Happy HOOPAPALOOZA! My Stitching Sister and co-author of Hoop It Up, Marie Zinno and I just did our first Facebook LIVE as the Stitching Sisters! We shared our Top 10 Hooping Tips and some special news on our hoops this month.
Watch below!
Receive a FREE gift ( our e-book Quilting Continuous Line Designs plus TWO designs) and FREE shipping when you purchase our Snap Hoop Monster 🤩
Use Code: SHIPHOOPFREE 😎
Happy Hoopapalooza! This month will be all about hoops, starting with magnetic hoops. When the first home embroidery machines were released in 1990, consumers were advised not to use a magnetic pincushion near the machine. The computer console in those machines probably resembled our 1990 cell phones – large and clunky, and looked like this:
And our computers (if you even had one) were something like this dinosaur:
Today, all that computing power is in our cell phones and it fits in your pocket.
Imagine the technical advances that have been made in our embroidery machines. Its computer console is no longer ‘large and clunky’ and it is highly insulated. Snap Hoop Monster magnetic hoops are safe for your machine. For instance, the magnetic hoop attaches to the machine far away from the machine’s computer module and the metal bottom frame insulates the magnetic shield. In this video, you’ll see how a pair of scissors are firmly attached to the magnetic frame but when the metal bottom frame is connected to the magnetic top, the scissors fall away.
Some people think their machine will not recognize a Snap Hoop Monster or the sewing field will be diminished. If your embroidery machine recognizes what size standard embroidery hoop is attached, then it will recognize the Snap Hoop Monster. The sewing field is the same size as the corresponding standard hoop. Take a look below, you’ll see the attachments are the same.
Another popular misconception is magnetic hoops will erase your embroidery designs. Not true – your digital designs are safe with Snap Hoop Monster.
I use Snap Hoop Monster everyday – and I don’t think I would still love machine embroidery if I had to squeeze every piece of fabric I stitch between the inner and outer rings of a standard embroidery hoop. My hands would have given out long ago!
Join me on Wednesday, June 12, 2019 at 1:00 PM CST on Facebook Live. Marie Zinno, my Stitching Sister and co-author of Hoop It Up will be joining me in the studio. We’ll share our Top Ten Tips for Hooping. Follow us on Facebook to get a reminder here https://www.facebook.com/DesignsInMachineEmbroidery/
If you watched my Facebook LIVE session today, you know I discussed lots of things going on here at DIME including my promise of sharing the how-to for making the China Cabinet Quilt, Monster Block Maker, and birthday shout outs to our friends Scott Goodman and Marie Zinno! Marie will actually be joining us for our next Facebook LIVE event on June 12th.
Oh and great news! We did an entire broadcast without any sound issues or grainy images!
image via giphy.com
Watch Below:
Make sure to take advantage of our weekly special, the Monster Block Maker, here: https://www.shop.dzgns.com/collections/specials/products/monster-block-maker
China Cabinet
The China Cabinet was published in a very early issue (issue #5) of Designs in Machine Embroidery – dating back to 2000 – that’s 19 years ago! Some of the information in the original article is not applicable today as the embroidery designs are not all of the embroidery designs are available. Today, you can find most of the original designs at http://www.greatnotions.com. Many design companies have similar designs so be sure to search in your favorite source. I searched at http://www.emblibrary.com and found great substitutes for the designs shown on the original quilt.
Stack of teacups: https://www.emblibrary.com/EL/Products.aspx?Catalog=Emblibrary&ProductID=M10805
Collection of cups: https://www.emblibrary.com/EL/Products.aspx?Catalog=Emblibrary&ProductID=X10511
The original teacup with doily:
https://www.greatnotions.com/pr/embroidery/great-notions/floral-cup,-doily–spoon/1/58183.aspx
The original Teapot collection:
https://www.greatnotions.com/pr/packs/great-notions/tea-pot-1/1/74480.aspx
Mimic Real Life Furniture
Observe the direction of wood grain in real furniture to guide you in cutting your fabric sections. In the China Cabinet quilt, the wood grain runs vertically in the back of the shelves, door fronts and side moldings sections. The grain runs horizontally on the shelves, valance and kickboard.
Cut the Fabrics
Wood Grain (purchase 2 yd. to allow ample fabric for directional cutting)
Vertical Direction
Cut three recessed shelf panels: 28” x 9”
Cut two cabinet doors: 10 ½” x 10”
Cut four cabinet door frames: 1 ¾” x 8 ½”
Cut two side moldings: 3” x 33”
Cut one recessed book area: 6” x 7”
Horizontal Direction
Cut three shelves: 26 ½” 1 ¾”
Cut one top valance: 30 ½” x 3 ½”
Cut one valance: 25 ¾” x 3 ½”
Cut one kickboard: 30 ½” x 4 ¼”
Cut two cabinet door frames: 8” x 4”
Cut two cabinet door frames: 8” x 1 ¾”
Cut two facings: 32” x 3”
Black Tulle (2 yd.)
