Embroidered Pillowcases

Year's ago I was given a big box of Work Basket Magazines. I didn't really want to keep all of them, but before disposing of them, I did go through them first and removed all the embroidery transfers that were in them. When I decided a few weeks ago that I wanted to embroider some pillowcases, I went through the transfers and found one that I liked and used them to put the design on the pillowcases. The nice thing about using these transfers is you don't have any concept of what colors to use or what stitches to use. You get to be as creative as you want. I pulled out my copy of The Embroiderer's Handbook which I have found to be the BEST embroidery stitch guide I have ever seen and started sewing. I used several stitches that I had never used before and also some variegated threads, especially for the birds. For the bird I used the Fishbone Stitch found on page 73 of the book. For the green leaves I used Lattice Couching found on page 99 (I do need a bit more practice with that stitch), I also used a long stitch with a French Knot on the end for the pistils of the flowers. I enjoyed my time sitting and stitching. I also found when stitching I tend to not much which has it's own benefits!

How to Miter the Inside Corner of a Hong Kong Finish - Threads

How to Miter the Inside Corner of a Hong Kong Finish - Threads

Another great idea from Kenneth King and Threads magazine. One reader commented that this would be a good way to bind an inside corner of a quilt, so most any inside corner binding would profit from this information.

Pinterest

I had been hearing of Pinterest for awhile and a few weeks ago finally checked it out and joined. I love this site and most seamstresses and quilters would. It is pretty much photo based and when you see some photo of a gorgeous quilt or sewing project, you can 'pin' it to your board and be able to refer back to it later. You can also sort what you save by different boards, like recipes, sewing ideas, Christmas, your own projects, whatever you want and whatever you want to call them to help you remember what is in them. I have a board called Inspiration that has photos of all sorts of things from wedding cakes, architecture, fishes, sky scenes, etc. If something appeals to me whatever the reason such as colors being used together, shapes that might make a great quilt, and so on, I pin it onto my Inspiration board. For those of us without ready access to a camera (or the ability to take decent photos) this is a great substitute and wonderful way to keep track of ideas, kind of like a file folder full of pages torn out of magazines that inspire you.

Anyhow, if you aren't acquainted with the site, I thought I would mention it in case it would appeal you whatever type of sewing or craft work that you do. You have to be invited to join (don't ask me why) and I can send invites to anyone that would like one, and NO I do not get paid for bringing in new people. Some of you have fantastic quilts and sewing projects that the world should see and Pinterest is a great place to share them. I have found spending some time on Pinterest at the end of the day is a very calming thing and seeing all the DIY ideas gives me hope that our next generation really will be sewing and crafting and carrying on our work as sewists.

New Quilting Books

I will admit being addicted to books and especially sewing and quilting books. I was feeling very well the other day, so on top of running some necessary errands which usually leave me wiped out, I ended up at Joann Fabrics in front of the quilt book display (40% off no less)! I couldn't resist and two books and one magazine got popped into my cart. While many of the books on the display would have been of interest to me, when I picked these books up, they were so compelling I just knew I had to read them and study them. Of course, bringing them home made me want to try things out, except the elves have taken over my sewing room until December 25th. Until those projects are done I CAN NOT start another one except in my mind!!! See I'm being firm with myself.

The first one was Easy Grid Quilts . I have been seeing it advertised in quilting magazines, but the title didn't really help me understand the book and even though the front cover showed a compelling quilt I wasn't sure what it was about. Wow! What a book, especially for someone like me. When I finish any quilt project, all scraps are cut into set sizes of pieces. Generally I cut them into 2 1/2" squares, 4 1/2" squares and a 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" rectangle, but I have plenty of other size pre-cut squares and pre-sewn pieces. In other words, I could probably make one of her quilts without cutting any fabric at this point. See why I have to hold myself off of starting any new project until Christmas is done? Her whole book shows that by following a particular grid with set sizes of blocks, with set colors or fabrics, and even including applique if you like; you can make a fantastic quilt. She actually shows several different type grids in the book. For those that have lots of pre-cut pieces that you want to try something new with this might be a good book for you to check out.

The other book I got was Thread Magic Garden: Create Enchanted Quilts with Thread Painting & Pattern-Free Appliqué.  While the author's quilts aren't technically the type of quilt that I would want to make, I did want to learn her techniques. When I opened the book in the store, I realized that I would really have to study the book. It wasn't just something that you can flip through and remember everything like some books. I'm not done studying it or reading it yet. However, this morning on the Quilting Arts TV show, Ellen Anne Eddy, was featured and she showed how she did what she talks about in her book so that really was helpful, besides she was a very funny lady. If you want to learn how to thread pain flowers, this book would be a good reference and instruction source for you.

Recycled Pants = Skirt

Several months or possibly a year ago, Vogue Patterns magazine published an article on converting a pair of pants into a skirt, without the resulting 'hippy/boho' look that usually happens. I'd been wanting to try that as I usually wear skirts, so took a pair of green corduory pants that were a good 12 or more years old but were wearing like iron to try out the project. Found that the skirt ended up too short for my nasty looking knees, so added another strip of corduory from the leftover legs and a nice chunk of lace and my knees are covered. Instead of 'hippy' I got 'old fashioned' style! Oh well, not something most women my age would probably wear, but I'm happy to have something 'new' to wear. Now I have to decide if I want to do this with some of the many pairs of jeans I have that aren't getting worn.

New Addition to My Sewing Room

Since our last desktop computer bit the bullet, I haven't done any machine embroidery. For some reason, my Customizer program never got installed on the newest computer even though it was on my laptop. But the laptop wasn't connected to a computer and I now needed a doohickey so that I could use the memory card in my 300e. The worst thing about sewing and computer stuff is how easily they go out of date. Anyhow, I realized that part of my problem in getting behind in embroidery projects, other than just poor health and lack of time, is that I have always had my computer and printer right next to my machine so that sewing out a designs after printing a template was super easy. Well a few weeks ago when I got my list from Amazon on items that I could pick to review, there was a printer on the list! I managed to get it (usually things like that disappear before I ever get a chance to see it). So our newest member in our computing family is a Samsung color laser printer! It arrived and with no particular 'need' for a printer Hubby and I discussed where to put it for awhile. Since the toners for this printer are rather expensive and the paper tray doesn't hold much, we knew we couldn't use it for the routine office work for our business. So now my sewing room has a new, very special color printer. The printouts in color are terrific. Laser is so much better than ink jet! I got it set up and my laptop besides it with the Janome 300E off to the side of me and suddenly I felt at home again. I was able to print out in color templates for a Christmas gift I want to make. Now I can do what I need to without having to bother hubby while he is on the computer. I'm still trying to sort out and straighten up the sewing room and then it is back to the quilt I'm making for someone specials Christmas present and have another present embroidering out at the same time. What fun!

