George loves dinosaurs - in December we went to the Roarr! Dinosaur Adventure Park. I thought Jacob's bib and George's facecloth should have dino-designs. I went to Etsy and found the lovely Mermaid Embroidery site. An instantly downloadable design for my Memorycraft embroidery machine cost less than £2I decided to try and simply stitch one of the motifs from the cute picture. So I played around and practised the design on scrap fabric. I tried to be clever and flip the image, but that didn't work as well as I'd hoped. I also wanted to try a new idea I had read about for stitching on towelling..
The problem is that the loops get caught into the work. I'd read that using water soluble film on top of the fabric helpsInstead of regular vilene underneath, I tacked some of this over the area where I planned to stitch. I chose the colours and set to work with the machine.
I think that this technique is a tip worth passing on to anyone who stitches onto towelling, The letters are clearly defined, and I'm extremely pleased with the results.My Janome Machine is nearly 20 years old now, but still works a treat - apart from the facility which enabled me to design my own patterns. The software is completely out of date and I do not feel like shelling out £1600+ for a new machine . So the occasional £2 pattern purchase is not unreasonable. 95% of my output is bibs and facecloths after all, and I have plenty of motifs now.
Is there anybody out there, reading this, who regularly uses an embroidery machine for wonderfully complex, multicoloured designs? Do let me know [and which machine you have] I have yet to meet any 'home-sewer' who has an embroidery machine, I've only ever encountered professionals, demonstrating at sewing shows and in shops.
The problem is that the loops get caught into the work. I'd read that using water soluble film on top of the fabric helps
The embroidery on the bib and facecloth looks lovely! I only do hand embroidery, I'm afraid.
ReplyDeleteSince I began the Postcard Project, I've fallen in love with hand embroidery all over again!
DeleteMe too! My machine is a primitive Elna Lotus which I bought in 1980 so I've never done machine embroidery.
DeleteMy "basic" machine is a 1979 Frister Rossman
DeleteThose look brilliant, they are going to be so happy with them.
ReplyDeleteI hope so
DeleteThe four year old next door asks me if I have any dinosaurs frequently-all due to a little drawstring bag I made him full of dinosaur bits and pieces for christmas two years ago. He particularly likes stickers but Mum would prefer that her professionally cleaned grey and white showhome is not stickered again! Might just look for some for this year with a book to put them in. Catriona
ReplyDeleteSticker books are good. We like Andy and the dinosaurs (CBeebies) and they have good ”cover gifts" on the magazine.Rosie has asked me to organise another Dinosaurs Day for her in the autumn half term, like the one we did at Grandma's Nursery 2 years ago http://angalmond.blogspot.com/2020/07/a-jurassic-lark.html?m=1
DeleteThese are wonderful!!!
ReplyDeleteI was going to ask you about your wonderful machine and whether it could make some patches with lettering and shapes but I guess that answers that!
You are the only person I have seen with one!
It can do them to a limited extent
DeleteYour embroidered bibs look so professional. You have obviously have learned so much over the years with your fancy sewing machine. I've often thought it a pity that so many machines have too many features these days. They are fine for a real enthusiast like you, but for someone who wants to do fairly simple sewing they are just not necessary.
ReplyDeleteYes, I have enough features for the projects I do, and don't need more
DeleteHi Angela, I have a Brother Innovis 750E embroidery machine which I've had for just over 6 years. It does embroidery and appliquées beautifully and, although I don't use it a lot, when I do use it, I always wonder why I don't use it more often! I'm not a professional - "just" a home sewer who is always sewing - or embroidering - something! There are quite a few posts on my blog where I show off what I've made with my embroidery machine. They're listed under "machine appliqué and embroidery" if that's any help.
ReplyDeleteWow! You are SO creative. I notice you mention emblibrary - I've bought designs from them too. Your grandchildren are beautiful. Thanks for linking me to your blog
ReplyDeleteThanks, Angela, and you're welcome. (I don't know why blogger allowed me to log in as myself yesterday but not today! *sigh*)
DeleteWho can understand the arcane mysteries of Blogger !?!
DeleteI inherited a very fancy Husqvarna embroidery machine from my sister. I set it up to do some simple mending, but it is totally beyond my skill level! She used to do a lot of detailed work on it. My sister in law also does machine embroidery, so I may pass this on to her! How cute is he dino embroidery is!
ReplyDeleteHusqvarna machines are beautifully made - it is kind of you to consider passing on your sister's precious machine to your SIL who may be able to use it more.
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