Today was laundry day around here. Sigh, a necessary task that falls on this mama. I wear a lot of long sleeve t-shirts right now with this cold weather. As I pulled this shirt out of the dryer, being that it is 100% cotton it was wrinkled despite my caution of washing and drying. It got me to thinking of passing on a few quick tips that possibly you have not heard of yet.
First, turn your embroidered item inside out to was it. This just protects the stitching from the wear and tear of the washing machine. Wash and dry the item on a delicate setting. Remove the article of clothing before it is completely dry and try to shake the wrinkles out.
Now if needing to press, here is where you need to use caution. You don’t want to flatten, or worse, melt your stitches. Set your iron no hotter than the most delicate part of the item. Is it your thread or your fabric that is more delicate? Choose the iron setting for the MORE delicate. You may use steam with caution.
Press from the back side when pressing the design and use a pressing cloth to prevent crushing your design. Now when it came to my cotton t-shirt here is what I did. I started my iron on a synthetic, low setting and I pressed the design from the back side using my Teflon pressing sheet. Then I bumped the iron up to the higher cotton setting and pressed the rest of the shirt avoiding pressing the design at this high heat. It turned out lovely.
As much love and care we put into our creations making them, we need to use that same love and care in maintaining it.
Embroidery Blessings and I hope you are all staying warm. It is snowing up a storm here in Michigan as I type this.
Hi Friends, Happy Valentine’s Day! I’ve been working with lots of shiny blingy rhinestones and items today. My mind has Meghan Trainor’s “All About that Bass” song going through my head. Except in my head the words keep saying, “Because you know I’m all about that bling, ’bout that bling, and shimmer. I’m all about that bling, ’bout that bling, and shimmer.” Can’t you hear the song now? I’ll get it stuck in your head too! 🙂
I’ve got a super quick weekend project for you. This uses the heart from my Embroidery JAM Valentine’s day set, tear away stabilizer, some netting and mylar tissue paper.
Here is the mylar I used. I purchased this from the Dollar Store in their gift wrap section and have used it for multiple projects. You can embroider on it nicely. I’ve never tried washing an item I’ve made using it but for a window sun catcher, washing wouldn’t be necessary. This mylar is silver on the back. Since I wanted the red to show on both sides I used two pieces putting the silver sides together. Then I sandwiched the mylar between two pieces of red netting. I appliqued this sandwich onto tear away stabilizer. When finished, I carefully tore away the stabilizer and in doing so it gave the mylar a crinkly look. It really glistens quite pretty in person and unfortunately the camera doesn’t capture its shininess.
Then I stuck a little heart gem on it, also from the dollar store, attached a ribbon and hung in the window. It is very light weight and spins as the furnace comes on and moves it around.
My Embroidey JAM Valentine’s Day set is available now in my Etsy store.
Happy Valentine’s Day everyone! May you be blessed with chocolate, flowers or something in a small box because we all know great things come in small packages and we women are all about that bling and shimmer!
I’ve got a quick weekend project for you using my Reversible Applique Hearts. Just eliminate the hanger and stuff as per the directions. It makes for a perfect heart pin cushion.
Be sure to scroll down to the bottom of the home page to download the free Rick Rack letter C. I usually change the letters every Wednesday so they are up for 1 week. If you haven’t be sure to sign up for my newsletter. I send a newsletter out with each new letter release. I promise not to spam your inbox.
Hi Friends,
I wanted to talk to you a moment about felt because it is one of my favorite items to embroider on. I love the look, the crispness of it, and how easy it is to use. Felt makes for some great craft projects such as bookmarks, coffee cozies, ornaments and much, much more. Sometimes though these items get dirty and then felt becomes a bit tricky to clean, especially when we are talking about wool felt. Remember felt is a wonderfully tough and sturdy substance when it is dry but wet it….it becomes a whole different creature.
I’ve pulled together a few tips on cleaning your felt items should they need it.
If your item has something like moist cookie crumbs on it, let the crumbs dry out first and then brush them off gently.
If you need to wash the item, dry cleaning is your best bet. I would do this for a felt hat, but for my felt coffee cozy….I’ll take the tips here and clean it at home because if worse comes to worse, I can always make a new one, right?
If you need to wash your felt item, the biggest thing to remember is to avoid temperature fluctuations on the felt. You are going to hand wash it in cool water. Add about a cup of vinegar. You may also add just a few drops Woolite or of liquid dish soap like Dawn. Swish the item VERY gently in the water. You don’t want to ‘felt’ your felt item. Rinse and re-rinse very gently. Do NOT wring out the water from the felt.
Place the wet felt item on a terry cloth towel and flatten it into shape. Place another terry cloth towel on top and gently press excess water out. Lay flat to dry.
There you have it!
