Innholdsfortegnelse for November - December 2017 i Creative Machine Embroidery

Dear Readers, What’s my favorite go-to quick gift? A personalized blank. Think tea towels, tote bags, oven mitts, aprons—the list goes on and on. A monogram makes a great addition, especially for a bag or luggage tag, as do designs that represent things the recipient loves: tulips, dogs and cats, kitchen tools, fun sayings and sports motifs. Readymade items to embroider are all over the place: in your own home, a thrift store or, better yet, from an online store specializing in embroidery blanks. These items are relatively affordable and most places even provide a bulk discount. If you have six teachers, eight coworkers, four neighbors and six friends to make gifts for, consider purchasing a pack of 24 of the same blank, such as a cosmetic bag, and choosing…

Traditional embroidered monograms often have uniquely shaped letters to create a diamond shape. Create monograms using the machine screen or embroidery software with monogramming features. • To create a traditional monogram, place the largest letter (usually the initial letter of the surname) in the center, align the vertical center of each letter and frame the monogram (1). • Align monogram letters along the lower edges. Add a dash or rotated apostrophe between the letters for added flair (2). • To create a single-person monogram, place the last name initial in the center, the first name initial on the left and the middle-name initial on the right. • To create a monogram for a married couple, place the common last name initial in the center, the bride’s first name initial on…

MATERIALS + ¾ yard of low-volume or solid cotton fabric (See “Sources.”) + Mediumweight cut-away stabilizer + Fusible interfacing + Three 3/8" buttons + Thread: all-purpose & embroidery + Removable fabric marker + Cross-stitch embroidery designs (sizes vary; see “Designs”) PREPARE • Download the Small Snowflake 2 embroidery design from cmemag.com/freebies until Dec. 31, 2017. Load the design onto the machine. • Download the Adorable Baby Girl Dress pattern from cmemag.com/freebies until Dec. 31, 2017. Tile and cut out the pattern. On the bodice front pattern, mark the seam allowances: ½" on the side seams and lower edge and ¼" on the neckline and armholes. Measure the remaining space to determine the maximum embroidery design size, leaving 1/8" to ¼" margins from the seams. • Mark ½" seam allowances on…

The featured embroidery designs were designed for threads in subtle gradations of reds and blues but a similar effect is achieved by using a variegated thread that contains similar shades in the same color family for the entire design. Or choose a redwork design and periodically stop the machine to change colors, going against the intended instructions. Try using similar shades of purple or orange, and experiment to see what happens to the design when the color shifts from light to dark or dark to light. Experiment with colors from opposite ends of the color spectrum and meet in the middle in white or black. Use a color wheel to ensure the colors complement each other, or work from the fabric print to choose the best shades to showcase on…

EMBROIDERING VELVET Velvet is a unique fabric consisting of two fabrics that are woven in a double layer, with the connecting threads between them cut apart to create the pile. Working with the velvet nap presents some challenges for machine embroidery. Design selection, stabilizer, thread and needles all play an important role in creating a successful stitchout. DESIGNS Choose embroidery designs that have strong details, as fine lines will disappear in the pile. Consider using specialty designs that features heavy layers of satin stitching, thread velvet, yarn embroidery or applique. These bold elements ensure the embroidery details are prominent and visible above the velvet pile. STABILIZER To avoid hoop burn, don’t hoop velvet fabric. Magnetic hoops, which use magnets to hold fabric in place rather than tensioned inner and outer…

MATERIALS Materials listed are enough to make three 22"×26" tea towels. + 3 readymade tea towels (See “Sources.”) + ¾ yard of holiday-print fabric (See “Sources.”) + Thread: matching all-purpose & coordinating embroidery + Stabilizer: mediumweight water-soluble tear-away or paper-release water-soluble adhesive (optional; for hoopless embroidery) + Needles: universal & 75/11 embroidery + Removable fabric marker or design placement sticker + 3 redwork or line-art embroidery designs (approx. 5"×6"; see “Designs”) EMBROIDER • Print a template of each design. Audition each template on a separate towel, centering the design lower edge at least 4" above the towel lower-right corner (A). When satisfied with the design placement, mark the design center cross marks on each towel, using a removable fabric marker or placement sticker. • Hoop one towel with medium-weight tear-away…

