Just finished piecing the second patchwork baby quilt. Now I have to find the time to put the borders on and quilt them to their backings. My new Janome 6500 just whizzed through the piecing. I was wondering if I would really be able to notice the speed difference in my new machine (it can sew up to 1000 stitches per minute). Sure enough I could. Wow! It is the one place I can really have a 'lead' foot.
I received some more quilting and machine embroidery books in the mail this week. I have gotten way behind with my reviews, but hope to have a new batch up soon. I am very impressed with what people can come up with to be creative when making quilts. Quilting just isn't about sewing two pieces of fabric together anymore. As our technology changes, our ability to manipulate fabric and threads grows also. My fingers are itching to try some new techniques, but I needed to stick with easy piecing for the current projects I'm working on. I would hope to have at least three baby quilts in the hands of children affected by Hurricane Katrina before winter hits.
Please remember to help out with Project Hurricane Katrina: Books for Kids if you can!
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Saturday, September 17, 2005
Thursday, September 08, 2005
Another quilt pieced
Just finished piecing another child sized quilt to donate to the children affected by Hurricane Katrina. I have been doing assembly line piecing so it has been going really fast. I have another quilt already cut out, so I set everything out to begin piecing the next time I'm back in my sewing room. I am amazed just how fast you can piece a small quilt if you are organized and take advantage of spare minutes here and there. After this next quilt is pieced, I put them together with their batting and backing and then bind them. I plan on doing that assembly line style as much as possible. Then they will be done I can send them off. I still haven't researched where to send blankets, so if someone knows, please drop me a note in the comment section. This is one of those weird times, where you know the item is needed, but not quite sure how to make sure it gets to where the need is the greatest.
Please remember to help out with Project Hurricane Katrina: Books for Kids if you can!
Please remember to help out with Project Hurricane Katrina: Books for Kids if you can!
Monday, September 05, 2005
Piecing another quilt
Got up early (for me) and started piecing together another quilt to donate to the children affected by the hurricane. I'm so glad that sometimes I just spend time cutting out fabric, as today I was quickly able to lay out 6 16" blocks (enough for a large crib sized quilt). I think I had about 1/4 of the piecing done before the washing machine finished its first load and I had to go on to do other things. Hopefully I can do the same tomorrow.
Please remember to help out with Project Hurricane Katrina: Books for Kids if you can!
Please remember to help out with Project Hurricane Katrina: Books for Kids if you can!
Sunday, September 04, 2005
Helping Others
Some times we want to be able to help others and aren't sure how to best go about it. Many times when a need is great, like now after Hurricane Katrina, I am burdened by what can I do and how can I make a contribution that will help. I am a hands on kind of person and so that is what I am concentrating on. I just finished making a baby quilt and will try and get several more done that can be given to children who have lost their own 'blankies' during this tragedy. I realize that currently most relief organizations are asking for money, but eventually no money in the world will replace lost comfort objects and every child deserves their own blanket.
In like manner, as a committed reader, I am concerned about the loss of books these children and their schools have suffered. In that regard, I have set up an e-book fair titled Project Hurricane Katrina: Books for Kids. Please visit the website and purchase books for your own children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews. ALL profits from this sale will be used to purchase and donate quality Usborne books to children affected by this horrible storm. This sale will be going from September 4 through September 30. These books make great holiday gifts and with the ability to be shipped to your home will help you avoid the cost of gas to drive and pick up gifts at the store.
I will be researching the best organization to receive these books over the next couple weeks so that we know they will all be going to a good home. Please join me in this worthwhile mission of providing books to needy children.
In like manner, as a committed reader, I am concerned about the loss of books these children and their schools have suffered. In that regard, I have set up an e-book fair titled Project Hurricane Katrina: Books for Kids. Please visit the website and purchase books for your own children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews. ALL profits from this sale will be used to purchase and donate quality Usborne books to children affected by this horrible storm. This sale will be going from September 4 through September 30. These books make great holiday gifts and with the ability to be shipped to your home will help you avoid the cost of gas to drive and pick up gifts at the store.
I will be researching the best organization to receive these books over the next couple weeks so that we know they will all be going to a good home. Please join me in this worthwhile mission of providing books to needy children.
Sunday, July 31, 2005
Another Embroidery Design Link
Here is another great design link for machine embroidery designs .Gosia Designs. Besides having a large variety of design styles, they frequently have several FREE embroidery designs for you to download. You can download around 1000 different designs from their site for $25 which is obviously a great bargain. They also have dollar packs for downloading. Their designs come come in most home embroidery machine formats also. Stop in and visit and try out one of their designs.
