Innehållsförteckning för November - December 2018 från Creative Machine Embroidery

Have you ever purchased a new machine and thought you knew how to thread it, and after sewing for quite a while you realize you’ve missed a step (once you finally read the manual)? Asking for a friend… When troubleshooting a problematic design stitchout, it’s often the simplest fixes that are overlooked. As our skills advance and we encounter problems, we’re often quick to blame the machine or the digitizer before running through a checklist of set-up and prep to ensure we wound the bobbin correctly, the needle is new, the presser foot is down and the upper thread is winding properly off the spool. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve rehooped fabric with different stabilizer combinations to achieve a better stitchout only to discover that my needle…

MATERIALS Supplies listed are enough to make one 2½ "×6"×6½ " skate. + Stabilizer: fabric-like water-soluble & liquid fabric (optional; See “Sources.”) + 2"×8" rectangle of white faux fur + ¾"×5" rectangle of ¾"-thick Styrofoam + 16" length of 5/8"-wide white satin ribbon + 2 yards of ¼"-wide silver metallic ribbon + Thread: silver metallic embroidery, white 40-wt. polyester embroidery & white bobbin + Hot glue gun & glue sticks + Craft glue + Plastic food wrap + Pins: appliqué & old quilting pins + White tissue paper + Pinnable surface (such as a cardboard cutting board) + Two ½"-diameter silver jingle bells + FSL ice skate designs (Sizes vary from 2.30"×4.36" to 4.93"×7.02"; see “Designs”) EMBROIDER • Download the Ornate Skate designs from cmemag.com/freebies. Load the designs onto the…

Bangles Create fabric-wrapped bangles to add instant accessory style. MATERIALS Supplies listed are enough to make three bangles. + 8"×13" rectangle of ultrasuede fabric + 6"×12" rectangle of thermoplastic material (See “Source.”) + Paper-release adhesive tearaway stabilizer + Three 12" lengths of ½ "-wide twill tape + Thread: bobbin & embroidery + Hair dryer + Fabric glue + 5×7 hoop + Bangle embroidery design (approx. 4.87"×6.25"; see “Designs.”) PREPARE • From the thermoplastic material, cut three 2"×12" rectangles. • Using a hair dryer, warm one thermoplastic rectangle until soft, and then roll into a long coil (A). Connect the ends to create a continuous ring. • Select a round, heat-resistant object larger than your wrist diameter. The featured bangles were shaped around a stainless-steel thermos lid. Position the ring around…

Lisa Archer In the Hoop: Santa Wrap—page 16 picklepiedesigns.com Ramona Baird Ornate Skate—page 34 asg.org/resources/conference “I start making gifts Labor Day weekend. I plan gifts I’m going to give throughout the summer and pick up supplies so I’m ready to go. I plan the whole weekend—from Friday after work through Monday evening—and stitch happily away. I start with the ones that will take the most time so that if I don't finish, I can continue to work on the rest of them until holiday time.” “I try to start making my holiday gifts in October, but I actually start thinking about possibilities in July. My biggest challenge is what to make for a teenage boy. I'm going to make him a personalized duffle bag. The 8-year-old girl on…

MATERIALS Supplies listed are enough to make one 6"×70" scarf. + ¾ yard of fleece + Fabric scraps in brown, green, yellow, red & blue (appliqués) + ¼ yard of 20"-wide fusible web + Two 7"×9" rectangles of fusible woven interfacing + Lightweight cut-away stabilizer + Needles: size 75/11 embroidery, size 80/12 universal & hand sewing + Thread: 60-wt. bobbin, all-purpose & embroidery + Scissors: appliqué & small, sharp + Mini iron (optional) + Rotary cutting system + Walking, roller or dual-feed presser foot + 6' length of 20 multi-colored micro LED battery-powered string lights (See “Source.”) + Stocking & Christmas Tree appliqué designs (approx. 4.83"×6.23" & 4.37"×6.85"; see “Designs.”) PREPARE • From the fleece, cut two 7"× the fabric width rectangles for the scarf outer and lining panels, two…