I’ve just completed my latest set, Reverse Applique Heart Ornaments. I’m very excited with how they have turned out and I hope you enjoy them as much as I do! Reverse Applique is a fun and easy machine embroidery technique. I’ve included step-by-step instructions.
There are three different designs in this collection of sweet felt hearts that are perfect for gift giving or for decorating for Valentine’s day.
They use a beautiful reverse applique technique that allows for several options. You can applique a coordinating fabric or a photo in the center of the heart.
You can also applique clear vinyl in the center allowing for something to be placed inside the heart and yet show through. Fill with your favorite candy or even some coins for someone special.
Just choose your favorite designs and stitch in a fabric that coordinates with your tablecloth. String one, or several, of the Embroidery JAM items together and hang from the corners of your tablecloth.
Do you keep a binder or notebook of your embroidery?
I think it is a good idea to keep track of your stitching as it will be something you refer to from time-to-time and if you take good notes you will notice your work improve.
I keep a composition notebook next to my embroidery machine and here are a few things I always take note of. It is nothing fancy, just the standard black and white cover. I really should embroider a cover for that thing.
Each page lists a new project and I start with the title.
If it is a gift for someone I take note of that. If it is something wearable I also take note of the size such as the size of shirt and sometimes even where I purchased the clothing. The notebook makes a great reminder each Christmas and birthday so I don’t repeat items!
If it is a generic project I will take note of the fabric used and also write down the embroidery design as well as where the embroidery design came from. This comes in so handy when someone sees our work and says where did you get that flower or what font did you use? Um…I have hundreds of flowers and fonts so I need to keep them straight.
Next I write down what type of stabilizer and brand of stabilizer I use.
Sometimes I write down thread colors. I’m currently working on a set of Christmas stockings. I will do one and then it might be a month or two before I get to the next. I want the stockings to all coordinate so thread numbers to have the right shade of green are key here.
Finally, if there were any issues or happy moments in stitching it out I make a note. This might include a note that I want to try a different stabilizer the next time. Or the placement looks great by measuring down 5″ from the center of the shoulder on this size shirt. It can include anything I want to remember about this design.
Other things to add to the notebook could be a printout of the thread chart or a photograph of the finished project.
Another option is to use a binder. In the binder you can use dividers and have sections for projects you would like to do. You could tear out inspiration from magazines and stick it in the binder. Another section could be on the care of your machine. When it was last serviced, when was the needle last changed etc. One section could contain receipts from your sewing purchases if you need to keep them gathered together.
It’s surprising how you think you will remember certain specifics about a project but after you’ve stitched several designs, you tend to forget. Having an embroidery notebook comes in super handy. I’m just sayin’.
Do any of you use an embroidery notebook? What information do you keep in your notebook. I’d love to hear!
The 3D rick rack alphabet was released on Wednesday with the letter A. You have the option of turning the rick rack into a flower with the addition of a yo-yo and leaves. The leaf is a separate file and is included. Instructions to make the yo-yo are also included. Remember the letters are free but only for about 1 week. After that point I move them to my Etsy store.
I like the 3D of this design and hope you do too. It’s so much fun things you can create with your embroidery machine!
I had the most fun making this raggy scrap heart. It was repetitive and relaxing. This makes it a great craft to do while fellowshipping with others. If you have ever wanted to have the perfect craft to do with friends, this is it.
Let me first tell you how to make one and then I will tell you the best way to do this with a group.
You need a wire form. I bought mine at Hobby Lobby for $2.47. It is found in the floral department.
Next you need approximately 1 1/4 yards of scraps cut into 1″ x 7″. I used a pinking sheers to cut mine but you could cut the edges straight. I wish I had a rotary cutter with a pinking blade because I would have been able to cut these lickity split. You can use one piece of fabric or many different designs. There is no right or wrong. On my heart I used four different fabric patterns.
Now look closely at the picture above as to how I attached the fabric to the wire. Fold the 7″ strip of fabric in half, right sides out. Then put the loop end under the wire. Next take the two tails and put them through the loop and pull it tight. Do this all around the heart on all three wires.
Finally, I took a strip of fabric and tied it on to create the hanger. I also embroidered the bird from the Embroidery JAM Valentine’s day set in the medium size. I only stitched the top eyelet on the bird and hung it in the center of the heart. Ta-Da!
Now as I said this is the perfect craft to do with your friends. What I would do to prepare for the group is I would cut fabric scraps to the proper size. I would also stitch out as many of the birds as needed. Then when everyone is together you can all visit while creating. To attach the strips to the heart frame takes about an hour.
Crafting with friends makes for the best day ever and to add a bit of machine embroidery puts it over the top. I wish I could craft with all of you!
I want to share with you my latest release. It is a fun Countdown Chain. There are lots of great uses for this in-the-hoop project.
