Category Archives: Digitizing

May 26, 2016 · 4:09 pm

New Sewing Machine

Janome MC500e

Janome MC500e

I bought myself a new sewing machine (that’s the photo from the Janome site…). It’s a Janome MC 500e. I had hoop envy – the biggest hoop on my MC 350e was 200mm by 140mm now I have 230mm by 280mm!

I want to explore two things – making an all over embroidered fabric that I can then use to make other things and constructing things in the hoop.

Zip Pouch - Made completely in the hoop

Zip Pouch – Made completely in the hoop

I made the above zip pouch thing, but it had strange construction techniques – I think I have a better way of doing it. And I think the zip needs to be a bit lower, so the top can have crisper corners.

I upgraded my Embird Studio and started digitising again.

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December 28, 2015 · 1:05 pm

Sampler Quilt

Another block is quilted

Another block is quilted

I am back to trying to finish my sampler quilt. I am trying to spend a bit of time on each of my three main crafts – knitting, canvas work and this.

I discovered today (in the manual) that my sewing maching has a setting for free motion quilting – how good is that? And it worked well.

I have never tried ‘quilt as you go‘ before and I am interested to see how it comes together. It has definitely been easier to pin the quilt sandwich together and to quilt the squares.

I have been thinking about my goals for next year and the big one is to finish my ongoing projects – this quilt was started in May of 2013! The other goal is ‘no more craft supplies!’ – always hard.

 

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February 3, 2015 · 4:18 pm

A Work in Progress

Some finished blocks!

Some finished blocks!

I finally found some motivation to get on with my sampler quilt. Both of my girls were really keen to make pencil cases in the holidays and I think a simple sewing project reignited my interest in sewing.

I have decided that I am going to quilt each block independently – quilting as you go – like here. I’m hoping this approach has two advantages; first, it is physically easier to maneuver around my sewing machine and secondly, it will just feel less overwhelming.

 

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Filed under Digitizing, Foundation Blocks, Machine Embroidery, miscellaneous

November 10, 2014 · 2:09 pm

Another one Finished

Log Cabin block finished

Log Cabin block finished

I finished another block – only four more to go. I am not sure what is keeping me going on this project – sheer bloody mindedness? – Because I have had enough! I’m over all of my choices, but I am determined to push on and get it finished. I have such plans for when this is finished. I bought beautiful fabric at the Liberty store and I want to use it.

 

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September 18, 2014 · 2:11 pm

Languishing Project

Log Cabin Quilt Block

Log Cabin Quilt Block

This project is holding me back (my Sampler quilt) – I have to make myself work on it. I have finished two of these blocks, so only two more to go and then I have another 4 full sized blocks to make; Pineapple, Pinwheel, Snail Trail and Wedding Ring.

Each full sized block takes about 4 hours to make, so fiddly, and I no longer like my fabric choice. But I feel I should push on because I have already spent so much time on it.

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July 8, 2014 · 4:21 pm

Iowa Star Foundation Pieced

Iowa Star Foundation Pieced

Iowa Star Foundation Pieced

I have finished another quilt block for my sampler quilt. This one was quite disappointing – points don’t really match as they should and some of the pieces didn’t flip and sew too well. I am completely over this quilt – just want to be at the end, so unless I have a burst of motivation at the end I am not re doing this one.

I have really struggled with getting the pieces the right size so that when you stitch and flip they’re the right size. Maybe I need to make some templates?

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June 12, 2014 · 3:44 pm

Sampler Quilt – Hour Glass Block Completed

Hour Glass Block

Hour Glass Block

This project has been languishing – it is fiddly and I no longer like the fabrics I have selected, but I am determined to get it finished. I have been working on it for so long (I started in January last year) and I still have a long way to go. It has got to the point where I am trying to do a little bit every day.

 

 

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March 26, 2014 · 3:55 pm

Flying Geese Foundation Pieced Block (Using an Embroidery Machine)

Flying Geese

Flying Geese

One more block of my Sampler Quilt – only another 7 to go.

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February 17, 2014 · 4:40 pm

Sampler Quilt – Courthouse Steps Block

Courthouse Steps Block

Courthouse Steps Block

I finished the four blocks that make one courthouse steps block. As I want this quilt finished, I’m trying to do a little often.

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February 3, 2014 · 11:42 am

Embroidery

Images from 'Royal School of Needlework - Embroidery Techniques'

Images from ‘Royal School of Needlework – Embroidery Techniques’

I really like textiles and embroidery. I like the look of embroidery and the stories behind the creation of embroidery, but I am too lazy/impatient to do hand embroidery. I do like machine embroidery – both free motion and the digitised version – what I would really like to do is create embroidery that looks like it has been done by hand using my embroidery machine. To this end, I have been trying to improve my digitising. I made this blackwork sampler and now I am trying to learn silk shading. I am discovering a few tips and tricks with my software (which is Embird) and like anything I just need to practise.

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