If you want to see what I got, click on the Amazon link below. I don't expect you to buy it, but if you need a great color printer, this is a nice one. I'm just happy to have a new 'toy'.

How to Make a Snail Frog Closure - Threads

Here is a technique that you might want to try. Kenneth King is so creative and his instructions are easy to understand. How to Make a Snail Frog Closure - Threads

Sewing Savvy

Yesterday, I had a chance to run into town and stop at the library for a bit. As I usually do when there, I check out all the magazines that have been donated and are up for sale. I managed to snag 8 copies of the 2008-2009 issues of Sewing Savvy magazine. I'm sorry to say that this publication has ceased publication at this point. I did a quick flip through and when I have time I will be reading more of the articles in the magazines. They have an impressive amount of projects for embellishing clothing, kids clothes, kitchen and home projects, aprons, and seasonal decorations. Rather than focus on one type of sewing, they would give tips on what to do if you, say for instance, don't have an embroidery machine how to make the featured item anyhow. They also used lots of fancy stitches when appropriate. I especially love books and magazines that can help me imagine the possibilities of all the decorative stitches on my machine. I know I am going to get lots of ideas from these magazines, and the best part? They were only 25 cents apiece which I managed to scrounge the $2 total price out of the coins in the bottom of my purse!

For those that have hobbies and want to thin out their stash of magazines, etc. don't forget your local library or thrift store -- never, ever the garbage. Most are happy to take donations. I know I personally am always ready and willing to take any kind of needlecraft magazines off of any one's hands. Free of course being the best price LOL! I use them as the equivalent of picture books on the days I'm especially not feeling well as it takes my mind off the pain. So many thanks to whoever donated these particular magazines to the McCord Library in North East, PA! I've gotten some great magazines there during this year.

Tulips and Heather

I would love to introduce to you a fairly new blog called Tulips and Heather This is my most amazing daughter-in-law's blog. She is one of the most talented, smart, beautiful young women I know. The moment Ron brought her home to visit us, even though it was  past 11PM at night, it was like the sun came out in the house and it didn't set until she left. Because of the distance they are from us, visits will be very rare and most precious, so I am especially pleased to see bits and pieces of their lives by way of her blog. You might enjoy seeing some of her great ideas as well!

National Sewing Month

September is National Sewing Month! I'd like to invite you to our store, Moonwishes Sewing and Crafts to shop for your sewing pattern needs. We have been listing like crazy the last couple of months and have close to 7800 different patterns in all styles and sizes listed at this point. We have a great selection of costume patterns for the upcoming Halloween and also patterns for church Christmas pageants and choir robes. Yesterday I was busy restocking our Women's Plus size patterns and if you check in the Unisex Pattern category of our patterns you will find even some larger extended size patterns if needed.

We work hard to maintain a large selection of patterns so our customers have a broad choice all in one spot. I also enjoy comparing patterns from current times to those in the past. Some are uncannily the same and others show styles that come around every couple of decades. I've noticed that peplums are coming back in style and the latest Threads Magazine, issue 163, ran an article on designing and adding a peplum to your garment. Peplums were very popular in the 1980's and we have many patterns that feature peplums that you could use for inspiration and a pattern itself, only watch out for the shoulders on these garments! Nothing better than to mix and match pattern pieces and come up with a great outfit. My favorite summer dress is a combination of a Vogue jumper and Simplicity flutter sleeves.

Shop with us any time!

Project Linus Quilts

I was given a big batch of fabric, batting, pre-cut squares and pre-sewn blocks several months ago. I decided to try to make some quick Project Linus quilts with the pre-sewn blocks. I try to make 1-2 quilts for this charity yearly, but find myself rushing to get them done by the official drop off date although they can take them any time of year.

So I sorted through the pre-sewn blocks and found that I had plenty of purple with a purple flower print 9 patch blocks. Problem was I didn't have any of the opposite blocks. With some of the pre-cut squares and making some squares myself, sometimes by picking out and disassembling some blocks to move the fabric into new locations, I had enough blocks to make 2 baby quilts. While they both have much of the same fabric, they coordinate but don't exactly match. It was fun to be able to make them without a lot of cutting and now I have already been able to turn in the quilts and am on to other projects. To quilt the quilt, I used a serpentine stitch down each of the seam lines with my even feed foot attached. I've found that doing a stitch that isn't straight helps to cover up seams that don't quite match!

One of the things that I do while making Project Linus quilts, is practice new techniques and currently I'm working on preparing to bind the quilt and the actual binding. I haven't been happy for years with how my binding looks. I was able to see a Nancy Zieman show (after the quilts were finished) that showed how to make an EASY mitered binding and so with what I trying and the advice she gave, I think my next quilt will have binding to be proud of!

Reversible Apron

I've gotten a bit behind in posting about my sewing projects as life just seems to zoom by the older I get! My daughter in law had a birthday last month and I made her another apron as she likes them and had asked me to make them for her. This time I tried something new. I made a reversible butcher apron so she could use whichever side fabric that she wanted or would go with her clothes.
I used McCalls Pattern 5174 (also sold as 0682) as the basis for her apron.

While this particular pattern is now out of print we have bunches of other apron patterns for sales at our store Moonwishes Sewing and Crafts. Just click this link to see them.

I used the butcher or carpenter's apron. Shown in light and dark blue. I tried to pick two different fabrics that would coordinate and also be in the color range that Savannah wears. I cut out two for each pattern piece except for the tie as it needed two of each fabric. The neck strap normally calls for making a tube of fabric and turning it inside out and then edgestitching. Instead I sewed the two different fabrics right side together and turned them inside out and edgestitched. For edgestitching, I use my stitch in the ditch presser foot as I have found it to be the best presser foot for this task.

Instead of the straight ties that were recommended for the carpenter apron, I used the fuller ties that ended with a 45 degree point. Next time I would make them longer though as they were meant for the aprons that reach around the body more than the carpenter apron. One thing I was very careful of, especially when making the points is that I got the left and right side ties made correctly. With the ties made I made pockets and embellished them and attached them to the front of their respective side of the apron. Pockets can be placed at whatever location would be convenient and do not have to be placed exactly where it shows on the pattern tissues.

