Sunday, November 21, 2010

HOW TO: A step by step guide on Raw Edge Applique using your Embroidery Machine ~


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This is a step by step tutorial on how to do Raw Edge Applique.  We love to use decorative stitches instead of the usual satin stitch on a lot of our designs. This tutorial will show you how to pre treat your fabric  and give you, our opinion of, the best way to enhance your raw edge design.

 Step 1:  pre-treat your fabric using a sew-able iron on adhesive.
We like Therm O Web's, "Heat n Bond LITE" 

Place your fabric, pattern side up, onto the rough side of the iron on adhesive.
Using a warm iron, adhere the adhesive to your fabric.


Step 2:  Hoop your stabilizer and item that you are going to applique

Step 3:  Place your hoop in your machine and stitch out the placement stitch of your design.  (some digitizers do not offer a placement stitch so if your design does not have a placement stitch you would skip this step)


Step 4:  Peel the paper backing from the back of your fabric.

Step 5:  Place the treated fabric over the stitch area. Make sure there is at least a 1/2 inch minimum overlap on all sides before stitching.  Then stitch out the decorative stitching. (this example has a triple stitch instead of the usual satin stitch finish)

Step 6:  Using a sharp pair of embroidery scissors, trim around the edge of your applique.

If the design allows, leave a 1/4" edge to enhance the decorative stitching. Leaving this edge also makes your raw edge applique more secure and helps prevent fraying.

If your design has more than one layer repeat the steps again to achieve the same effect.

Don't forget to pre-treat your fabric for every layer of raw edge applique.


Once your entire design is finished you can run a warm iron over the entire design to adhere it to your item if desired.

Most of our Shabby Sweet Collection has a raw edge as do several of our newest applique Christmas phrases.

What a fun way to applique!!  

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Guest Blogger: Robin Ebaugh of Soggy Bottom Baby Duds~


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It's been a minute or two since we had a guest blogger.  It is not because we haven't received hundreds of entries but, rather because life has gotten the best of us lately.  So we apologize for not sharing sooner.


A few weeks ago we received an email from Robin and these absolutely georgous and ingenius projects that she made using a few of our embroidery patterns.  Not only did we like what she had done we loved these projects enough to feature her on our blog!!!


This is the letter we recieved from Robin:


I've made some really cute things using your Simply Scalloped Square banner and I thought you might like to see them. The first one is a Christmas name banner with pockets sewn on IN THE HOOP. I'm calling it Better-Than-a-Stocking Banner, because the recipient can "open" one pocket each day. I also inserted a Santa face (in the center of the O). I like the Santa and will probably continue to use him!




Isn't this an adorable idea?  We absolutely love it!!!



The second item I'm using the Simply Scalloped Square banner for is kiddie hot pads. I'm making play oven mitts and hot pads to go with a friend's play food (we're doing a craft show).  







I'm embroidering the design on the hot pad first, then backing it with another piece of felt and embroidering them together, so the back looks nice and neat.

Robin Ebaugh
Soggy Bottoms Baby Duds



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Thank you so much Robin for thinking out of the box and for sharing your amazing talent with all of us~!!  You can keep up with Robin on her blog http://soggybottomsbabyduds.blogspot.com/

You can also buy her fun stitched items in her etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/SoggyBottomsBabyDuds




We love to see what you have been up to.  Keep the entries coming.  Guest blogger entries can be sent to delynne@embroitique.com
Please use the word GUEST BLOGGER in the subject line

Monday, October 25, 2010

HOW TO~ applique using your embroidery machine


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A quick little step by step tutorial on
"How to applique with your embroidery machine"

Step 1: 
Hoop your stabilizer and your item that you will be applying your applique to.  If this is your first time trying to applique, you may want to just use a couple of layers of stabilizer and nothing else.



Step 2:  
(Depending on how your design is digitized, this step may vary a little.  Some designs will have a placement stitch and some will not.  A placement stitch shows you where to place your fabric.  Almost all of our applique's will have a placement stitch.)  
If your design has a placement stitch then step 2 would be to put your hoop into your machine and have the design stitch out the placement stitch.  If your design does not have a placement stitch then you would skip step 2 and go straight to step 3



Step 3:  
Place your fabric on your hoop completely covering the area to be stitched.  You can use a few straight pins on the edges of your fabric if you want to, to hold your fabric still while the stay stitches secure the fabric to your item.  (pinning the fabric is usually not necessary however, if you are worried or have issues with your fabric moving around you can do this.  You can also use a basting spray instead of pins if you would like)

Place your hoop back into your machine (if you took it out) and stitch out the stay stitches that will secure your fabric to your item.  When the machine stops, remove the hoop from the machine but, DO NOT REMOVE YOUR ITEM FROM YOUR HOOP.

Step 4:
Remove any pins if you used them or peel up your edges if you used basting spray.  Take a pair of sharp embroidery scissors and trim away all of the excess fabric from around the outside edges of your design.


Step 5:
Place your hoop back into your machine and stitch out the satin stitch border of your design.




Step 6:
A lot of applique designs will have multiple layers.  Each layer will be the same process (steps 2-6)  Some may have detailed fill stitching or decorative stitches over the satin stitch area.  Others you may want to monogram initials or a name layered on top.  This would all be done as a final step once the entire applique is complete.

Once you start your first applique, you will be hooked.  It is so much fun and so simple.  Do not be intimidated!!  Anyone can do this, it really is that easy.
Just click this link to download this free practice applique from our website:




Jacki & DeLynne
Embroitique
www.embroitique.com | esales@embroitique.com
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Wednesday, October 20, 2010

A How to... For Our Shabby Sweet Ruched Designs~


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There is no right or wrong way to create any of our In The Hoop Shabby Sweet designs but, we thought we'd share a few fun and helpful tips that we have discovered.

