Machine Embroidery Bride and Groom Wedding Reception Favors
As a quick reminder, the designs for these came from Embroidery Garden.
With love and Embroidery Blessings you all!
Nancy
Machine Embroidery Wedding Favors
Hi Friends,
I’m here but don’t expect to see too much of me this summer. It is a whirlwind of busy!!! So much has happened since my last post and I will get to that in a moment. For now though, let me show you some wedding favors I’m making that are a current work in progress.
These are little Hershey nugget wraps I’ve made for a wedding reception. I’m making 100 of them! It is a simple and quick in-the-hoop project done on white felt. I’ve used wisteria purple thread which is one of their wedding colors. The designs come from one of my favorite places, Embroidery Garden.
Well, since I last wrote a post, Emily graduated from high school. That was a big day. It was also the day that the horrible tornadoes went through Oklahoma City which is where Katie is stationed. During the middle of that afternoon we started getting phone calls asking about Katie. What a blessing she had two days off and was with us, safe and sound, for Emily’s graduation. Katie reported that some of the destruction was as near as 1/2 mile from the base. That tragedy is something that has weighed heavy on my heart so please know if you are in the area and affected, I am still praying every day for you. I think I was saddened most about the children. I don’t know what to say other than, I’m so sorry.
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Following graduation we celebrated Katie’s 20th birthday, followed immediately by Emily’s 18th birthday. Follow that by our 25th wedding anniversary! I love my sweet husband so much!!!
We went out for a special dinner and he gave me a silver bracelet. 25th is the silver anniversary!
Mike and I also went to Michigan for three days since I last wrote. It was so beautiful and green there. It is very brown where I live, high desert region.
Finally, I’ve spent two full days at the University of New Mexico with Emily at her orientation where she will go to school next year. She is so excited and I’m excited for her! I loved my days in college and it brought back a lot of good memories. Mike and I were college sweethearts!
As I said at the beginning, don’t expect to see me too much here, but know I’ll stop in when I get a chance. Know that I’m around and I’m thinking of each of you.
Love and blessings to you all,
Nancy
Machine Embroidery Boy Scout Neckerchiefs Finished
The boy scout neckerchiefs are finished! Below is a picture of only about half of the troop. I just love those boys! My son Timothy is the one in the second row wearing shorts. They are all busy, busy getting prepared and in shape for the long 71 mile hike through the mountains of Philmont, a national boy scout camp here in New Mexico.
As for what else is going on around here, Emily graduates from high school in two days. Family is coming in for her graduation as well as my Air Force girl Katie!!!!!! God is so good to bring us all here together. I am so thankful to Him.
Have a beautiful and blessed weekend everyone.
Love,
Nancy
Happy Mother’s Day and The Sewing Machine Accessory Bible Book Review
Now from Mike, he did get some direction as to what I would like. He got me this book, The Sewing Machine Accessory Bible by Wendy Gardiner and Lorna Knight as well as a couple of specialty sewing feet I had asked for. I thought you might like to take a little look into the book.
Let me give you just a brief overview about the book.
First off, the book is such a pretty book to look through.
Chapter 1 is the Essential Kit
Chapter 2 is Basic Feet
Chapter 3 is Specialty Fabric and Technique Feet
Chapter 4 is Pretty Edges
Chapter 5 is Fancy Stitching and finally
Chapter 6 is Buyer’s Guide
With each foot, it first talks about what the sewing foot looks like. Then it goes into how the foot works. Then there is an “ideas file” which shows other effects you can get from each foot.
I really like this book and should go over to Amazon and give it a 5 star rating as honestly, it is just well done. It will certainly remain on my shelf as a reference that I know I will look at again and again.
Finally, to finish off my day, after Mike and Tim get home we will be going to church this evening. Thankfully our church as numerous options as to when we can attend so when our schedule is thrown off, like with the rugby game today. Then I’m sure we will be eating out tonight and I won’t be cooking. My favorite food when we go out…..Sushi! Yum!! {Yes I could cook myself. There are times when we do make exceptions to the DIY attitude we have!}
Happy Mother’s Day and love and blessings to you all,
Nancy
More Machine Embroidery Free Standing Lace Coasters
On a sour note, I’m typing this in bed as I’m dealing with strep throat. I had made it through the winter with nothing more than a sniffle (blessed) but WHAM I’m knocked off my feet today. Praying the Tylenol and antibiotics kick in quickly. All prayers for pain relief are appreciated. Thank you.
