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Happy Campers!

August 23, 2017 by Denise Holguin / Applique, Blue Hair Girl, Current Posts, Just for Fun, Special Offers, Wildcard Wednesday / 8 Comments

One of the fun aspects of working for Designs in Machine Embroidery is the ability to create and present new ideas. We gather inspiration from what’s trending, from our own likes and interests, from friends and associates, museums and countless seemingly unrelated fields. These ideas come to life in Designs in Machine Embroidery magazine, but also through this blog and our products. It makes the work more interesting for us but more importantly, we hope it keeps us relevant and timely for you, our readers!

When Eileen and I were brainstorming about a new design idea, I had been admiring vintage campers. I see them as I travel to my favorite hiking and adventure destinations. There’s something wonderfully nostalgic and charming about them – and they need to be expressed with stitches!

Eileen gave me the green light to design this vintage camper embroidery design. I considered how I’d like to decorate the camper and who I’d want to include in my camping adventures. Four-legged friends, of course! That’s why I included a dog and cat looking through the windows.

The embroidery design is fun to stitch as is—and we’ve created a step-by-step instruction guide to use the design to make a cosmetic bag (or use it for gadgets or other items that need to be tucked away in a cute bag). Use the design to stitch a sweet pillow or decorate a quilt block.

If you’re like me, you enjoy tweaking the design to add that unique touch. You can do that with this design. Add ribbon as embellishment to the camper. Or use tiny pom pom fringe for a more whimsical look.

Don’t have a cat? Remove the cat design and add a second dog. Or remove the pets altogether. You get the idea. Have fun and make this vintage camper design your own. Embellish with beads, crystals or rhinestones. Add lettering to customize the design further. Use software to add a square “Welcome” mat.

Most of all, embrace your creativity with enthusiasm!

This camper design along with the cosmetic bag instructions, are included as a free gift when you subscribe to Designs in Machine Embroidery. You can subscribe for 1 or more years and the offer works with renewals. Live abroad? We’ll ship the magazine wherever you live! The camper and cosmetic bag instructions are an automatic download you’ll receive upon paid subscription. You can start stitching now! Click the image below for the subscription page or give us a call: 888-739-0555 / 8 am – 5 pm CDT.

Who is Blue Hair Girl?

February 15, 2017 by Denise Holguin / Blue Hair Girl, Current Posts, Inspiration, Just for Fun, Special Offers, Wildcard Wednesday / 6 Comments

Welcome, Blue Hair Girl!
What do you get when you mix machine embroidery, a quirky sense of humor and streaks of blue hair? The launch of a new brand from Designs in Machine Embroidery. Blue Hair Girl is a fresh and quirky approach to embroidery!

Managing Editor, Denise Holguin, has been in the machine embroidery industry for over 15 years. Her approach to embroidery and every project she tackles is simple: It has to be fun. That same spirit is what inspired her to launch her own Blue Hair Girl brand.

Blue Hair Girl makes you smile!
Blue Hair Girl is about approaching machine embroidery with a smile. Blue Hair Girl wants to inspire a smile during the creative process of stitching and deviating from the expected.

Blue Hair Girl gives you wings!
Denise Holguin aims to inspire machine embroiderers to take that often difficult first step of trying. Blue Hair Girl is about having the confidence to try and celebrating milestones.

Blue Hair Girl is unconventional!
From streaks of blue hair victory rolls and polka dot everything to current pop cultural influences, Blue Hair Girl aims to give you something quirky, fun and definitely unique to machine embroidery.

Be the first to have a Blue Hair Girl Product!
Patch Celebration! features 12 embroidery patches, 4 printable Gift Tags and instructions.

Order now and enjoy FREE US shipping and handling up to $10.00! Use coupon code: celebrate. Offer good until February 25, 2017.

Memories, the threads of time

June 8, 2016 by eileenroche / Applique, Current Posts, Eileen Roche, Home Decor, Just for Fun, Quick Gifts, Quilting, Special Offers, Wildcard Wednesday / 28 Comments

Isn’t it fun to capture a happy memory in needle and thread? It’s not always easy to achieve but when memories and creative inspiration collide, it’s a heartfelt moment. That’s the story behind my latest Stipple! Collection, Life’s a Beach.

