Table of contents for Spring 2021 in Creative Machine Embroidery

Dear Readers, Oh, spring… that time when the weather starts warming, the daffodils and tulips start peeking up their heads and we start planning embroidery for a whole new season. By the time this issue comes out, I am more than ready to move away from snowy motifs to pastel colors and pretty florals… and this issue is full of just those. Confession time: I love bee motifs. So it’s easy to guess that I’m a huge fan of the Honeycomb Handbag. Combining yellow and black linen with colorblocking and contrasting embroidery, this bag checks all of my style boxes. It’s definitely on my to-make list for this season. And while we’re on the subject of bags, check out the spectacular Peekaboo Lace Tote on page 24. Made by embroidering…

• Position vinyl on a smooth, flat surface. Some surfaces, such as a wool pad or batting, are too textured for pressing. • Place a woven-cotton pressing cloth, such as muslin, over the vinyl before pressing. PTFE or silicone pressing cloths stick to vinyl and leave a permanent film. • Select a medium iron setting without steam. Vinyl becomes weak and flimsy after pressing, so always allow the vinyl to cool completely before handling.…

Download appliqué flower design template from sewdaily. com/go/CMEfreebies until April 30, 2021. Purchase the design at machineembroiderygeek.com after the expiration date. MATERIALS + Wooden electrical spool (at least 8½” tall and 16” in diameter) + ¼ ”-thick x ¾ ”-wide wood trim (amount according to ottoman measurements) + Ultrasuede fabric & batting (amount according to ottoman measurements) + ½ ”-diameter cording (amount according to ottoman measurements) + Seven 5”x7” rectangles each of contrasting ultrasuede fabric (appliqué) & double-sided paper-backed lightweight fusible web (See “Source.”) + Paper-release adhesive tearaway stabilizer + Thread: all-purpose, bobbin & embroidery + Foam cushion (measurements according to ottoman diameter & desired thickness) + 16” length of 2”-diameter wooden dowel + Wood glue + Staple gun & staples + Tracing paper & tracing tool + Appliqué scissors…

MATERIALS + Cropped pullover hoodie (such as Sew Daily Carlton Cropped Hoodie; see “Source.”) + 1 yard each of white quilted knit fabric, tropical knit fabric & coordinating knit fabric + Cut-away stabilizer + Thread: all-purpose, bobbin & embroidery + Water-soluble marker + Temporary spray adhesive + Blind hem foot or 3/8”-wide double-sided fusible web tape + Hibiscus border design (approximately 2¾ ”x6¾ ”; see “Design.”) CUT • From the white quilted knit fabric, cut one front on the fold, one back on the fold and two hoods. • From the tropical knit fabric, cut two upper sleeves. • From the coordinating knit fabric, cut two lower sleeves, two sides and one waistband on the fold. EMBROIDER • Print multiple templates of the border design. • Position the front panel…

MATERIALS + Loose-fitting woven blouse with Bishop sleeves (such as Papercut Patterns Array Top/ Dress; see “Sources.”) + Linen fabric (amount according to pattern envelope; see “Sources.”) + Mediumweight cut-away stabilizer + Thread: all-purpose, bobbin & embroidery + Removable fabric marker + Floral design (approximately 4.47”x6.26”; see “Design”) PREPARE • From the linen fabric, cut out the blouse pattern pieces according to the pattern instructions, excluding the sleeves. • From the linen fabric, cut two sleeves 2” larger than the pattern perimeter. Trace the pattern perimeter onto the fabric using a removable fabric marker. • Staystitch the blouse front and back necklines. EMBROIDER • Load the floral design onto the machine. • Print two design templates. Cut out, leaving ¼” beyond each design perimeter. • Position one sleeve right side…

