Innholdsfortegnelse for Winter 2019 i Creative Machine Embroidery

Dear Readers, Here we are again! The year is ending, and we’re embracing our holiday issue and all the fun projects that come with it. I’m personally super busy at this time of year — I have a bunch of family birthdays to celebrate in addition to getting ready for the holidays. That’s one of the reasons I love machine embroidery. It lets me elevate otherwise simple projects into something special with just a little extra effort. We have several projects that fit into that category in this issue. I love the idea of adding embroidery to a purchased knit hat (see page 58) to make a quick and personalized gift. I’m also a huge fan of the cute wall hanging and pillow sham set on page 24. The red…

NEEDLE ANATOMY A wing needle has two small flanges on each needle blade side, resembling wings. During embroidery, the needle pushes away fabric to create a hole. Some stitches use a back-and-forth motion to hold open the hole, adding dimension and texture. Wing needles are available in sizes 100/16 or 120/19. A larger needle size creates a larger hole. Use a smaller needle when embroidering delicate fabrics, such as batiste, and a larger needle for heavyweight fabrics, such as linen or denim. FABRIC Use natural fibers, such as cotton, linen or silk. Synthetic fibers, such as rayon, can be used. Don’t use polyester, as it won’t produce permanent holes due to the fabric elasticity. Fabric blends work only if the majority of the blend is a natural fiber. STABILIZER Always…

Cork is such a craze in sewing these days, and it makes a fabulous base for embroidery. You don’t need any special equipment, but should use a size 80/12 Microtex needle. You’ll love how beautiful your stitches will look on cork, and you’ll be surprised how easy it is to work with. MATERIALS + Two 3½ "×4½ " rectangles of cork or vinyl fabric + 4×4 or larger hoop + Tear-away stabilizer + 80/12 Microtex needle + Embroidery tape + Embroidery thread EMBROIDER • Download the ITH Cork Gift Card Holder embroidery design from cmemag.com/freebies until Dec. 31, 2019. Find the design after the expiration at interweave.com/sewing. • Load the design onto the machine. • Hoop a piece of stabilizer. • Embroider step one to create a placement line on…

SUPPLIES + ½ yard each of quilted velvet fabric, automotive headliner fabric & lining (See “Sources.”) + Stabilizer: tear-away & water-soluble + Mylar + Spray adhesive + Thread: all-purpose, bobbin & embroidery + 42" length of purse chain with clasp + Two 1"-diameter grommets & attachment tool + 23 double-capped or standard rivets & attachment tool + Two sets of ¾ "-diameter magnetic snaps + Hand sewing needle + Tailor’s chalk + Zipper foot + Mylar peacock feather design (See “Design.”) CUT • Download and print the Peacock Posh pattern from cmemag.com/freebies. • From the velvet fabric, cut one front panel, one back panel, two sides and one 9"×12" rectangle. • From each of the headliner and lining fabric, cut one front panel, one back panel, two sides and one…

MATERIALS + Fabric-like water-soluble stabilizer + Cork fabric or felt scraps in white, red, brown and green + Textile glue or epoxy + Embroidery thread + Yarn or baker’s twine + Rhinestone crystals (optional) + White nail polish + Freestanding lace charm embroidery design (approx. 0.69"×1.43"; see “Design”) PREPARE Instructions listed are for six lace charms. Make as many or as few as desired. • Using the templates at cmemag.com/freebies, cut the following shapes from the cork fabric or felt scraps. From red scraps, cut one candy cane, one gift bow and one Santa hat. From green, cut one gift and one wreath. From white, cut one scarf and one hat trim. From brown, cut one antler set. • Load the design onto the machine. • Paint stripes on the…