MATERIALS Materials listed are enough to make one 4¾"×12" door hanger. + 5" square each of three coordinating print cotton fabrics (main) + Three 5" squares each of solid cotton fabric (backing), contrasting cotton fabric (accent), paper-backed double-sided lightweight fusible web & fusible batting + Cut-away stabilizer + 50" length of 5/8"-wide ribbon + Thread: rayon embroidery & matching bobbin + Scissors: 5"-long (optional) & appliqué + Embroidery tape PREPARE • Cut the ribbon into one 10" length and two 20" lengths. • Adhere each batting square to one main-square wrong side following the manufacturer’s instructions. Repeat to adhere each fusible-web square to one accent square. Designate each main square as the upper, middle or lower square. EMBROIDER • Download the Present Perfect designs from cmemag.com/freebies. Load the upper gift…

QUICK & CUSTOM GREETING Create a personalized greeting in no (or bow!) time! + Scraps of quilting cotton in 2 coordinating colors + Stabilizer: cut-away & heavyweight fusible + Coordinating embroidery thread + Glue stick or spray adhesive + Bow-themed alphabet collection • Hoop a scrap of fabric and cutaway stabilizer. • Load the alphabet onto the embroidery machine or software. • Create your special message with upper- and lowercase letters. If making multiples, plan to stitch several words in a single hooping. • Stitch the greeting, changing colors to suit your fabrics. • Unhoop the fabric and stabilizer. • Leave the stabilizer in place for added structure or cut it off, working around each letter. • Fuse heavyweight fusible stabilizer to the fabric wrong side and trim the word…

lisa archer (“In the Hoop: Mini Stockings”—page 19) 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. Home Base: Holly Springs, NC Visit: picklepiedesigns.com pamela cox (“Unique Technique: Smocking In-the-Hoop—page 28) received a fashion design degree from The Boston School of Design with an emphasis on patternmaking. Purchasing her first embroidery machine added a new dimension to her education. Home Base: Dublin, NH julia griffey (“Travel Tags”—page 60, “Peek-a-Bloom Dress”—page 72) is a machine embroidery enthusiast who shares her projects and designs on her blog, Machine Embroidery Geek. She has an MFA in new media design and an MA in apparel design. Visit: machineembroiderygeek.com sue o’very (“Wreath Wrap”— page 64, “Present Perfect”—page 68) is…

CHOOSING DESIGNS When choosing motifs for creating quilt block designs, keep in mind that asymmetry and irregular outlines in the individual designs lead to more interesting combinations and greater variety when arranging motifs. Because each quilt block will incorporate several individual motifs, look for those with few colors to minimize the number of thread changes per block. A limited color palette also unifies the different blocks included in the quilt. When selecting three motifs, look for a unifying design style. Simple satin-stitch florals are ideal; they provide a winning combination of asymmetry, simplicity and visual appeal. Their colors are easily altered to coordinate with sashing and border fabrics. Choose a corner motif with an angular design (A). This motif will probably be more symmetrical than the others, although close examination…

MATERIALS Materials listed are enough to make one 4½ "×5½" mitten and one 6"×5½ " tree. + ¼ yard each of wool felt in red & green + Scrap fabric for appliqué + Cut-away stabilizer + Embroidery thread + Temporary spray adhesive + 14" length of 1/8" wide ribbon + 6" strip of 1" wide faux fur trim + One 5/32" eyelet + Fabric glue + CME Christmas Cheer Gift (approximately 3.94"×5.11") & Tree (approximately 3.34"×6.27"; see “Designs.”) PREPARE • Download the Giving Tree Tree and Mitten patterns from cmemag.com/freebies until Dec. 31, 2017. Find the patterns at shopsewitall.com after the expiration. Print the patterns and cut them out. • To create the appliqué designs, load both the die line (DL) and embroidery design into embroidery software or directly…

