Archive of ‘Software Saturday’ category

Using Stitched Snapshots Plus: Part 2

May 19, 2018 by Denise Holguin / Current Posts, Inspiration Software, Software Saturday, Software Techniques, Stitched Snapshots Plus / 0 comment

This is the second in a series of three Software Saturdays that will highlight the features of Stitched Snapshots Plus. If you missed Part 1, click here to read Dalene McDonald’s post on converting photos to stitches.

You can follow along by downloading a fully functioning version of the software (with the exception that you cannot save). Click here to download the software.
Ready to purchase? Visit an Inspirations Dealer to purchase Stitched Snapshots Plus.
Learn more about the Stitched Snapshots Plus features by clicking here.

Some readers have been wondering about the differences between Stitched Snapshots and Stitched Snapshots Plus. The Plus version includes 35+ built-in frames to enhance your creations.

For this week’s software lesson, we’ve asked Inspiration’s Education Consultant Lisa Knight to share her tips for converting clip art to stitches.

Clip Art to Stitches
By Lisa Knight

It’s a snap to create photos into stitches with the new and improved “Stitched Snapshots Plus” by dime. This fun and innovative program transforms photos into beautiful stitches. You can convert everything from a portrait of a family member, a beautiful sunset, a favorite car or wildlife. The better the contrast, the better the outcome. I have had a lot of fun playing and experimenting with this program.

I discovered Stitched Snapshots Plus is not just for photos. You can take clip art images and convert them into stitches, with some really interesting results. There are many different options that you can use when playing with this technique.

When you open the program, the My Inspiration Today screen appears. Left click on “Create a New Design.”

You can find clip art online by searching for copyright-free clip art. You’ll be amazed at how many resources you will find. You may also have an extensive library of images in your own stash.

As with embroidery designs, I find it’s helpful to create a folder for my clip art. I save all my clip art together in that folder.

Left click on the backdrop icon located on the left toolbar. Locate the folder where your clip art is stored, and select the clip art you want to use and click on Open.

The clip art will appear on your design page.

Now is the appropriate time to size the image to accommodate your embroidery project and your embroidery machine’s capabilities. Note the Properties box on the right side of the workspace. Adjust the size by entering new dimensions.

Next, convert the clip art to stitches. Click on the Stitched Snapshots icon in the top toolbar as shown in the image below.

A new window appears with multiple options. The example we are using has two colors– make the adjustment in the Max colors field. You can also raise and lower the brightness and contrast levels. Decide whether you would like the overall design in the stippling or hatching effect.

To preview the effects of your choices, click on “show/hide preview”.

This example is with the Stippling selected.

This example is with the Hatching selected.

For this example, I have chosen Stippling, I have selected the realistic view located on the left hand tool bar to preview the design in stitches.

Now it’s time to play! Go into your thread library located at the bottom of your design page. When you left click on any one of these tiles you will open up the library. Choose different colors to get a feel for the different ways this design could appear.

Highlight the tile that you want to change then select the new color. Click Ok. The tile will change to the new color you chose. Repeat the process as needed. Note, the changes you make will also change the design.

There are tons of different thread libraries to choose from all you need to do is left click on the drop down menu to find and choose the brand you are looking for.

For my examples I chose Ballet Pink for the main area of the bow and Pink Sorbet for the outline and accents.

Now we can play a little further by ungrouping. Click on the Ungroup icon on the top toolbar.

Once the design is ungrouped you can isolate parts of the design by working in the Sequence window on the right side of the workspace.

Close the eye by clicking on it to temporarily hide that section. This will let you see what the design looks like without that element in it. To permanently remove, you must delete that part of the design before saving to stitch.

The first example has the first thread color, Ballet Pink, “hidden”. To hide the color, click on the eye.

The result is a fun little bow outline.

The second example has the second color, Pink Sorbet, “hidden”. To hide the color, click on the eye.

The result is just a view of the solid fill area of the bow.

These are just a few examples of ways you can play with Clipart and Stitched Snapshots Plus. I know that you will think of many creative applications!

Using Stitched Snapshots Plus: Part 1

May 12, 2018 by Denise Holguin / Current Posts, Software Saturday / 4 Comments

The team at DIME has a lot of fun innovating, experimenting and overall having fun with embroidery.

