It's on the stands - Twinkle Toes

As I mentioned last week my new article/project is in Creative Machine Embroidery this month and you can now find the issue on the stands at your favorite local book store. With a copy of the magazine you can have the instructions and access to the free files but I thought I would show you how I use my Twinkle Toes.

I have a lot of Mary Jane style shoes.. some low and flat and some higher than then sky. Each pair just screams out for a bit of flash and more comfort never hurts!

So get a copy of the magazine and join the fun!



Monogram That!

Tis the Season already!

Machines at Fresh Thread are running full tilt with holiday orders that are already coming into the studio. Many of these items are big and bulky so best handled by a 6 needle machine. It's not that many of the home machines don't have the power it's that they don't have the room to get items under the head of the machine or a way to support the remaining weight of the item.

But even with the big machine drag can be an issue so supporting the item being monogrammed is very important!  Here you see me using my  ~ Monogram That~ Support system that takes the weight off the frame and supports flexible movement of the item so that it follows the movement of the hoop.  Monogram That! can also be used with home machines  helping you monogram items that you never thought possible!

~Monogram That!~ is currently in pre-production and if you are interested in getting your hands on one or learning more just drop me a line or watch here for further details.

Hello and Goodbye!

Hello to everyone from Creative Machine Embroidery Magazine! I am so happy you have dropped by!  I did not even know that the latest issue on was on the stands until I started getting e-mails. I hear that there might be an upload problem with the files and will do my best to get that sorted out but once I hand the files over it's a bit out of my hands but I feel certain we will get it all worked out.  Please note that you will need a JUMBO frame to make the Twinkle Toes project. Due to it's nature the project cannot be split.

I am on my way to Utah tomorrow morning " bright and squirrely" as my dad used to say.  I will be at the loverly Handi-Quilter HQ for a a couple of days soaking in all there is to be had on the subject of HQ longarms.  I am quite excited about this and will be posting updates to my FB page so if you want pop over there and find the Fresh Thread page and join up so you can keep up with the fun!

We interupt this blog for an awful cold

Maybe having an awful cold would be easier if I had cool tissue like this!

or

Maybe not.

In any case I must get better since I fly out on Sunday for Utah to spend 3 days soaking up all that the Handi Quilter company has to offer!

I will be posting updates to my Facebook page if anyone is interested.

Until then... please pass the tissue

Midwest Modern with eyelets!

Anyone who knows me knows that I am not a fussy sort of person, I might have some vintage doilies but they are not sitting on my chair backs they are appliqued to my jeans and my life is pretty casual. So when pondering the eyelet kit that is a possible accessory for my Bernina 830 I had a hard time of thinking of a lot of uses for it in my life. After all I am not doing any heirloom sewing right now and I am not the "dainty nightie" sort of gal.  ( This of course begs many questions but we are just NOT going there!)

But..but.... it's SOOOOO cool and it makes BEAUTIUL full- lush eyelets..but then I was not in need of a lot of full-lush eyelets but something did start brewing in my head.  As I saw the circles for what they were.. design opportunity! In my head they were the large fluffy top of Spring Alliums.. those huge purple ball flowers that look like they were created by dr Suess???  Bold lines, interesting shape.. circles.. potential.  So I started sketching.. and came up with idea. 

Using the eyelets in a loose casual way  I was able to achieve a modern clean look that works perfectly on a t-shirt  to wear with jeans.

Please note that I had to do some fast working with these eyelets to get them to NOT be full and lush.. I wanted to be true to the look of a wind-blown plant, scraggly and  a bit disheveled but still beautiful in the way only nature can get away with!

The stem and  star burst area of this design are run in the embroidery machine and then then eyelets are added using the Bernina Eyelet kit ( #82/92)

If you would be interested in doing this yourself please drop me a note here on the blog and I will see about getting it posted up to share!

Just a few more days!

Just a quick reminder that Septembers Free Files will be going away at the end of this week so if you want them you had better download them now!

Scroll down a couple of posts for more details and download links!

Tip Tip Hurray!

It has been a while since I have offered up a tip but I hope this little gem makes up for it.

When making clothing I often cut the fabric when I have time and then sew as I have time. This works well except I often forget what I need to do and which part is what. To solve that problem I have stepped back into the past and pulled out a little used office supply,

Gummed Reinforced Circles

 These little gems are are small , get sticky when you wet them and hold tight to the fabric letting you mark details and make tiny little notes to keep you on schedule!

Try it!