COURTESY OF HANDWOVEN, BY CHRISTINA GARTON: INTERWEAVE.COM Tea towels originated in 18th-century England. They were absorbent towels made from soft, lint-free linen. The lady of the household would use them to dry fine china and delicate tea sets, jobs that were considered too important to trust to potentially clumsy servants. The towels would also be used during tea. They would often be wrapped around the teapot to insulate it and prevent inelegant drips. One might also use a tea towel to cover a plate of baked goodies before serving. These tea towels were designed to match the rest of the table linens and were often used as a vehicle for women to show off their embroidery skills. Later, like many other household linens, tea towels were mass-produced by factories in…

His Luggage Tag Use faux suede to create a durable one-piece tag. MATERIALS Materials listed are enough to make one 3"×93/8" luggage tag. + Two 5"×11" rectangles of faux suede + 2½"×4" rectangle of clear vinyl + Water-soluble stabilizer + Thread: matching bobbin & rayon embroidery + Embroidery tape + ITH luggage tag embroidery design (approximately 2.74"×9.17"; see “Designs”) EMBROIDER • Download the Travel Tags design from cmemag.com/freebies. Load the design onto the machine. • Thread the machine with embroidery thread in the needle and matching bobbin thread in the bobbin. • Hoop a piece of water-soluble stabilizer and one faux-suede rectangle with the right side facing up. Tape the suede edges to the stabilizer. Place the hoop onto the machine. • Embroider the design outline and placement rectangle. •…

• Sometimes lettering alone creates an adorable project. A clever saying in a cute font is perfect for garments, such as on a t-shirt or infant onesie. • Always use a topper when embroidering lettering on lofty fabric, such as terrycloth or velvet, to prevent the stitches from sinking into the fabric nap. • Most monogram designs have a low stitch count, so use light- to mediumweight stabilizer. Use heavyweight stabilizer when combining a high stitch count design with a monogram. • Use tear-away stabilizer when embroidering letters or monograms on woven fabrics that don’t contain stretch. Gently tear away the stabilizer so as not to distort the design. • Use cut-away stabilizer when embroidering letters or monograms on knit fabrics, as cut-away varieties won’t stretch with the fabric during…

MATERIALS Materials listed are enough to make one 3¼"×3¾" gift card holder. + Two 4"×5" rectangles of fabric + Fat quarter or large scraps of Christmas-themed cotton fabric + 3"×4" rectangle of coordinating cotton fabric + Tear-away stabilizer + 5" square of fusible interfacing + 4" length of 5/8" ribbon + 75/11 embroidery needle + Embroidery tape + Fusible seam tape + Chopstick or other turning tool PREPARE • Download the ITH Mini Stockings from cmemag.com/freebies for free until Dec. 31, 2017. Find the design after the expiration at shopsewitall.com. Load the design onto the machine. • From the main fabric, cut two 5" squares and one 5"×10" rectangle. • Fold the 5"×10" piece of fabric in half widthwise to create a 5" square; press. • Fuse the interfacing to…

MATERIALS + 1 yard of 100% wool fabric (See “Sources.”) + 1 yard each of cotton lining fabric & heavyweight fusible stiff interfacing (such as Pellon Décor Bond) + Mediumweight fusible stabilizer (See “Sources.”) + Thread: matching all-purpose & rayon embroidery + 1 pair of coordinating 19"-long leather purse handles + Removable fabric marker + Embroidery tape (optional; or use masking or clear tape) + Line-art embroidery design (approximately 5"×7"; see “Designs”) EMBROIDER • On the straight grain, cut one 15"×36" rectangle from the wool. • Print a template of the embroidery design. If desired, resize the design 20% up or down depending on the available hoop and/or desired finished look. • Fold the wool in half widthwise with right sides together; finger-press to create a light foldline, then unfold.…

In appliqué style embroidery, fabric is used to fill in parts of the design elements. Typically when downloading embroidery files, you will see two parts: the design itself and a die line, usually marked with a DL next to its name. The purpose of a die line is to assist in cutting the fabric to the appropriate size and shape so that it will fit within the parameters of the chosen design. Once the fabric has been placed, the final embroidery design is stitched out, permanently stitching the material to your project. But what if the embroidery file doesn’t have a die line? Make a template. • Print out two copies of the design template. Set one of the templates aside for placement purposes. • From the remaining paper template,…