Friday, July 29, 2005
The Accidental Quilter
Just had a visit from another blogger called The Accidental Quilter. Drop in and visit and find out how to make blocks that just won't come together correctly behave. I'm sure you will enjoy her posts!
I'm waiting for the month of July to be over with and hopefully with it all the sickness, accidents, and nasty hot weather that seem to be holding me up from getting back into my sewing room. I have lots of ideas, but hard to accomplish when sweat is dripping off your nose!
I'm waiting for the month of July to be over with and hopefully with it all the sickness, accidents, and nasty hot weather that seem to be holding me up from getting back into my sewing room. I have lots of ideas, but hard to accomplish when sweat is dripping off your nose!
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
Sewing Along
What a week last week was! First the washing machine up and died and in the process flooded the house and we got to meet the nice guys from Bonded Services who cheerfully sucked up gallons on water after the washer fiasco. Then the computer broke down and we ended up having to call the Geek Squad. "Special Agent" Adam came and figured out what was wrong with the computer (new last November) and now we are back on line. Due to all the problems we had last week, we also got to see some real live, wonderful customer service from both of these services.
I did manage in all the chaos to sneak back into my sewing room for several sessions with my new Janome 6500 and made a new summer top. This machine is a dream to sew on. One of the huge pluses for me is the extension table that comes standard with the machine for doing quilting. I have it in place all the time and it has been great to be able to rest my arms and wrists on while feeding fabric. My arthritis is so bad, I need to prop my arms all the time to prevent pain, so with the extension table I can sew for longer periods of time. I took the time to really follow the instructions, such as measuring accurately the 3/8" hem instead of eyeballing it. Sounds crazy I'm sure, but between the excellent stitching of the machine and my being more careful, this top turned out better and more comfortable than the one just like it I made three weeks ago! There's something to be said for following the rules. Over the years I got so used to whipping through projects just to get them done, that I had been forgetting that the process to getting to the end, can and should be enjoyable.
Another great feature on this machine is the automatic thread snipper. At the end of a seam, just press the button and the threads are clipped and you are ready to go on to your next seam. No need to find the ends of the thread and get them in position before sewing. I am planning on having a lot of fun sewing on this machine.
At a yard sale the other day, we found an old 1950's Singer 306 sewing machine in its own sewing table. As we explored the drawers of the cabinet, we found that it contained 'fashion disks' to make different decorative stitches. Up to this point, I had always thought that decorative stitches hadn't come out until the 60's or 70's. Well, we bought this baby and brought it home (I think my hubby wanted it more than me). Once we got it home, I had a chance to go through the accessories better. It has a tremendous amount of pressor feet, plus the original fashion disks that came with the machine and the prior owner had bought a lot more of them. It also has the original instruction booklet. I sat down and read through the instruction manual and it was a real learning experience. I think as this was a very new style of machine, they took a lot of time in writing the manual so that women would understand what each pressor foot was for and when to use the different stitches. I have a lot of utility stitches on my new 6500 but not a lot of knowledge for what they are all for. I got a better understanding of using my speciality pressor feet and utility stitches for using my sewing machine built in 2005 from reading a manual written in 1955! We are planning on getting the old machine cleaned and in working order and then I would like to find some vintage fabric, with a vintage pattern and sew it up on my vintage machine. What fun!
I did manage in all the chaos to sneak back into my sewing room for several sessions with my new Janome 6500 and made a new summer top. This machine is a dream to sew on. One of the huge pluses for me is the extension table that comes standard with the machine for doing quilting. I have it in place all the time and it has been great to be able to rest my arms and wrists on while feeding fabric. My arthritis is so bad, I need to prop my arms all the time to prevent pain, so with the extension table I can sew for longer periods of time. I took the time to really follow the instructions, such as measuring accurately the 3/8" hem instead of eyeballing it. Sounds crazy I'm sure, but between the excellent stitching of the machine and my being more careful, this top turned out better and more comfortable than the one just like it I made three weeks ago! There's something to be said for following the rules. Over the years I got so used to whipping through projects just to get them done, that I had been forgetting that the process to getting to the end, can and should be enjoyable.
Another great feature on this machine is the automatic thread snipper. At the end of a seam, just press the button and the threads are clipped and you are ready to go on to your next seam. No need to find the ends of the thread and get them in position before sewing. I am planning on having a lot of fun sewing on this machine.