Our latest software release, Stitched Snapshots Plus, will help you explore embroidery in a new way. It’s the type of program that will pull you out of an embroidery funk—and will encourage you to embrace a new method for creating designs.

Here’s what you can do with Stitched Snapshots Plus:

Transform a photo in to stitches… and even add a frame
Transform clip-art to stitches
Transform sketches to stitches

During the next three Saturdays, we will explore each of these ideas by demonstrating what you can do. You can follow along by downloading a fully functioning version of the software (with the exception that you cannot save). Click here to download the software.

Ready to purchase? Visit an Inspirations Dealer to purchase Stitched Snapshots Plus.

Learn more about the Stitched Snapshots Plus features by clicking here.

For this week’s software lesson, we’ve asked Dalene McDonald to share her tips for converting photos to stitches.

With Stitched Snapshots PLUS, you can turn special photos into art.
By Dalene McDonald

I was given an orchid a few years ago. A friend suggested I water it using ice cubes, so I faithfully gave it an ice cube a couple of times a week. I was so excited when my patience paid off with lovely blooms. I took a photo of it to memorialize the event, and since it was so special I thought this might be worthwhile to take the time to stitch it too.

If you have other Inspirations software, this screen will look familiar to you. Click on the icon that looks like a photo to the far left of the toolbar to convert a picture to stitches.

Click on the Browse button and select the photo you want to convert.

There are lots of options on this screen. You can preview your design in color, gray, sepia, CMYK, edge, or mono.

Here’s a preview of it in color. I selected Hatching as the style for this one.

Of course, I had to try out all of the options. Here’s gray.

Sepia’s pretty too.

I LOVE what CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) did to it.

Here’s edge – super cool!

And finally, mono looks like quilting in the background.

I won’t show you all of the other possible options, but there are 8 masks to play with…

…and 37 frames! You can access them from the second icon from the left on the main toolbar.

I tried most of them, of course, but I liked this shape for my granddaughter’s picture.

I also liked for my orchid.

I can’t forget about the cats!

Here are some tips: This works best if there is high contrast between the main subject and the background. Also, simple compositions work better than complicated pictures. I use Microsoft Paint to crop and edit my photos when necessary.

You can get Stitched Snapshots PLUS at your Inspirations Dealer or at an Inspiration Social.

My Block Piecer Block of the Month: Block 5 Friendship Chain Software Instructions

May 5, 2018 by eileenroche / Block of the Month, Current Posts, Inspiration Software, My Block Piecer, Software Saturday / 0 comment

My Block Piecer
Block of the Month : Block 5 Friendship Chain
Software Instructions
By Nancy Stansbury

This ongoing Block of the Month series was designed to inspire you to learn new techniques using My Block Piecer. As a reminder, the first Saturday of every month will feature the software lesson using My Block Piecer. The following Wednesday will feature the sewing lesson.

You are free to adapt the block to a size of your preference.
A free trial of My Blo ck Piecer is available if you’d like to try it before you buy it. Note the “Save” feature is deactivated until the software is purchased.
Interested in learning more about My Block Piecer and other Inspirations Software? Join us at an Inspirations Event. Click the Events link for events near you.
If you’re late to the Block of the Month “party” have no fear! Start with Block 5 or spend a little time catching up.

Let’s continue the journey of learning and creativity!

Open MBP.
Click on Create a New Design.
If the units for the ruler on the design page show mm, Right Click on either one of the rulers on the Design Page, and Click on Inches.
Right Click on either ruler again and click on Grid Settings.
1. Check marks by:
  1. Maintain aspect ratio
  2. Snap to grid.
2. Set Horizontal spacing to 0.25.
3. Click OK.
Click on the Block Icon.

Enter Friendship Chain in the Find box at the bottom of the window (DO NOT CLICK THE ENTER KEY).
Click on the Down green arrow.
Click OK to place the block on the design page.

