Innehållsförteckning för Summer 2021 från Creative Machine Embroidery

Dear Readers, With this issue, we’re celebrating 20 years of machine embroidery magic! With the release of the first stand-alone issue of Creative Machine Embroidery back in 2001, we couldn’t have guessed what was in store for us and this community: the awe-inspiring technology advances, the highly specialized products that would be imagined and created, the artistry and talent that would be fostered, the many independent businesses that would flourish. What a span of years to witness, especially through the lens of machine embroidery. And now, to celebrate! In this issue, we’ve gathered a few of our favorite things for you: • our favorite reader tips from 20 years of incredible advice shared (page 6) • must-know techniques for stabilizer, placement, tools and more to make your machine embroidery successful…

SYSTEM The needle system is denoted on the package by a series of numbers/ letters (A). There are many needle systems for commercial machines, but most home machines use the 130/705H system. Check your machine manual for the needle system that your machine uses. The needle system number is listed on all needle packages, regardless of the needle type or use. The needle system number may be followed by a dash and another letter. That letter refers to the needle type, such as 130/705H-J for Jeans or 130/705H-E for Embroidery. SIZE The needle shaft size is denoted by a set of two numbers, such as 80/12, on the package. The first number is the European metric number, and the second number is its American equivalent. The larger the number, the…

MATERIALS Supplies listed are enough to make one 12” round pillow. + ½ to ¾ yard of linen fabric + Scrap fabric (for applique) + 1½ yards of seashell trim + Cutaway stabilizer + Thread: embroidery & coordinating all-purpose + Spray adhesive + Polyester fiber filling + Hand sewing needle + Applique scissors + Fusible interfacing (optional) + Nautical embroidery designs (approx. 4"x7" & 5"x6"; see “Designs.”) PREPARE • From the linen, cut two 12½" circles and one 3"x37½ " strip. • From the interfacing (if using), cut two 12½ " circles. EMBROIDER • Download the seahorse embroidery free from sewdaily.com/go/CMEfreebies until July 31, 2021. Find the design at sewdaily.com after the expiration date. The seahorse design was not created as an applique design, so we’ll be making a “mock…

MATERIALS + ½ yard printed cotton fabric + ½ yard solid cotton fabric + ½ yard batting + 2 yards of rubber elastic + 8” of cord elastic (1/8” wide) + 2 buttons (¾ ” in diameter) + Teflon sewing machine foot + Thread: all-purpose and embroidery + Tear-away stabilizer + Point turner + Heart design (approx. 4" diameter; see “Design”) PREPARE • From the printed cotton, cut two 9”x10½” rectangles for the inside of the thread basket and one 18”x20” rectangle for the upper base piece. • From the solid cotton, cut two 9”x10½” rectangles for the outside of the thread basket and one 18”x20” rectangle for the under base piece. • From the batting, cut one 18”x20” rectangle for the middle of the base. EMBROIDER • Download the…

MATERIALS + Blouse pattern (such as the Olivia Blouse; see “Sources”) + 11/4 yards of 44"-wide off-white linen + 3/4 yards of 44"-wide brown linen + Stabilizer: mesh & tear-away + Thread: 30-wt. cotton embroidery & all-purpose + Needles: 70/10 sharp, 80/12 twin & 90/14 topstitching + 21/2"x6" rectangle of lightweight fusible interfacing + 13/4 yards of piping (1/ 8"wide) + 1 button (3/ 8"in diameter) + Hand sewing needle + Embroidery floss + Embroidery software with editing capabilities + 6 floral embroidery designs (approx. 4" square; see “Designs”) PREPARE • Prewash and dry the linen, following the manufacturer’s care instructions. • From the off-white linen, cut one back panel and one 3"x6 ½" rectangle for the facing. Designate one facing short edge as the lower edge. Round the lower-edge…

pamela cox (“Delicate Details”—page 55) received a fashion design degree from The Boston School of Design with an emphasis on patternmaking. Purchasing her first embroidery machine in ’07 added a new dimension to her education. michele mishler (“Sew & Show”—page 44) is a freelance consultant and educator who specializes in creating projects for the home embroidery enthusiast. Her projects have been featured in numerous magazines, and her embroidery designs are available exclusively through Oregon Patchworks at MM Embroidery Designs. She teaches machine embroidery and software in the Pacific Northwest. stacy schlyer (“Rosy Yoke Blouse”—page 36 and “Coral Cushion”—page 40) is a self-taught seamstress and self-proclaimed fabric junkie whose goal is to reach SABLE (Stash Accumulation Beyond Life Expectancy). She lives in Kansas with her family and blogs about her sewing…

Consider the following guidelines when deciding how often to change a needle: • In general, change the needle for every four to six hours of embroidery time. Change needles more often if embroidering heavyweight fabrics. • Change the needle any time the threads in the design appear less than desirable. • Change the needle before embroidering on lightweight or sheer fabric. A burred needle could damage the delicate fabric. • If you experience thread breakage or fraying, first try rethreading the needle. If the thread breaks again, change the needle. • If thread loops appear on the fabric right side, change the needle. • Change the needle immediately if you hear any unusual or popping sounds.…