Bobbinwork allows you to use thick or unspun threads that will not go through the eye of the sewing machine needle. Use bobbinwork to embellish crazy quilts or create your own textured fabrics for piecing. Using bobbinwork with your embroidery machine can add a new design element to your embroidery and quilting. Often you will see this technique used with built-in decorative stitches such as feather and ladder stitches. Follow these steps to set up your machine for bobbinwork embroidery: • Have second bobbin case on hand so that you can loosen the tension to accommodate the thick threads. As always, make a test sample before starting your project. This will allow you to make any necessary adjustments to the bobbin tension to achieve the desired look. • Select a…

Wall Hanging MATERIALS + ½ yard each of woven cotton fabric & bias plaid flannel + Cut-away stabilizer + 2 yards of 3/8"-wide red ribbon + 20" length of 3/8"-diameter dowel + Thread: all-purpose, bobbin & embroidery + Zipper foot + Painter’s or clear tape + Electric drill with 1/8"-diameter drill bit + Fabric glue + Serger (optional) + Rotary cutting system (optional) + Holiday-themed embroidery design (approx. 6.89"×9.41"; see “Design.”) PREPARE • From the cotton fabric, cut two 18"x22" rectangles. • From the flannel, cut four strips 4"× the fabric width. Cut two strips into two 15" lengths, two 12" lengths and one 20" length. • Stitch the remaining two long flannel strips along one short end with right sides together to create one long strip; press open. Designate…

SEWING WITH VELVET Velvets come in a wide variety of weights and fabric contents. Heavier-weight velvets look best in structured garments, such as jackets or tailored dresses. For a project such as the featured sample, which has flutter sleeves and a gathered waist, it’s best to choose a velvet that has a good drape, such as a silk, rayon or polyester blend. Velvets have a nap. When you run your hand across the material, you will be able to feel if you are going against the grain (the pile feels rough and looks darker) or if you are going with the grain (the pile feels smooth and looks lighter). Select which way you prefer and cut all pattern pieces in that same direction. If necessary, mark the back of the…

MATERIALS Supplies listed are enough to create one stocking. + ½ yard each of plaid fabric (main) & polar fleece (lining) + ¼ yard of white woven cotton fabric (cuff) + 2½ "×8½ " rectangle of matching or contrasting plaid fabric (cuff accent) + 4" square of contrasting plaid fabric (scarf appliqué) + Scrap of white polar fleece + Thread: all-purpose, bobbin & embroidery + Stabilizer: fusible cut-away & tear-away + In-the-hoop cuff & snowman appliqué (See “Designs.”) PREPARE • Download the Cozy Snowman Stocking in-the-hoop cuff design, snowman appliqué design and stocking pattern from cmemag.com/freebies until Dec. 31, 2019. Print the pattern; cut out. • Cut two stockings from the main fabric using the corresponding pattern. Designate one as the front and the other as the back. • Repeat…

Don’t these animals look adorably snuggly in their hats, scarves, socks, muffs and sweaters? Decorate your tree with the coziest collection of barnyard residents you’ve ever seen. Made entirely in the hoop, these ornaments feature cheerful print appliqué and, in some cases, faux fur as well. Both cute and touchable, these ornaments will be family favorites for years to come. The collection includes five designs: Donkey, Duck, Goose, Llama and Sheep.…

DRESS PATTERNS Opt for a dress pattern with a slim silhouette, long sleeves and a higher neckline to add those frills to! FABRIC COLOR PALETTE Find both sheer and opaque red fabric for layering and appliquéing. If you want to add a little color, opt for a printed rouge fabric! FINAL TOUCHES Using the solid or printed opaque fabric, appliqué flowers on the outer netting fabric to the desired density. Leave the petal edges loose for a 3D effect. Stitch all the same floral designs or switch it up every few flowers. You can also find an already appliquéd fabric and add to it.…

lisa archer (“In the Hoop: Cork Gift Card Holder” — page 22) 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. picklepiedesigns.com ramona baird (“Snowflake Sleigh”—page 38) is a freelance designer, digitizer, writer and educator. With an AAS in Fashion Design, Ramona drafts project patterns and also create three-dimensional embroidery designs. In addition to being a regular contributor, Ramona designs projects for EmbroideryDesigns.com, RNK Distributors, and Loralie Designs. colleen bell (“Fuzzy Footwear Bag” — page 50) has a long history of embroidery, first as a young teen in the 60’s with hip embellished bell bottoms to the innovation of the embroidery machine, which has become her passion. the-embroiderist.com nancy fiedler (“Quilt This: Beautiful Bobbinwork ”—page 16)…

