Once the pattern piece is drafted,…

MATERIALS + 1/3 yard each of 2 fleece colors (exterior & lining) + Two 5"-squares of fleece + White fabric scraps (mouth appliqués) + Polyester fiberfill + Adhesive-backed stabilizer + Embroidery designs: face elements & in-the-hoop horn designs (sizes vary; see “Designs”) PREPARE • Download the Little Monsters pattern and embroidery designs from cmemag.com/freebies until Oct. 31, 2018. Purchase the pattern at shopsewitall.com and the design at machineembroiderygeek.com after the expiration date. • Print the hat pattern, selecting the baby, toddler or kid size, and cut out the pattern pieces. • From the exterior and lining fleece, cut four hat tops and one hat band on the fold each. • With right sides together and aligning the notches, stitch two matching hat tops along one edge, ending at the star…

MATERIALS + Fabric-like water-soluble stabilizer + Embroidery thread + Fabric-covered headband + Removable fabric marker + Fabric glue + Binder clips + Thimble (optional) + Starch (optional) + Devil horns FSL embroidery design (approx. 4.26"×7.01"; see “Design.”) EMBROIDER • Download the Dress Up Play Devil Horns embroidery design from cmemag.com/freebies until Oct. 31, 2018. Find the design after the expiration, and the rest of the collection, at shopsewitall.com. Load the design onto the machine. • Hoop two layers of fabric-like water-soluble stabilizer. Place the hoop onto the machine. • Embroider the design, using bobbin thread to match the top thread throughout and trimming the jump threads between thread changes. • Remove the hoop from the machine and the project from the hoop. Trim the stabilizer close to the design edges.…