Cut six recessed shelf panels: 28” x 9”
Cut four cabinet doors: 10 ½” x 10”
Cut two recessed book area: 6” x 7”
Backing and Batting
34” x 42”
Recessed Panels: The addition of black tulle over the wood grain fabric adds a realistic dimension to your project.
Place two layers of black tulle on a Teflon pressing surface. Place fusible web (paper side up) on the tulle. Press with a hot dry iron. Let cool. Carefully peel the protective paper away and reserve it. Place the right side of the wood grain fabric onto the adhesive side of the tulle. Cover with the protective paper and press. Continue pressing to melt all the adhesive into the wood grain fabric. I found flipping the fabric over and pressing on both sides helped speed the process along. Do this for three recessed shelf panels and the cabinet doors.
Piece the shelf fabric to the bottom of each tulle/wood grain recessed section with ¼” seam allowance.
Embroidery: Print templates of each design to use for placement. Evenly space the embroidery designs across the shelves, sitting the base of the teapots, stacked cups and plates on the shelf. The teacup design with the lace doily will stitch over the shelf.
Hoop tear away wash away stabilizer with the tulle/wood grain fabric for each embroidery design.
Add other elements from your design stash. The bottom shelf on this sample has pies, fruit bowls, candle, Shaker baskets and canisters. Have fun with this!
Once all embroidery is complete, piece the bottom row: the two cabinet doors and books. The book section is strips of fabric (varied widths and heights) pieced to strips of tulle/wood grain fabric. The finished size of this unit is 6” x 10”.
Piece the bottom row to the shelves.
Valance: Place the 30 ½” x 3 ½” valance right sides together with a 30 ½” x 3 ½” piece of tulle. Sew with a gently curved seam on the lower edge to mimic the valance on a real china cabinet. Then turn right side out and press. Baste the valance to the top of the shelf unit.
Piece the side moldings to the quilt. Piece the bottom kickboard to the quilt.
Quilt: Make a quilt sandwich with the quilt top, batting and backing fabric. Free motion quilt in the direction of the wood grain in the recessed areas. Stitch in the ditch in all seams.
Trim the quilt. Place a strip of facing fabric on the top and bottom. Sew a shaped curved edge on the top valance. Add feet on the bottom. Trim close to the stitching lines and turn the facing to the back of the quilt and press. Bind the vertical sides of the quilt. Add a sleeve for hanging.
I hope you enjoy the pattern and I encourage you to add your own touches. Change the width, add more shelves or give it a modern slant with sleek lines and edges. Most of all – make it yours!
Hello Embroidery Friends!
On Wednesday, Eileen filmed a LIVE video giving her Top 5 Tips on Continuous Borders. She also gave an awesome demonstration on how helpful the perfect alignment laser (PAL) is!
Watch below.
Note: Please excuse the graininess in the beginning, still working out the kinks and the video clears up after a few minutes.
image via giphy.com
Enjoy!
Take advantage of our Special Offer and get $10 off both PAL 1 and 2 (plus FREE shipping) when you use code FBPAL.
Happy Stitching!
Join me on Wednesday, May 15, 2019 at 1:00 PM CST on Facebook Live. You’ll learn my five top tips for continuous borders. It doesn’t matter how big your hoop is, the technique is the same for 4″ x 4″, 5″ x 7″, 8″ x 12″ and larger!
Just log onto facebook and go to the Designs in Machine Embroidery page at 1:00 PM CST. It’s more fun with a crowd so mark your calendar! Here’s the link to our page: https://www.facebook.com/DesignsInMachineEmbroidery/
Hope to see you there!
WOW stands for Whirlwind Of a Wednesday!
Today, Eileen had a fabulous time as a special guest on Angela Wolf’s Behind the Scenes Facebook LIVE. She spoke all about embroidery giving us the rundown on her highly anticipated My Lace Maker Software, as well as Angela’s new Touch of Lace collection.
After that interactive fun, Eileen showed us what’s new in DIME’s May/June volume 116 issue. She also went over exciting upcoming events and revealed the newest addition to the Farmhouse collection: Lakehouse! Watch below:
If you’re currently on social media, SHARE this video! You may be chosen to win Eileen’s newest Lakehouse panel ! If you only watch us on the blog, be sure to SHARE this blog post and you will have a chance to win as well !
Last week, Eileen talked all about LACE, delving into the secrets to success in thread, needle, stabilizer and design selection on Facebook! She hosted a LIVE tutorial on how to use the FREE demo download of our My Lace Maker Software.
Click the link “FREE” above for the download and Watch below!
Be on the lookout on May 1st when Eileen and Angela Wolf will announce the second lace contest winner on Facebook LIVE at 1:00PM CST. Even though the winner will be announced on Facebook, it’s not necessary to be on Facebook to enter. Just click this link to enter: https://contest.app.do/dime1162
We’ll also post the winner here on the blog.
