All about choices ...

I choose not to hoop anything I don't have to. I will be perfectly honest - I just hate to do it. To fight with the tension and the placement, it just sends me.

So for this little project where I am sprinkling some small embroidery designs into an already busy fabric I have been enjoying the use of my favorite stabilizer ever. Light and Tacky Tear Away. It's like masking tape for sewing. Super easy to peel, stick, move, without a worry.

This is what it looks like when I am done. On this one I could have used it much more intelligently, making the most of my stash. But you get the idea.

First stitch out

Here is the first stitch out of the large looped vine onto the hummingbird fabric.

Not bad, it might blend a bit much or maybe I just don't love the placement.

But the concept is solid, so I will continue to play with it.

It really is about adding the darker blue and a bit of texture, so it might work ....

Little bits of blue

So I went through the design and pulled out my three favorite bits - a looped vine like piece, a striped and dotted leaf, and a flower with nice needle work edges.

And of course being able to use the software to pull them out wasn't enough - I had to play with the sizing as well. Because I can do that. Not just the 20% scaling that the embroidery machine can do, but really play with the size until I found what I thought might work well with the fabric.

Here they are test stitched - because even having made them the sizes I think I want I had to test stitch the designs out. Nothing really helps me envision a project like seeing the designs in thread.

So far the looped vine is my favorite. But I am thinking I will plan out a pillow, stitch on the actual fabric and go from there.

With this project I am really trying to relax and enjoy the process and not worry about getting the pillows done. This one is about learning some of the software and making something fun for me with fabric I really like.

A method to the madness

I have looked at the fabric and the embroidery design a hundred times and keep thinking they have the right vibe for each other, like they will be a good couple if I can just pick the right pieces to compliment each other.



So because I always do, I thought about test stitching the entire design. But only in one color - because that would be slightly faster. It gives me a real size sample to work with and I get to know the design a little better. Get a better feeling for the textures, the order the components stitch in, that sort of thing.



Then I realized - I will never use the entire design for this particular project. It would be a waste of time and effort and my madness can be better used elsewhere. Like editing.



When I bought my machine it came with a basic organizer program for the embroidery designs. I quickly learned that was not enough and have been tinkering around with the Husqvarna Viking 4D Professional. And I really do mean tinkering. There is so much to learn and so many possibilities.



But just selecting what I want, copying it into a new design? That is cake! Which means I can take this:



And systemically select, copy and paste each component I want to play with into something like this:


And while that lonely little leaf doesn't look like much all by itself, the ability to pull it out this easily - that is power and potential.

For anyone who enjoys machine embroidery you understand that this opens a gigantic door for my creative side to run through at top speed. This means I'm only limited by my imagination and

my sewing supplies.

Texture Hoop: The Illustrated Directions

I may have surrendered my quest for the perfect first project for my new Texture Hoop. Not because of a lack of ideas or inspiration - actually the opposite. I may be overwhelmed. I know embroidery is just surface embellishment (at it's finest I dare say) but to be able to give some dimension and texture to my designs has just starts so many ideas and possibilities I can't possibly make them all.

So I am just going to play with the hoop like a kid with a new box of crayons and see what happens.

But, before I play it only makes sense to read the directions. Or at least look at the pictures of the directions.

A - So like any other embroidery hoop your fabric and stabilizer.

B - Use the grooves in the hoop and these fantastic little clips to add your choice of yarn, ribbon, flotsam or jetsam to your heart's content. There are even special clips for the corners.

C - Use the template that came with the Texture Hoop to see how your ribbon/yarn/whatever will fit with your embroidery design.

D - Use the handy little clip remover to life them off and reposition/remove any "ribbon" you like.

Illustrations E and F only apply to the Husqvarna Viking Designer Diamond or Designer SE. If you have one of those machines you can make and embroider designs with stitches.

I have the Designer Topaz 30, so I can't do that. But from those illustrations I took away two things: use a water soluble stabilizer to hold down your "ribbon" while the machine embroiders AND baste like there is no tomorrow.

Not to raid my stash and start experimenting .....

Husqvarna Viking Texture Hoop

Everyone knows I have looked at this embroidery hoop before. The reality is - I don't need another embroidery hoop, and I could probably figure out a way to embroider over yarn and ribbon and fantastic sparkly stuff without a special hoop.

But I have wanted it since the first time I saw it. And I could make Christmas gifts with it (I know complete and total justification) So I bought one for myself.

Look at everything that comes with this hoop! I thought I would open the package and find the standard two piece embroidery hoop in there. Nope, this baby comes with so much!

I gave you the specs before but quick recap - it is a 150 x 150 hoop (or about 6" x 6").

It comes with the template, ribbon clips, corner clips, 2 free embroidery designs, a code to download more from the Husqvarna Viking website, 6 stitches, a clip remover, and sewing instructions for a special project.

I also have to say that the instructions that come with the hoop are fantastic. Basic how to plus some tips and tricks and some great inspiration.

This hoop has so much potential - I can't wait to sew something with it!