At a yard sale the other day, we found an old 1950's Singer 306 sewing machine in its own sewing table. As we explored the drawers of the cabinet, we found that it contained 'fashion disks' to make different decorative stitches. Up to this point, I had always thought that decorative stitches hadn't come out until the 60's or 70's. Well, we bought this baby and brought it home (I think my hubby wanted it more than me). Once we got it home, I had a chance to go through the accessories better. It has a tremendous amount of pressor feet, plus the original fashion disks that came with the machine and the prior owner had bought a lot more of them. It also has the original instruction booklet. I sat down and read through the instruction manual and it was a real learning experience. I think as this was a very new style of machine, they took a lot of time in writing the manual so that women would understand what each pressor foot was for and when to use the different stitches. I have a lot of utility stitches on my new 6500 but not a lot of knowledge for what they are all for. I got a better understanding of using my speciality pressor feet and utility stitches for using my sewing machine built in 2005 from reading a manual written in 1955! We are planning on getting the old machine cleaned and in working order and then I would like to find some vintage fabric, with a vintage pattern and sew it up on my vintage machine. What fun!
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
Christmas in July at Embroidery Library
So many designs, so little time to sew! Embroidery Library has just come out with a huge batch of Christmas designs including patchwork reindeer to make a Christmas quilt. Each of Santa's reindeer are represented in different blocks, plus additional designs are available to have a complete co-ordinating quilt or other project. In the hoop Christmas stocking designs are now out with all sorts of styles of stockings that can be made in your hoop and then hung on the tree with small gifts or gift cards. Another large selection of outline quilting designs are also now available. Now ready for download are their two FREE July designs.
Embroidery Library has also changed their main URL to http://www.emblibrary.com/EL/Default.aspx so if you have Embroidery Library bookmarked, you will need to change it.
Prepare to spend some time at the site when you go as there are so many new embroidery designs to look at, and all at great low pricing!
Embroidery Library has also changed their main URL to http://www.emblibrary.com/EL/Default.aspx so if you have Embroidery Library bookmarked, you will need to change it.
Prepare to spend some time at the site when you go as there are so many new embroidery designs to look at, and all at great low pricing!
Friday, July 01, 2005
New Sewing Machine
Well, I took my sick, old sewing machine to the fix-it man yesterday. While there I just had to sit down and play with the Janome Professional 6500. Turns out it was on sale! Certainly was a sign for me that I needed to buy now. After all my, husbands jeans still needed hemmed up. Five minutes later I was walking out of Super Stitch with the last 6500 that he had.
When I got home I casually told my hubby to bring the sewing machine back in the house. He wanted to know if the old one had been pronounced DOA. Nope I said with a twinkle in my eye. He jumped right up and brought my new baby in the house. What a great husband I've got. He helped me get it out of the box and set up on the kitchen table. Then he sat and discussed the fine points of what makes this a great machine. And just to show what it could do, I followed the threading diagram, changed the needle to a jeans needle, figured out what stitch I wanted to use and went to work on those cut-off jeans. This machine went through that heavy denim like butter. Even with going over doubled seams, by slowing down and carefully sewing coaxing the seam under the foot, it sewed through eight layers of HEAVY denim with no problem.
Depending on the stitch, this machine can sew 1000 stitches per minute. I spent a lot of time playing with the machine yesterday and seeing all the decorative stitches it can do. It wasn't until I went to bed that I realized the one thing I hadn't checked out was the straight stitch going at 1000 stitches per minute! Guess that means I get to do it today.
I'm going to try to find the time in the near future to do reviews on both my new 6500 and my Janome 300E embroidery machine. These two machines do just about everything you could ask a machine to do except cut out the fabric or fit the pattern to your body!
When I got home I casually told my hubby to bring the sewing machine back in the house. He wanted to know if the old one had been pronounced DOA. Nope I said with a twinkle in my eye. He jumped right up and brought my new baby in the house. What a great husband I've got. He helped me get it out of the box and set up on the kitchen table. Then he sat and discussed the fine points of what makes this a great machine. And just to show what it could do, I followed the threading diagram, changed the needle to a jeans needle, figured out what stitch I wanted to use and went to work on those cut-off jeans. This machine went through that heavy denim like butter. Even with going over doubled seams, by slowing down and carefully sewing coaxing the seam under the foot, it sewed through eight layers of HEAVY denim with no problem.
Depending on the stitch, this machine can sew 1000 stitches per minute. I spent a lot of time playing with the machine yesterday and seeing all the decorative stitches it can do. It wasn't until I went to bed that I realized the one thing I hadn't checked out was the straight stitch going at 1000 stitches per minute! Guess that means I get to do it today.