In the Properties Window on the right side of the screen click on the Transform icon.
1. Have Maintain aspect ratio checked.
2. Change the Width to 6.
3. Click Apply.
Click on the Reorder icon.
1. Look at the diagram below for the numbering sequence.Note: The block can be numbered differently, remembering that this is a stitch and flip method of sewing and that each piece can only have one straight seam to connect it to the previous piece.
2. Right Click to end the numbering. The numbers will disappear but the numbering is still there.
Click on the Select icon and click on patches 1 through 3.
Click on the Workflow icon.
1. Select a 200mm x 200 mm hoop or similar for your machine.
2. Click the Auto Build button.
Click Preview. Click Save.
1. Click on Create a New Folder icon and name Block5.
2. Double Click on the folder to open it.
3. In the File name box enter Friendship_Chain_A.
4. Save as type select Inspiration Series (C2S).
5. Click Save.
6. A window will open showing you the files that have been created.
  1. Friendship_Chain_A_001.c2s.
  2. Friendship_Chain_A _artwork.c2s.
  3. Friendship_Chain_A _preview.pdf.
7. Close the files window.
8. Close the Save window.
Click on the Select icon and click on 4 of the patches in the lower left of the block.
Click on the Workflow icon. The numbers have been changed to 1-4.
1. Click the Auto Build button.
Click Preview.
Click Save.
1. In the File name box enter Friendship_Chain_B.
2. Save as type select Inspiration Series (C2S).
3. Click Save.
4. A window will open showing you the files that have been created.
  1. Friendship_ChainB_001.c2s.
  2. Friendship_ChainB _artwork.c2s.
  3. Friendship_ChainB _preview.pdf.
5. Close the file window.
6. Close the Save window.NOTE: Since the triangle on the upper part of the block is identical to the one that was just created, there is no need to create a third embroidery design.
Click the Select icon and draw a box around the entire block, OR Enter CTRL-A to select all of the block.
Click the Cutter icon.
1. Seam allowance default is .25”. Normally I change this to 0.4” or 0.5”, to make it easier to place the fabric pieces no matter which output format I choose.
2. How you are going create the fabric pieces for the block, will determine which file format (hoop) to choose for the templates.
  1. If going to manually cut the fabric pieces, print the templates and select the Paper Letter 210×279.
  2. If going to use the Scan and Cut, select Brother SCN 12x12”.
  3. If going to use the Silhouette, select Silhouette 12x12”.
3. Can Unclick Optimize Orientation if using a directional fabric (This will optimize how the pieces fit on the paper.
4. Click Apply.
5. Click Save.
  1. In File name enter Friendship_Chain Templates.
  2. Select the proper digital format (from the drop down menu) if using a digital cutter and click Save.
  3. Since I’m using paper templates, the following files have been created.
    1. Friendship_Chain templates.
    2. Friendship_Chain templates_preview.pdf.
  4. Close the files window.
  5. Close the Cutter window
Click on Create a New Design.Note: When using the Merge to open a file, SAVE is actually a SAVE AS and the original file is not overwritten.
Click the Hoop Icon, and select 200mmx200mm hoop or similar.
Note: If desired the embroideries can be saved in a specific format individually or they can be combined into one file.
Using the File, Merge
1. Locate the file Friendship_ChainA.c2s.
2. Double Click to open, or Click on file and Click open.
File, Merge, Open Friendship_ChainB.c2s.
Move to the lower left corner of the hoop
Copy, Paste.
Click the Transform Icon on the Properties Window.
Rotate 180 degrees.
Move to the upper right corner of the hoop
Save.
1. In the name file enter Friendship Chain.
2. Save as type enter the format for your machine.
3. Click Save.
Print the templates, or prepare your fabric and send the templates to your cutter.
Load the design into your machine and have fun making this block.

Hidden Treasure

April 21, 2018 by eileenroche / Current Posts, Digitizing, Eileen Roche, Embroidery Techniques, Inspiration Software, Perfect Embroidery Pro, Software Saturday, Software Techniques, Software Updates, Uncategorized / 3 Comments

Buried in the Properties Box in Inspirations’ Perfect Embroidery Pro is Projection. A hidden and often forgotten treasure, Projection takes a simple shape and transforms it into a hoop full of beautiful stitches. When Projection was introduced as a new feature in a free update in June 2017, most of us looked at it as something fun to incorporate into open airy designs, like this butterfly.