MATERIALS Supplies listed are enough to make one ornament. + 5"×7" rectangle of Mylar (See “Source.”) + Fabric-like water-soluble stabilizer + Matching bobbin & embroidery thread + Needles: hand beading & size 75/11 embroidery + Beading thread + Beads: 4mm or 6mm seed & 8mm coordinating + 3"-diameter coordinating ball ornament + Clear tape + 5×7 or larger hoop + ITH ornament design (approx. 4.62"×6.10"; see “Design.”) EMBROIDER • Download the Puttin' on the Glitz design from cmemag.com/freebies. Load the designs onto the machine. • Install a size 75/11 embroidery needle into the machine. Thread the needle with embroidery thread and the bobbin with matching bobbin thread. • Hoop a piece of water-soluble stabilizer. Center the Mylar rectangle right side up over the stabilizer; secure each corner with clear tape.…

MATERIALS + Two 5" squares of felt + Mediumweight tear-away stabilizer + 4" length of 3/8"-wide ribbon + Thread: bobbin & embroidery + Appliqué scissors + Embroidery or painters tape + ITH Christmas sweater embroidery design (approx. 3.29"×3.93"; see “Design”) EMBROIDER • Download the Gingerbread Man design from cmemag.com/freebiesuntil Dec. 31, 2018. Find the design after the expiration, and the rest of the collection, at shopsewitall.com. Load the design onto the machine • Thread the machine with embroidery thread in the needle and bobbin thread in the bobbin. • Hoop a piece of tear-away stabilizer. Place the hoop onto the machine. • 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 a felt square…

PLANNING When embroidering on a self-made garment, choose a simple pattern that features basic garment shapes and minimal seams. BurdaStyle blouse #104 09/2017 fits this description perfectly because the front and back panels are virtually identical in size and shape and are basically square, making them very easy to work with and embroider on. For any embroidered garment, allow extra space beyond the pattern lines on the fabric. On the featured sample, the main front and back pieces were traced in dressmaker’s chalk, and then cut out loosely around the chalked outline. Although it’s possible to cut the pattern piece before embroidery, the slight fabric shift caused by the embroidery may distort the pieces. Mark the vertical center of each front and back garment piece, as well as the desired…

HIGHLIGHTS When using a pattern that has different views, it’s easy to follow the wrong steps. To solve this, highlight each instruction section using a different color. Phyllis G., email SEW SAFE When in a household of small children, set your sewing machine to bobbin winding when you’re away from it. This way, the needle won’t move if the little ones are curious. Nicole G., Facebook COLOR GUARD To test thread for colorfastness, place a strand on a light colored fabric scrap. Press over it a few times, and then again using steam. If no color transfers to the fabric, the thread is safe to use. Mindy R., Facebook STABILIZER SAVER Reach for a previously used dryer sheet when you’re in need of a small amount of cut-away stabilizer. Just…

MATERIALS + Fat quarter each of red & black cotton fabric + ½ yard of 7/8"-wide red grosgrain ribbon + Fusible mesh cutaway stabilizer + Mediumweight fusible interfacing + Fusible seam tape + Thread: red & gold embroidery PREPARE • Cut and label the following pieces from the red fabric. Cut one 4½ "×10½ " rectangle (label piece A), one 2½ "×10½ " rectangle (label C), one 4"×4½ " rectangle (label D) and one 4½ "×9" rectangle (label E). • Cut one 2½ "×10½ " rectangle from the black fabric and label B. • Fold one short edge of fabric D 1" to the wrong side, so it measures 3"×4½ ". • Cut a 4½" length of seam tape and place it against the fold on the wrong side of…