I'm going to try to find the time in the near future to do reviews on both my new 6500 and my Janome 300E embroidery machine. These two machines do just about everything you could ask a machine to do except cut out the fabric or fit the pattern to your body!
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
Feeling Better
Feeling better this week from the tummy troubles and our dry hot air has been making my joints feel a lot better. So to make use of the time, I've been sorting out the wonderful purchases from the last two weekends of yardsales and booksales. Lots of good stuff has been put up for sale on my book sites and in Moonwishes Store. For those counted cross stitch people, we found several lovely counted cross stitch kits, including one of Scarlett O'Hara from Gone with the Wind Ebay auction #8202093887 which ends July 5. Soon we will also have boxes of craft items up for auction for those who do plastic craft, crocheting, knitting, quilting, cross stitch, punch embroidery, and other fun things. Visit our store and click on the favorite seller link to be informed when all these goodies go up for sale.
I haven't done much machine embroidery as my sewing room has no air-conditioning and is like sewing in a sweat box. I did attempt to hem up a pair of shorts for the hubby, but my sewing machine kept overloading--I need to take it to the fix-it shop.
Don't forget to sign up each month to win $50 worth of free children's books at Rodgers Educational Books. You can even earn more free books by signing up to be a hostess for an e-mail book party. This is an easy way to get your holiday shopping for kids well in hand without venturing out into the heat!
I haven't done much machine embroidery as my sewing room has no air-conditioning and is like sewing in a sweat box. I did attempt to hem up a pair of shorts for the hubby, but my sewing machine kept overloading--I need to take it to the fix-it shop.
Don't forget to sign up each month to win $50 worth of free children's books at Rodgers Educational Books. You can even earn more free books by signing up to be a hostess for an e-mail book party. This is an easy way to get your holiday shopping for kids well in hand without venturing out into the heat!
Thursday, June 23, 2005
Sick Today
Having one of those days. Head hurts, tummy hurts, bones ache. Totally lousy today. Got tired of laying in bed so I've been quietly surfing the net. Unbelievable how far we have come since the early 1990"s when personal computers were just coming out (and horribly expensive).
My good news for me is hubby has given the okay for me to save up for the new sewing machine that I want, which is the Janome 6500. I've been wanting one for a while but other financial commitments have gotten in the way. Now is the time! All my blog readers can help me earn my machine. Click on Google ads, Click on Amazon ads! Buy something from Moonwishes Store! Check out Rodgers Educational Books and buy some great children's books! I thank you and the quilts I make (many are donated to charity) will thank you.
My good news for me is hubby has given the okay for me to save up for the new sewing machine that I want, which is the Janome 6500. I've been wanting one for a while but other financial commitments have gotten in the way. Now is the time! All my blog readers can help me earn my machine. Click on Google ads, Click on Amazon ads! Buy something from Moonwishes Store! Check out Rodgers Educational Books and buy some great children's books! I thank you and the quilts I make (many are donated to charity) will thank you.
Thursday, June 16, 2005
New Janome Machine
This just in this afternoon from my Super Stitch newsletter.
"Janome News
As previously announced Janome will be introducing a new top-of-the-line sewing/embroidery machine in August. Janome has just announced that the new Memory Craft 11000 will be unveiled in a live webcast on August 20, 2005. Everyone who registers for the webcast will be entered in a drawing to win a Memory Craft 11000! Be among the first to learn about the new machine, and you could be the first to have one in your home!
Visit www.mc11000.com to register for the live webcast and a chance to win Janome’s new Memory Craft 11000."
"Janome News
As previously announced Janome will be introducing a new top-of-the-line sewing/embroidery machine in August. Janome has just announced that the new Memory Craft 11000 will be unveiled in a live webcast on August 20, 2005. Everyone who registers for the webcast will be entered in a drawing to win a Memory Craft 11000! Be among the first to learn about the new machine, and you could be the first to have one in your home!
Visit www.mc11000.com to register for the live webcast and a chance to win Janome’s new Memory Craft 11000."
June 16
Well I got my summer blouse finished last night. First time in years I have set in sleeves and I actually did an okay job of it. Next time I use the pattern, I have adjustments to make, but for now I have a nice, cool top to wear for this summer. My husband likes the top also which is always an added bonus. I'm home most of the time and he sees me more than anyone, so I dress to please him and me!
Just an FYI for those with Janome embroidery machines. Currently at their website, you can download a free summer Christmas elf. He is surfing on a Janome surfboard. Check it out: Janome elf!