Counting down to a big day or event is fun and it is more exciting to have a visual to watch as the day draws near.
The chain has links numbered up to 30 but also contains a hooping of three blank chains that can be customized by you.
Step-by-step photo instructions accompany this fun in-the-hoop project.
Suggested uses:
Countdown the days to a birthday, days to the end of school, days to Christmas or other big event.
Use as a decoration at a baby shower done in pink and blue and have the days to the baby’s due date or at a bridal shower in the bride’s colors and she can count down the days to her wedding.
Hang it on the door handle of your refrigerator and count down the pounds till you reach your goal weight. It will make you think twice before opening the refrigerator door!
It makes a beautiful garland on a Christmas tree or at a party.
Years ago there was a television show on called Aleen’s Creative Living. You still see Aleen’s glue and other products in the craft stores. Anyway, on this show, there were a number of episodes where they embossed velvet using rubber stamps. They would apply an hot iron to back side of the velvet which was placed over the rubber stamp and the results were stunning designs embedded into the velvet.
Well Friends, we can do the same thing with our FSL in place of the rubber stamps. Use an iron with no steam holes so you won’t get the hole pattern on your velvet. Use a hard surface to press on. Determine where you want the impression and mark it on the wrong side of the velvet with chalk. Spritz the velvet with water so it is just damp. Place the FSL on the hard surface and place the velvet right-side down over the FSL. Using high heat (test the fabric first for scorching) push the iron down firmly for 15 to 20 seconds but DON’T slide the iron. Just straight down and straight up.
Using FSL angels, hearts or flowers makes a beautiful border on a little girl’s velvet dress. Another idea is to use the velvet to make beautiful embossed pillows. If you want to try this as a smaller test, consider using the velvet to make a gift card holder embossed with a heart for a Valentine’s Day gift. This is just another way to take your embroidery projects to the next level.
Have you seen how many black suitcases come off the carousel at the airport these days? They are all the same! More than once I’ve overheard this conversation between two people, “I think that is my bag.” Yes, you can tie a bright ribbon around the handle but why not use your embroidery machine to make a quick tag to identify your luggage. Plus, it just makes your suitcase look super cute. My Embroidery JAM alphabet set works great for this. In the pictures here I used the small size letter to create my tag.
The Embroidery JAM alphabet set is available in my Etsy store.
May you always have safe travels and may your luggage never get lost.
Hope you are all staying warm. I just wanted to post about my new FREE alphabet set which starts on Wednesday. Be sure to sign up for my newsletter to stay in-the-loop. Each letter will be available for free for approximately 1 week. Leaf file will be included as an option as well as instructions on making the yo-yo flower. www.embroideryit.com
I’ve got a sweet new set to coordinate with the Embroidery JAM series. I came up with a very creative name for it….Valentine’s Day. 🙂
This set contains 4 different designs in 3 sizes. Above I replaced the letter O from the Embroidery JAM alphabet set with the Oval with Heart center from the Valentine’s Day set.
Here I’ve combined the largest size bird with the smallest size double heart.
Everything is designed to combine and coordinate with one another so you can be creative to you “hearts” content. Get it??? Hearts! Valentine’s day!!! hehe
Embroidery JAM Valentine’s Day set is available now in my Etsy store.
Remember….
Be Creative Daily and stay warm too! It was minus 15 this morning. Brrrrrrr….
Oh how the snow is blowing here in Michigan today. I think we have about 8 inches on the ground right now. It is up to my little beagle’s belly as she walks through it. School was canceled and I stayed indoors where it was warm and spent my time embroidering.
I’ve had Valentine’s day on my mind so I used my Embroidery JAM letters to create a fun wine bottle necklace. To make it I used the smallest size of the letters. You can find the Embroidery JAM alphabet set over in my Etsy store here.
On New Year’s Day did some of your resolutions include embroidery related resolutions? Perhaps they included things like organizing your designs, organizing your thread and fabric stash, or getting an early start on embroidery projects so you are ready for birthdays, holidays and Christmas 2015!
I have a few suggestions to help you out here.
Schedule time on your calendar to spend with your machine and fabric and honor that time.Don’t schedule or let other activities crowd out your creative time. At the beginning of each month list the embroidery projects you need to complete such as a gift for someone.
Have your cup of coffee brewed, a few chocolates close by and your favorite music playing and start stitching away.Doing these things helps make your creative time a special event.
Sign up for embroidery classes at your local sewing shop. Stitching with others is a great way to make new friends and learn about new tools and techniques.
You say you don’t have a local shop close by, not to worry. There are many online groups that do monthly sew alongs, alphabet hunts and other fun activities. All you have to do is sign up and join right in. It’s EASY! Let me tell you, seeing the finished projects everyone does is inspiring and motivating. It’s fun to know that someone halfway across the country or even around the world is stitching right along with you. I sell my designs at Fit2BStitched and they have several group activities in their yahoo group.