You see, when I was ten years old, my father, an avid pilot, restored a World War II open cockpit bi-plane and flew it for thirty years in our tiny seaside resort in New Jersey. He loved that plane and so did all of his daughters. Although it never towed a banner as it is in this quilt, it spiraled through the air crisscrossing the sky over the sparkling blue water of the Atlantic Ocean. He would buzz our house and we would head to the airport to get a ride. If we were on the beach when he flew over, we would wave and jump around on the white sand so he could see us. A tip of his wing meant he was heading home for dinner.

There are so many stories about that plane– thankfully all with happy landings – I just had to include this memory of my youth spent on the Jersey shore. Oh what I wouldn’t do to stand on that sand and hear him fly overhead.

Those happy memories include many days spent at the beach and with five sisters, there were always bathing suits drying in the sun on the backyard clothesline. In fact, I remember coming home from my morning waitress job at a local coffee shop and checking the clothesline to see what suits were left – several of us wore the same size. My mother used to say, “First one out, best one dressed!”

And then off to the beach it was. With a good book, suntan lotion (OMG probably baby oil, how times have changed!), chair and towel, everything revolved around the beach. Everyone (except my mother) was on the beach: neighbors, tourists (same families, same street every year) and family. The more the merrier; the bigger the circle of chairs, the better.

The scene depicted in the bottom row on Life’s a Beach shows the end of the day at the beach…one chair, one umbrella, a peaceful quiet time in the shade.

I stitched the three panels independently and they hang together with ribbons of raffia looped over wood buttons. Since each row stitches quickly, I finished a row in an afternoon, binding included! Once I had one done, I was motivated to start the next one. If you’d like, piece the three rows together to make one wall quilt. I had so much fun designing this project and focusing on the simple days of my youth, I hope you enjoy making it as much as I enjoyed designing it.

Question of the week: What are your favorite summertime childhood memories?

Visit the Designs in Machine Embroidery website for a limited time special offer on Stipple Life’s a Beach. Enjoy free US shipping. Use coupon code: beach

Become a Social Butterfly! Part 2

April 6, 2016 by Denise Holguin / Current Posts, Fairyland, Home Decor, In-the-hoop, Just for Fun, Quick Gifts, Special Offers, Wildcard Wednesday / 10 Comments

Last week I explored a special offer in an ad featured in the current issue of Designs in Machine Embroidery. If you missed the blog, click here.

When you spend $49 or more at the Embroidery Online website, enter coupon code: DIME2016FREE and you’ll receive the Luminous Freestanding Butterflies collection for free. (Offer ends 4/30/2016).

As you can see, there are all sorts of special offers and promos featured in every issue of Designs in Machine Embroidery. If you don’t subscribe to the magazine, I encourage you to do so. Special offers, free designs and inspiration can be found from page to page. Flutter on to our subscription page to subscribe or give us a call at 888-739-0555.

This week I decided to explore the process of incorporating natural elements into my embroidery projects. For the few that have seen my home (and for the rest who haven’t!) —it’s a mix of various collections including rocks and really neat branches that I’ve picked up during my adventures. I bet you’re wondering rocks? Branches? What in the world does a person do with these elements? I wondered the same until I found just the right use. Take a look!

While visiting friends in Kerrville, I wandered their beautiful property and found the most delightful rock. I got permission to take the rock and little did we know it would end up being a cute pedestal for a butterfly to rest upon. I had it sitting on my desk all week as a paperweight – but it will return to its home in Kerrville to my friends as a special gift.

The letters are chip board—you can find similar ones in the scrapbook aisle of your favorite retailer.

Next, I decided to cover a branch with butterflies and use it as wall décor. I love the mix of thread and natural elements.

Excited to find use for my other branches, I combined two small branches with carpenter’s glue. Then I created ribbon roses and placed them in one corner with a butterfly resting upon them. More chip board was used to spell the word “create” but I could have easily spelled my last name or other message. The Butterfly Fairy was a last minute addition to the scene.