This month is all about LACE. I am SO excited for the launch of My Lace Maker Software!Many of you asked where you can purchase a copy of My Lace Maker software and I have good news! The software is on its way to dealers now! So if you want to jump into the industry’s easiest, most exciting new design maker, call your dealer and ask them to reserve a copy for you. You can find a list of dealers by clicking here.
As previously mentioned in Saturday’s blog post, we are opening up another lace contest with Angela Wolf. The response to the first giveaway was so amazing that we decided to host another one! Yes, while you wait for the My Lace Maker Software to arrive at your local dealer you can enter AGAIN for another chance to WIN the software and Angela’s Touch of Lace Embroidery Collection!
Entering is easy and there are lots of ways to get extra entries!
1. Fill in the form here: https://contest.app.do/embed/dime116-2513810 (enter every day for additional entries!)
2. Earn Extra Entries on Facebook: Find the Giveaway link on Angela Wolf and Designs in Machine Embroidery and follow along (optional)
3. Earn Extra Entries on Instagram: Find the Giveaway link on Angela Wolf and Designs in Machine Embroidery Instagram pages and follow along (optional)
4. Earn Extra Entries on Angela Wolf and Designs in Machine Embroidery blogs follow along (optional)
♥ Good Luck ♥
1 Lucky Random Winner will be drawn LIVE on Eileen Roche’s Facebook series May 1, 2019 at 1:00pm CST. Good luck! No purchase Necessary. See Official Rules for details. Sweepstakes start 4/10/2019 at 4:00pm CST and ends 5/1/2019 at NOON CST. Void where prohibited. International entries welcome as this is a digital product 🙂
And next Wednesday, on April 17, 2019 at 1:00 CST I’ll be talking about lace on Facebook Live. I’ll delve into the secrets to success in thread, needle, stabilizer and design selection. So mark that date on your calendar and join me! It’s more fun when you’re there because I’ll read your comments and answer your questions during the broadcast. It’s like being in the same room and learning about embroidery together!
Finishing a quilt is quite rewarding. After all, you decided on the pattern, hand-picked the fabrics, cut all the pieces, sewed every seam and then, if you’re like me, hesitated on the next step: how to quilt it. What designs? What thread? Where do I start? How long will it take?
At 1:00 CST PM on April 3 on Facebook Live, I’ll point out the 5 biggest mistakes quilters make and how to avoid them. If you have a quilt you want to finish (and who doesn’t have quilt tops begging to be finished?), then join me for 5 Biggest Mistakes Quilters Make. Of course, by quilter, I mean embroiderers who quilt with their embroidery machines!
How do I know what the mistakes are? Well, I’ve written four books on quilting with your embroidery machine and I can tell you I have made all 5 of those mistakes – and many more! I’ve learned so much along the way that it would be selfish of me to keep that knowledge to myself. So join me and learn how to avoid the most common mistakes quilters make when quilting with their embroidery machine. And then you can finish your quilts with confidence.
Why Facebook Live? Well, you can ask questions and get answers. It’s fun and spontaneous and I hope you’ll be a part of it. Just go to https://www.facebook.com/DesignsInMachineEmbroidery/ and watch at 1:00 PM CST. Hope to see you there!
Perfect Embroidery Pro is definitely my favorite embroidery tool. This user-friendly software gives me everything I need to create one-of-a-kind embroidery projects. Yesterday, my latest book, The Flower Box Quilt, was released. It’s a sampler quilt with a modern layout plus a table runner bonus project. The 68-page book is loaded with tips and techniques on stabilizing quilting fabric, machine embroidered applique and quilting.
I used Perfect Embroidery Pro through the entire design process. From creating the embroidered applique elements to designing the custom quilting on the blocks to the quilting on the sashing and of course, the overall quilting in the large negative space areas.
How did I go about designing a large-scale project like this? One stitch at a time. Literally. And Perfect Embroidery Pro made that easy. I drew each flower. Then converted the artwork into applique. I used the copy, paste and rotate features to set the four elements into 12” blocks. 
Of course, each flower had to be tested and tweaks were made along the way. But as long as I worked in Perfect Embroidery Pro, I could save every version until I was satisfied. Then the fun part started. I visited my local quilt shop to select bright, cheery fabrics.
Once each block was stitched, it was time to concentrate on the quilting. I just uploaded an image of each block into PEP and doodled. PEP gave me the freedom to experiment. I saved several versions of each block before getting to the stitching stage. I love how I can audition ideas without stitching! 
If you’d like to purchase The Flower Box Quilt book, click here for more information. This week, on Wednesday, March 20, I’ll be doing Facebook Live at 1:00 CST to share my top tips for professional results with machine embroidered applique. Hope to see you there!