Once I was done with the ties and pockets, I positioned side on of the apron right side up on my work table, then placed the ties in position and then laid down side two with the right side down. Pinned it all together and took it to the machine to sew up and around and then back down the sides. DO NOT sew down the hem at this point. I then turned the apron inside out, pressed it all carefully and then edgestitched all around the sewn sides of the apron. I turned the bottom of the apron up inside the two layers and then sewed the hem down through both sides. I would think that you could also allow the hem to be hemmed up on each individual side and let it hang loosely or be embellished with trim or a ruffle. I loved the way the apron came out! Modeled by Annabelle the dummy. Note that I got brave and made a rounded pocket on the one apron side.

Bra-Making Basics - Threads

Bra-Making Basics - Threads  If you ever wondered about making your own bra, you can download the instructions now and see if this is a sewing challenge that is right for you. Let us know if you found it easy to make or not and what was the most challenging aspect? Measuring and getting the size right? Or perhaps it is finding the bra making basics? Please share with your sister sewers.

How to Make Beaded "Berry" Buttons - Threads

How to Make Beaded "Berry" Buttons - Threads You can download the simple instructions for making these buttons. It seems to me that with some tweaking, they could also be made into brooches to match your garment's fabric.

How to Create a Beautiful Lace Top - Threads

How to Create a Beautiful Lace Top - Threads  This video looks like a super simple lace top for either practicing sewing on lace or just making one of this year's fashion basics!

Simplicity Pattern 9124

We love it when customers send photos of the garments or projects that they make from patterns they buy from us. Linda from Hawaii just sent us some great photos that we want to share. She used Simplicity Pattern 9124. Checkout what the patterns envelope shows and what Linda did. She added some extra fabric in the front of the dress as her daughter needed a bit more room and made a pleat in the back. We hope that these photos give you some inspiration in your sewing endeavors. Be sure to send us photos of your projects so that we can post them as well!

Blackwork Embroidery

I was sitting last night looking though some craft magazines when I came upon a small article on doing blackwork embroidery in issue 173 of Cross Stitcher Magazine (from the UK). I've seen numerous examples of blackwork in other magazines and embroidery books, but have never attempted it myself. Thanks to the fact that I have all my embroidery supplies in a rolling cart near the couch, I was ready on a moments notice to stitch. Of course, I didn't have the right size fabric, but I didn't let that stop me. I did have a piece of Aida cloth that someone had already used threads to make the design ready to stitch.

Since the design was a strawberry, I decided to use red embroidery floss. Part of the design was in one strand of floss and others parts in two strands. The instructions were minimal, but I did figure most of them out and had to change some stitches because of using the wrong type and size of fabric. After the first few stitches I realized that I would have some trouble following the chart as it was too small to see clearly, so David very nicely blew the chart up for me and printed it out in color so I could still follow the color chart. I did find that at the beginning since it was new to me, that after 2-3 stitches I would cross off those stitches to be sure I was keeping the right count and was stitching in the right place. The one place that I did have trouble was the beginning and ending the thread, especially with the single strand of thread as the back of the stitching didn't  have the same type of set up to bury stitches like regular counted cross stitch. If I do this again, I will have to see if my other books have instructions or perhaps some one reading this could leave us all an explanation.

In the end after around 2 hours of 'work' I had a nice little design that I will eventually us for something. It was fun and I enjoyed myself. Here is my little strawberry design.

Embroidery Library Christmas Club

Be sure to sign up today for Embroidery Library's Christmas Club. You will get FREE desgins, Christmas projects and credit on your purchases towards more free designs, plus more! At signing up today I got three Free designs in two sizes each.

Nursery Rhyme Quilt

Secrets of Embroidery has many designers products at their site. Currently, if you visit there and check out Kreative Kiwi's site, you can get all the designs needed to make an adorable Nursery Rhyme quilt -- for FREE!. I don't know how long this will be available for free so stop in as soon as possible here.

New Machine Embroidery Freebies

Embroidery Library has come out with some great designs just in time for the 4th of July that you can pick up for free through June 30th. You can also download June and July's free designs if you have not downloaded June's yet, this is your last chance. Our printer had run out of ink and I was waiting till I could print out the color chart in color to download them. All told and with the two sizes available for each design, I downloaded 12 new designs a few minutes ago. I just love this company for their generosity and their great designs. I've never had a bit of trouble with a single one. Visit Embroidery Library to stock up your designs.

Just thinking about the 12 designs I just got, I remember when the first home embroidery machines came out. The designs where incredibly tiny and a disc with designs on ran around $100! Free designs were not something that anyone ever imagined, but of the great things we managed to do with those machines, but I still like my Janome 300e.

Holiday Knitting Boutique

I would like to introduce you to a great book of knitting projects that I was asked to review by the author. You might like it too.

Holiday Knitting Boutique by Mary Jean Daigneault if a full color book, ISBN 0615478751 puclished by Praxis 2012. Here is the review that I wrote for Amazon:

I was asked to review this book by the author as not only I do book reviews, I am heavily into needlework crafts and have an on line store that sells sewing patterns, so anything having to do with needlework is something I want to read about. Even though I am not a knitter, I love reading about knitting and seeing great projects and that is what you will find in this book. Great projects! While being called projects for holidays, most of the designs with a color change could be used for holidays and occasions other than Christmas.

The author is an interior designer as well as a knitter and this shows throughout the book. Her items are lovely and things that can be lived with, not those tatty, cheap, make in 15 minutes nonsense. Through lovely yarns (which I wanted to reach onto the page and touch) and an artist’s eye you will find some great three dimensional items unlike anything I have seen in any knitting book, such as large snowmen, pillows, wreaths, trees, etc. The closest you get to a 'same old stuff' in the book is the beanie hat. Otherwise all the designs looked fresh and original.

The only reason that I gave this book 4 instead of a 5 is I felt that some of the project information at the beginning of each project was lacking enough detail. While I didn't read and can't comment on the actual knitting directions, I did read the 'ingredient' list and blurbs of the need to know information, and it didn't seem to me to be enough for good follow through on the projects unless the knitter is more experienced. Perhaps that is just because I'm not a knitter.  Also, while the book has lovely color illustrations of the completed projects, there were no intermediate illustrations or diagrams on how to put some of these projects together. Some crafters really do need clues on how to put things together even if they have knitted it correctly especially these large 3D projects.

