Category Archives: Machine Embroidery

December 18, 2016 · 11:38 am

Zipper Pouch

Finished 5 by 7 Zipper Pouch

I made one of the zipper pouches from my Craftsy course – Miss A did ask me why I keep making things brown and I think I have fallen into the trap of not wanting to use my ‘good’ fabric on a practice.

It came together pretty smoothly. A few things I need to remember for next time:

  • the design needs to be rotated 180 degrees as the hoop attachment on my janome is on the opposite side to whatever machine the designer used.
  • don’t iron over the labels if you have used an erasable pen!
  • there is a lot of wasted fabric and I could cut the pieces much smaller.

Next up I am going to try the 6 by 10 version – as this one is slightly too small (getting my phone in and out is a bit painful).

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December 13, 2016 · 10:57 am

A Finished Object Plus Some New Projects

Little Houses, Favourite Scarf and Nowhere Cowl

I finished my favourite scarf – it is currently blocking on my outdoor table. I am not too happy with the kitchener join – I think I should have had the pieces abutting each other rather than wrong sides together when I did it.

On the left of the image is the start of one of my Little Houses – I have to say working on the plastic canvas is surprisingly fun.

On the right of the image is my Nowhere Cowl – I don’t know if you can read it in the image, but there is quite a nice message about how the chart seems daunting, but is really quite easy. So far that does seem to be the case – it is quite easy to remember each row as I am doing it.

Craftsy – In the Hoop Gifts

I have also been watching my In the Hoop Gifts craftsy class – just the lesson on making zipper pouches. I do like the instructor – Sue O’Very -I am going to have to go and buy labels! I like how she has constructed her zipper bag and there a lots of little hints and tips I can use for other projects. Now to just get onto making one.

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Filed under Canvas Work, Christmas Decorations, Machine Embroidery

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December 1, 2016 · 9:29 am

Craftsy

inthehoopgifts_titlecard_cid567

I took advantage of the black friday sales and enrolled in this course. I had considered it a couple of times, but the only item that really interested me was the zip pouch. However, I am sure I will learn more techniques with the other bits as well.

Misti Alpaca Tonos Carnival - Symphony Blue

Misti Alpaca Tonos Carnival – Symphony Blue

I went to my local yarn store (it has new owners and now is much friendlier) and bought more yarn (because you can never have too much yarn!). This is so soft! I have decided I need to make something to wrap around my neck. My current plan is the Nowhere Cowl by Kate Atherley (I already had the Better Elsewhere e-book in my Ravelry library – because I seem to have an obsession with sock yarn).  So now I just need to finish my Favourite Scarf (I think my version is going to be incredibly long – maybe I should have made it wider?).

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November 24, 2016 · 3:54 pm

A Return to Digitising

My new design

My new design

I know the above image doesn’t look like much, but this is going to be my new zip pouch. I measured my phone – because it is important my phone fits in – and then designed it around that measurement.

It will be lined and the front below the zip will have embroidery (although that might have to be done before rather than during the process of making this bag.

It takes a long time to digitise anything – even something as simple as this (it is essentially rectangles and straight lines).

I have this silk I want to use …

Silk!

But perhaps I need an allover design?

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September 12, 2016 · 12:44 pm

Silk!

Silk!

Silk!

Every friday afternoon Miss P goes to a different primary school than her usual one. This different school is in a suburb a long way from ours – well outside my comfort zone. I don’t know where anything is or even what there is to do. There is no point in coming home after dropping her off, so I have been exploring.

Last week I put ‘fabric stores’ into Google Maps and surprisingly there was one 7 minutes away! Fabulous Fabrics! It was fabulous – so many beautiful fabrics – the beaded ones were amazing.

I bought 2 metres of silk – the pinkish one (called peony) and an ivory one.

I plan to make an embroidered evening bag/clutch thing. I want to use some of the designs from here – I just need to decide if I want an allover design or individual designs.

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June 9, 2016 · 2:34 pm

Journal Cover – Machine Embroidery

Journal Cover - Front

Journal Cover – Front

Journal Cover - Open

Journal Cover – Open

Journal Cover - Inside

Journal Cover – Inside

This is my first attempt at constructing a book cover in the hoop. There were three hoopings; front, back and then joining them together. It works quite well – I am happy with the size – it could do with a bit of top stitching around the edges (but that would have to happen afterwards and not in the hoop). I have joined the two halves using a wide zig-zag and then hidden that under a grosgrain ribbon. This bit doesn’t work so well, so I am thinking of other options – bias binding or an embroidered strip – plus I think the cover of the zig-zag needs to be a bit wider.

I put a silk dupion to use with my canvas work. I am still thinking about the best way of inserting the canvas work – I don’t want any raw edges showing.

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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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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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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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