Just a reminder also that my ebay store has lots of new sewing patterns for sale. Right now we also have some great auctions running on cross stitch and needlework kits. Those auctions end on June 18. For the knitters out there, we also have an Alice Starmore knitting book Sweaters for Men up for auction. That auction ends June 20. Alice Starmore books are difficult to come by, so we are very happy to offer this one for sale.
I got my consultant package in the mail for Usborne books and I am very impressed with the quality and content of the books. They are crammed with pictures, good writing, and always something for the child to relate to and learn from the book in the book. If you are looking for quality books for your children, grandchildren, or any child you know, please stop in and visit the site. You can even earn free books by hosting an online book show. Just email me from the website and I'll tell you how!
Just an FYI for those with Janome embroidery machines. Currently at their website, you can download a free summer Christmas elf. He is surfing on a Janome surfboard. Check it out: Janome elf!
Just a reminder also that my ebay store has lots of new sewing patterns for sale. Right now we also have some great auctions running on cross stitch and needlework kits. Those auctions end on June 18. For the knitters out there, we also have an Alice Starmore knitting book Sweaters for Men up for auction. That auction ends June 20. Alice Starmore books are difficult to come by, so we are very happy to offer this one for sale.
I got my consultant package in the mail for Usborne books and I am very impressed with the quality and content of the books. They are crammed with pictures, good writing, and always something for the child to relate to and learn from the book in the book. If you are looking for quality books for your children, grandchildren, or any child you know, please stop in and visit the site. You can even earn free books by hosting an online book show. Just email me from the website and I'll tell you how!
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Need Patriotic Designs?
Need patriotic embroidery designs with the Fourth of July coming up? Pop on over to Free Embroidery Stuff and take your pick from their free designs, available in many different formats. Don't need patriotic designs? Go visit them anyhow and search for the type of designs you are looking for. All the designs on the site are free.
Friday, June 10, 2005
Upside Down and Backwards
I'm having one of those days! I'm trying to make a summer top to wear to a family party tomorrow. My sewing room is sweltering in the heat, so I'm only in and out for 15-20 minutes at a time. Obviously a bit of a distraction. The top I'm making has two piece sleeves and of course the pattern forget to color in the one piece to show that it needed to be reversed! I ended up with a mess. Have I mentioned I tend to be dyslexic and have trouble with anything in reverse? I cut out a new piece and of course it was backwards from what I needed. Thank goodness this was an extra large piece of fabric so I had enough of it to keep cutting until I got it right. By then, I was sweating again so had to take a break and catch up my blog!
I've been busy with the book and craft business that I do and just decided this week to sell children's books from Usborne books. They have over 1300 items for all ages of children, all fun and educational. I'm a huge supporter of the homeschool movement and these books will fit right in as a side line to my business. Check us out at Rodgers' Educational Books if you have a minute. I'm sure you will be pleased with the huge variety and reasonable prices.
I've been busy with the book and craft business that I do and just decided this week to sell children's books from Usborne books. They have over 1300 items for all ages of children, all fun and educational. I'm a huge supporter of the homeschool movement and these books will fit right in as a side line to my business. Check us out at Rodgers' Educational Books if you have a minute. I'm sure you will be pleased with the huge variety and reasonable prices.
Monday, May 16, 2005
Embroidered Embellishments--A Review
Embroidered Embellishments: Innovative Ideas for Machine Embroidery by Lynne Redman. Published 2005 by the Embroidery Studio. 82 pages, spiral-bound soft cover, full-color illustrations. Includes CD with three designs used in the book in the following formats: .csd, .dst, .exp, .hus, .pes, .pcs, .jef, .sew, .art. The CD also includes a JPEG file of each design with thread colors using Robinson-Anton thread colors. This book is self-published and is only in available from The Embroidery Studio.
This is a delightfully different book on machine embroidery from somebody who is a self-declared "terrible seamstress." Coming from a long background of doing many assorted crafts, Lynne Redman has developed her artistic ability into both embroidery design and embroidery embellishment. Other than the machine embroidery itself, many at the designs in this book have no sewing attached to them. Lynne has developed them using different glues or other sewing aids. She uses her embroidery designs to embellish scrapbook pages, photo albums, Christmas ornaments, and other decorative items. With this book you will learn to use many of your bits and pieces of craft items such as beads, extra fabric, vintage linens and other supplies from your craft area to create unique and exquisite projects.