Here’s a close-up of the Butterfly Fairy. One late night of butterfly stitching, my embroidery machine got hungry and started eating my fabric. The wings that were in the process of being stitched were incomplete but too pretty to throw away. I trimmed them and decided to use them to make fairy wings.

Since the underside of the embroidery would be visible, I covered the wings with organza. Then I made a doll using inspiration from Wee Felt Folk by Salley Mavor. The dress is made from the center of a daffodil. I loved the results and quickly posted the photo for my friends to see. But there was just one problem which I presented to them: “This Butterfly Fairy needs a name!”

I got a reply from a friend I recently reconnected with online. The name she presented and I fell in love with: Daphne! Look at her, she looks like a Daphne!

And that’s the story of how Daphne the Butterfly Fairy came together. I think she represents the beauty of using the resources you have—though imperfect, to make something special, unique and meaningful. Imagine if I had tossed the half stitched wings in the trash bin! And I love involving others in my embroidery projects – even though some live far away they can be part of the process online. It’s a constructive and positive use of social media that I encourage you to embrace if you haven’t already. It is quite fun to be a social butterfly!

Become a Social Butterfly!

March 30, 2016 by Denise Holguin / Current Posts, Just for Fun, Lace, Quick Gifts, Special Offers, Wildcard Wednesday / 24 Comments

While my team and I were putting the latest issue of Designs in Machine Embroidery together, an advertisement from Embroidery Online caught my attention. Did you see it? Here’s a glimpse of the ad from the Mach/April 2016 issue along with a full size stitched butterfly for scale.

The offer is pretty nifty: Make a purchase of $49 and receive the #12600 Luminous Freestanding Butterflies for free! Coupon code: DIME2016FREE. Offer ends 4/30/2016. The free collection download will be added to the cart automatically when you enter the code.

I thought it would be fun to try this special offer. By the end of this article I think you’ll agree, it’s an excellent offer you don’t want to miss. Purchase some thread, stabilizer or other supplies from Embroidery Online to make the $49 goal. Enter the coupon code: DIME2016FREE and you’re on your way to becoming quite the social butterfly!

This will be an ongoing series you’ll see as you flutter through our blog, Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest pages. Every photo will be tagged #socialbutterfly and you are encouraged to post your creations made from this collection too!

I have a collection of real butterflies that are framed on my wall at home. I thought it would be fun to make my own embroidered version and make it look like a preserved ‘specimen’.

I used a Micro font from Inspirations Software to stitch the name on twill tape. Wanting to add some excitement, I used an online translator to convert “embroidered butterfly” to the equivalent in French. Until these butterfly designs fluttered into my world, I never ventured to embroider text on anything narrow much less in a foreign language. I’m glad I tried!

I added a pin to mimic the look of a real specimen. I glanced through insect collecting pages online and soon discovered there is quite a science to proper display and pinning… which I happily leave to the experts! For my embroidered butterfly, a regular sewing pin on the body of the butterfly was good enough for me!

As I posted very limited previews of the embroidered butterflies on my Facebook page for friends to see, I noticed a trend. My friends are passionate about butterflies! Sure, they have liked my posts in the past, but butterflies ignite a particular admiration. Here’s a sampling of my friends’ comments:

“The color possibilities are endless”
“Stunning….these butterflies are so wonderful.”
“I love love love these!!”
“These are amazing!!”

Their reactions inspired me to make a custom butterfly for a friend (she likes purple) and name it after her.

After stitching the name, I trimmed away the jump stitches then I used scrapbook brads to add a more custom touch to the project.

Here’s the finished piece!

When I present the gift to her I will add a little notecard that says:

“I named a butterfly after you!
It’s unique and special just like you!”

Here’s a look at more butterflies I have stitched in just ONE week. Each is slated for a special use. To the left you’ll see butterflies getting soaked to remove the water soluble stabilizer – or as I like to put it: “the butterflies are getting a bath”. I’ll be sharing how I used the rest of the butterflies throughout our blog and social media pages in the coming days… and weeks… because I’ve discovered it’s super fun to be a #socialbutterfly!

