Innehållsförteckning för Summer 2023 från Creative Machine Embroidery

basic training Shadow work embroidery is an ancient, hand-stitched fabric art dating back as early as the third century BC. Originating in India, a shadow effect is produced by hand stitching a design on the wrong side of a semitransparent fabric in a closed herringbone or satin stitch (A). Viewed from the right side, the solid fill of the design shows a color shadow outlined by the anchor stitches. MODERN INTERPRETATION Shadow work collections are available online, usually on sites specializing in heirloom sewing and embroidery. Always follow the accompanying directions to ensure success when stitching the designs. With a bit of creative thinking, some traditional embroidery designs are adaptable to imitate shadow effects. SPECIAL SUPPLIES The one item required for any shadow work is a sheer or semi-transparent fabric,…

MATERIALS + T-shirt or collared blouse + Water-soluble stabilizer + Temporary spray adhesive + Curved embroidery scissors + Thread: embroidery & matching bobbin + 5" × 7" or larger hoop + Lace keyhole embroidery design (approximately 3" × 5"; see “Design”) PREPARE • Download the Peekaboo Lace embroidery design from www.sewdaily.com/go/CMEfreebies until June 30, 2023. Find it after the expiration date at www.sewdaily.com. • Print a design template, and then load the design onto the machine. • Determine the desired placement on the T-shirt or collared blouse. Mark the center crossmarks on the garment back. • Hoop a piece of water-soluble stabilizer. Spray the garment back wrong side with temporary spray adhesive and finger press the garment onto the stabilizer, smoothing any wrinkles. tip If working on a collared shirt…

MATERIALS + Grand Lake Duffle Bag pattern (see “Source”) + Home décor & quilting cotton weight fabrics (amount according to the pattern) + Lightweight non-woven fusible & heavyweight fusible interfacing (amount according to the pattern) + Cut-away stabilizer + 36" zipper + 2 yards contrasting piping + Thread: all-purpose, bobbin & embroidery + Duck bill appliqué scissors + Travel embroidery design (see “Design”) PREPARE • Download the bag pattern from www.sewdaily.com/go/CMEfreebies. Print out the pattern, and then cut out. • From the fabric and interfacing, cut all pattern pieces. • Apply the fusible interfacing according to the pattern instructions. EMBROIDER • Load the design into the machine. Hoop the pocket piece and a piece of cut-away stabilizer on a 5" × 5" hoop. Place the hoop on the machine. •…

MATERIALS + Women’s woven top pattern with a yoke (such as the Up In Arms blouse by Sew News; see “Source”) + Light- to midweight cotton fabric (amount according to the pattern) + Wash-away stabilizer + Fruit embroidery design (see “Design”) PREPARE • Cut pattern pieces from the fabric according to the pattern instructions. Do not cut the yoke pattern piece. • Trace the yoke piece onto the fabric. • Transfer all pattern markings. EMBROIDER • Print the design template. • On a flat surface, place the design template over the yoke piece to determine design location. • Hoop a piece of stabilizer and the yoke fabric. Place the hoop on the machine. • Embroider the design, changing thread colors as desired (A). • Remove the hoop from the machine…

MATERIALS Supplies listed are enough to make two pairs of toddler swim trunks. + Two ready-made contrasting swim trunks/shorts + Wash-away stabilizer + Monogram/lettering font + Ice cream cone embroidery design (see “Design”) PREPARE • Unpick the ready-made trunks along the center front, crotch, and center back seam. Depending on the construction of the trunks, cut the elastic at the waistband and remove any cording ties (A). • Determine which sides will have embroidery and unpick the inseam of those pieces. • Hoop a piece of wash-away stabilizer and the trunks, centering the design placement within the hoop. tip Use design placement stickers or print out a design template and pin it to the desired location before hooping. EMBROIDER • Load the design onto the machine and resize the design…

GOOD GAUZE Embroidering gauze is easy with a bit of preparation and special considerations. • Prewash double gauze fabric before embroidering as the fabric will shrink. Machine wash on cold and dry cool or hang to dry. • Iron the fabric using a bit of steam to smooth it and make it easier to cut and embroider. • Use a fine needle to prevent holes from forming in the double gauze. • No matter what size needle you use, be sure it's a new one. Old needles can cause snags and runs. • Lightly stitched designs with little to no fill work best with double gauze and also allow the fabric to have better drape. • Use a heavyweight watersoluble stabilizer to produce the best results. • Double gauze easily…

SATURDAY SKIRT SET BY FRIDAY PATTERN COMPANY Sets are fabulous for summer traveling because you can get several looks with only two pieces! The top on this pattern features a lovely notched collar that is screaming for some embroidery embellishment. QUALICUM JUMPSUIT BY STRAIGHT STITCH DESIGNS A jumpsuit offers the comfort of wearing a dress, but the security of pants. The relaxed fit is great for a variety of lightweight fabrics, and the large patch pockets are the perfect place for some fun summer embroidery motifs.…