Free Digital Issue of Designs in Machine Embroidery just for YOU
Hi Friends,
I want to share with you some “happy” news on the web today. A publication I subscribe to, ‘Designs in Machine Embrodiery’ has a free gift for YOU!
By going to their website, you can download a special digital issue of the magazine with no strings attached. It is using a very cool interactive format within it to give you access to videos, tutorials and more. There is something for everyone, from the beginner to the advanced.
My first project I’m going to make are their recipe cards in which you embroider on ribbon. You will just have to download the publication to see what I’m talking about. This will make a great gift for my Katie who is getting married next month.
There are some great articles, one on stabilizers, embroidering on a t-shirt, continuous embroidery designs and more. Of course as with their print publication, they have some free designs to download too.
I hope you enjoy this as digital magazine as much as I have. It is a happy day when we get a freebie such as this. Thank you Designs in Machine Embroidery!
Have a great day embroidering!
Blessings,
Nancy
Machine Embroidery Quick Tip – Bobbin Thread
Just take a look at how dense this design is. It has 71,000 stitches. Lots of stitches can really create some beautiful designs, but that means the design will be heavy.
There are times when using a matching color of thread for both the top and bottom is necessary such as when doing free standing lace or when the finished product can be viewed from the back side as well as the front.
But when doing a dense design such as this one, it is best to use a thread specifically made for bobbins, be it pre-wound or that you wind yourself.
Bobbin thread is finer and depending on the brand of both top and bottom thread you are using, you can decrease the denseness or heaviness of your design by up to 1/3. This means on a design such as the one above you have less chance of issues when creating your project such as less chance of the thread creating a nest, less chance of needle bending and of course the most common and frustrating issue of thread breaking. Did you know that? Have you ever heard your embroidery machine going POP – POP – POP as the comes back up from out of the design and it slightly lifts your hoop. Ok, some of that can be due to digitizing and too many stitches in the same place. By using a lighter weight bobbin thread you can help prevent some of that from occurring.
I hope you found this helpful today. The embroidery design comes from Embroidery Library and the bobbin thread is from BFC-Stash.
Happy Embroidering and Blessings to you today!
Nancy
Sewing, Sewing, Sewing…
Have you seen a presser foot like this? It is a “binding foot” and it hold the bias tape open and in place and the fabric fits in a little slot that feeds it right down the middle of the tape. Sure makes it easier to sew as there is no pinning required and it catches the bias tape neatly on both sides.
Machine Embroidery – Spring Hand Towels
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Hi Friends,
It was time to give my blog a new look. Actually I got to playing with it because right beside me my embroidery machine is humming away with those boy scout neckerchiefs I mentioned in my previous post. I don’t like to stray too far while it does it’s thing, so I’ve had a chance to play with my blog.
The hand towels are from Anita Goodesign and it is from the Spring Curls collection. These are more designs that just make me smile. The towels were from Wally World and I used a water soluble stabilizer on both the top and bottom.
At our house, it is bursting with signs of spring! I’ve got most of the garden in now. There should be no more freezes now till fall. Mama robin has built her nest in the back yard. I’ve enjoyed watching her. We will have new baby birds very soon. My peach and plum trees already have small green fruit and the grape vines look like they will be loaded. On a sad note, my cherry tree froze. Not even a single leaf on it. I hope next year it comes back in full. Last year I froze 20 pints of cherries and was looking forward to more this season. Oh well, I will be thankful for the produce I do manage to harvest from my little yard. The red bud tree and forsythia bushes have been so pretty.
Spring blessings to you all!
Nancy
Machine Embroidery – Boy Scout Neckerchiefs
More was added in the detail and we went to three colors. I’m making the neckerchiefs as well. I’ve used broadcloth to stitch them on. The stabilizer is Floriani’s fusible wash away. It certainly makes for a smooth surface to stitch on. For the final step I’m stitching on 1/4″ bias tape. That’s what gives it the nice candy stripe effect as the neckerchief twists up at the ends.