MATERIALS + 1 yard of striped cotton fabric + 1½ yards of coordinating cotton fabric + ½ yard of coordinating cotton fabric + ¼ yard of red felt + 4"x7" rectangle of white felt + Brown cotton fabric scrap + 22"x22½ " rectangle of lightweight batting + 10" length of ½ "-wide hook-and-loop tape + Stabilizer: cut-away & fusible cut-away + Thread: embroidery & matching all-purpose + Hand sewing needle + Rotary cutting system + 13½" circle of wax paper + Embroidery designs: appliqué cupcake (approximately 6" square), cross-stitch birthday candle (approximately ¾ "x4¼ ") & appliqué alphabet (2¼ " high) PREPARE • From the striped cotton fabric, cut one 19½"x20" rectangle for the front and four 4"x6" rectangles for the hanging tabs. • From the large coordinating fabric, cut…

Zadie Jumpsuit by Paper Theory Patterns Probably the most popular indie jumpsuit pattern as of late, and we can see why. This sewist favorite has a fitting crossover style that wraps up to suit the wearer’s waist in a fashionable and comfortable way. Fitted with pleats and pockets, this jumpsuit truly has everything, including the ability to stitch with short or long sleeves. Embroidery can work so well on this pattern including along the belt, sleeves and even a large-scale back design! Crossover Contrast Jumpsuit by Sew News Elastic waist lovers rejoice! The Crossover Contrast jumpsuit is a sleeveless design that plays with print mixing and just screams for an embroidery border along the contrasting cuff. The overlapped bodice pieces that create a sweetheart neckline could also be enhanced by…

This year, we celebrate 20 years of Creative Machine Embroidery magazine – that’s 20 years of machine embroidery inspiration, projects, tips and techniques. We’ve covered industry trends, advancing technologies, the increasing availability of specialty threads and stabilizers, incredible improvements in embroidery machines (from cartridges to Wifi!) and unique embroidery designs that we couldn’t have dreamed up 20 years ago. It’s been challenging and amazing to be part of an industry that’s changed so much in such a short period of time. Here’s a brief retrospective of some of our favorite covers through the years. 2001 Our premiere issue! Even though so much has changed in the industry, this issue features some of our favorite perennial topics: choosing stabilizer, monogramming, embroidering fleece. 2003 2005 2007 This gingham bunny basket is still…

WORKING WITH CRINKLE COTTON GAUZE One thing you will notice about crinkle cotton gauze is that this fabric tends to be very sheer. When adding embroidery to this material, it is likely you will be able to see any residual stabilizer underneath. Using a tear-away stabilizer can fix this but tends not to be heavy enough to support denser embroidery designs. Consequently, it’s a good idea to double up on the stabilizer when working with crinkle cotton gauze. It’s also important to only hoop the stabilizers and use a spray adhesive to float the fabric on top. This makes sure that the fabric retains its texture and does not become overstretched. Because crinkle gauze is so thin, you’ll want to keep from making unnecessary holes in the fabric. It’s a…

MATERIALS + 2 fat quarters each of two solid cotton fabrics (A & B) + 4 fat quarters of printed cotton fabric (C) + 1/2 yard each of two cotton fabrics (D & E) + Cut-away stabilizer + 1/2 yard of lightweight fusible interfacing + Fusible web strips + Thread: bobbin & embroidery + Removable fabric marker + Built-in letter embroidery designs PREPARE • From fabric A, cut four squares large enough to fit within the hoop. • From fabric B, cut one 9"x36" rectangle. • From fabric C, cut eight 10"x18" rectangles. • From each D and E fabric, cut one rectangle that measures 18"x the fabric width. EMBROIDER • Hoop one fabric A square with a piece of cut-away stabilizer. Using built-in letters on the machine, combine letters…

Joy’s business originally began as a hobby. After working five years as a chemical engineer, Joy resigned shortly after her first son was born to have more time at home taking care of her family. Something was missing though, and Joy needed both a creative outlet and a technical challenge. She decided to teach herself how to sew and embroider. She fell in love! However, she couldn’t always find designs that matched her style preference, especially for boys. Joy purchased the necessary software and learned how to create her own embroidery designs. She decided to sell some of the designs, and the business took off. Joy Kate Designs was officially launched in January 2018. How do you stay creative? I keep a list of design ideas at all times. As…

BLOUSE PATTERN Opt for a classic boxy button-up blouse pattern with collar, short sleeves and relaxed fit. Tip: Already have a basic white blouse? Perhaps it has a hole or stain on it? Use it and cover it with embroidery! FABRIC COLOR PALETTE Think crisp cottons like poplin or other shirting fabrics, then contrasting satins in your favorite colors to use as accents as well as on the skirt – have fun with color blocking! FINAL TOUCHES The blouse really comes to life with the contrasting embroidery in abstract shapes. You can go the damask look, or even get creative with drawing and designing your own shapes by either using free-motion stitching or embroidery design software.…