As long as you’re working with velvet, go big and go bold. We love the drama of the open jacket featured here, but try the technique on a variety of other garments for maximum impact: • A full-length kimono-style robe with simple shaping, such as Helen’s Closet Suki Kimono (above left) • A shorter wrap with options for embellished edges • A dramatic, yet wearable bell-sleeve jacket • A feminine fitted dress perfect for customizing • Wide-leg culottes such as Named Clothing Ninni Culottes (above right)…

Get 20% off this pattern! Purchase the Pleated Skirt pattern from BurdaStyle.com and enter code SNOWSKIRT20 at checkout. MATERIALS + Two-color pleated skirt pattern (such as BurdaStyle #121 09/2016) + 1½ yard each of gray and light blue bottomweight fabric (See “Sources.”) + 9" coordinating invisible zipper + Self-adhesive paper-backed tear-away stabilizer + Thread: white bobbin, coordinating all-purpose & white metallic embroidery (See “Sources.”) + Needles: metallic & universal + Removable fabric marker + Ruler + Snowflake embroidery designs (approximately 2½" square; see “Designs.”) PREPARE • If using a digital pattern, print and tile the pattern. • If using the featured BurdaStyle pattern, label piece 21 as the front yoke, piece 22 as the back yoke, piece 23 as the outer pleat and piece 24 as the inner pleat. Add…

MATERIALS + ½ yard each of print & solid cotton fabric + Fusible tear-away stabilizer + 14" square pillow form + Thread: all-purpose, bobbin & embroidery + Spray starch + Removable fabric marker (optional) + Christmas wreath embroidery design (approximately 5" square; see “Design”) CUT • From the print fabric, cut one 15"×42" rectangle. • From the solid fabric, cut one 15"×29" rectangle. • Cut one 15"×20" rectangle of fusible tear-away stabilizer. EMBROIDER • Download the Wreath Wrap embroidery designs from cmemag.com/freebies until Dec. 31, 2017. Choose the design featuring the desired letter. Load the wreath design onto the embroidery machine. • Spray starch on the solid fabric rectangle. Let sit for one minute, and then press. • Center the stabilizer over the fabric rectangle wrong side; fuse according to…

MATERIALS + Ready-made mediumweight knit dress with straight skirt + ¼ yard of contrasting rayon fabric + Water-soluble stabilizer + Temporary spray adhesive + Appliqué scissors + Reverse appliqué flower embroidery designs (4"-, 5"- & 6"-diameter; see “Designs”) PREPARE • Prewash and dry the dress and rayon fabric to preshrink. • Download the Peek-a-Bloom reverse appliqué flower embroidery designs and templates from cmemag.com/freebies free until Dec. 31, 2017. • Print multiple design templates in the desired finished sizes; cut out. The featured dress showcases a combination of 4"-, 5"- and 6"-diameter flowers. • From the rayon fabric, cut a square 1" larger than each chosen design diameter. • Audition the templates over the dress as desired; pin each template in place once satisfied with the layout. The featured dress has…

MATERIALS + Readymade tank or T-shirt + ½ yard of flannel + Thread: rayon embroidery & all-purpose + Cutaway stabilizer + Temporary spray adhesive + Removable fabric marker + ½"-wide elastic + Bodkin or safety pin + Embroidery design (approx. 1.63"×5.10"; see “Design”) PREPARE • Download the Pee Wee PJs pattern from cmemag.com/freebies until Dec. 31, 2017. Find the pattern at shopsewitall.com after the expiration. Print and tape together the pattern pieces. • The included pattern fits children up to 12 months. If you’re planning pajama bottoms for an older child, compare a pair of existing pants to the pattern piece and adjust as needed. • Cut out the pattern piece. • From the flannel, cut two pairs from the pattern piece. • Cut the elastic to size. For 6…