If you do these few suggestions, I’m sure it will help you stick with your embroidery resolution throughout the year.
I hope your New Year has started off well and my wish for each of you is a happy and healthy 2015.
After Christmas 2013 we decided as a family we would not exchange gifts but instead take a family trip. We decided our first trip would be to New York City. I felt this warranted matching shirts so I created this design.
It was a wonderful trip, 4 days, with a visit to the Statue of Liberty, 911 Memorial and museum, Rockefeller Center, seeing the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall, subway rides and riding a hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus all around the city. One bus tour was a city lights tour where we saw all the nighttime Christmas lights. That was spectacular. We left on the 30th before the big ball dropped but we got to see everything in place and all the preparation being done for New Years eve. It was fun but oh so crowded (shoulder to shoulder people) and noisy. Like Dorothy says, “There’s no place like home,” and as wonderful as it was, I was certainly glad to get back home. I L-O-V-E living out in the country with lots of trees wildlife and fresh air. A city girl I am NOT!
Mike and I, Mike’s parents, and all our children made the trip. Here we all are being matchers in our shirts.
A very Happy New Year to each and every one of you! I am truly excited for 2015 and look forward to what each day has to offer.
Like many of you, I feel a new year means a new slate, a time to think of our hopes, dreams, wishes and goals for the year to come. I’ve been spending time reflecting on the growth of Embroidery It and thinking of my hopes and dreams for its future. What direction do I want to lead my business in. Let me fill you in a bit on some of my early years and that will show you where I’m leading things to today.
All my life I have enjoyed crafting in one form or another. I remember my mother sitting me on her lap and teaching me to embroidery by hand. As a child my mother would have me do crafts over the summer. I’m sure it was to keep me out of her hair! Some of those crafts included making Plaster of Paris molds and painting them, doing decoupage crackle pictures, ceramics, crochet, tatting, cake decorating and learning to do wheat weaving. I’m not joking when I tell you I’ve probably tried most every craft known to man. My mother fostered my creativity and it runs deep in my blood now.
When it comes to machine embroidery, I love projects. It doesn’t have to be an in-the-hoop project necessarily, although that is some of my favorite stitching, but I love having a project to go with my embroidery design. My plans for this year will be to include more projects, more ideas and ways for all of us to be creative. It is going to be a slight bend on the traditional thinking we all have with regards to embroidery designs.
I hope you will all enjoy creating the projects as much as I enjoy making them.
Thank you for joining me in this journey.
May our good Lord bless each of you abundantly and joyously in 2015.
It’s good to be home, at least for a short bit. Later this week I am flying down to Albuquerque to help our middle child, Emily move up to Grand Rapids. She has been attending college down there. We lived just outside Albuquerque before moving to Grand Rapids a year ago. We will pack up her car and I will drive/ride with her in a semi-cross country trip. Along the way we will stop and see our oldest, Katie who is in the Air Force. Then we will start our trip north and visit my parents in Kansas for a couple nights. That will be followed by visiting my brother and his family in northern Kansas for a night and then the final stretch home.
Because I can’t promise a new letter next week I’m again including 2 until I get home. I sure hope 2015 starts out quieter than the way 2014 is ending 🙂
As a side note: Please understand that I am a one woman show here at Embroidery It. I do everything from start to finish from the digitizing, stitching, photography and editing, blogging uploading the designs and marketing and I love every step of the process. Thank you all so much for your patience when certain seasons are busier than others.
As for my parents, mom is settling into her new apartment. I think she enjoys having many around to visit with and they have exercise classes as well as other scheduled activities. She also has the option to eat in a main dining room for lunch so that is one meal she doesn’t have to fix. There is a little general store in the complex so she can get a variety of grocery items without having to drive. Best part though is she is close to dad. Dad continues to remain in the nursing home rehab. He has had a few ups and downs but all in all he is getting stronger. As I type this, the plan is if he shows he is strong and stable enough, he will be able to walk without someone at his side only using his walker. The big prayer now is he gets strong enough that he can move into the apartment with mom. Home health care and physical therapy can still visit him in the apartment so he wouldn’t be completely away from medical care.
So many of you wrote well wishes and uplifting prayers. They truly meant the world to my family and I. Thank you ever so much. Machine embroiderers are absolutely the nicest people in the world and I’m glad to know you!
Finally, just sharing a quick picture of some quick embroidery projects that I’m including as gifts or in Christmas cards.
The FSL Christmas tree I’ve forgotten where I got that design. I’ve had it a long time and when I first started embroidery I didn’t keep record of where each design came from. If you recognize it give me a shout and let me know who to give credit to.