Here is my son Timothy, our youngest. He is such a character and was goofing off for the camera below. He really has a great sense of humor and loves to tease his sisters, and his parents too! I’m very proud of him and all he does in boy scouts. He is a good young man. Timothy is a Life scout and will become an Eagle scout this summer. He and Mike have been involved in scouting since Tim was six years old. He will turn 16 in July. Golly I’m feeling old. My babies are all growing up!
Now I’m working on making 20 of these neckerchiefs for everyone. It’s keeping me busy for a few days!
Anyone want to hike 71 miles up, down and around a couple mountains? 🙂
Embroidery Blessings!!
Nancy
Machine Embroidery using a Wing Needle
This was my first time to visit her there! She gave us a tour of the base and her dorm room (tiny dorm room). She has her own bedroom with sink, but shares a bathroom and kitchen with another girl. In her kitchen I saw she had one of my tea towels. (I was wondering where it had gone to!) Of course she can have it. I’m delighted she liked something I had made and wants to use it! Here it is…
It is just a tea towel with a fabric strip sewn onto the bottom to add more color. Then for the butterfly, I used colors to match the fabric. The interesting part of this design is that between the butterfly and the diamond, a wing needle was used with white thread to add a beautiful dramatic effect.
Just look how wide the needle is. As the needle punches through the fabric, it pushes the fabric and creates a little hole. Can you see it in the picture above? It gives is a richness with the texture it creates. The hole is created by the needle going through the same spot numerous times. One thing is that you do need to do is manually turn the handwheel of your machine to make certain the needle passes through the throat plate easily.
Nancy
Machine Embroidery Boy Scout Neckerchief Design
Hi Friends,
Doing the happy dance because I created a design!!!
My son’s boy scout troop has asked me to create their neckerchiefs for their upcoming camping trip to Philmont. The line with dots indicates their hiking trail and stops. This is the practice stitch out which I did on heavy craft weight stabilizer. That stuff doesn’t iron out, but at least they can see the finished design.
I’m so super excited about doing this! I did it!!!
I used my Generations software and my Intuos graphing tablet. It has been fun a fun couple of days. I can’t wait to show you the finished neckerchief.
I wish you hugs and blessings and happy embroidering,
Nancy
Machine Embroidery Gym Bags and Cheer Skirts
This is our beagle, Cindy. I set up a folding table in Katie’s old room to have extra room for doing the skirts. Cindy follows me everywhere, so as I worked, she was right there with me in the room, shoring soundly! She too, was tired from a busy week 🙂 I do have to say, the bed she’s on had been made, but that little ornery girl pushes all the covers off to the side and makes a mess of them and the pillows. Funny girl 🙂
With the money I’ve made doing embroidery, I splurged on this that I have been wanting for a long time! It is a medium Wacom Intuos 5. I’ve never used a graphics tablet before, but as I learn to digitize embroidery, I’ve felt this will be a huge time saver and it has been recommended by many to me. Our son’s boy scout troop wants me to design their neckerchiefs for their big camping trip this summer. That set me over the top in “needing” one.
So as I play with my new toy, I leave you with…
Machine Embroidery – New Phone App to Erase your Stitching Mistakes
Enjoy April 1st today. I know I am!
Hugs,
Nancy
Easter Blessings From Embroidery It
He didn’t have to do it, but I’m ever so thankful that He did.Easter Egg Applique
The embroidery is from Needle Little Embroidery and is titled Rosebud Egg Applique. I thought stitching it on burlap turned out so sweet. I used a bamboo skewer to make a plant pick with it. It is ready to welcome you at the door.
Blessings to you all,
Nancy
Machine Embroidery Free Standing Lace Doily
Embroidery blessings to all of you!
Nancy
How to do Cutwork Machine Embroidery a Step-By-Step Tutorial
Hi Friends,
I am so getting ready for Easter and spring too! Our trees are starting to bud and I’ve started my garden seeds indoors. Warmer weather is on its way!!
I want to show you a really sweet project cutwork Easter project. It is a cutwork egg with Easter bunny inside. You can read below what I am going to do with them.