There are so many stabilizers on the market. What should I use, and for which type of project? Stabilizers are similar to needles in that you want to use one that matches the fabric weight. It seems a bit counterintuitive sometimes (don't you want heavyweight stabilizer to balance out a lightweight fabric?), but you should match your stabilizer weight to your fabric weight. Cut-away stabilizer is the most stable of stabilizers, and I generally use it as a go-to unless there's a reason not to. For example, many in-the-hoop projects will call for tear-away stabilizer because of the way the project works. Tear-away is almost as stable as cut-away, though if it's under stress it might start to tear where the needle is perforating it. However, it's easier to remove,…

STITCH ALONG WITH US Register at www.sewdaily.com now through June 30, 2023, and get the shell design and how-to free! Then stitch this fun summer bracelet along with us. THE DESIGN This summery design features a row of seashells, accented with rings that could be either pearls or bubbles. It makes a great addition to your summer wardrobe. At each end of the bracelet, you’ll find an eyelet. Attach jewelry findings to make a clasp, or just thread coordinating ribbon or cord through and tie it in place. We’ve included two designs for you in this stitch-along: one that’s a single color, and one where each of the seashells stitches individually so you can play around with color combinations. Use your favorite colors, make a rainbow, or match your best beachy…

MATERIALS + 9" × 12" craft felt (two each in green, yellow & red) + Stabilizer: mediumweight water-soluble & heavyweight tear-away (see “Source”) + Embroidery tape (see “Source”) + 8" × 8" hoop + Velcro sticky-back dots + Appliqué scissors + Tic-Tac-Toe design (see “Design”) EMBROIDER • Load the Tic-Tac-Toe board design onto the embroidery machine. • Hoop a piece of heavyweight tearaway stabilizer and a piece of green felt centered on the hoop. • Place the hoop in the machine and embroider color 1 (A). • Remove the hoop from the machine and turn to the wrong side. Place the second piece of green felt centered on the design and attach using embroidery tape (B). • Place the hoop in the machine and embroider color 2. • Remove the…

DESIGN SELECTION In-the-hoop (ITH) designs are typically used for jewelry and earrings, but if you like a design and it isn't ITH, that doesn't mean you can't use it for an accessory project! A good design for earrings is 1½-3" along with a stitched outer border that can be used to secure the backing in place. Pick your favorite fruit to frame your face! Better yet, stitch an entire fruit salad and mix-and-match earrings. MATERIALS + Two 6" squares of woven fabric + Tear-away sticky stabilizer + Size 90/14 needle + Two earring hooks + Embroidery threads, including one that matches fabric + Twenty small sew-on pearls + Awl + Small sharp scissors + Fruit design (approximately 1¾" × 2½" see “Designs”) PREPARE • Open the design on your machine…

MATERIALS + 5" × 4" piece of neoprene or scuba fabric cut into two 5" × 2" pieces + Water-soluble stabilizer (see “Source”) + Machine embroidery thread + Size 100/16 embroidery needle + Painter’s tape + Koozie design (see “Design”) PREPARE • Download the koozie design from www.sewdaily.com/go/CMEfreebies. • To personalize the koozie with a name or other text, open the blank popsicle koozie design in an embroidery editing program. • Type the text no more than 1" high Assign a thread color that is different from the thread colors already being used. • Rotate the text 90° counterclockwise and place it between the two objects in the design. The stitch order is placement stitching, text, then final stitching. Save the file. EMBROIDER • Load the design into the machine.…

MATERIALS + Basic rash guard pattern (such as the Valérie Swim Shirt by Jalie; see “Sources”) + Swim fabric & notions (amount according to pattern) + Sticky-back wash-away stabilizer (such as Fabri-Solvy; see “Sources”) + 80/12 stretch needle + Mermaid embroidery design (see “Design”) CONSTRUCT • Construct the rash guard according to the pattern instructions. PREPARE • Stretch the fabric in the direction of greatest stretch and apply sticky-back wash-away stabilizer. tips • Avoid embroidery designs with heavy stitch density when working with stretch fabric. • Fabric such as swimwear will be stretched on your body when wearing, so to embroider, it must be stretched prior to stabilizing. EMBROIDER • Load the design into the machine. Stretch the fabric and hoop the rash guard. Hold the excess fabric away from…

MATERIALS + ¼ yard each of peach & light gold synthetic organza + Fabric-like water-soluble stabilizer + Thread: all-purpose & 40-weight rayon embroidery + Needles: 70/11 embroidery & hand sewing + Soldering iron or woodburning tool + 3 pieces of approximately 7" long driftwood + Waxed cotton braiding cord + 1" diameter metal ring + Hot glue + 8 ocean-themed openwork embroidery designs (sizes vary; see “Designs”) EMBROIDER • Load eight designs onto the machine. • Determine which organza color to use for each design. • Hoop one layer of water-soluble stabilizer between two pieces of gold organza. • Select the first design intended for gold organza and position it near the hoop edge. If possible, add as many designs as will fit into the hoop, leaving a ¼" space…