But let me show you what it can do with a simple geometric shape like the diamond. Click on the Run stitch tool and select the Art tool. Select Diamond from the drop down menu. Drag the cursor to draw a 1″ x 1.25″ diamond.

In the Properties Box on the Run tab, select Projection from the Type field.

The diamond is filled with smaller diamonds, the default setting is 3.0 stitch length and 1.5 Density. That’s a too many repeats for me so I’ll decrease the density.

Change the stitch length to 2.4 and the Density to 5.0.

Select the diamond and click on the Carousel tool. Select Reflect.

In the preview window, type 2 in the repeat field and click Apply.

The hoop is filled with the diamond repeats.

Select the diamonds, go to to Edit, Optimize Sequence. Click on Slow Redraw to watch the design stitch seamlessly from diamond to diamond.

I can’t wait to stitch this in some specialty threads. First, I’ll use KingStar Metallic and then I’ll stitch a second sample in Medley variegated thread. After I see those samples, I’ll copy and paste the diamonds to fill the open areas. Oh my, so many possibilities! There are so many hidden treasure in your software!

My Block Piecer Block of the Month: Block 4 T Block Software Instructions

April 7, 2018 by eileenroche / Block of the Month, Current Posts, Eileen Roche, Inspiration Software, My Block Piecer, Software Saturday / 1 Comment

My Block Piecer
Block of the Month: Block 4 T Block
Software Instructions
By Nancy Stansbury

You are free to adapt the block to a size of your preference.
A free trial of My Blo ck Piecer is available if you’d like to try it before you buy it. Note the “Save” feature is deactivated until the software is purchased.
Interested in learning more about My Block Piecer and other Inspirations Software? Join us at an Inspirations Event. Click the Events link for events near you.
If you’re late to the Block of the Month “party” have no fear! Start with Block 4 or spend a little time catching up.

Let’s continue the journey of learning and creativity!