This pattern comes from Advanced Embroidery Designs. My machine’s largest hoop size is 5 x 7 and this pattern is 5 x 8 I was shocked, but it works. I don’t understand why. I figured it would say pattern too large for my machine, but it still fits inside my hoop. I can’t promise for your own machine though. I actually picked this pattern up free last year. They have monthly free designs. If it wouldn’t have been free, I would have been afraid to purchase it in thinking it wouldn’t work for my machine.
This really is an easy project so don’t let the name of the website fool you. It took me about 1 hour 30 minutes to complete.
1. Choose your fabric. Best to use a small print. I used a bright pink tone on tone for the first one and white thread. For the second I used an off white tone on tone fabric with pastel variegated thread. Have a full bobbin wound for this project too as well as a fresh sharp embroidery needle.
4. The second stitch out is an outline of the inner part of the egg and an outline of the interior design.
6. The third stitch out is all the lace work and design. This is the part that takes the longest. Just sit back and check out some blogs and read a bit while the machine does it’s magic.
7. For the fourth and final stitch out it is a decorative stitch between the inner and outer egg lining. You can change thread color if you like for this.
8. Remove hoop and remove fabric from hoop. Cut stabilizer close to the outside of the egg and place entire project in water. This will dissolve the water soluble stabilizer. Dry. Press. Enjoy!!!
I’m going to glue the pink one to the outside of an Easter card and attach a pretty ribbon as well. For the pastel on the right I’m going to stitch it to a placemat. I’ll either put that placemat in the center of the table with a basket of candy or I will make 6 more of these and make a total of 7 placemats for everyone at our Easter dinner. I’ve got to decide on that first.
Enjoy and Easter Blessings to you,
Nancy
Machine Embroidery Butterfly Quilt
Yesterday I was doing some spring cleaning and working on the garage. While in there I pulled out the Easter decorations. I set the dining room table for Easter and then put away my winter quilts that my mother has made for me.
As I put away the winter quilt that I had on this wall, I was excited to pull out my quilt. I actually finished it before Christmas this past year but tucked it away until now.
As I was assembling this quilt I really wanted to do more with butterflies. I found all the butterfly designs you see on this quilt at Embroidery Library with the exception of the one you see below, the one in the corners of the quilt. I received that design in one of my embroidery club classes at our local sewing store and it was given to me by the instructor. I don’t know who to credit this design to.
The six butterflies in the center were embroidered on Floriani’s “No Show Nylon Mesh Non-Fusible”. To use this product, when the solid design is finished stitching, cut close to the embroidery design. Then use a heat source such as a mini iron, stencil burner or wood burning tool to melt away the edges of the mesh from around the design. ***Caution***Don’t touch the embroidery design with the heat source or your thread can easily melt. Do this carefully!!!
Then I stitched the butterflies onto the quilt by hand for a 3-D effect.
For the antennae, I used dark brown embroidery floss and tied knots in the end.
I used monofilament thread to quilt this by stitching in the ditch between the larger red squares and the 9 patch squares.
All the remaining blank red squares were quilted with this Embroidery Library design. These designs on the red squares were embroidered with cotton quilting thread.
Happy Embroidering and spring blessings to you!
With Love,
Nancy
Machine Embroidery – St. Patrick’s Day Applique Shamrock and More!
Hi Friends,
I’m having a little St. Patrick’s Day fun in doing this machine embroidery applique shamrock. All designs from Needle Little Embroidery. I did this on a tote bag from the Dollar Tree! The applique fabric is glitter fabric from Hobby Lobby. It comes in cuts 8 1/2″ x 11 1/2″ and is found by the cut felt. $1.47 for the piece minus my 40% coupon. It is a cotton fabric that has glitter bonded to the surface of it and it embroiders quite nicely. I think it would be perfect material for an applique Christmas tree or tags on Christmas presents. With its shine it would make some great Christmas ornaments, or how about Easter tree ornaments made with pastel glittered sheets. I’m really thinking I will go back and pick up some more of this fun fabric in other colors!
The final simple secret…Adhesive backed cork board, found in the scrapbook section of your craft store. This makes a perfect coaster. Note: I stitched the blanket stitch around the designs when they were finished.
Happy Embroidering,
Nancy