All in all though a really terrific book with some great ideas.

I certainly hope for the sake of knitters, that the author continues with designing new knitting projects and writing books about them.

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Embroidery Delight

Secrets of Embroidery has welcomed a new machine embroidery merchant called Embroidery Delight. They have many interesting designs from floral to children's animal appliques. They also have several Freebies posted at this point. Stop on in to Secrets of Embroidery by clicking here.

I Won a Prize!

Last Friday, June 1, 2012, I got a letter in the mail. You know snail mail, that makes you curious wondering who wrote you and why. Opened it up to find out that I had won a prize of a Work Station Ironing Board through a Vogue Patterns Magazine giveaway. It arrived on Saturday. Let's just say I was thrilled. I have it attached to the left of my trusty Janome Horizon 7700 so it makes a great work surface. I have a travel iron that has been packed up for years, and I will try to find it for the next time I'm piecing so I don't have to keep getting up and down. Anything to make sewing easier for me at this point in my arthritis is terrific. Yes, that is my messy sewing spot and the stool I have to sit on now that my sewing chair broke and then threw me off a few months ago.

You too can get one of these Work Station Ironing Boards . I find it to be well constructed. The leg is adjustable although because I have an old fashioned sewing table built for smaller ladies in a different era, hubby had to cut off a bit of the leg. It even came with a full sized pattern to make an iron board cover for it in case of burns, glue desposits and all the other nasties that collect on ironing board covers. They are produced by Ohana Creations, a small American company. Check them out here.

Thank you so much Vogue Patterns Magazine and Ohana Creations for giving me this great gift. Of course, that also prompted me to go double checked that I had submited entires for all the other contests I would be interested in winning!

Vicki's Fabric Creations

By way of Kenney Kreations, I have found a most interesting blog called Vicki's Fabric Creations. I'm not sure when Vicki sleeps but she has some amazing machine embroidered quilts and other sewing projects on her blog. If you like to machine embroider, make quilts, sew garments, etc. this is a blog you need to visit and bookmark.

Deco Mandala Designer

I was offered this fun toy to review through the Amazon Vine program. Every once in a while, I hit the jackpot and get offered something truly fun like this. I also get a lot of books to review and have found that my library trips have decreased significantly over the last few years since I've been doing this. I've also read a lot of lousy books but many good ones as well!

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This product is for kids 6-12. Well I'm a lot older than 12, yet I had a very fun time using it while watching TV last night. I was offered this product for review, but wasn't quite sure what it would do, but as I'm seriously into crafting I wanted to try it. Apparently there are more stencils that are available separately, but the ones included here were pretty much girly ones and since the designer itself comes in bold pink I would assume that it is meant for girls. Boys I think would also enjoy this in a different color and with more 'boy' type stencils.

I did post a picture of my first attempt at using the machine. There are all sorts of designs that you can make. It comes with one black fine point pen. I think a variety of other colors would have been great to include with the machine. I had some Sharpie fine point markers here at home and I used those for different colors and they worked very well in the stencils but any pen point much larger probably won’t work. You can however draw the designs with the black pen and then color them in when you take your paper out of the designer. If you didn't want to make designs in the circular format, you can also use the stencils on a flat surface. I'm thinking up ways that I can use this machine in my own crafting and quilting.

They didn't make these sorts of toys when I was a child and I can see where I missed out on some fun. Everything seems very well made, including the butterfly 3-D punch. The ink stamp took very little pressure for the stamp to work. Instructions came in German, French and English. It did need 4 AA batteries to work to turn the circle and there were no glitches at all and everything moved smoothly. I can see where those who are heavily into scrap booking would also like making designs on this machine to add to their scrapbook pages.

All in all a very fine toy that could be used in a car trip, in a hospital bed for a sick child (being sure to have extra pen colors, crayons and paper in a separate tote, the machine itself has carry handles), at a slumber party, and any time you have a girl that wants to be creative and artistic but doesn't yet have the fine motor control for drawing--something I still have problems with!

Sherlock Holmes Embroidery Project

Today, April 11, one of my embroidery projects is being featured on Embroidery Library!

Started laying out a new quilt project last night for Project Linus.

Stolen Quilts

A quilting teacher, Karen Combs had her teaching quilts stolen out of her car in Texas.  Please take a few moments to check out her blog to see pictures of the quilts and if you see one in your travels either on line or in person, contact her. Her contact information is on her blog here.

Retro Sewing Patterns

One of the fun things about having a sewing pattern business is all the sewing patterns! Not only do I get to see and inspect the current patterns available for sewing, but patterns from the past that are still great to be worn currently. Lately there has been a huge push into retro and vintage fahion. You can get the authentitic look by buying a sewing pattern of the style and time frame that you like, and with a few small alterations you can make your pattern even more stylish and current.

We just listed this pattern, McCall's Pattern 2977, which would make a great summer dress. With all the different neckline, yoke options, and even the option to have a front button bodice, you can make this dress multiple times and no one would know the difference since you can make significant changes with each dress you make. Changing the type of fabric that you create this dress with, you will have even more options. This pattern was first printed in 1987, which was still the era of the big padded shoulders. The only alteration I would make with this dress, is not having the shoulder pad, but continuing with the extended shoulder with a slight alteration to make it lay right without the shoulder pad. You will end up with a fun flirty, cool to wear summer dress in a variety of looks. Make it the first time to check and adjust the fit and then make it again and again to have a whole wardrobe of easy to make basic hot weather dresses.

With well over 7000 sewing patterns listed and more being listed all the time, you will be sure to find a great pattern for your next sewing project. Shop with us any time at Moonwishes Sewing and Crafts!

The Royal Wedding Prince William and Catherine Middleton

The Royal Wedding of Miss Catherine Middleton to Prince William of the United Kingdom was a glorious affair. Now you too can have a wedding fit for a princess through the power of Butterick sewing patterns. Butterick Sewing Pattern has produced patterns of replicas of the dresses worn at the wedding by the bride, her maid of honor and the flower girls. Butterick 5731 or P249 is similar to the dress Miss Middleton wore only with a much shorter cut on train, as most brides aren't going to be able to book Westminster Abbey for their event! The maid of honor dress that Philippa Middleton (Pippa) wore looks basically the same in Butterick 5710 or P250 as do the flower girl dress in Butterick 5705 or P248. The maid of honor dress can also be used for a wedding dress itself with it's short cuton train, or as a formal or in the shorter version a party dress. All sizes and styles are currently available for the Royal Wedding dress patterns in our store, Moonwishes Sewing and Crafts.

