Scraps in the hoop

This is what I found in my stash to start playing with my Texture Hoop. Some denim, a bit of glorious dupioni silk, a bit of organza, basically some odds and ends with texture and visibility differences.

I really wanted to layer my fabrics/ribbons/textures. Just seemed like a good way to learn this hoop.

Not to mention I just don't have a ton of interesting ribbon or yarn in my stash right now. I had a crochet fest a few months ago and until those projects are complete I can't raid those supplies.

I still don't know what I am making, but the denim just seems like a great base fabric. I always like embroidering on it - not a lot of fuss or special sewing tools involved. Tear away stabilizer and any design work beautifully.

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 .....

The first Texture Hoop project

Some sewing supplies are purchased with a distinct purpose or goal in mind. The Texture Hoop was not. It looked fun and different and as I was standing in the dealer's store I had visions of gifts and potential.

But those ideas were lost the moment I did not write them down or sketch them out. So now here I am looking to the embroidery hoop and my stash for inspiration, or a starting point.

The free sewing project that comes with the Husqvarna Viking Texture Hoop is a quilt. Well, they call it a quilt - but to me it looks an awful lot like a quilted table runner.

The finished size is listed as 78"x27", which screams table runner to me and don't get me started on that super timely red. Very holidayish without screaming "I can only be used one week out of the year".

So this is on the potential list of first projects for this fun little hoop.

But as always, I am open to suggestions. What do you think the first project should be?

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!