In this book the author assumes that you already know how to embroider, so there's no discussion on appropriate needles and stabilizers and how to hoop. She does discuss some basic techniques that she uses in making her projects and also some items that are handy to have for the different projects in her book such as rubber stamps, decorative scissors, plastic templates, different types of glues and adhesives, and her favorite Steam-a-Seam. She also tells you how to make an inspiration Journal, using pictures that you find in magazines, different fabric and threads, beads and assorted other bits and pieces.
She has found that she uses the same creative process as she works through her projects and explains each one of them in a different chapter with projects that illustrate the concept. They include layering, embellishing, composing, and coloring. She is not afraid to combine several different techniques in one project, which makes them look like they were very difficult to do, but they are not as she explains the techniques. Many of them are fairly quick and easy once you understand the philosophy and technique behind them.
I was especially interested in the chapter on coloring, as it explains the color wheel philosophy, and why depending on your background color, you may need to change the colors in your embroidery design. I know many people are scared to take that leap and change things from what they're told to use. But sometimes just changing the shade of a color will make all the difference in making a designs stand out.
At the back of the book is also a one-page bibliography of books that she likes to use for instruction and inspiration. Most of them have to do with color.
I enjoyed reading the book and found it quite inspirational. I would highly recommend it, especially for those who want to use their embroidery machine but do not want to be sewing up large projects. The fun of an embroidery machine many times is letting it do most of the work while you concentrate on designing your project. I look forward to using some of the techniques in this book for my own projects.
Please remember this book is only available from the embroidery studio web site.
This is a delightfully different book on machine embroidery from somebody who is a self-declared "terrible seamstress." Coming from a long background of doing many assorted crafts, Lynne Redman has developed her artistic ability into both embroidery design and embroidery embellishment. Other than the machine embroidery itself, many at the designs in this book have no sewing attached to them. Lynne has developed them using different glues or other sewing aids. She uses her embroidery designs to embellish scrapbook pages, photo albums, Christmas ornaments, and other decorative items. With this book you will learn to use many of your bits and pieces of craft items such as beads, extra fabric, vintage linens and other supplies from your craft area to create unique and exquisite projects.
In this book the author assumes that you already know how to embroider, so there's no discussion on appropriate needles and stabilizers and how to hoop. She does discuss some basic techniques that she uses in making her projects and also some items that are handy to have for the different projects in her book such as rubber stamps, decorative scissors, plastic templates, different types of glues and adhesives, and her favorite Steam-a-Seam. She also tells you how to make an inspiration Journal, using pictures that you find in magazines, different fabric and threads, beads and assorted other bits and pieces.
She has found that she uses the same creative process as she works through her projects and explains each one of them in a different chapter with projects that illustrate the concept. They include layering, embellishing, composing, and coloring. She is not afraid to combine several different techniques in one project, which makes them look like they were very difficult to do, but they are not as she explains the techniques. Many of them are fairly quick and easy once you understand the philosophy and technique behind them.
I was especially interested in the chapter on coloring, as it explains the color wheel philosophy, and why depending on your background color, you may need to change the colors in your embroidery design. I know many people are scared to take that leap and change things from what they're told to use. But sometimes just changing the shade of a color will make all the difference in making a designs stand out.
At the back of the book is also a one-page bibliography of books that she likes to use for instruction and inspiration. Most of them have to do with color.
I enjoyed reading the book and found it quite inspirational. I would highly recommend it, especially for those who want to use their embroidery machine but do not want to be sewing up large projects. The fun of an embroidery machine many times is letting it do most of the work while you concentrate on designing your project. I look forward to using some of the techniques in this book for my own projects.
Please remember this book is only available from the embroidery studio web site.
Friday, May 13, 2005
Counted Cross Stitch
Still more struggles with my newest counted cross stitch project. I kept miscounting and ending up with stitches where they didn't belong. God bless my husband David. He took my chart and increased the size on our computer, printed it out, taped it carefully back together so that all the lines match and now I can see it. Since it is now on it's own piece of paper instead of in the magazine, I can now use my magnetic board and straight magnets to keep me even more on target. Husbands like mine are wonderful things.
I also managed to finished my quilt top that I am working on with machine embroidered and appliqued roses on the border. Now I have to get some batting and enlist my hubby to help me pin it together so I can machine quilt it.
It is so nice now to have several creative options available to me depending on how I feel and what is happening in my life. I just never knew how much I missed doing embroidery by hand. I continue to be excited about needlwork as I have been selling a lot of counted cross stitch and needlepoint kits out my ebay store Rodgers Book and Craft Sales. I'm glad to see that other people are still as enthusiastic about the needlearts as I am.