When she went back to work after being a stay-at-home mom for a few years, Janet Hayes’s first job was at a commercial embroidery shop. She was a seamstress initially, but had to teach herself to use the commercial embroidery machine when both of the other employees went on vacation for a month. That was when the love affair began! Janet has always loved art and sewing, so creating embroidery designs was the perfect match. How do you stay creative? Creativity is in my nature. I always feel the need to create. If I’m not creating, I'm not happy. I stay creative by thinking of new embroidery ideas that I would like to make as gifts or for my own projects. I'm usually happy with the things I make, but…

colleen bell (“Peekaboo Lace Tote”—page 24) has a long history of embroidery, first as a young teen in the 60’s with hip embellished bell bottoms to the innovation of the embroidery machine, which has become her passion. the-embroiderist.com julia griffey (“Light in Flight”—page 47 and “Peony Pouf”—page 36) is a machine embroidery enthusiast who shares her projects and designs on her blog, Machine Embroidery Geek. She has an MFA in new media design and an MA in apparel design. machineembroiderygeek.com stacy schlyer (“RTW Refashion: Tees”—page 50 and “Aloha Hoodie”—page 44) is a self-taught seamstress and self-proclaimed fabric junkie whose goal is to reach SABLE (Stash Accumulation Beyond Life Expectancy). She lives in Kansas with her family and blogs about her sewing adventures daily. stacysews.com bianca springer (“Honeycomb Handbag”—page 32 and…

If not already listed on the information sheet, add the embroidery collection name and number. Find category inspiration on your favorite embroidery design websites. See how they organize their designs to help you determine how to organize yours. Extract all ZIP files before storing in a folder. In Windows, right-click the file and select “Extract All,” and then follow the prompts to save the files. On a Mac, double-click the zipped file; the uncompressed files will open in the original zipped file location.…

Embroidering for fashion is always a challenge due to the way that the embroidery must move with the body. When the embroidery must also conform to body curves, the challenge is even greater. Embroidery stitched directly onto a garment flattens and stiffens the embroidered area. In the case of a fitted and pieced bodice like the featured jumpsuit, the embroidery is too large to allow for the pieces to be embroidered prior to cutting and sewing. The solution? Create an applied embroidery that can be molded to the body as it is appliquéd to the garment. Applied embroidery consists of embroidering onto a mesh or sheer fabric backing, which is then trimmed closely around the embroidery motif and applied to the fashion garment like an appliqué. This technique has a…

Download the free flower pocket design from sewdaily. com/go/CMEfreebies until April 30, 2021. Find the design at milindajay.com after the expiration date. MATERIALS Supplies listed are enough to make one embroidered pocket. + Readymade apron + Two 10” squares of canvas + Tear-away stabilizer + Thread: bobbin & embroidery + Decorative ribbon in various colors and widths EMBROIDER • Download the Posy Pocket design from sewdaily.com/go/CMEfreebies. Load the design onto the embroidery machine. • Hoop a piece of tear-away stabilizer and one canvas square right side up, centering the square within the hoop. • Place the hoop onto the machine. Embroider the flowers, changing thread colors as desired. • Center the remaining canvas square wrong side up over the flower designs. Embroider the pocket perimeter. Remove the hoop from the…

Download the bird designs from sewdaily.com/go/ CMEfreebies until April 30, 2021. Purchase the designs at machineembroiderygeek. com after the expiration date. MATERIALS + Readymade lamp with cylindrical shade or lamp base & cylindrical lampshade ring set (See “Sources.”) + Mediumweight woven fabric (such as flour-sack fabric) & mediumweight fusible interfacing (amount according to shade measurements) + ¾ ”-wide grosgrain ribbon (amount according to shade measurements) + Paper-release adhesive tearaway stabilizer + Adhesive styrene (See “Sources.”) + Lampshade glue (See “Sources.”) + Clothespins or binder clips + Spray paint & polyurethane spray paint (optional) + Bird outline designs (See “Designs.”) PREPARE • If desired, paint the lamp base using spray paint. Once dry, apply polyurethane spray paint according to manufacturer’s instructions. • If upcycling the existing lamp shade, remove the lamp…