The next series will be of particular interest to those who collect natural random objects. I’ll show how I used the butterflies in unexpected ways on these objects. Until then, be sure to visit Embroidery Online to restock your sewing studio with much needed supplies and use code: DIME2016FREE at checkout.

Needle, Needle, What Size Needle?

September 16, 2015 by eileenroche / Current Posts, Eileen Roche, Embroidery Tips, Planning Embroidery, Special Offers, Wildcard Wednesday / 78 Comments

I’m the first to admit, I sometime (ok, too often!) skim over the recommendations for proper sewing and embroidery. You know, like changing the stitch length when sewing specific fabrics. Or choosing the right needle for the job. And yes, I’m often (too often!), disappointed in my initial results. My personality profile is I’m a starter; I like to jump right into a project without reading directions (good thing, cause the directions don’t often exist until I write them). But even when designing and creating an entirely new project, there are steps that I could take that would ensure success. And eliminate some frustration on my part. You know, it’s hard to change your personality. It’s just my first instinct to jump in and get going. When in reality, I should, ahem, exhale, evaluate, gather the necessary supplies and then start.

Those lessons were reinforced this summer when I was making the wedding dress. If you remember, I couldn’t drive during that time, so my fabric trips were scarce and I really had to have my supply list complete. Also, satin and rayon were not fabrics that I typically worked with in my sewing room. So I did my research and made a list, and another list and another list. You know, I was laid up for six weeks, there was lots of list making!

The smartest addition I made to my sewing room during that time was Schmetz’s Needle Chart. At a glance, it told me what needles I needed for the massive (I mean, memorable) project and, once secured and lightly used, the chart told me what needle I was holding in my hand. Its colorful rainbow is a welcome addition to an unused shelf in my studio.

Unused shelf? You’re astonished, I’m sure! But remember, my Stitching Sister Marie Zinno purged my sewing room a couple of years ago and I’m proud to say, it still looks that way! Back to the needle chart: it also happens to be the last thing I see when I walk out of my studio – a great reminder when I’m need of a new pack of needles.

The wedding dress required three types of needles: Stretch for the satin (it had 10% Lcyra), Microtex for the Bemberg rayon lining and Embroidery for the embroidered ribbon and label.

Since I worked on the fabrics at different times, it was easy to switch them out. That’s when the color coding really helped!

You can download the chart for your sewing room. Just click here and scroll down the page a bit to locate the chart. The arrow in the illustration below is pointing to the download link – you have two sizes to choose from – one for your sewing room and one for your handbag.

Here’s your assignment this week:

Schmetz needles are available at retailers nationwide. Whenever I’m in my local sewing machine dealer, I make sure I pick up a new pack of needles. I’m building my stash so that I’m prepared for future projects. How about you? Do you have trouble planning properly? Do you jump right in and then regret it later? Or do you approach projects with caution and prepare accordingly?

Leave a comment and one lucky winner will win a SCHMETZ Sew Essential Combo Pack. That’s three packs of SCHMETZ Embroidery needles with the ever popular Grabbit® Magnetic Pincushion and the free SCHMETZ Info card. $24.95 US Retail.

The winner of the last assignment answered the following question:

Have you ever felt a moment of relief like this? Leave us a comment telling us how you celebrated a big accomplishment and one of you will be randomly selected to win a $20 gift card to Designs in Machine Embroidery!

The winner is:

Darlene Bares: “I have a problem saying no. So when someone asks me to do something whether its sewing or an embroidery project. I’m burning daylight because most of the time it’s last minute. I just enjoy the feeling of accomplishment and seeing their faces when its done. That’s enough for me.”

Welcome to the Digital Age!

May 20, 2015 by Denise Holguin / Current Posts, Software Techniques, Special Offers, Website / 40 Comments

I’ll be the first to admit I’m a late adopter when it comes to new technology. When new technology or features become available—I let my more tech savvy friends and associates test the new features and report back to me. And even once they’ve explained the exciting new features I’m still kicking and screaming about not wanting to embrace change. But once I embrace something new—I have to share it from the highest mountain top!