More sewing toys .... supplies ..... tools

I had every intention of picking up the new Texture Hoop last night. I had visions of home dec projects running through my head. A table runner for the dining room, some pillows for the family room and maybe even a gift or two.


Then I saw this. 4D Monogram and Vision by Inspira. Basically a monogramming software that works with any sewing and embroidery machine. Talk about gift making potential! Do you see my handmade holiday potential? Especially if I start now, today, immediately!

Stockings, bath towels, pencil pouches, make-up bags, travel bags, cardigans, baby bibs and blankies .... have any other suggestions?

What a glorious weekend

Ok, it wasn't really. Saturday was grey and rainy and cold enough in my corner of Northern Ohio to close the windows while I sewed and embroidered my little heart out. But - the pool robe is finished!

It was so cold and yucky out that I didn't even want to go on a supply run for some lightweight interfacing. I was going to use it in the sash to give it a little body so it didn't get all scrunched up when she wears it.

Then I had a light bulb moment. Why not use something I have readily available as a replacement for the interfacing? I swapped out some Inspira Light and Soft Fuse On stabilizer for the interfacing and it worked great!

I also added some embroidery to the back of the robe. I cold have gone with some applique like in the tutorial, but why have a sewing and embroidery machine if you aren't going to use it?

Embroidering on the terry cloth of the towel concerned me a bit at first (I have heard horror stories about it not turning out well - everything from the embroidery design getting lost in the pile to major registration issues). But I dove in head first.

This method worked awesome for me (I was sooooo not going to try to hoop the towel):

- hoop a double layer of tear away stabilizer
- use some KK2000 to adhere the robe/towel to the stabilizer
- top the robe/towel with a lightweight water soluble stabilizer
- use the FIX function in my machine to baste the stabilizer, towel, topper sandwich

- embroidery away

The tear away stabilizer was so easy to get off the inside of the robe and didn't leave any scratchy bit for my little girl to complain about, and the topper dissolved away so easily.

So here it is, ta da ..... one completed Summer Pool Robe! And let's hope there is enough Summer left for her to use it!

Husqvarna Viking Texture Hoop and Embroidery Collection

Has anyone seen this? Used it? I am tempted.

• I like tools. I firmly believe that having the right tool makes any job easier, faster, and the finished product better. It also means that I like gadgets. For sewing and embroidery this means lots of toys - I mean supplies.
  
  I stopped by my local dealer the other day and she gave me an update to my Accessory User's Guide. This hoop and embroidery collection totally caught my eye.
  
  Here is what I know so far .....
• The hoop is 150 mm x 150 mm (this is the same size as the Do All Quilters Hoop that I LOVE.
• This embroidery hoop has holes in the top piece of the hoop that you can run yarn, ribbon, lace, chenille, maybe even beads and sequins through.
• Then you have little clips that hold the ribbon in place.
• Then you embroider over it.
• The embroidery collection has 20 designs that can be used with and without the additional texture.
• It looks the designs are made to work with a variety of ribbon directions and quantities.

So I am wondering, before I make the investment has anyone used this? Seen anything made with it?

How do you finish the edges of the ribbon that fall outside the embroidery design? Can you use it with other design collections? Is it fun or tedious?

I am thinking that it could make really nice blankies, add some dimension to a handbag, be great as the back of a jacket, or I could keep going with the pillow theme and make some updates to the living room!

More sewing and embroidery projects - completed!

I played with the fabric, I played with the thread and now I have two lovely embroidered pillows for my bed.

I made the pillow covers from curtain panels. Just measured the pillow forms I had on hand, cut the curtains, embroidered my designs, and sewed a few seams.

The curtain panels look like silk dupioni but are really polyester. The blue one is an extra from the set picked up at Pier One. The green one is from a bathroom I had two houses ago.

I have to share how well my machine handled the slippery fabric! No pulling, no gathering, no tension issues! I used a straight stitch and the basic A foot that came on the machine, super simple.

Talk about sew green - the only purchased for this little project was the embroidery design collection (thank you myembroideries half off summer sale!) and the variegated thread. Both will be put to good use again I assure you.

Ta da!

It took weeks - but the first bedroom pillow is done!

I love it! I used two different Sulky variegated threads to get the texture and colors right.

Do you know how many different types of variegated thread there are?

And they aren't all the same. Some are twisted, some slowly shift from light to dark, some quickly shift. It took some trial and error.

The Sulky Blendables were way too gradual, but I think they would be great for quilting. The Robison-Anton Twister Tweed came out like stripes, it might work for something less stitch dense or a one color design that you want to give some dimention to.

To make this project even more fun, I didn't have to buy any fabric for it. I used an extra curtain panel to make a super basic envelope pillow cover.

Highlight of my day!

Just had to take a moment and share my geekiness.

The "Fight Like a Girl" tank that I embroidered and had the hole issue with, made it into the Flickr round up on Urban Threads!

I know some people think there is no creativity involved in machine embroidery, that it is all plop and drop and the machine does all the work for you and if that was the case I wouldn't be as excited as I am to see that tank top on Urban Threads.

