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Archive of ‘Eileen Roche’ category

Instant New Baby Gift

by / Current Posts, Digitizing, Eileen Roche, Embroidery for Children, Inspiration Software, Lettering, Uncategorized, Word Art in Stitches / 3 Comments

As embroiderers, we are always driven to create a custom gift for new parents but it can be difficult to find time to create something special.  For the new parents, there’s nothing quite like seeing the statistics of your new baby etched in thread on pretty fabric. Inspiration’s Word Art In Stitches has just what you need to put a smile on the parents’ faces.

Subway blocks were added as a free update to the software several months ago and I think many of us forget they are in the software.  Let’s take a look. Open a new file in Word Art in Stitches and click on the Library icon under the Properties Box (lower right corner).  Scroll to the bottom of the list.

Here you’ll find nine different blocks for baby, new home, wedding and more.  Select the first one, Baby 4×4. Once the design appears on the screen, select it, right click and Ungroup.

It’s so easy to change the name, date and weight to customize the block for the new baby.  Just click on the name and type the new name in the Properties Box.

Select the name, drag one of the side handles to stretch the text to fit the space.  It’s that easy!

Do the same for the date and weight.

The block is 4×4 but you can resize it to fit your needs.  Wasn’t that simple!  You can use as framed artwork, a custom block in a quilt or as a quilt label.  I’m sure you’ll find many ways to use the Subway blocks.

Remember to join me on Thursday, Nov. 15 at 1:00 CST on Facebook Live and YouTube Live to see gift #4 in our holiday gift making countdown!.  I hope you had a chance to see gift #5 on Nov. 7 – it was one of my all time favorites!  If you missed it, you can watch it anytime, check it out!

Digitizing for Metallic Threads

by / Current Posts, Digitizing, Eileen Roche, Embroidery Tips, Holiday Stitching, Inspiration Software, Perfect Embroidery Pro, Software Saturday, Software Techniques, Uncategorized / 3 Comments

Last week, I provided some tips on digitizing for metallic thread.  Reader Janis O’Connor asked for some clarification on how to stitch the underlay of a complex fill in polyester thread and finish the decorative layer of the fill with metallic. There may be a better way to do this but this is how I do it. Let’s walk through the process. Draw a hexagon with the artwork tool. Select the design, right click and convert to Complex Fill.

Click on the Redraw tool, and notice the underlay that’s automatically added to the complex fill. Below is a screen capture of the underlay only.

Of course, in Inspiration’s Perfect Embroidery Pro, you have control over the type and density of the underlay.  Click on the Underlay tab in the Properties Box and note the underlay is Perpendicular with a density of 3.0.  Remove the underlay by clicking on the check mark next to Perpendicular. Click Apply.

Now, select the hexagon, copy and paste it.  Change the color of the first hexagon to pink, this will serve as the underlay.  Select the pink hexagon.  The Fill tab will be open in the Properties Box.  Change the density to 3. Click Apply.

The pink hexagon is the same density as the original underlay but the stitches are traveling in the same direction of the blue hexagon.

Change that by selecting the Shape tool and moving the black circles to the opposite sides of the hexagon. 

Now the underlay will be perpendicular to the complex fill providing a stronger foundation.

Small changes to run stitches and satin columns help light reflect off the metallic thread resulting in eye-catching sparkle. Lengthen short running stitches to provide more metallic surface.  Just change the stitch length in the Properties Box to 2.8 or even longer.

Add curvy edges to satin columns. Use the shape tool to move the nodes on each side of the column.  If your column doesn’t have a node, place the cursor where you want to add one, right click and Add Point.

The image below shows an exaggerated example as just a little movement can make big changes in a metallic design. 

So go ahead, add a little sparkle to your stitches!

Quilt Market Vendor Walk Giveaway!

by / Current Posts, Eileen Roche, Events, Facebook Live, Social Media / 17 Comments

There’s still time to win the goodies from the Quilt Market Vendor Walk.  If you missed it live, you can watch anytime this week as we’ll select the winner on Friday, Nov. 1, 2019.  Two people who share the most will receive half the goodies!  All you have to do is tell your friends, leave a comment, share an emoji, spread some hearts or give a few thumbs up.  I had a blast – it was long – over two hours – but you’ll get to see new fabrics, new tools, new lights, new everything!  All of the vendors have their latest products on display.  Some were generous and gave Christopher Blakeman and I wonderful give-aways.  We ran into sewing celebs – Jenny Doan! Kaffee Fasset!  Alison Glass! Shelly Smola!  Well, you really have to watch to see everything.  I can’t believe it’s two hours long because it flew by.  I loved chatting with the viewers during the broadcast. Just so fun!

Tomorrow, I’ll unveil gift #6 on my Holiday Gift Making list.  Join me at 1:00 CST on Facebook or YouTube (broadcasting on both channels simultaneously). You don’t want to miss this because I’ll doing something on a single needle machine that many think is impossible!

Get More Sparkle from Your Designs

by / Current Posts, Eileen Roche, Embroidery Tips, Holiday Stitching, Inspiration Software, Perfect Embroidery Pro, Software Saturday / 3 Comments

It’s sparkle time!  You can add a shiny element to many designs but you should set yourself up for success.