I also managed to finished my quilt top that I am working on with machine embroidered and appliqued roses on the border. Now I have to get some batting and enlist my hubby to help me pin it together so I can machine quilt it.
It is so nice now to have several creative options available to me depending on how I feel and what is happening in my life. I just never knew how much I missed doing embroidery by hand. I continue to be excited about needlwork as I have been selling a lot of counted cross stitch and needlepoint kits out my ebay store Rodgers Book and Craft Sales. I'm glad to see that other people are still as enthusiastic about the needlearts as I am.
All About Machine Arts: Decorative Techniques from A to Z
All About Machine Arts: Decorative Techniques from A to Z from Sew News, Creative Machine Embroidery, and C&T Publishing. 2004 C & T Publishing, ISBN 1571202277, Soft cover, 256 pages, full color illustrations.
This book is a wonderful reference source for anyone with a serger, sewing or embroidery machine. It is a compilation of articles from Sew News Magazine, Creative Machine Embroidery Magazine and other C & T Publications. If you are a subscriber to those magazines then some of the information you will have seen. With all the other information that has been added plus the logical layout of the book, you will find that this book is a handy reference to keep close while working on projects especially those requiring an unfamiliar technique.
The beginning of the book shows a gallery of projects to get your creative juices flowing. Then you get to see some famous sewers sewing rooms—and will see that not all ‘big league’ sewers have huge studios!
Then one of my favorite sections is a stitch dictionary. If you have a sewing machine that features decorative stitches, this is a handy guide for what the common different type stitches are and how to use some of them with page references to other projects in the book that feature some of them.
There is a whole section on embroidery and machine basics with handy reference charts for threads, needles, stabilizers, scissors and other supplies.
Then the A to Z section. Want to know how to appliqué? Turn to the A section. Not only will you find pages of instruction for how to appliqué using different stitches, you will also find “Follow this thread” spots with page references to information important to the particular technique that you are using. Learn about bartacks, bridge stitches, couching, ergonomics, hemstitching, lace, metalwork, pintucks, sequins, tassels and much more in this very informative book. At the back of the book is also a list of suggested reading and websites to visit to learn more about this wonderful hobby.
My only complaint with this book and others like it, is they never give a source for the magic fairies that will come clean your house and do your other chores so you have more time to devote to sewing!
This book is a wonderful reference source for anyone with a serger, sewing or embroidery machine. It is a compilation of articles from Sew News Magazine, Creative Machine Embroidery Magazine and other C & T Publications. If you are a subscriber to those magazines then some of the information you will have seen. With all the other information that has been added plus the logical layout of the book, you will find that this book is a handy reference to keep close while working on projects especially those requiring an unfamiliar technique.
The beginning of the book shows a gallery of projects to get your creative juices flowing. Then you get to see some famous sewers sewing rooms—and will see that not all ‘big league’ sewers have huge studios!
Then one of my favorite sections is a stitch dictionary. If you have a sewing machine that features decorative stitches, this is a handy guide for what the common different type stitches are and how to use some of them with page references to other projects in the book that feature some of them.
There is a whole section on embroidery and machine basics with handy reference charts for threads, needles, stabilizers, scissors and other supplies.
Then the A to Z section. Want to know how to appliqué? Turn to the A section. Not only will you find pages of instruction for how to appliqué using different stitches, you will also find “Follow this thread” spots with page references to information important to the particular technique that you are using. Learn about bartacks, bridge stitches, couching, ergonomics, hemstitching, lace, metalwork, pintucks, sequins, tassels and much more in this very informative book. At the back of the book is also a list of suggested reading and websites to visit to learn more about this wonderful hobby.
My only complaint with this book and others like it, is they never give a source for the magic fairies that will come clean your house and do your other chores so you have more time to devote to sewing!
Machine Embroidery: Inspirational Quilting Techniques
Machine Embroidery: Inspirational Quilting Techniques by Jenny Haskins. 1998 Aussie Publishers, ISBN 187636405X Soft cover, 88 pages, full color illustrations.
I have always loved Jenny Haskins designs and admired the work that went into them. In this book using her ‘Arsenic and Old Lace’ quilt as an example, she takes us step by step into sewing one of her wonderful projects. For those who aren’t ready to attempt a large quilt project there are smaller projects also, all of which will lead to a frilly romantic looking decoration for your home or as a gift.
Jenny describes the basic equipment needed to make the quilt. Be careful though, as she uses Australian terminology to describe something is be sure you know what she is talking about. Not only does she talk about the presser feet that she uses there are photographs of each one. She discusses color and thread choices as being one of the most important steps when starting a project.
