Second Version of Courthouse Steps
I think this is better than the last one – it came together quickly, which is handy in the school holidays!
Tag Archives: digitising
Courthouse Steps Quilt Block
Courthouse Steps Version 1
This is the first attempt at the Courthouse Steps block. One of the seams isn’t quite right and I think I can fit another step in on the flowery steps.
It came together easily, so easily I might try a Pineapple Quilt Block next (like one of the ones below) …
Pineapple Quilt Block from quilting.about.com
Filed under Digitizing, Foundation Blocks, Machine Embroidery, Patchwork, Quilting
Courthouse Steps Block Foundation Piecing
Courthouse Steps – Stitched out view in Embird
I spent a bit of time today working on a new design – it looks a bit like a dog’s breakfast, but it should stitch out like this …
Nicer fabrics obviously.
Digitising things with straight lines is very easy in Embird Studio – there is a tool for it and things snap to the grid.
We went to the WA Museum today to see this ..
Well worth seeing if you’re in Perth – photography wasn’t allowed so I have no images to show you.
Filed under Digitizing, Foundation Blocks, Machine Embroidery
Finished Four Snail Trail Blocks
Four Snail Trail Blocks
Surprisingly I finished my two blocks. It did take to 5:30pm, but we visited our neighbours and had a swim – perfect day.
Next up Courthouse Steps!
I’ve been watching The Buccaneers (it was a Christmas present). I’m enjoying it – it’s beautiful, lots of people behaving badly (very aristocratic) with not much to do, but have love affairs. Definitely worth watching if you like ‘bonnet dramas’.
The Buccaneers
Filed under Digitizing, Foundation Blocks, Machine Embroidery
Jekyll and Hyde Cushion
Flying Geese Side of Cushion
Hour Glass Side of Cushion
I finished my cushion. I’m calling it my ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ cushion because the fabrics on each side are so different.
In the end it came together quite easily. I wondered how easy it would be to put a zip into two quilted pieces of fabric, but that was fine. Now I have to decide what block to do next.
You can find the machine embroidery designs here.
Filed under Digitizing, Foundation Blocks, Machine Embroidery, Quilting
Holiday – Hour Glass Block
Wadjemup Lighthouse
We’ve been away on holiday to Rottnest Island (Miss A went on camp and we just tagged along). Above is the lighthouse in the middle of the island (I love lighthouses). This photo was taken about 6:30am – I went for a run every morning and the weather was perfect.
Salt Lakes at Rottnest
This photo was taken on the way back to the settlement. We had a fabulous time – went to the beach, the bakery, read books and I even managed to do some knitting.
Back to crafty stuff. This is my hour glass block…
Hour Glass Block Made Using Foundation Piecing by an Embroidery Machine
Here is four of them in a cushion top …
Four Hour Glass Blocks
Some of the tack down stitching shows on the middle square. I’m tempted to just ignore it or use water soluble thread, but the best thing would be to change the design.
Filed under Digitizing, Foundation Blocks, Machine Embroidery, Patchwork
Applique A and P
I bought Font Engine to go with my studio. I thought it would be handy to be able to type words and then make the embroidery file rather than arranging individual letters. First thing I tried was appliqued letters – sorry about the image it is all a bit dodgy! You can’t tell from the image, but the letter is about 125 mm tall.
I thought it would be easy to create the applique, but it was quite fiddly and I intend to write a tutorial (if only to help myself remember next time!).
I used my A to make Miss A a bag for her dance stuff. Obviously there is a P as well!
As I have misplaced my applique scissors, I haven’t been able to trim the fabric as closing to the tack down stitches.
Filed under Applique, Digitizing, Sewing
Learning to Digitise
Digitised Flower
I’m still learning how to use Embird Studio.
In the above image I created one petal (using the drop library shape) and then used the Auto Repeat command to rotate and duplicate the petal. However, the blue circle in the centre is on top of the pink petals – I can’t seem to delete the bits underneath and it will be too bulky and dense. I tried using the Create Fill Opening Object, but it just cut a hole in one petal (rather than all of the petals). I do have one more idea to try …
Filed under Digitizing, Software
Digitising Practice
I’m quite keen to create my own machine embroidery designs – more because I can’t find what I want. In November last year I bought Embird Studio and although I have mastered straight line designs (like this), I haven’t ventured into more complicated territory or taken advantage of the software’s feature.
I decided it was time to learn. I read the tutorials that came with Studio and that was quite a help, but I still felt a bit lost – it seemed that I would do something and it would work, but when I tried it again it wouldn’t work. I needed more instruction. In the end I bought Carolyn Keber’s ebook. I baulked at this at first – it is 770 pages long and quite expensive, but it is exhaustingly comprehensive and it is obvious that Ms Keber expended a lot of time putting it together.
The image above is my attempt at one of the early exercises (I haven’t finished yet). This is what it is meant to look like …
I’ve only read 60 pages, but I have already learnt quite a bit (like how to alter the direction of the fill) and I feel quite positive about the whole process.
Filed under Digitizing, Machine Embroidery, Software