Technique 1- Raw Edge:
Cut your fabric strip using pinking shears.  10" long and 1" wide for the 5x7 designs.
You will want to cut the strips closer to 7/8" wide for the 4x4 designs and 1 1/4" wide for the 6x10 designs.
*all fabric strips will be the same length, prior to ruching - 10" long, for all design sizes.

Sew a long loose basting strip up the center of your strip.  You will want to use matching thread for this step.  

There will be two threads at each end.  Separate the two threads and gently pull one of them to bunch your fabric strip.  



Technique 2- tri-fold:

Cut your fabric strip 10" long and 4" wide for the 5x7 designs.
You will want to cut the strips closer to 3 1/2" wide for the 4x4 designs and 4 1/2" wide for the 6x10 designs.
 *all fabric strips will be the same length, prior to ruching - 10" long, for all design sizes.

 If you are using Chiffon, you can seal one edge using a lighter.  If you are using cotton or any other fabric that frays, you will need to use fray check.

 Fold your strip in thirds length wise, folding the unsealed side in first


 Sew a long loose basting strip down the center of your strip.  You will want to use matching thread for this step.  

 There will be two threads at each end.  Separate the two threads and gently pull one of them to bunch your fabric strip.



Technique 3- Make a tube:

 Cut your fabric strip 10" long and 2 1/2" wide for the 5x7 designs.
You will want to cut the strips closer to 2" wide for the 4x4 designs and 3" wide for the 6x10 designs.
 *all fabric strips will be the same length, prior to ruching - 10" long, for all design sizes.

 Fold your fabric in half length wise and sew a 1/4" seam down the raw edge to make a tube.

 Turn your tube right side out.

 Flatten the tube out and place the seam in the center.
Sew a long loose basting strip down the center of your strip.  You will want to use matching thread for this step.  

There will be two threads at each end.  Separate the two threads and gently pull one of them to bunch your fabric strip.


Technique 4- Double Roll hemmed edges:

Cut your fabric strip 10" long and 3" wide for the 5x7 designs.
You will want to cut the strips closer to 2 3/4" wide for the 4x4 designs and 3 1/4" wide for the 6x10 designs.
 *all fabric strips will be the same length, prior to ruching - 10" long, for all design sizes.

 Stitch a 1/4" seam on each long side of your strip


 Repeat this step with a second 1/4" seam on either long side of your fabric strip.


 Sew a long loose basting strip up the center of your strip.  You will want to use matching thread for this step.

There will be two threads at each end.  Separate the two threads and gently pull one of them to bunch your fabric strip.  

There are infinite ways to create your ruffled strips for ruching.  The main objective is to be creative and have fun.  You can use just about any material you would like.  Ribbon is another great option. 

It's important to know that you do not have to pre ruffle your fabric.  It is possible to do all of the ruching in the hoop.

Technique 5- IN THE HOOP RUCHING:

Take your fabric, place the center of the strip directly over your placement stitch and pinch it between your fingers to gather it together.  Pin each gather in place using a straight pin. Bunch and pin your fabric repeatedly until it resembles the example picture.  Make sure you pin your fabric away from the stitch line so your machine does not have to stitch over your pins.  Place a piece of Glad Press and Seal over your gathered strip before you allow your machine to secure it in place with the stay stitches.

HELPFUL TIPS TO FOLLOW WHEN SECURING YOUR RUCHING TO YOUR APPLIQUE IN THE HOOP:

Once you have pinned your ruffle in place along the placement stitch, you will want to use a piece of Glad Press and Seal to cover the ruffled fabric.  This will prevent your presser foot from snagging on your ruching as the design secures it in place. 

 After each piece of ruching is in place you will want to secure it out of the way so it will not be in the way of the next ruched piece as it stitches in place. Usually a piece of Press and seal is strong enough to hold it to the side but, sometimes a straight pin or two are necessary. 

Nearly all of our designs will stitch the placement stitches individually and then a triple pass to secure each one immediately following.  However, a few of them will stitch out all of the placement stitches at once, such as our Shabby Sweet Ruched Christmas Tree Design.



A Fun Application that we have used is to stitch out these designs onto stitch and tear stabilizer.  Once you have finished the design, tear it out of the stabilizer and use some fabric glue, such as Fabri-tac to adhere it permanently to your desired item.  This is how we achieved this look with our adorable Ruched Christmas Ornament set.


Hand washing and stitching your embellishments in place are always best however, if you are like me...I don't have time for any of that.  I machine wash everything.  lol
It will hold up longer and probably look better if you hand wash I am sure.  I do usually sew my bows on but, I have just glued them before and they wash well.  I have an outfit that I glued a bow onto for my first daughter 7 years ago.  My 3rd child is now wearing that outfit and it has been washed in the washer and dried in the dryer umpteen times and looks great.  Fabritac works wonders.  My advice is to do what you think is best.


So, have fun.  Get Creative and DON'T FORGET THE PRESS AND SEAL!!  :)

****OUR ENTIRE SHABBY SWEET LINE, INCLUDING ALL IN THE HOOP RUCHED DESIGNS ARE BOTH PATENTED AND PROTECTED BY COPYRIGHT LAWS.  EMBROITIQUE OWNS THE RIGHTS TO THESE AND ALL ITH RUCHED MACHINE EMBROIDERY DESIGNS.  YOU WILL ONLY FIND THESE DESIGNS AVAILABLE FROM EMBROITIQUE.



Jacki & DeLynne

www.embroitique.com  

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