Creative Machine Embroidery

Dear Readers, Spring is a hopeful time, bursting with renewal. A time to refresh, update, and be inspired. Whether you are taking up embroidery for the first time or brushing up your skills, this issue is packed with projects that will motivate you to embellish and add color (and fun) to your handmade world. An embroidered baby gift set and baby footprint make meaningful mementos to keep or share. Plus, you will love the goodies we have in store for Valentine’s Day and Easter. These tokens of affection are thoughtful gifts for loved ones—your TLC is stitched right into them. Of course, spring is also a lovely time to refresh our wardrobes and feather our nests. In this issue you will find these projects and more: • Stitch a stylish paneled suede skirt on…

TIGHTEN UP Use rubber fingertips for a better grip when tightening the hoop. This is especially helpful for individuals with arthritis. Dorothy S., email CHOP, CHOP Use chopsticks to move fabric out of the way when embroidering. They’re much safer than using your fingers! Dani M., email Visit sewdaily.com for more techniques and tricks to inspire your embroidery. Send your sewing and embroidery tips to info@sewdaily.com or post them on our Facebook page for your chance to win a fabulous prize. NEW TRICKS Expand your horizons by trying a new technique each month. Practice the technique at least eight times to commit it to memory. Lori E., Facebook MIST IT! A very light spritz of temporary fabric spray adhesive will help keep stretchy fabrics in shape when hooping. Don’t use too much, or you’ll gum up your needles! Suzanne C., email GET IN LINE If your…

1. Headed to a sewing retreat? Take your embroidery machine along with you! Brother’s new combination sewing and embroidery machine is compact and tech-savvy, so you won’t miss any features while stitching on the go. The Brother® Innov-ís™ NS2850D sewing and embroidery machine will be your favorite travel buddy! (www.brother-usa.com) 2. Urban Threads has a cute collection of snarky designs called Leave Them in Stitches. We especially love Judging You Cats—cat lovers will definitely recognize these expressions. Stitch up some laughs with this fun collection! (www.urbanthreads.com) 3. With Sassy Sayings Iron-on Labels for Quilts, Sewing Projects & More, you can add some sass to your makes. Sayings like: “Yes, I made it. No, you can’t return it” and “This took FOREVER” personalize your projects and will make your giftees chuckle. Each iron-on design comes…

STRETCHING STABILIZERS Stabilizers are available in many different types: water-soluble, cut- or tearaway, adhesive, mesh, heat-removable, and more. Always use the correct stabilizer to save time, energy, and, of course, stabilizer. Use these tips to help conserve your stabilizer stash: • To minimize waste, purchase stabilizer rolls in sizes that closely match your hoop sizes. • When using adhesive stabilizer in the hoop, carefully tear or cut away the finished embroidery, leaving the stabilizer in the hoop. Cut smail pieces of adhesive stabilizer to patch the hole and reuse. Adhesive stabilizers can be patched and reused several times before discarding (A). • Purchase a piece of heavyweight clear vinyl large enough to fit in the hoop. Hoop the vinyl, and then cut away the embroidered area using a craft knife and cutting…

STITCH ALONG WITH US Register at sewdaily.com now through March 31, 2023, and get this sweet cork coaster design and how-to free! Then stitch this uniquely spring piece along with us. THE DESIGN This pretty design features a branch of sakura (cherry blossoms) specially designed to be stitched on cork, vinyl, or even leather (just remember to use a leather needle!). The double layer protects your table while the elegant design adds a seasonal touch. The stitches in this design are carefully planned to be spaced apart enough to keep non-woven material from tearing. So stitch on your favorite material with confidence. You can even use a woven material if you don’t mind a raw-edge look on your coasters. Sakura flowers are typically pink, but you can make this design your own by using different…

As I think about how to use wonderful embroidery machines in quilting, one of the most obvious ways is to create quilt labels. I’m insistent that quilts have labels. They’re works of art, after all! A label helps a quilt tell its story. It’s a way of keeping records and helping my family and friends to know about the quilts they receive from me. I spent most of my adult life in a small farming community, the same community where my grandmother lived almost all of her life. My grandmother was a prolific quilter and a very generous woman. She frequently gave quilts as presents: wedding presents, graduation presents, baby presents, and so forth. Grandma is one of my heroes, so if I can find her quilts, I want them. I went…