1. Open MBP.
2. Click on Create a New Design.

If the units for the ruler on the design page show mm, Right Click on either one of the rulers on the Design Page, and Click on Inches.
Right Click on either ruler again and click on Grid Settings.
1. Check marks by:
  1. Maintain aspect ratio
  2. Snap to grid.
2. Set Horizontal spacing to 0.25.
3. Click OK.
Click on the Block Icon.
1. Enter T Block in the Find box at the bottom of the window (DO NOT CLICK THE ENTER KEY).
2. Click on the Down green arrow.
3. Click OK to place the block on the design page.
In the Properties Window on the right side of the screen click on the Transform icon.
1. Have Maintain aspect ratio checked.
2. Change the Width to 6.
3. Click Apply.
Click on the Reorder icon.
1. Click on each patch of the block to number them as show the illustration below.
2. Right Click to end the numbering. The numbers will disappear but the numbering is still there.
Click on the Select icon and draw a box around patches 1 through 6, the top third of the block.
1. Select a 200mm x 200mm hoop or similar for your machine.
2. Click the Auto Build button. If there are two units showing in the right box, the block part has not been created with only one unit.
3. Right Click in the window on the right side (with the numbers) and Click Reset.
4. Holding down the CTRL Key, Click on the 1 and 2.
  1. Right Click and Group.
  2. Holding down the CTRL Key, Click on unit and 3.
  3. Right click and group.
  4. Repeat ii and iii for patches 4 and 5.
  5. DO NOT CLICK AND GROUP THE LAST NUMBER.Click on the Workflow icon.
Click Preview.
Click Save.
1. Click on Create a New Folder icon and name it Block 4.
2. Double Click on the folder to open it.
3. In the File name box enter T_BlockA.
4. Save as type select the compatible format for your machine (pes).
5. Click Save.
6. A window will open showing you the files that have been created.
  1. T_BlockA_001.pes.
  2. T_BlockA _artwork.c2s.
  3. T_BlockA _preview.pdf.
7. Close the file window.
8. Close the Save window.
Click on the Select icon and draw a box around the remaining patches.
Click on the Workflow icon.
1. The numbers have been changed to 1-5.
2. Select a 200mm x 200mm hoop or similar for your machine.
3. Click the Auto Build button. If there are two units showing in the right box, the block has not been created with only one unit. If there is only 1 unit, go to Step14.
4. Right Click in the window on the right side (with the numbers) and Click Reset.
5. Holding down the CTRL Key, Click on the 1 and 2.
  1. Right Click and Group.
  2. Holding down the CTRL Key, Click on unit and 3.
  3. Right click and group.
  4. Repeat ii and iii for patch 4.
Click Preview.
Click Save.
1. In the File name box enter T_BlockB.
2. Save as type select the compatible format for your machine(pes).
3. Click Save.
4. A window will open showing you the files that have been created.
  1. T_BlockB_001.pes.
  2. T_BlockB _artwork.c2s.
  3. T_BlockB _preview.pdf.
5. Close the file window.
6. Close the Save window.
Click the Select icon and draw a box around the entire block, OR Enter CTRL-A to select all of the block.
Click the Cutter icon.
1. Seam allowance default is .25”. Normally I change this to 0.4” or 0.5”, to make it easier to place the fabric pieces no matter which output format I choose.
2. How you are going to create the fabric pieces for the block, will determine which file format (hoop) to choose for the templates.
  1. If manually cutting the fabric pieces, select the Paper Letter 210×279.
  2. If using the Scan and Cut, select Brother SCN 12x12”.
  3. If using the Silhouette, select Silhouette 12x12”.
3. Unclick Optimize Orientation if using a directional fabric.
4. Click Apply.
5. Click Save
  1. In File name enter T_Block Templates.
  2. Select the format of choice from the Save as Type field.
  3. Click Save.
  4. The Following Files have been created.
    1. T_Block templates.
    2. T_Block templates_preview.pdf.
  5. Close the files window.
  6. Close the Cutter window.
Click on Create a New Design.Note: When using the Merge to open a file, SAVE is actually a SAVE AS and the original file is not overwritten.
Click on the Hoop icon and select a 200mmx200mm hoop or similar for your machine.
Click on File, Merge.
1. Locate the file T_BlockA_001.c2s.
2. Double click on the file to open OR click on the file name, then Click OK.
Move to upper part of the hoop.
Click on File, Merge.
1. Locate the file T_BlockB_001.c2s.
2. Double click on the file to open OR click on the file name, then Click OK.
Move to the bottom of the hoop
Click Save.
1. In the name field enter T-Block.
2. In the Save as type enter the format for your specific machine.
Print the templates, or prepare your fabric and send the templates to your cutter.
Load the design in your machine and create the two portions of this block.
Manually sew the two pieces together on your sewing machine.

April 2018 Update!

March 31, 2018 by eileenroche / Current Posts, Digitizing, Eileen Roche, Inspiration Software, My Block Piecer, My Fabric Designs, My Quilt Embellisher, Perfect Embroidery Pro, Software Saturday, Software Updates, Uncategorized / 5 Comments

It’s update time! On Monday, April 2, 2018, your Inspirations software programs will be updated. When you open your software, you’ll find a prompt that says, Update available. Would you like to update now? When you click OK, your software will be updated to remain compatible with Windows 10 plus your My Today screen links will pop up in your default browser (Chrome Internet Explorer, Edge, etc). Previously, the links defaulted to Internet Explorer.

You’ll also find an updated ‘Exquisite Thread 40’ thread chart as some names have changed since it’s initial upload.

I’m excited about this handy new update at the digitizing level in Perfect Embroidery Pro, My Block Piecer, My Fabric Designer and My Quilt Embellisher. Now you can align points when using the Shape tool. Select more than one point in an object, right click and select Align.

Also when using the shape tool, you can now see the length when editing an angle line.

A new digitizing option that’s a real time saver is for making prefect curves / circles with only 5 points. The new default setting is a more controlled way of digitizing curved lines and satins. To use this new feature, go Tools, General options, Digitizing, Circular curves. Turn on “Circular Curves” and click OK.With just five clicks, you’ve got a perfect circle!

No tweaking needed! Now, that’s a time-saver.

Lastly, there’s very exciting news for Vintage Software owners, you can now change any design to Vintage style with just a click.