This tank, for me is the perfect argument against that theory. I test stitched the design to get the colors right, and to try to get all of my daughter's requests in (yes, I know if I had software this would not be necessary, but software is a HUGE investment, especially if you don't know how much you will use it).

And let us not forget my moment of clumsiness and the creative solution that added two more embroidery designs to the tank top.

In the end my daughter is happy with a fun summer tank top that she picked out and personalized, I got to be a little creative, and now way more people can see that machine embroidery isn't a piece of cake, but is well worth the process.

Decoration inspiration

When I think of interesting decor I think of Design*Sponge for inspiration and World Market or Pier One for ideas.

I was shopping through the Pier One website (again) when I came across this floral and dot embroidered pillow. This is exactly what I have been looking for!

I have an extra panel of the navy blue bedroom curtains (they were on clearance and I thougth it might come in handy).

That panel has just found a new life! I am going to measure the pillow forms I already have and make some basic envelope style covers and embroider the heck out of them! A little home decor re-fashion is on the way!

Pistachio is best saved for ice cream

Ok, back to our regularly scheduled broadcasting, all about me and my funky pistachio green bedroom.

Here is the rug picture previously promised.

So how to make this room less green? I changed the curtains to the matching navy blue, but what is next? A heap of fun pillows is the first thing that comes to mind.

Tons of blue fabrics and embroideries tying together the pistachio walls, navy curtains, navy bedding, and hydrangea rug.

I am willing to sew square pillows, cylinder pillows, even a big body pillow.

Any fabrics, threads or embroidery designs come to mind?

Baby showers can be fun.

The baby shower was actually fun. A lovely group of about thirty women from different branches of the family, generations from newborn to 92. The afternoon was spent talking, laughing, playing silly games and being reminded that women are amazing.

And my fretting over a last minute gift was complete and totally unnecessary. I found a great set of pastel colored burp cloths and went to town with some young and fun embroideries from Urban Threads .

I also have to give special kudos to my machine, she may have earned a name after this adventure. I can't keep just saying my machine, or the Husqvarna Viking Designer Topaz 30 (say that three times fast!). These burp cloths were done in an afternoon and I can count the thread breaks on one hand!

Take a peak at my fantastic, last minute, absolutely adorable, burp cloths! Next time I will sew them myself and embroider them, but this was great for last minute.

And you know you did good when the momma-to-be asks if you would please make more for her!

Here is my other bonus from the day, the princess with her cousin and the flower they won playing one of those games we all try to avoid at any all girl event!

Something to embroider ....

I need something to embroider. Here are the designs from the Thread Art Tapestry collection I got at the myembroideries.com sale:


They are the super organic, and with the variegated thread have this amazing texture. They scream home decor to me .... so what room needs a little sprucing up?

All better!

I have officially 'fixed' the holes in the tank top with a small corresponding embroidery design. The fashionista herself picked it out as well as the thread colors. She also suggested one be added to the front of the tank. She is also requesting some more crystals, but I will let her do that.

And to make it even better - this was so easy. I officially love my machine. I used a sticky stabilizer so I didn't have to hoop the top and ironed a fusible to the top to give the knit some body. Then I used the FIX function in embroidery mode to baste the the top to the stabilizer and eliminate any shifting. It worked like a dream!

Some people are just accident prone ....

and I am one of them. As previously mentioned I have done some silly things in the name of sewing.
Example - getting my hair caught in the take up lever

Example - sewing through my own fingernail

Example - sewing the foot into a twisted circle of tee shirt and having to remove it from the garment in order to continue sewing.

In retrospect I should have taken pictures of all of these events. But today I am focused on the last one.

I was working on this design for my daughter and it was going relatively well. Then the extra fabric jumped out of no where and I didn't catch it until it was twisted and the hip fabric was sewn to the back fabric.

My most favorite tool of all time - the one and only seam ripper came to my rescue and together we removed the foot from the shirt and put it back on the machine. But now I have these crazy little holes in the back right hip of her her shirt.

They didn't photograph well, but there are 5 little holes in a 1" x 1" square. I must hide them. Fix them. Somehow disguise them. And it must be done in a way fashionable for an almost 11 year old girl.

Suggestions?

- a tiny corresponding embroidery
- add some bits of reverse applique
- try some fun little patches
- hem the shirt

I will try anything. She picked out the shirt and the design and I really don't want to disappoint.

Embroidery extravaganza

Here is one of the machine embroidery collections I bought from myembroideries.com

I totally fell for the swirls and shapes and free motion thing it has goign on. The collection includes directions to make the wall hanging/sampler shown on the front, but I really like each design seperately.

There is also a thread kit. It is difficult to see in the picture but the designs are stitched out in the most sumptuous variegated thread.

I see a table runner for the dining room or pillows for my bedroom, any other fun project suggestions?

Junk mail or great deal?

Hello all - this appeared in my e-mail today:

I tend to immediately discard anything that could even be junk mail, then I read it.

Then I clicked it.

Then I shopped.

Now I am in trouble. Or will be if anyone else ever sees the credit card statement or this post.

I think I bought enough machine embroidery designs to redecorate my whole house and then some.
So now I am sharing, hope everyone enjoys!