Even if a royal wedding isn't in the cards for you, we do have over 7000 uncut, unused sewing patterns in every size and style. Shop with us any time and tell your sewing friends about our store. Thanks for visiting.

Ruffling without a Ruffler foot

Here is a blog entry showing how to ruffle by machine without a ruffling foot. I haven't had time yet to try this, but you might want. Visit the blog here.

A Stitch A Half

Else found me yet another site. A Stitch A Half . Their current freebie is an embroidered clutch purse in three sizes where the panels are made with your embroidery machine and then stitched together with your sewing machine. Get over there now while this great download is still available and don't forget to get the tutorial for making the purse.

Worldwide Mchine Embroidery Designs

The hobby of machine embroidery is definitely a worldwide hobby. My on-line friend Else from the Netherlands, has been scouting new design pages for me and they are listed on our Embroidery Designs page. One is in Italian and one in Dutch.

I'm so glad for these emails from Else especially when having a bit of a rough day. Last night I went to sit down in my sewing chair and one of the 5 legs (which are supposed to increase safety) broke out from under me throwing me onto the floor. My left leg rammed into my thread, hoops and stabilizer cart and ended up knocking it on top of me with my right leg stuck under the cutting table. Thankfully I managed to get the thread stand back up without losing everything onto the floor and then the big project was getting me back up. With fake knees and sore, weak joints all over, this was a major project requiring the help of hubby and a step ladder. The good news was I had finished my sewing project and was just putting stuff away.

Gail's Sewing Projects

Finally got the picture out of the camera of the wedding quilt I made and the happy couple with me. I love these kids and I loved being able to make them something special that shows that love.

I also finished my Project Linus quilt on Saturday after a marathon 3 hours sewing session. I wanted to get it done by the main collection day as it is too easy to let things go if you miss a 'deadline'. While making these quilts I always pray for the child and the family that will receive it as these quilts are given to children in distress of some type.

Now to get going with some other projects. Started yesterday with mending. I don't particularly like mending, but I like knowing that by mending something, I'm keeping it useful for a longer time.

Project Linus Quilt 2012

Between surgeries, just not feeling good and a major wedding quilt project, I didn't get much other sewing done this past year. The other day I counted up how many quilt blocks I had made towards this year's Project Linus quilt. I had made only 10 and needed 25! Last night I finally sat down and whipped up 15 more,  machine embroidered the Janome Project Linus logo on one of the blocks, ironed them and trimmed threads. Hopefully today I will be able to get them sewn together, sandwiched with the batting and backing and quilt it so it can be turned in tomorrow which is blanket day at my local sewing shop, Super Stitch .  I try to get a blanket done every year and if I don't finish it on time I end up without the mental push of a deadline. This is going to be a big push for me so I hope I can get it finished.

I usually make most of my Project Linus quilts in bright primary colors. This is where cutting blocks out of leftover material at the end of sewing project really pays off. I cut all my leftover cotton quilting fabric into 4 1/2" and 2 1/2" squares and 4 1/2 x 2 1/2" rectangles. I always seem to have plenty of pieces to make a scrap quilts for this yearly project. I'm also glad that I didn't have to cut these pieces all at the last minute as the tendonitis in my elbow wouldn't have allowed it. It is amazing just how many different kinds of quilt blocks can be made with just these three size of quilt pieces. The picture shows this year's block design.

The Project Linus logo can be downloaded for free at the Janome website along with a lot of other free machine embroidery designs.

The Free Motion Quilting Project

If you want to learn how to free motion quilt on a domestic or home sewing machine, this is the place to go! Visit The Free Motion Quilting Project where Leah Day will help you through written and video tutorials to learn all sorts of designs and ways to quilt your quilting projects. Her site is a fantastic learning opportunity that you should want to take advantage of.

Valentine's Day & Project Linus

Just realized last night that Project Linus blanket day is this coming Saturday the 18th. Although they take quilts throughout the year, I try to have one ready by the blanket day as a prompt and deadline for me. At this point I only have 10 blocks made and need 25 total, plus finishing the quilt. I'll see how it goes. I haven't missed turning in a blanket for years, but this past year was rough with two surgeries and the new year hasn't started out so well either with almost non-stop pain from not only the RA but tendonitis. You would think that if you are already in chronic pain for one thing, you wouldn't have to get another source of pain too wouldn't you? It has sure slowed down my sewing plans. I'm going to give it a try to get the Project Linus quilt finished though, as it is simple quick blocks.

Also a reminder that lately several of the embroidery sites that I signed up for have been giving away free embroidery designs for Valentine's Day. So if you get newsletters in the mail, be sure to open them to see if you got a goodie! I think in the last couple days I got 5-6 free designs. Valentine's Day is now rather special for me as it is also my wedding anniversary. This year will be our tenth one and I'm so glad I have a hubby that not only loves me but works hard to help ease my physical pain and has stuck by me all these years of chronic illness! He is a wonderful guy.

The Free Motion Quilting Project

I've been hearing a long time about Leah Day and finally last night since I couldn't sleep I had time to visit her blog, The Free Motion Quilting Project. Definitely a place to visit if you are trying to learn FMQ and want to be able to both read and see how to do things. She has lots of videos showing how to do things. I barely got through the surface of what she has in her blog and know that will need to spend so quality time there.

Winter Machine Embroidery Freebies

Just in case you may have missed it, Embroidery Library is offering some great winter freebies up through January 22, 2012. Two of the designs available need bigger hoops as one has a measurement of over 8" on one side and the other has one over 9" on one side and is designed for an endless hoop, but for those with smaller sew out ability they have split the design for you. Embroidery Library, if you have told them your preferred format and maximum size of your hoops, will remind you if designs are too big for your machine when they are placed in your shopping cart. I download all the sizes anyhow, as maybe someday, some nice person will give me a machine that can use those large designs. LOL! Downloading all the smaller sizes helps you from having to decrease or increase the sizes of your designs as much to get them to fit a certain area and that keeps your stitch count and sew out looking better. I just love the generosity of this company! And what terrific designs besides.

Gifts!

Last year (2011) was a rough one physically for me with a lot of pain and periods of discouragement. Then I found a devotional book at our local library book sale on seeing the gifts that God gives or brings our way. I read through that book twice during the year before passing it on to someone else that might find use for it. Over the month of December, which was a financial strain for us, I thought again about that book and my need to acknowledge the gifts that come my way. I wanted to focus on the good and not the bad that was happening in my life. Suddenly life just didn't feel as full of strain and problems when thinking about the good that was happening.

