December 06, 2024
Check Out Linda's World Map!
Linda was so kind to send us some photos of her Antique World Map Quilt. It's hanging on her wall just above her gorgeous longarm. She chose to use the same color scheme as ours.
"Well done Linda, and your craft room looks beautiful, especially that longarm. Thank you so ,much for sending the photos of your beautiful quilt." Your friend, Annemarie
December 04, 2024
May 16, 2024
Have you ever wondered what to do with your beautifully embroidered blocks? Here's a creative and practical idea for creating a tray. Perfect for serving snacks and treats or storing your craft or stationery supplies.
Materials Needed:
- Cut-away stabilizer
- Thin batting
- Fabric for the embroidery design
- Embroidery design file
- Contrasting fabric
- 8 snap fasteners
Instructions:
1. Hoop the cut-away stabilizer.
2. Layer the batting and fabric on top of the stabilizer in the hoop.
3. Embroider the design onto the fabric.
4. Remove the embroidered piece from the hoop and trim away the excess stabilizer and batting, leaving about an inch of fabric around the embroidered design.
5. Cut a piece of contrasting fabric to the same size as the embroidered fabric.
6. Place the right sides of the embroidered fabric and contrasting fabric together, and sew around the edges with a straight stitch on your sewing machine, leaving a 3-inch opening.
7. Trim the corners, then turn the piece right-side out through the opening.
8. Iron and topstitch around the edge with a straight stitch.
9. Mark 1 inch x 2 inch rectangles at each corner of the tray.
10. Attach the snap fasteners (male and female) at each marked corner.
11. Close the snap fasteners, and your tray is complete!
Now it's time to brew some coffee and fill your new tray with delicious cookies.
Enjoy your handmade creation!
April 29, 2024
Seamless Pattern Embroidery is a technique that allows you to stitch a continuous, repeating pattern across a larger project area by utilizing multiple hoopings with your embroidery machine's smaller hoop.
In other words, it's like playing a massive game of connect-the-dots, but with thread instead of a pencil! In this tutorial, we'll demonstrate how to create a square design by stitching the same seamless pattern four times, once in each corner of the project area.
This method enables you to achieve expansive embroidered designs that extend beyond the limitations of your embroidery hoop's size. So get ready to unleash your inner embroidery genius and turn a modest hoop into a canvas for embroidery greatness!
Materials Needed:
- Embroidery machine
- Largest embroidery hoop available
- Cut-away stabilizer (one piece for each hooping)
- Thin quilter's batting
- Fabric of your choice
- Embroidery top thread
- Embroidery bobbin thread
- Pins
- 505 adhesive spray for machine embroidery
- Fabric marker
- Ruler
- Printed template (actual size)
Instructions:
1. Determine the number of design repeats you will stitch, and cut your fabric 2 inches larger than the desired final project size. Cut the batting to the final project size.
2. Hoop the stabilizer and mark the center points. For this tutorial, we will stitch four repeats (left, right, top, and bottom). On the fabric, mark the center point. Place the printed template to outline the area you want to stitch, marking the crosshairs with a fabric marker. Secure the fabric and batting with pins and/or adhesive spray, and place them in the hoop, aligning the markings.
3. Ensure your embroidery machine is aligned with the center point. Trace the four corners to confirm correct placement. The first color stop will create a square rectangle outline, securing the batting and fabric while indicating the design's stitching area. Confident stitchers can omit the 1st color stop.
4. Embroider the design.
5. Once the design is completely embroidered, take it out of the hoop and trim away the excess stabilizer from the back of the embroidered fabric.
6. Repeat steps 2 to 5 for all remaining repeats.
7. After the embroidery design is fully stitched, carefully remove the square rectangle outline stitches (the first color stop) from your project. Confident stitchers can omit the 1st color stop.
Tips:
- If the first outline shows incorrect placement, stop the machine, remove the outline stitches, and start again from step 2 to ensure seamless embroidery results.
There you go! You've learned how to make a big embroidery design using a small hoop. Isn't it cool how you can use one design and stitch multiple sections into one seamless piece? With this technique, you can make all kinds of Big, Creative embroidery projects. Nice work!
Happy stitching!
Annemarie
annemarie@astitchahalf.com
Use this link to see the Video Tutorial
Use this link to see the variety of Seamless/Repeat Pattern Designs available.
Use this link to see the Video Tutorial
Use this link to see the variety of Seamless/Repeat Pattern Designs available.
April 10, 2024
My friend Elmarie created this beautiful placemat, using the Night Garden Seamless Combo. "Elmarie, this is stunning. I just love this tone on tone seamless embroidery placemat. It looks so elegant. Thank you so much for sending us this beautiful photo. Well done!. " your friend, Annemarie.
"I read through the "continuous" instructions carefully, and then decided to try it, and I managed to do it correctly. Then I also completed this placemat, and it worked perfectly. THANK YOU VERY MUCH." Elmarie
April 07, 2024
A Versatile Pocket Case:
In this project, we'll create a practical pocket case featuring a single block from our Floribunda Combo collection.
You can watch the video tutorial on YouTube: CLICK HERE
What You'll Need:
2. Fold and iron the bias binding strips.
3. Place the thin batting on top of the fold-over closure fabric.
4. Stitch the bias binding to the inner section of each pocket.
I used a straight stitch on my sewing machine.
5. Stitch the lining to the front embroidered panel, and add the fold-over closure in the center.
6. Stitch each of the two pocket panels to the left and right sides of the embroidered panel.
7. Stitch the bias binding to the outer edge all around the project.
8. Add snap fasteners to complete the Pocket Case.
The versatile Floribunda design from this combo can be used to create a variety of projects, such as a table runner, wall art, placemat, or as a decorative element on other items. The simple yet impactful floral pattern makes it a great choice for various home decor and accessory projects.
A pocket case can serve several purposes:
1. Carrying small items: The primary use of a pocket case is to carry and store small items that you need to have with you, such as keys, coins, cash, credit cards, identification cards, or other essentials.
2. Organizing items: Pocket cases often have multiple compartments or slots, which can help you organize and separate different items, making it easier to find what you need quickly.
3. Protecting items: A pocket case can help protect the items inside from scratches, damage, or wear and tear, especially if it's made of a durable material like leather or metal.
4. Convenience: Having a pocket case allows you to keep your essential items together in one place, rather than having to dig through your pockets or bag for them.
5. Fashion accessory: Some pocket cases are designed not just for function but also as fashion accessories, with various styles, materials, and colors to complement your outfit or personal style.
6. Business use: Professionals, such as salespeople or field workers, may use a pocket case to carry business cards, samples, or other work-related items.
7. Travel accessory: When traveling, a pocket case can be useful for carrying important documents, such as your passport, boarding pass, or travel itinerary, while keeping them safe and organized.
Overall, the compact size and versatility of a pocket case make it a handy accessory for anyone who needs to carry and organize small personal or professional items on a daily basis.
Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions. Happy stitching!
Annemarie
February 19, 2024
The Memory Lane Basket project holds a special place in my heart, and Nicole truly crafted a breathtaking creation. "Nicole, your work on this project is absolutely amazing! I'm thrilled to witness our design transformed into such a beautiful piece." Your friend, Annemarie
"It is a beautiful design. Thanks again! I am excited to try another with different fabric." Nicole
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