When whitework became popular, this hand-embroidered skill also followed the white on white trend. Traditionally, Hardanger designs are symmetrical and incorporate basic geometric shapes: a single element combines to form larger patterns. To create interest, stitching angles are sometimes changed within the sequence, allowing different light reflections. Some elements might be layered to create varying heights and focal points. Spaces between elements are pulled together or certain fabric fibers are removed, creating openings in the fabric. MODERN INTERPRETATION Hardanger has been easy to adapt to machine embroidery, and there are a large number of embroidery designs available for purchase. Embroidery machines are very capable of constructing satin stitches, changing stitch angles and even layering stitches for a padded effect. SPECIAL SUPPLIES Sharp, new topstitch needles are recommended since many Hardanger…

Linen Stocking Add a monogram and wing-needle lace embroidery to the cuff and toe for a classic stocking that’s perfect for your mantel. MATERIALS + ¾ yard of white linen + ½ yard of white cotton batiste or lawn (lining) + Stabilizer: lightweight tear-away & heavyweight water-soluble + Thread: bobbin, white all-purpose & white embroidery + Needles: size 80/12 embroidery, size 80/12 sharp & wing needle (size according to embroidery design instructions) + Removable fabric marker + Small scissors + Embroidery designs: wing-needle lace edging, wing-needle lace insertion & monogram (See “Designs.”) PREPARE • From the linen, cut two 21"×25" rectangles and one 1"×5" strip. Designate one rectangle as the front panel and the other as the back panel. • From the lining, cut two 11"×18" rectangles. • Download the…

WORKING WITH WOOL Wool fabrics are arguably the most forgiving textiles for embroidery. The relatively open structure of the yarns and weave of the wool allows for embroidery designs to flow across the surface free of distortion, puckering and other issues that are often a problem with more tightly woven fabrics. The forgiving nature also allows wool to support a layering of different embellishment techniques, making it the perfect choice for a very special design incorporating both needle-felting and embroidery. CHOOSING A JACKET PATTERN Bold embellishment looks most attractive on a surface area that’s large enough for the design to be proportionate in scale. Needle-felted motifs and heavy threads work best for large-scale designs, so a relatively large pattern piece is desirable. A jacket with a large cape-like collar, such…

The “ugly Christmas sweater” trend is here to stay, and these cute in-the-hoop ornaments illustrate why. Not so much “ugly” as they are “cute and cheeky,” they’ll add a touch of fun and whimsy to any Christmas tree. Make several and group them into a clothes-line style garland for a banister or mantel. Or use them as gift tags — embroider names on the back felt before construction, or use a permanent fabric marker. The collection includes a gingerbread man, a T-rex, a poinsettia, strings of lights, a snowman and ribbons with a bow.…

MATERIALS + ½ yard of velveteen, velour or corduroy fabric + Stabilizer: paper-backed adhesive tear-away, tear-away & water-soluble topper + Thread: all-purpose, bobbin, embroidery & metallic embroidery + Hot-fix crystals & setting tool + 40" of ¾ "-wide flat trim (See “Sources.”) + 2 yards of jumbo rickrack + 16" pillow form + 10"-diameter hand embroidery hoop + Removable fabric marker + Embroidery or painters tape + Embroidery software + Velvet pressing board + Freestanding lace antler design (approx. 4.58"×7.00"; see “Design”) Freestanding lace embroidery designs are usually positioned for optimal placement in the hoop. To embroider them on fabric, it’s often necessary to make alterations to the original design. It’s also a good idea to remove the underlying mesh stitches to prevent the stitching from being too dense, especially…

Two very basic hand embroidery stitches are ideal for mimicking machine stitches. A stem stitch is great for curvy lines, such as the tangled string of Christmas lights, but the backstitch works just as well. To form a stem stitch, work from left to right. Bring the needle up at A and insert it 1/8” to ¼ ” away at B. Don’t pull the thread taut. Bring up the needle halfway between A and B, at C. Keeping the needle above the loop just created, pull the stitch taut. Repeat by inserting the needle 1/8” to ¼” to the right and bring up at B (1). To form a backstitch, work from right to left. Bring the needle up at A and insert behind the beginning point at B. Bring…