When Ron and Savannah came for Christmas he brought me 3 Sew Beautiful magazines that someone had given him to pass on to me. I hadn't seen them before as I don't have a subscription to this magazine as so many of the projects are for little girls that I don't have much opportunity to sew too much for. I was very excited to get these magazines and reading them helped to take my mind off the pain I'm in. Best of all I saw some neat ideas that I can hardly wait to try on the Little Dresses for Africa dresses that I make.  In one of the issues they even had a 'pillowcase' dress.

My next sewing 'gift' came in the mail today. A friend from one of my sewing digests wrote me and offered to send me 6 memory cards and a hoop to go with my second hand Janome 9000 or she was going to throw them out! I was so grateful for her generosity and she even refused to let me pay for the shipping!

Several weeks ago I had an author write me and ask me to read and review her book which I of course said yes to. Although I've been having a hard time reading this past week, this has been a fun and interesting book to read and I will be doing a review of it soon. And then today I received my second book gift. Michael Palmer sent me an Advanced Reading Copy of his book Oath of Office to read and review. Since he is one of my favorite authors, this will be a treat indeed!

I challenge you to keep track of the gifts that come your way so that on discouraging days you can think of the many blessings that have come your way. God indeed is good!

Purple Hat New Freebies

The Purple Hat has just posted three more freebies that is part of their animal alpha-bet series. These designs would be great as quilt blocks. Purple Hat features lots of children's designs and in the hoop designs. Visit them here and see what they are working on!

Finally Finished, well almost!

After a year of work when I was able, in between two knees surgeries and multiple arthritis flare-ups, I am happy to say that I am done with Ron and Savannah's wedding/Christmas quilt! I just have to sew on the label although they got in for the holidays last night and got to sleep under it already. I'm so happy to have it done and I think it turned out well with lots of bright colors that will go with just about any color scheme except a subdued one. There is a quilting tradition that some quilters insert a humility block into their quilts since no one but God is perfect. Well, that is not a problem I have. Lots of technical oops in this quilt, but it was made with lots of love for a lovely couple.

This quilt was made with over 1000 individually cut 2 1/2" squares and the border was supposed to have about that many and they were actually cut, but by the time I got to the border, I realized that a pieced border wouldn't work. This was a quilt as you go quilt, using ideas from Sharon Pederson's books (hope I got her name correct) although it isn't a reversible quilt. Even so, for a big queen sized quilt, that is a lot of bulk to be handling! It was made on my Janome 7700 and 9000. Now onto other projects, only I think I want to go with smaller projects for a while.

New Free Embroidery Designs

Anna Bove Embroidery has just released some beautiful FREE embroidery designs to download. Snowflakes which could be placed into any winter scene and Green trees which could be placed into any outdoor scene that needs some pine trees. They also have other neat things at their store, so stop on in!

My Quilt is Finished

After a year of working on it when I had time, in between two major knee surgeries, arthritis flare-ups and generally not feeling well this year, I'm happy to report that I have finally finished my kids wedding quilt! Pictures will follow after they see it for themselves, but I am very pleased with the way it turned out. I don't think I will ever attempt such a large quilt again as it was just too heavy to manipulate even doing a quilt as you go version. At some point the whole thing has to come together for the final border and binding! Thankful that I had a Janome 9000 and a 7700 so I could switch between them to save time on thread changes!

More Machine Embroidery Sites

Thanks to Else, we have two more great sites to add to our Machine Embroidery Sites pages. Be sure when possible to sign up for the different sites newsletters so that you will know when they have come out with new designs or freebies. Like all the other sites on the lists, these ones also have plenty of freebies for you to try before you buy!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year to all my sewing friends! We look forward to this next year. With no surgeries planned, I hope to feel better and no lost time recuperating so I can be able to get more sewing projects done. We would love to see any sewing projects you do also.

We are also looking forward to sales from our store helping to support the Sewing Project in Paraguay. the Hill's are very excited and grateful that we have taken them on with the promise of a portion of all sales that will be sent to them monthly. For more about the Project, please visit http://norbertandsylvia.blogspot.com/ to see what else you personally might be able to do.

The sewing project in Limpio Paraguay

Throughout our life, we have always given a portion of our earnings back to charitable causes whether to our church or other worthwhile needs. I'm sure those of you that have been reading my blog for a while know that I love helping assist in needed causes, such as the Project Linus quilts I make and the Little Dresses for Africa. These I do personally in between my own sewing projects. I feel so grateful for what I've been given in sewing machines , fabric and notions that I want to give back in tangible ways. We have wanted to find a charity that would be a good fit for our store,  Moonwishes Sewing and Crafts, to help support. We wanted especially to find a charity that was sewing related, helping women to learn sewing and help them to earn a living to help support their families in a respectable manner. We wanted a charity that the buyers of our goods would appreciate that a portion of their purchases would be going to help other women in their sewing endeavors. After some studying and searching via the Internet, we found the perfect charity in a recent copy of The Quilter magazine.

We will now be sending a portion of the proceeds of our pattern sales monthly to "The Sewing Project in Limpio/Paraguay". This project is run in Paraguay by Albert and Sylvia Hill. Sylvia was asked to teach women how to sew and over the years this project has blossomed. The better seamstresses are now learning how to produce Fair Trade goods to sell to help support themselves. The women are growing in self esteem and now have a way to sew and make gifts for their families as well as earning much needed income. This is a worthwhile project that helps impoverished women to be able to start their own businesses. We are very excited to partner with this project. Your purchases will help provide needed funding. You can learn more about this project here: http://norbertandsylvia.blogspot.com/

You can also make your own personal donations to the Sewing project by way of fabric, notions, sewing machines, and money. Some of the women need bus fare just to get to the sewing classes and money is needed to help pay for more sewing teachers as the project grows. They also are very much in need of those who can help to sell and distribute their Fair Trade articles that the women produce. You can send monetary donations and find out more about the project at The Sewing Project in Limpio Paraguay To enquire about the project write to the following address or to send a donation make the check payable to: "The Project for the People of Paraguay - sewing project!” Send the check, enquiries or donations to: PPP P.O. Box 251 Avon, Minnesota 56310. You will get a receipt for your donation. Thank you for your help in this cause in what ever way you can. This group also would appreciate prayers if you are so inclined.