So if you’re a subscriber and you haven’t yet unlocked the magic of the digital version of Designs in Machine Embroidery, then this post is for you! And if you’re already a subscriber, I may have some handy tips… so read on!

Every print subscription to Designs in Machine Embroidery includes FREE access to the digital version of the magazine. What does this mean? You get to read the magazine from cover to cover from the convenience of your e-reader or tablet device. (does not work with Nook or Regular Kindle). But you like to hold the printed version, right? You still receive this version in the mail. You can dog ear it to your heart’s content! But now you can have the digital version with you wherever you go! If you find yourself poolside wanting to read up on your favorite machine embroidery magazine, you can! Or maybe you’re parked in a carpool line, waiting to pick up your kids. Now you can make that time productive and entertaining by reading Scott Goodman’s column, Great Scott! But before all this can happen… you need to be sure you have:

An active print subscription to Designs in Machine Embroidery. If you don’t, now is the perfect time to subscribe. Click here to subscribe! We are running the best offer of the year – 5 free embroidery designs and a super low price! When you subscribe online, you create an online subscription account (if you are new) – or if you’re an existing subscriber you will sign in with your ID/Password.

Download the Digital Magazine App. There are multiple ways of doing this, but the easiest is to go to http://www.dzgns.com. Click on the appropriate link for your digital device. For my example I clicked the option for the Apple App Store. (You can also search for Designs in Machine Embroidery directly in the app store.)

Download the app. The circle on the top right corner shows the progress as the app is being downloaded when on Apple devices. (For Android users it’s a bar)

Once the app is downloaded, click on Open.

Click on Subscriptions.

Click on Current Subscribers.

Next you’ll need to enter your ID/account information.

Don’t worry, I panicked too when I saw this but it’s easy to locate. If you have the information readily available, enter the information. If you’re like me and don’t have the information read on….

If you have a magazine on hand, the account number is on the address label. If this doesn’t apply to you then read on for additional options….
If you are a current subscriber or have let your subscription lapse you can log in to your subscription account on our website. Your account number is listed as shown in the sample below. This is the number you’ll use to access the Digital magazine. Enter the account number, your email address and zip code.
If you are a brand new subscriber (never had an account with us). Your Customer number will be ready within 24 hours. You can also call 888-739-0555 from 8 am – 5 pm for assistance on retrieving your number.

Now you’re ready to read the digital magazine!

If you have been an active subscriber, you can access previous issues of the magazine by moving the covers of the magazine.

Get social! When you see something you want to share or talk about with friends, just click on the icons to share in your social network!

You can also type text to accompany the post as shown below.

If you have a birthday coming up you can easily drop not-so-subtle hints that you want a new design collection, embroidery machine or embroidery tool from your spouse, family members or friends!

Here’s your assignment this week:

Technology has brought about so many improvements to our quality of life. What is your favorite modern invention? Post your comment and two random individuals will win $50 gift certificates to use on the Buzz Tools website!

The winner of last week’s assignment answered the following question:

Fun trivia! The May/June issue is the first time we’ve featured a cover of the magazine on the cover! Identify which Volume of Designs in Machine Embroidery is tucked away in Marie’s beach tote featured on the cover. Post your answer in the comments section and one lucky person will win a Stipple Sea Life collection.

The winner is: Linda Hassett: “I believe issue #90 is the featured issue shown in the tote”
Congratulations, Linda! You are also spot on, it is Volume 90 featured on the cover.

A Moment with Your Mom

April 29, 2015 by eileenroche / Current Posts, Eileen Roche, Special Offers, Uncategorized / 42 Comments

This year marks my first Mother’s Day without my mom as she passed away on Nov. 16, 2014. My mother and I were separated by 1400 miles but I always felt that we were just moments apart. In just a moment I could pick up the phone and hear her voice – catch her upbeat contagious joy and gratitude. Listen to the latest family news, laugh at her funny anecdotes and marvel at how she continued to remain so happy despite her failing health.

My mom was 5’1”, nimble on her feet and in her mind. She often hurried across the floor anxious to reach a chair. When she landed, she lit up the room with her smile. She had a kind word and favorite memory for everyone – let me make that clear – e v e r y o n e! She could connect with anyone. She found common ground with all people and immediately put strangers or newcomers at ease.