MATERIALS + Two 8"×10" green felt scraps + Red ribbon + Thread: embroidery & bobbin in green and white + 5×7 hoop or larger + Hand sewing needle + ITH mistletoe design (See “Design.”) PREPARE • Wind a bobbin with green thread for the final outer running stitch and set aside. • Thread the machine with green thread and the bobbin with white bobbin thread. • Hoop one piece of green felt. Pull taut in both directions. EMBROIDER • Load the embroidery design onto the machine. • Place the hoop onto the machine and embroider step one to create the outer mistletoe for each piece. • Change the machine thread to white and embroider step two to stitch the white accents. • Remove the hoop from the machine and turn…

MATERIALS + Large embroidery hoop (9½"×14" was used for the project) + Thread: 40-wt. polyester embroidery thread in red & white, silver metallic thread (such as Sulky Holo Shimmer) & bobbin thread in red & white + Fibrous water-soluble stabilizer + Old cardboard cutting board + Quilting pins + Plastic wrap + Spray starch + ¾ "×5"×6" rectangle of styrofoam + Small awl + Snowflake brads (See “Source") + Silver appliqué pins + Snowflake Sleigh embroidery designs (sizes vary; see “Design.”) Read through the instructions thoroughly before beginning and assemble all the needed materials. Be sure you have a hoop large enough to accommodate stitching this project; do not resize the designs. There are five parts to be stitched for the sleigh: side 1, side 2, front, back and floor.…

MATERIALS + ½ yard each of minky & gold satin fabric + 3 yards of 3/8"-diameter gold cording + Mediumweight paper-release adhesive cut-away stabilizer + Seam ripper + Pressing cloth + Serger (optional) + Bodkin (optional) + Embroidery software with nap-blocker feature + Monogram design (approximately 4" square; see “Design.”) PREPARE • From the minky fabric, cut two 15"×18¼" rectangles for the front and back panel. Designate one short end on each panel as the upper edge, ensuring the nap is running downward. • From the satin fabric, cut two 15"×18¼" rectangles for the front and back lining panels and one 15"×28" rectangle for the divider. Designate one short end on each panel as the upper edge. • Position the front panel right side up on a flat work surface…

Women’s Beanie Embroider delicate floral designs on a beanie, including the cuff, for a one-of-a-kind winter accessory. MATERIALS + Readymade knit beanie with cuff + Stabilizer: cut-away & water-soluble + Temporary spray adhesive + Thread: all-purpose & embroidery + Hand sewing needle (optional) + Floral corner & border design (approximately 3¾ " square & 2"×6"; see “Designs.”) PREPARE • Position the beanie right side up on a flat work surface. Find the beanie vertical and horizontal center between the cuff upper edge and beanie crown; pin-mark. Designate as the crown design placement. • Find the cuff vertical and horizontal center; pin-mark. Designate as the cuff design placement (A). Unfold the cuff. • Cut along one beanie side seam from the lower edge across the crown. If there’s no side seam,…

One year for Christmas, Angie received an embroidery machine and software, and that’s where the Lunch Box Quilts journey began. Learning the embroidery machine and software, Angie started designing quilts and taught them locally. Soon after teaching locally and winning some awards, Angie was contacted by stores asking if her patterns were for sale. In late 2007, she founded Lunch Box Quilts to share her patterns with the rest of the world. What do you love most about the work you do? Of course keeping my embroidery machine stitching is always a great day, but there are so many other Lunch Box Quilts tasks that need to be accomplished in a day. Teaching workshops is a very rewarding part of my business. I enjoy meeting new people and opening their…