Accuquilt Go! Baby

While looking through the latest American Quilter magazine (Jan 2012) I came upon an ad for a giveaway for the Accuquilt GO! baby. You can register at www.quiltviews.com/go-baby-giveaway It comes with two dies and two cutting mats. Value ~$250. I'm bringing this up for those of you who are interested in trying out this method of cutting templates, and it seems to be rage lately. By signing up you have a chance at winning one so you can try it for free, which for me is the only way I'll ever have one. Interestingly enough in the same magazine is an article on projects to do with the leftover fabric after cutting the dies (or what you can do with leftovers after cutting applique pieces).

For those of you that do machine embroidery, KennysKreations  combines the available cutting dies with some of their available embroidery designs to make a fantastic Rose of Sharon quilt if you would like to see what the possibilities are for these dies! I have no affiliation with either of these companies, just love to pass on information to all our sewers out there. Those that don't have an embroidery machines, you can still get great ideas for appliquéd quilts using the stitches on our Janome Horizon 7700.

Quilting Arts 10th Anniversary Postcard Quilts

Years ago I made a list of goals that I wanted to accomplish during my life. I don't know what happened to the list, but I do remember one of the items. I wanted to have a quilt of mine on the front cover of a quilting magazine. Haven't achieved that yet, but when Quilting Arts was celebrating their 10th year anniversary, they put out a request for tiny postcard sized quilts featuring the number ten. I decided that not only did I want to feature the number 10 for them, I wanted to feature my 40 some years of quilting, sewing and embroidery so I made this little quilt. Today while checking out the Quilting Arts website, I discovered that they had posted my quilt! You can see it here.
In such a small project, it was difficult to show everything, but two of the fabrics were from my first two dresses that I made for myself that I then used for scraps in my first quilt. Hard to believe that I still had some of those scraps after all this time. Other fabrics were from other quilting projects. One was a piece of batik that I picked up on a cruise with Doreen Speckmann years ago. Many significant bits and pieces.

Well I haven't had a quilt on the front cover yet, but one has been published. I haven't written a lengthy article on sewing to be published,but have had many letters to the editor published. I feel that these are all small steps towards achieving my goals and someday hopefully I will get there. If I don't, at least it wasn't because I haven't been trying!

Vintage Sewing Patterns

I have always enjoyed rummaging through sewing patterns and dreaming of what I could make with them. However, with thousands of patterns published over many years, it is next to impossible for any one person to make all the patterns. As a pattern seller, I come across many more patterns that the average sewer. Currently we have well over 7000 patterns listed in our store Moonwishes Sewing and Crafts with thousands more still to list. I find it especially interesting when I run across patterns that I made back in college and during my early married years that I had made for myself. Since I don't consider myself vintage, I get a twinge every time I see those patterns described as vintage. Well here for your study are two genuinely vintage patterns! Butterick Sewing Pattern 5388 is a great little girl's pajama pattern and Butterick Sewing Pattern 3957 is a man's pajama pattern. These are the oldest patterns to come into my possession up to this point in time. While I do try to collect and display vintage sewing notions to use and display, we sell sewing patterns and so have just listed these patterns up for sale.

These type of vintage patterns are so different than what we get now when we buy a pattern. The pattern tissues were not printed with any cutting lines or symbols but with holes and notches cut out of the pattern tissue. They were one size patterns. Butterick was the first pattern company to come out with an instruction sheet for making the garments, called a Deltor. Can you imagine trying to put together a pattern that has no markings or instructions especially if you are a new seamstress and just learning how to sew? I know of only one pattern company that does that at this point of time and that is Marfy patterns from Italy. They make seriously stylish garments and the pattern comes in a plain envelope without even a picture of the finished garment on the envelope much less any instructions or pattern markings either. Only a very accomplished seamstress would attempt their patterns at this point.

Over the last hundred years, patterns have gotten easier and easier to sew, less and less fitted and much more casual. Over the past weeks we have been listing older patterns and the difference between older patterns and newer ones is interesting. While the styles many times are classic and could be worn even currently without looking 'old-fachioned', the patterns help you to sew into the garment all those features that help keep you from looking like you are wearing something with that homemade look. I only wish I could find these types of patterns in my size range as apparently there weren't too many plus sized women around back then!

I have a dream of getting my old Singer machine that was made around when I was born into good working order, find some quality fabric from the 1950's and a pattern from the 50's in my size and make me a 'real' 50's garment! I suspect the hardest thing is going to be finding the pattern that fits me! But the joy is in the hunt!

Embroidery Library December Freebies

If you haven't seen them yet, you will want to pop in at Embroidery Library and pick up their December freebies. They are concluding their year long Blooming flower pot series with a Christmas flower pot as well as one for Chanukah. There is also a Christmas Bird Song design as well. Since they come in two sizes, that is 6 freebies to pick up in whatever embroidery format your machine takes. I love Embroidery Library not only for their many freebies but for the fine quality of their designs. 

Vintage Patterns

One of the joys of selling sewing patterns is getting to look at them, see the different styles, see how little some classic styles have changed and the different sewing techniques required. This Butterick Pattern 3326 is a good example of our older patterns. It is designed by Evan-Picone with many classic details. The jacket has a funnel neckline, two-piece long sleeves, welt pockets and is fully lined. The front wrap skirt is also fully lined and in two lengths so depending on the fashion fabric chosen can work for the office or a party. The blouse is a classic long sleeve back button blouse, with front pleats/tucks, and a stand up collar.

You may not want to use a pattern as is, especially as it may be hard to find it in your size, but taking some of the details from an older pattern can bring a special touch to your sewing. So many of our patterns today focus on how fast and easy it will be to make that those special details may be missing. Come visit our store today and see what you can find to give that couture touch to your garments!

Missing Art Quilts

Please help 4 quilts come home! Following a quilt exhibition, 4 quilts remain missing. Please check this blog to see pictures of the missing quilts and to find out how to contact the owner if you see them up for sale or at any other place. Two of them were made by Sarah Smith, who just posted a 3-part article on the Jamone site about free motion quilting.

