Let’s start with what is appliqué? Appliqué is needlework where pieces of fabric in different shapes and patterns are sewn onto background fabric to form a picture or pattern. Embroidery machines make the art of appliqué substantially simpler, but a lot of quilters still prefer doing the handwork. I have never been a fan of […]
Continue readingCategory Archives: Machine Embroidery
Blackwork
Blackwork is also sometimes called Spanish Blackwork. We believe that Katherine of Aragon introduced this form of embroidery to the English court when she married King Henry VIII. Blackwork commonly uses only black thread, but gold thread was also used during the early period. It is very interesting that an Act of Parliament in 1553 […]
Continue readingPlacemats for Christmas
I’ve made some placemats for Christmas celebrations. The designs used are “Folk Christmas Redwork” . The finished size of each placemat is approximately 13″ x 18″. Using the diagram, this is for 1 placemat: Fat quarter 1/8 yard 1/8 yard 1/8 yard 1/8 yard Using the diagram, cut the following for a single placemat: Square […]
Continue readingThe story of Fuzzy Wuzzy
Bullying is a reality that we all grow up with, and we have bullies as adults as well. Little ones struggle to understand the concept, and what to do about it. When I was making Fuzzy Wuzzy, my daughter told me about the latest attempts at bullying her at school. The first time she was […]
Continue readingWhich embroidery machine to buy
Embroidery machines are available from practically every sewing machine manufacturer. The choice of which machine will be best for you will be determined by the purpose that you have for the machine. How much money do you have to spend on this machine? Will you be doing this for yourself and your family – so […]
Continue readingMachine Embroidery Redwork
Can you imagine a time when you could sit back and enjoy a good gossip with the ladies of your circle while you decorate something or other with embroidery (probably a handkerchief!)? You can throw yourself back to the time with a Jane Austin movie. Mothers and daughters do needlework together whilst someone plays a […]
Continue readingBuying and storing files
Buying and storing files from a website can be a little daunting, especially if you are used to getting a cd and transferring designs to your machine in this way. Unfortunately, technology is not standing still, and with change comes new challenges. CD drives will soon be history, as new machines don’t have space for […]
Continue readingDouble Wedding Ring Designs and tutorial
Here is an easy double wedding ring pattern and design. The design is completely stitched out without any appliqué or patchwork, and you can then combine the blocks to create a beautiful quilt top. The blocks used for this table runner is 8 x 8″. The 5 x 7″ design will require more blocks to […]
Continue reading