As always, there’s no fee to keep your Inspirations software up to date. I hope you’ll enjoy all these new, free features!

Texture, Texture, Texture

March 17, 2018 by eileenroche / Current Posts, Digitizing, Eileen Roche, Inspiration Software, Quilting, Software Saturday / 3 Comments

It’s National Quilting Day so I decided to revisit some quilting designs I digitized several years ago for a shower gift for my niece. When I looked at the one of the quilting designs on my screen, I was not very impressed. It just a bunch of jagged lines!

I wondered what I was thinking when I digitized this design. Then I dug around to find a few photos of the quilt.

Ahhh, I remembered how the texture was the star of the quilt.

Those jagged lines really popped in the negative space. I think I’m going to have to incorporate these quilting designs into a new project. Wouldn’t they look great on tree bark? What other elements would they look go on? Fire, maybe? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Design the Block, then the Quilt

March 10, 2018 by eileenroche / Current Posts, Digitizing, Eileen Roche, Inspiration Software, My Quilt Embellisher, Quilting, Software Saturday, Software Techniques, Uncategorized / 2 Comments

Quilt blocks don’t stand alone so when designing the quilting for a block, remember the block is just part of a whole. Use digital tools to duplicate the blocks so you can envision the whole quilt.

Open a new screen in My Quilt Embellisher. Click on the Block icon and select Curved Blocks/Curved Blocks-Misc/ Hands All Around.

The block appears on the screen.

When designing the quilting for one block, it’s important to imagine what it will look like when multiple blocks are pieced together.

Work on the individual block first. Then copy your finished work to see the whole quilt. I used the Contour feature to fill the diamonds in each corner.

The Texture tool (#144) added the pebbles in each curved patch.

Stipple (Hilbert) filled the remaining areas.

When I looked at the whole block, I was pleased.

After changing the color of the stippling, I felt the shape in the center was lacking interest.

I used the Contour tool again to create a focal point in the enter of the block.

When viewed in a traditional layout, the quilting is quite appealing.

The next step is to view the stitching in redraw and make any necessary changes. Then test the block on scrap fabric -I usually stitch the design in contrasting thread on felt. Watch for consistent stitch lengths, unnecessary color changes and registrations. Make changes on the file and save under a new name. Test again. As you test, keep in mind quilting adds texture to a block and enhances the block design. On the actual quilt, you’ll probably use a thread to blend with the fabric so the stitches will not take center stage. It’s also important to remember to leave some space for the batting to breathe. Texture is created by crushing (with stitches) some of the batting and leave some areas open. My Quilt Embellisher gives you all the tools you need to make stunning blocks!

Block of the Month: Block 3 – Four Triangles – Software Instruction

March 3, 2018 by eileenroche / Block of the Month, Current Posts, Eileen Roche, In-the-hoop, Inspiration Software, My Block Piecer, Quilting, Software Saturday, Software Techniques, Uncategorized / 4 Comments

My Block Piecer
Block of the Month : Block 3 Four Triangles
Software Instructions
By Nancy Stansbury

We hope you are enjoying this Block of the Month series. As a reminder, the first Saturday of every month will feature the software lesson using My Block Piecer. The following Wednesday will feature the sewing lesson.

You are free to adapt the block to a size of your preference.
A free trial of My Block Piecer is available if you’d like to try it before you buy it. Note the “Save” feature is deactivated until the software is purchased.
Interested in learning more about My Block Piecer and other Inspirations Software? Join us at an Inspirations Event. Click the Events link for events near you.
If you’re late to the Block of the Month “party” have no fear! Start with Block 3 or spend a little time catching up.

Let’s continue the journey of learning and creativity!

Block 3 is our first two-unit block in the My Block Piecer Sampler Block of the Month. My Block Piecer splits some blocks into smaller units when a patch shares seam allowances with more than one patch. The 4-Triangle block consists of four half-square triangles. We’ll piece two units of two half-square triangles in the hoop. Then the units will be removed from the hoop and sewn together on the sewing machine with ¼” seam allowance. Let’s get started on Block 3.