Sewing Patterns Simplicity 9207 Christmas

One of the joys of having a pattern store is finding 'old' friends in more ways than one. 41 years ago I moved away from California as a teenager and left a boyfriend behind that I have never seen again. However I did run into him on line and both my husband and I enjoy corresponding with him via email. He has been selling all sorts of things on line over the years and his advice is what helped us get started selling on line. He came upon a large batch of sewing patterns that he thought he could resell until I talked him out of it and bought them from him. Going through the boxes of patterns from this old friend, I found patterns that I considered old friends as well. Patterns I have made over the years, or patterns I had planned to make and never quite got that far. We have all done that haven't we? This Christmas pattern, Simplicity 9207 was one of the patterns I received and it brought back many memories of Christmas long ago as I made the Christmas tree skirt, and it has been used every Christmas for over 30 years now. Do you have any favorite patterns? We would love to see them and hear your stories.



Charitable Donations

We have heard many nice comments about our donating 10% of this months sales to feed the hungry. Since we started this business, we have always donated a portion of our proceeds to charity, but have never really mentioned it other than when we collected for the Japan tsunami relief. While money for us is always tight, we are fully aware of how blessed we are. We would like to be a help to others that don't even have adequate shelter or food. How nice it would be if we as sewers could lend our support to others that theirs and their whole families lives depend on their sewing. Does anyone know of a sewing related charity that assists our sewing sisters (and brothers) in third world countries that we can take on as a permanent monthly donation and help to them? Thinking particularly of women that by starting their own sewing business are able to support their family. Would love to hear some great ideas or have links sent to us. Thank you and our best wishes for a happy holiday season!

Secrets of Embroidery Machine Designs

Secrets of Embroidery, has a sale going on now. With a purchase of $30 or more, you get a set of 37 seasonal designs for free. There are also some new FREE designs without a purchase, so if you haven't visited there in a while, you need to check out what is new, including instructions for a free project. Secrets of Embroidery, is you haven't been there before, carries designs from MANY businesses, so it is easy to find the designs you need and the designer you are looking for.

We are getting into that time of year where we are so busy that it is hard to keep up with everything, but visiting your favorite design sites you may find just that perfect thing that you need to finish off a project now or get ideas for next year's crafting.

I personally am still working on my kids wedding quilt and hope to have it finished by Christmas. I'm into quilting each block currently and then want to attach the quilted blocks together to make the whole quilt so I don't have to quilt a whole queen size quilt. As the late Doreen Speckman said once, 'machine quilting a whole quilt is like wrestling an alligator!' I'm not into wrestling them either and I'm enjoying the quilting process for this original quilt.

Embroidery Library

Embroidery Library, one of my favorite machine embroidery design sites, is having a terrific sale on Christmas designs. Currently 100 designs are only $1.00 each. AND for this weekend only, from 11-11-11 through 11-13-11 you can purchase 11 designs of your choice for $11.11. It is also time to pick up your free designs for the month, so is you haven't popped on over their lately, do so now!

Thanksgiving

It is November and we are having a beautiful fall day. My birthday was a few days ago and it gave me a good chance to reflect on the blessings that have come my way. We are not a wealthy family by any stretch of the imagination, but compared to many in the US and aboard, we are most blessed. We wanted to share with you that for the month of November 2011, 10% of the proceeds from our patterns sales will be donated to the local food bank in our town. This is our way of giving back to our community and to help those close by. Visit Moonwishes Sewing and Crafts to see what a fine collection of sewing patterns and other crafting items we have available for sale.

Vintage Vogue Patterns

Vogue Patterns, the magazine, has featured some of the vintage Vogue patterns in the last couple of issues. Again readers are saying, "Where can we find them as they are out of print?" Well we still have a small supply of some of the Vintage Vogue reprints at our store. The whole reason we started this store in the first place was to help other sewers find out of print and hard to find patterns. Currently we have around 7500 patterns listed with another 4-5,000 more waiting in the wings to scan, list and post to our store. Stop on in and visit us and bookmark us so that you can find us again. Moonwishes Sewing and Crafts.

Secrets of Embroidery Machine Designs

Secrets of Embroidery, a large machine embroidery design mall with many of our favorites sellers, has a sale going on until November 1, 2011.  It is in the form of a Treasure Hunt to find the design sets that have been marked down to $1.00, some from as high as $45.00!  Take a few minutes to see these great designs and maybe pick up a few freebies while you are at it!

The Purple Hat

The Purple Hat is a great machine embroidery design site. Not only do they feature a lot of In the Hoop designs, they are very generous with freebies to test their designs and digitizing process. Many of their designs are for the younger set although currently they are featuring some great In the Hoop purses. They are also having a freebie treasure hunt of alphabet designs that would be perfect for a child's quilt or garments. Visit every week to see what is new. Click here to see The Purple Hat.

Judaica Jewish Machine Embroidery Designs

Over the years, I have noticed that some faiths are not well represented with machine embroidery designs and the Jewish faith is one of them. You can always find Christmas designs all over, but very few Jewish designs. Sew Terrific has just released some great redwork Judaica designs. Check them out here!

Autumn Leaves Embroidery Design

This weekend only (through October 9, 2011) Embroidery Library is giving away a series of Autumn Branches and leaves that would look great on any fall item you want to decorate. The designs come in different sizes. As usual with Embroidery Library, the designs won't disappear after this weekend, but you will have to pay for them later so this is a good time to get them now while they are free.

Freeman Process Services

What in the world does Freeman Process Service have to do with sewing? Absolutely nothing, but what kind of mother would I be if I didn't help promote my son's business? Ron lives in the Columbus, Ohio area with his lovely wife and is happy to help you out in your process servicing needs, especially those lawyers and legal types in other states that aren't hooked in with a process server for the State of Ohio. Get to know more about Ron and his strangely funky views on life at his blog: I Trust Ron Freeman.

I have found that sewing a little bit at a time is great therapy for newly revised knees, but sitting in front of computers isn't the most comfortable thing, so I'm looking forward greatly to being able to do both activities without pain. Tomorrow is exactly 3 weeks since surgery, the bruising is fading and I can finally get my leg in the car without help--at least that is progress. Oh to be free to sew again!

Happy October!

If you haven't done so already, time to pick up your free October machine embroidery designs from Embroidery Library.  While there, you will find a cupcake/ribbon design to honor October Breast Cancer Awareness month. The great thin is, if you need a different ribbon color, it is easy to substitute it into the cupcake. Don't know for sure what color or ribbon you need for your particular awareness ribbon? Embroidery Library's has a project page with a HUGE list of different ribbon colors. Just click here to see all the different ones.

I love Embroidery Library, not only for their generosity, but also for great designs, very usable color change sheets that you can also download as a PDF format. They are everything great in what you want from a machine embroidery site. Absolutely no affiliation with them other than a very pleased customer!