How did you get started in machine embroidery? I have been sewing since I was 18 years old, when I lived above a head seam-stress for the Las Vegas showgirls. She was my sewing inspiration. The first thing she had me make was a plaid blazer, so I had to match plaids in my first project! She also introduced me to the art of fine French hand sewing and embroidery, which led to heirloom sewing. While stationed at Tyndall Air Force Base with my husband, I did custom sewing, tailoring, and alterations for others. My first experience with machine embroidery was on an old Husqvarna Viking #1 machine that I had borrowed from a friend to create name tags for military uniforms. I worked on gaining more experience and creativity…

EMBROIDERY DESIGNS When choosing a design to embroider, look for designs that follow the neckline or stylelines of the garment. Remember, you can always change the colors! FABRIC COLOR PALETTE The colorful embroidered flowers at the neckline and on the side of the shorts can elevate a simple white outfit to the next level. Neckline designs or even corner designs could be used. Be sure to use all the colors of a summer garden for dramatic effect. PATTERNS Look for button-up shirt patterns with interesting design features and tailored shorts. This would also be a great Way to freshen up a white shirt or shorts from your own closet. FINAL TOUCHES This look is all about the crisp white fabric and the pops of brightly colored flowers. Dress it up…

MATERIALS Supplies listed are enough for one pillow. + ⅔ yard of 44" wide fabric + 18" square pillow form + 40-wt or 50-wt polyester thread + Embroidery or free-motion foot + Screen printing ink in yellow, orange & light green + Cutting machine (such as Cricut Maker) + Freezer paper + Paintbrush + Citrus stencils (see “Source”) CUT • From the fabric, cut one piece measuring 1" wider on both sides than the pillow form. For the sample pillow, that is 19" square. • The back is an envelope-style finish. To determine the two back rectangle pieces, take half the width of the front piece and add 5". The height will stay the same as the front. For the sample pillow, that is a 19" × 14½" rectangle (A).…

MATERIALS + Woven summer dress (such as the Wrapped Camisole Sundress by fabrics-store.com; see “Sources”) + Fabric & notions (according to pattern instructions) + Mediumweight cut-away stabilizer (see “Sources”) + Lightweight embroidery backing (see “Sources”) + Embroidery thread + Appliqué scissors + Dandelion embroidery design (see “Sources”) CONSTRUCT • Construct the dress according to the pattern instructions. EMBROIDER • Load the design into the embroidery machine. • Position the dress right side up on a flat work surface. Determine the placement of the design. • Hoop a piece of cut-away stabilizer and the dress on an 8" × 9" hoop. • Place the hoop on the machine. • Select the machine speed, automatic/manual function, and hoop size on the machine. If desired, use the design trace feature to ensure the…

See how to wear this wrap on page 57. Dry In Style Terry Wrap Stitch a chic beach coverup that also keeps you dry. MATERIALS + 1½-2 yards of terry cloth (or a large towel) + 4-5 yards of 2" wide pre-pressed bias tape + Stabilizer: Tear-away sticky stabilizer and water-soluble topper (see “Sources”) + Thread: all-purpose, bobbin & embroidery + Bird of Paradise design (approximately 9¾" × 6¼"; see “Designs”) tip Utilize the selvage or finished edge of the towel as the hem and it's already finished. PREPARE • Measure your hip circumference at the largest part; record. Multiply the recorded measurement by ½, and then add to the original measurement; record. This is the width of your piece. • Cut a rectangle from fabric the width determined above…

You may have dabbled in a little dress sewing in the spring, but summer is when you can really let the fabrics flow and stitch up a closet full of dresses! We love dresses for summer because they are a complete outfit in one garment. And dress patterns come together so quickly and easily, so you can spend more time in the sun. Here we have rounded up our favorite new-release dress sewing patterns for summer 2023 and options for adding embroidery to highlight key features. dress embroidery tip Think about flow—if you are adding embroidery to a flowy dress silhouette and fabric, make sure you select a design that isn't dense or uses up a lot of thread. CHAMBRAY DRESS 102 BY BURDA STYLE Denim and denim-look fabrics are…

julia griffey ("Kool Freezie Keeper"—page 41) likes to make fun and modern projects using her sewing and embroidery machines. She holds an MA in apparel design and an MFA in design and teaches at Webster University in St. Louis. When she's not teaching or in her sewing room, she's striving to be solid B+ parent. machineembroiderygeek.com milinda jay stephenson ("Fabric Foray: Peekaboo Lace"—page 19 and "Poolside Playtime: Tic-Tac-Toe Board"—page 22) is a National Educator for Baby Lock and enjoys writing about and teaching sewing, serging, and machine embroidery. She believes that we sew because our souls yearn to create. Her novels feature women who create beautiful things. milindajay.com kymona tracey ("Ticket to the Sun Weekender Bag"—page 30, "Dandelion Dreams"—page 36, and "Very Berry Bag"—page 44) is a single mother of…