Open MBP.
Click on Create a New Design.
If the units for the ruler on the design page show mm, Right Click on either one of the rulers on the Design Page, and Click on Inches.
Right Click on either ruler again and click on Grid Settings.
1. Check marks by:
  1. Maintain aspect ratio
  2. Snap to grid.
2. Set horizontal spacing to 0.25.
Click on the Block icon.
1. Enter 4 Triangles in the Find box at the bottom of the window. (DO NOT CLICK THE ENTER KEY).
2. Click on the Down green arrow.
3. Click OK to place the block on the design page.
In the Properties Window on the right side of the screen, Click on the Transform icon.
1. Have Maintain aspect ratio checked.
2. Change the Width to 6.
3. Click Apply.
Click on the Select icon and holding down the CTRL key, select all of the patches.
Click on the Workflow icon.
1. Select a 200mm x 200 mm hoop or similar for your machine.
2. Click the Auto Build button. Notice the block has been split into two units.
  Click Sort numbers. Select Yes in the message box.
3. The numbers have been sorted according to the order they will be added to the block.
4. Click Preview. The patch is split into two units. Both units will be created in one hooping. The second hooping (if you choice to use the hoop) will piece the two units together. Click Preview again.
  1. Click Save. Name the new folder Blk3Triangle and save it the format appropriate for your machine.
  2. A window will open showing you the files that are created.
    1. Blk3Triangles_001.pes (First Hooping).
    2. Block3Triangles_002.pes (Second Hooping)
    3. Blk3Triangle_artwork.c2s. (original block)
    4. 4_Triangles_preview.pdf. (stitching instructions)
  3. Close the file window.
5. Close the Save window.
Click the Cutter icon.
1. Seam allowance default is .25”. Normally I change this to 0.4” or 0.5”, to make it easier to place the fabric pieces no matter which output format I choose.
2. How you are going create the fabric pieces for the block, will determine which file format (hoop) to choose for the templates.
  1. If printing templates to manually cut the fabric pieces, select the Paper Letter 210×279.
  2. If using the Scan and Cut, select Brother SCN 12x12” or 12 x24”.
  3. If using the Silhouette, select Silhouette 12x12” or 12x24”.
3. Can Unclick Optimize Orientation if using a directional fabric (This will optimize how the pieces file on the paper).
4. If making four blocks for the large quilt, change 1 to 4 in the Repeat field.
5. Click Apply.
6. Click Save.
  1. In File name enter Blk3TriangleCut.
  2. Save the file in the format appropriate for your digital cutter.
  3. The Following Files are created for the Brother Scan n Cut.
    1. Blk3TriangleCut_001_1_1. (First Fabric)
    2. Blk3TriangleCut_002_2_1 (Second Fabric)
    3. Blk3TriangleCut_preview.pdf.
  4. Close the files window.
  5. Close the Cutter window.
Print the templates, or prepare your fabric and send the templates to your cutter.
Load the design in your machine and have fun making this block.

Filling Negative Space with Background Fills

February 24, 2018 by eileenroche / Current Posts, Digitizing, Eileen Roche, Embroidery Techniques, Inspiration Software, My Quilt Embellisher, Software Saturday, Software Techniques, Uncategorized / 16 Comments

Inspirations’ My Quilt Embellisher offers many ways to fill negative space on a quilt block. I enjoy trying different background fills because virtual quilting is fast and easy. Auditioning a variety of background fills gives me confidence that I’ll like the final outcome and it’s easy to do in My Quilt Embellisher. Just a few clicks and the background or negative space of a quilt block is filled with interesting texture. Every detail can be customized right down to the distance between the stitches and the length of each stitch.

I created my simple applique flower and drew a rectangle around the flower – the same size as the block. This is a quick project so my block is 6″ square. Here’s how to do it: select the flower, right click and Create Outline. Set the distance to zero. Select the outline and the run stitch rectangle and touch the Combine tool (paper clip).

Next, play with a few of the features after selecting the combined outlines. I chose Texture, Stipple and Echo for my first three trials.

I’d love to know what background you prefer. Do you like the Texture block?

The Stipple?

Or the Echo?

Please share your thoughts! Texture, Stipple or Echo. If you have another style, by all means let us know!

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