Use your digitizing software to change some elements into metallic-friendly details.  In Inspirations’ Perfect Embroidery Pro digitizing software, lengthen run stitches.  My normal stitch length for quilting designs is 2.4.  For metallic threads, I increase the length to 2.8.  The longer stitch length lets the metallic thread shine on the fabric while shorter stitch lengths, tend to hide the pretty sheen.  Imagine how pretty those longer stitches will look on a dark fabric.

Reduce the density of a complex fill.  The stitches should lay right next to each other without overlapping. The density default setting is 5.0, type in .80 and click Apply.

If your design requires underlay, consider making the underlay a separate color.  Stitch the underlay first in a coordinating polyester thread, then switch to the metallic to add the top layer.

Satins – think curves!  Metallics really shine when light bounces off the thread at different angles.  So curve your satin columns, and adjust the widths to take full advantage of the light.

The satin column on the right will reflect more light than the blue, straight column.

When digitizing for metallic thread, schedule some extra time for testing your digitized designs.  I hope you had a chance to watch our Facebook Live session this week. Embroidery expert Deborah Jones and I shared ideas for using metallic thread and there’s a special offer on a holiday 6-pack of Kingstar Metallic thread. Click here to take advantage of the special price.

Holiday Gift Countdown: #7

by / Current Posts, Eileen Roche, Embroidery Techniques, Embroidery Tips, Events, Facebook Live / 5 Comments

Hey Embroidery Friends!

Who’s ready to add a little sparkle and shine to their holiday projects this year? Well we revealed number seven on our Holiday Gift countdown that will do just that and more: Kingstar Metallic Thread!

Watch our live video below with special guest Deborah Jones to see some of the wonderful projects you can create with this high quality thread.

Use code SHIPMT6PK for FREE shipping up to $10 on all U.S. orders when you take advantage of our special metallic thread sale HERE.

Also be sure to tune into Facebook LIVE this Saturday October 26th at 2pm CST to watch Eileen share another exciting Vendor Walk at Quilt Market. Hope to see you there!

Patches!!!

by / Applique, Current Posts, Eileen Roche, Facebook Live, Lettering, Perfect Embroidery Pro, Software Saturday, Software Techniques, Uncategorized / 1 Comment

Once you make a monogram patch, you’ll know why patches are #8 on my 2019 Holiday gift-making list!  It’s so easy in Inspiration’s Perfect Embroidery Pro.  Open a new file in Perfect Embroidery Pro. Select the artwork tool and the Ellipse.

Hold the Ctrl key down on the keyboard and drag the cursor across the screen to create a perfect circle. Size the circle to 2.25″ for left chest embroidery.  Select the circle, right click and select Convert to Applique.

Select the Text Tool. Type the three-letter monogram in the Properties Box and select the Circle Monogram from the list of fonts. Size the monogram to fill the 2.25″ circle. Change the color of the monogram if you don’t want it to stitch in the same color as the applique outline.

Save the design in the appropriate format and stitch it on the heavy-duty water soluble found in the Patch Maker Kit (special offer this week!).  Then follow the instructions in the Patch Maker Kit to permanently attach the patch.  Watch last week’s Facebook Live video to learn more.  You’ll find tips on using patches on slippers, shoes, down jackets, children’s wear and more!

Holiday Gift Countdown: #8

by / Current Posts, Eileen Roche, Embroidery Tips, Facebook Live, Monograms / 2 Comments

Hello Embroidery friends!

We released number 8 on our Holiday Gift List countdown: The Patch Maker Kit!

Watch the rebroadcast of Eileen’s live tutorial below to see a couple of different ways you can use these versatile patches!

As always we love to create specials just for you during our lives! Get FREE shipping up to $10 in the US when you get the Patch Maker Kit on sale now HERE.

Resizing Tip

by / Current Posts, Eileen Roche, Inspiration Software, My Lace Maker, Perfect Embroidery Pro, Software Saturday, Software Techniques, Uncategorized / 2 Comments

The Lace Charm collection features 34 small designs  – all under 2” – perfect for adding small enhancements to jewelry, purses, zipper pulls and the like.  Depending on how you intend to use them, you may want to resize the mini designs. No worries, all Inspirations’ software can handle resizing because stitches are recalculated when enlarged and reduced.  If you’re not familiar with the term recalculate, it means stitches are added when a design is enlarged and removed when a design is made smaller.

But sometimes, you want to use caution when resizing. For instance, the Fringe Earring design – the first of my top 10 Holiday gifts to make for 2019 – looks very cool as large, dangling earrings.  One of our Inspiration dealers, Jill Esber from A Scarlett Thread in McDonough, GA, bumped up the volume on her fringe earrings.  She enlarged it right at the machine (Baby Lock Solaris) and loved the results.  She did confess that the eyelet ‘collapsed’ when resized but she was able to force the fish hook earring into the eyelet.  But they look great, wouldn’t you agree?

If you want more control over the sizing, use software. Open the Fringe Earring design in Inspiration’s Perfect Embroidery Pro or My Lace Maker software.  Copy and paste the design. Resize the repeat to 2.5” in height. Notice how large the eyelet is now.  Any earring finding will slip right off the eyelet.

When you measure the eyelets, you’ll find the eyelet has almost doubled in size.

No worries, just resize everything but the eyelet.  In the color sequence window, select the three elements below the eyelet.  Change the size to 2.25”.

Group the three elements into one group (right click, Group). Move the eyelet back in position.  Select all, Align Horizontal.

Now you can bump up the volume without worrying about losing your earring.

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