You do not need an embroidery sewing machine to makes these projects as long as you have a machine that has a fair amount of decorative stitches. You can purchase doilies and lace and appliqué them onto the quilt as needed. Realizing that not everybody has the same type of sewing machine, she has an illustration chart of each decorative stitch she uses with an assigned number. Simply compare the stitches to those available on your machine and choose the most appropriate stitch. When she calls for stitch #4, for example, then you know to use your stitch #26. Jenny is a great one for ‘stitch building’ and you will see some really detailed pictures of what she does with explanations of how to do it yourself.
This is a truly inspirational book. You may never have a desire to make one of the projects in the book, but next time you want to make a project where you pull out all the bells and whistles of your machine, this book will be a great resource.
I have always loved Jenny Haskins designs and admired the work that went into them. In this book using her ‘Arsenic and Old Lace’ quilt as an example, she takes us step by step into sewing one of her wonderful projects. For those who aren’t ready to attempt a large quilt project there are smaller projects also, all of which will lead to a frilly romantic looking decoration for your home or as a gift.
Jenny describes the basic equipment needed to make the quilt. Be careful though, as she uses Australian terminology to describe something is be sure you know what she is talking about. Not only does she talk about the presser feet that she uses there are photographs of each one. She discusses color and thread choices as being one of the most important steps when starting a project.
You do not need an embroidery sewing machine to makes these projects as long as you have a machine that has a fair amount of decorative stitches. You can purchase doilies and lace and appliqué them onto the quilt as needed. Realizing that not everybody has the same type of sewing machine, she has an illustration chart of each decorative stitch she uses with an assigned number. Simply compare the stitches to those available on your machine and choose the most appropriate stitch. When she calls for stitch #4, for example, then you know to use your stitch #26. Jenny is a great one for ‘stitch building’ and you will see some really detailed pictures of what she does with explanations of how to do it yourself.
This is a truly inspirational book. You may never have a desire to make one of the projects in the book, but next time you want to make a project where you pull out all the bells and whistles of your machine, this book will be a great resource.
Saturday, May 07, 2005
Stitching Along
Before I started my current counted cross-stitch project, I had forgotten how relaxing it could be to just sit and stitch. Because of my physical problems, I am very limited in how much time I can sit in front of my sewing or embroidery machine. Now, with starting to cross-stitch again, I am extending my creative time. While I thought my biggest problem with stitching would be pain in my hands, I am finding that my real difficulty is looking at the chart and back to the stitching with bifocals! I can’t believe how many times I’ve had to ‘unsew’ some of my work. Then last night while doing the backstitch around a flower, I realized I was three squares off. Still trying to figure out how I got that far out of sequence. I do know how to count after all! Oh well, the design still looks good and unless you compare it to the chart nobody will really know.
This morning I got up to an email from an embroidery site that I realized I haven’t mentioned yet. ABC Cross Stitch Patterns is the perfect site for those who like to do counted cross-stitch by machine and also by hand. They just realized a freebie for Mother’s Day that can be downloaded in several machine formats and also as a chart. All come as .zip files. I downloaded both the machine format and the hand format. For stitching by hand you get a chart with estimated floss usage, thread chart in both Anchor and DMC floss, stitch size and size of design depending on the thread count of your fabric. You also receive both a color and a black & white chart for working the pattern. The machine format downloads a color chart based on DMC floss colors and converts them to Robinson Anton Rayon or Sulky embroidery threads. You also will find out how many thread colors are used, how many color stops, size of design and of course the design itself.
Not only does this company have their cross stitch designs, but they have a ‘sister’ company for regular machine embroidery designs. This is a site that you definitely need to visit.
This morning I got up to an email from an embroidery site that I realized I haven’t mentioned yet. ABC Cross Stitch Patterns is the perfect site for those who like to do counted cross-stitch by machine and also by hand. They just realized a freebie for Mother’s Day that can be downloaded in several machine formats and also as a chart. All come as .zip files. I downloaded both the machine format and the hand format. For stitching by hand you get a chart with estimated floss usage, thread chart in both Anchor and DMC floss, stitch size and size of design depending on the thread count of your fabric. You also receive both a color and a black & white chart for working the pattern. The machine format downloads a color chart based on DMC floss colors and converts them to Robinson Anton Rayon or Sulky embroidery threads. You also will find out how many thread colors are used, how many color stops, size of design and of course the design itself.
Not only does this company have their cross stitch designs, but they have a ‘sister’ company for regular machine embroidery designs. This is a site that you definitely need to visit.
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