Not really a fashion icon, Mom had a sense of style and color that was perfect for every occasion. She eschewed the latest trends opting instead for fashions that complemented her figure and lifestyle. She had class.

She was smart – she read three newspapers a day – and she remembered everything, I mean everything! She could recall the name of your childhood best friend’s uncle – and his wife’s name! She remembered the weather and what she wore to an anniversary party in 1978. She was the best Trivial Pursuit player – ever! We all fought to have mom on our team. And crossword puzzles? She completed one every day for over 30 years. She knew stuff we never even heard of!

My mom was always there for me, for my five sisters and my father. Yet, somehow, she managed to keep her distance; she didn’t intrude on our marital relationships and yet was always just a moment away. What I wouldn’t do for one of those moments right now.

Happy Mother’s Day to you and to your mom. Count your blessings this year and steal a moment with her if you can. And if you’re lucky enough to celebrate with her, stitch a lovely ‘something’: a small pillow or linen tea towel to acknowledge her importance in your life.

Click the images below to download the lovely designs – my gift to you in memory of my mom and in honor of your mom.

The winner of last week’s assignment answered the following question:

“Every sewing studio runs more smoothly with embroidery essentials. For today’s blog, Eileen reached for Sulky’s Soft N Sheer Plus to complete the garment. What’s your favorite go-to Sulky product? Post a comment and one very lucky winner is going to score BIG courtesy of our friends at Sulky!” And the winner is: Sharon – “As a newbie embroiderer I find your tips very helpful. It’s a case of “I don’t know what I don’t know.””

Come Sail with the Stitching Sisters and DIME

October 22, 2014 by eileenroche / Eileen Roche, Just for Fun, Seminars and Conventions, Special Offers, Stitching Sisters / 40 Comments

My Stitching Sister and I are so excited to sail on the Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas – voted the Best Cruise Ship by Travel Weekly. Click here to see why we think this is the best ship on the water.

When you’re not marveling at all the Allure has to offer, you’ll head into an embroidery studio filled with top of the line Baby Lock machines. Marie and I will guide you through three days of designing, digitizing, stitching and quilting with an embroidery machine. But we’re not heading to sea by ourselves, oh no, we’ll be joined by one of DIME’s Inspiration Consultants, Flash Sewing and Baby Lock staff. You’ll be in good hands for three days of embroidery fun and exploration.

You can learn more about the cruise and select your cabin at the special rate by visiting http://www.flashsewandquilt.com/dimecruise.html

Marie and I have already booked our rooms and we’re working on the class materials now. Since we want all of the projects to be fresh and new for this special occasion, we are making sure all of the latest techniques, ideas and trends are included in the three days of embroidery fun. So details on the stitching portion of the cruise will be available at a later date. But it’s a good idea to grab your cabin now at the special offer rate!

Please call Lenore Deck Travel at 352-270-8658 or email to cruiselady@tampabay.rr.com. There is limited space in the embroidery studio so get on the list today.

Hope you’ll join us on the Allure!

Here’s your assignment this week:

It’s not often you get to embroider in such wonderful settings as floating in the ocean on a beautiful cruise ship. What is the most unusual place you have embroidered? One comment will be chosen to receive a $25 gift certificate to the DIME website.

The winner of last week’s assignment is:

Urban Threads is giving away four (4) $25 gift certificates to their website. Just leave a comment below about a design you re-purposed for something new, something different! Maybe you turned a kitchen towel project into some doll clothes or made a bracelet out of a sashing – whatever it is, we want to know.

And the winners are: Meg A, Georgia N, Sandi M, and Michelle C – congratulations to all and thank you to everyone for sharing.

Applique – It’s Not Just for Quilting

September 24, 2014 by Denise Holguin / A Closer Look, Applique, Guest Blog, Inspiration, Quick Gifts, Special Offers / 47 Comments

Oh, dear readers! If you had been guests in my office last Thursday you’d have seen chaos, pandemonium and some really fun projects being put together using the new Stipple Baby collection. What you wouldn’t have seen was my desk. It disappeared during the ‘creative process.’

