Flying Geese
One more block of my Sampler Quilt – only another 7 to go.
Category Archives: Machine Embroidery
Flying Geese Foundation Pieced Block (Using an Embroidery Machine)
Filed under Digitizing, Foundation Blocks, Machine Embroidery, Software
Sampler Quilt – 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.
Filed under Digitizing, Foundation Blocks, Machine Embroidery, Quilting
Embroidery
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.
Filed under Digitizing, Inspiration, Machine Embroidery, Software
Sampler Quilt – Courthouse Steps
Sewwitty’s Courthouse Steps
Well, true to my last post, I have been working on the sampler quilt. The above is my second courthouse steps sub-block – each block requires 4 and sometimes 8 sub-blocks. The blocks with rectangular pieces, like above, a much quicker to sew (not like the Bachelor’s Puzzle block). It is much easier to cut the right shape when it is a rectangle particularly when you stitch it down and then flip it into place. The number of times I flip it into place only to find the finished piece is too small!
Filed under Digitizing, Foundation Blocks, Machine Embroidery, Patchwork
Bears Paw Block is Finished
Finished Bears Paw Block
This is the third of my foundation pieced blocks.
I can’t say I am that thrilled with my fabric choice, but I am determined to get this quilt finished.
Next up is Courthouse Steps.
Filed under Digitizing, Foundation Blocks, Machine Embroidery
Bachelor’s Puzzle Block Finished
Finished Bachelor’s Puzzle
This is my second attempt at this block. In the previous version the finished block was too small – I forgot about seam allowances when I digitised the block!
Two blocks down ten to go.
Filed under Digitizing, Foundation Blocks, Machine Embroidery
Blackwork Sampler
I have done a practice stitch out of my sampler.
Stitching away
Here is the finished version …
Finished Sampler
My sewing machine had a bit of a moment at one point – the bobbin and top threads got all tangled, there was a horrible noise and it ground to a halt, however, I am happy with the final results. I think more stabilisation and a nicer fabric and it will be fine.
Filed under Cross Stitch, Digitizing, Machine Embroidery
Digitising Blackwork
We have been away at Rottnest. Miss P went on camp and we decided to go too. It is such a relaxing place to go – no cars, nothing to do but read books and knit. I’ve made progress on Miss P’s cardigan (the yarn is Jo Sharp Desert Aran Cotton).
Sunrise over the salt lake
Sunset from our cottage
On the way to the look out
Salt Lake – a different one
Progress on Miss P’s Cardigan
Blackwork Sampler in Progress
I like grids, lines and crosses and I have always loved the look of Blackwork – I love how something so simple can be effective.
I have been inspired by this book to make my own blackwork sampler (using machine embroidery). I didn’t want to copy that one exactly, so I have used different fills. There are a number of blackwork resources on the web (simply search for blackwork embroidery). I found this one, which lead me to this page on 16th Century fill in patterns.
This is still quite experimental – I think it might end up being too small and the jump threads might test my sanity.
I’m using the Cross Stitch module of Embird, which is super easy to use and it comes with some built in blackwork fills (but I have decided to make my own).
I am wondering what kind of stabiliser I need? There are a lot of stitches and I suspect I need a sturdy stabiliser to stop it puckering.
Filed under Cross Stitch, Digitizing, Knitting, Machine Embroidery
Another Quilt Block Finished
A Finished Bachelors Puzzle Block
I finished the block a few weeks ago, but it has taken me a while to photograph it (not sure why it really doesn’t take that long).
This block consists of 4 smaller sub-units and then each sub-unit consists of two smaller units – does that make sense?
I used my embroidery machine and the whole block took about an hour to complete – I am not sure if this foundation piecing by embroidery machine is such a good idea. Sure it is very accurate, but it is fiddly and time consuming and I can never work out how big to make each piece because you have to stitch and flip.
Next up the final version of Bears Paws – although I suspect there will be some procrastination in the way! After all I do have a sock to finish.
Filed under Digitizing, Foundation Blocks, Machine Embroidery
Free Motion Machine Embroidery
I have signed up to do a free motion machine embroidery course at Craftsy.
I’m only up to Lesson Four (of eight), but I am very impressed. You can watch the videos whenever you want and then complete the home work in your own time.
I’ve already picked up some useful tips: You can just use over-locker thread as bobbin thread (must be cheaper than the special bobbin fill) and you can use non-woven interfacing as a stabiliser.
I haven’t got any pictures to show yet because my free-motion leaves a bit to be desired, but I’m definitely improving and I have learnt it is better to go slowly rather than super fast!
Filed under Free Motion Quilting, Inspiration, Machine Embroidery