The Stipple Baby collection is a slight departure from our usual Stipple products. It includes the Stipple quilt block designs but it also includes the individual clothing designs so you can mix and match to create your own blocks. Plus we’ve included the digital files (SVG and FCM) to use with your favorite digital cutters!

You can make quilts and pillows. Embellish clothing or home décor. You can also make banners, birth announcements, birthday cards and more! Just remember, if you make the item for baby, make it safe! Save the tiny embellishments (beads, buttons, rhinestones, ribbons, etc) to embellish a gift for the parents rather than baby. The inspiration you see in this blog post is intended for adults.

I could ramble on about the collection but pictures are worth a thousand words. And to get us started… here’s a behind the scenes look my office. As I mentioned, the desk somehow disappeared.

But the results are worth it! Take a look!

Sample 1. For the “Ralph Lauren” Baby!
I wanted an understated, sophisticated look for this little art project.

I used twill for the dress and added brown linen for the collar and sash.

I starched the brown linen before using it. It made a big difference working with it and almost makes me want to wear linen again next Spring!

Once the dress outline was stitched, realized I wanted to experiment. While at the embroidery machine I selected the outline for the dress again. I advanced the stitches until I reached the base of the dress. Then I carefully placed the lace at the base of the dress and stitched the design. Admittedly, glue is also an option for securing the lace. No one would know the difference. Or you can take the design into editing software and program an extra stitch at the base. The wonderful thing about machine embroidery – there’s more than one way to achieve a goal.

Ribbon Inspiration!
The ribbon I selected was originally too wide. No problem! I trimmed the ribbon and made it work for my needs. Since this project is for a card, I wasn’t as concerned about raw edges.

Next time you ‘think’ something won’t work, try to look at it from a different perspective. Ask yourself, “how can I make this work and perhaps make something even better than anticipated?” That should be the goal every time you hit a roadblock in your creative process!

Once the dress was complete I cut it away from the stabilizer and trimmed excess fabric and ribbon. I hand sewed two wooden buttons to the dress. Then I layered burlap and scrapbook paper for texture and interest. I used hot glue to attach all the pieces.

After cutting the burlap background I used the leftover scraps to make a small bow for the dress. I also cut small hearts from the burlap and layered them on scrapbook paper. Scrapbook brads were used for additional texture.

Around this time I had a few pieces of chocolate to help continue the creative process…

Sample 2. For the Country Chic Baby!
Do you hoard fabric like I do? The floral scraps of fabric used on the collar and sash are at least 10 years old. It was time to dust it off and put it to good use.

Remember when working with print fabric that scale is important. The flowers were just the right size to use with the dress.

I added the same ribbon embellishment to the base of the dress.

At this point the dress looked boring to me. It needed a splash of burgundy to coordinate with the floral print fabric.

I wove some decorative fiber through the ribbon – it was THE perfect accent!

Next I wove the same decorative fiber through a button. Then I added the button to the sash (I cheated and glued the button.) Additional fun included using scrapbooking supplies to make a card for the dress. I love the results!

To celebrate the launch of Stipple Baby, we’re offering FREE shipping and handling on US orders! (For those of you in the US who ordered between September 18, 2014 – September 24, 2014 – have no fear. We’ll be giving you a refund on the shipping and handling fees for those who ordered standard shipping.) Visit the Designs in Machine Embroidery website to take advantage of this limited time offer. Be sure to use the coupon code: baby

Here’s your assignment this week:

Leave a comment below about something you’d like to create with Stipple! Baby. One random comment will be chosen to get their very own copy of Stipple! Baby for free.

The winner of last week assignment:

Embroidered shoes are not your typical embroidered item. Leave a comment below about the most unusual thing you’ve embroidered. One comment will be chosen at random to receive a $100 gift certificate courtesy of Pickle Pie Designs for use at PicklePieDesigns.com – thanks for reading and good luck!

And the winner is Patricia. – “The oddest thing I’ve ever embroidered is a bathroom set of a bar of soap, a candle, and a matching roll of toilet tissue. Makes a cute gift!”

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