MATERIALS + 1¼ yard of linen fabric + ¼ yard of contrast fabric for ruffle + 1¼ ” elastic + Thread: all-purpose & embroidery + Tear-away stabilizer + Bodkin or large safety pin + Removable fabric marker + Serger (optional) + Cat embroidery design (approx. 3½ ”x4”; see “Design.”) PREPARE • Download the Drawstring Lounge Shorts pattern from sewdaily.com/go/CMEfreebies for free until April 30, 2021. Find the pattern at sew-daily.com after the expiration date. • Print and tile the pattern. • Using your hip measurement and the size chart above as a guide, cut out the pattern pieces for two short backs and one short front. Transfer all markings. • On the remaining fabric, trace one short front pattern piece. Cut one rectangle that’s about 5” wider and longer than…

MATERIALS + 1 yard of 16-gauge clear vinyl + Thread: 40-wt. polyester, embroidery & matching all-purpose or clear + Four size 75/11 embroidery needles + Pressing cloth + Binding clips (See “Sources.”) + Magnetic hoop (See “Sources.”) + Four 15mm-diameter heavy-duty screw together grommets (See “Sources.”) + Two readymade ¾ ”x24” handles with ¾ ”-long screw posts (See “Sources.”) + Painter’s tape + Small scissors + Removable fabric marker + Rotary cutting mat (optional) + PTFE presser foot (optional) + Seam sealant (optional) + Freestanding lace square design (approximately 5¼ ” square; see “Design.”) CUT • From the vinyl, cut two 21”x24” rectangles for the front and back panel, two 16”x21” rectangles for the side panels and one 6”x17” rectangle for the base panel. • Cut a scant ½” square…

Download the free designs from sewdaily.com/go/CMEfreebies until April 30, 2021. Find the designs after the expiration at goldenneedledesigns.com. MATERIALS + ½ yard each of black linen, yellow linen & woven fabric (lining) + 1 yard of mediumweight fusible interfacing + Cut-away stabilizer + Thread: all-purpose, bobbin & embroidery + ½ ”-diameter magnetic snap + 1½ ”-diameter metal O-ring + Two 1½ ”-wide metal D-rings + Removable fabric marker + Honeycomb designs (approx. 3.86”x6.53”; see “Designs.”) CUT • From the black linen, cut one 17”x17½” rectangle for the main panel, one 3½ ”x38” rectangle for the strap, one 3¼ ”x4” rectangle for the D-ring tab and one 2”x3 ½ ” rectangle for the O-ring tab. • From the yellow linen, cut one 17”x17½” rectangle for the main panel. • From the…

MATERIALS + 1 yard each of two coordinating woven print fabrics (exterior & lining) + 90” length of 5/8”-wide grosgrain ribbon + Pattern or tracing paper + Straight ruler + Serger (optional) DRAFT • Position a piece of pattern or tracing paper on a flat work surface. Draw a straight vertical line the length of the paper near the left edge. Designate as the center-front edge. • Draw a 4¾ ”-long line perpendicular to the center-front edge near the pattern paper upper edge. Designate the line as the neckline. • Draw a 7”-long line perpendicular to the center-front edge and 11½” below the neckline. Designate as the waistline. • Connect the neckline endpoint to the waistline endpoint with a diagonal line. • Draw a 13”-long line perpendicular to the center-front…

T-Shirt Embroidery Basics • Select designs with open area or less-dense stitching to maintain the fabric drape. Large, dense designs make the finished garment look stiff, lumpy and puckered around the embroidery. • Choosing the correct stabilizer is just as important as the design. Tear-away stabilizer distorts the embroidery, creating fuzzy-looking stitches. Select a mesh, cut-away or fusible stabilizer that prevents the knit fabric from stretching during stitching. Once the T-shirt is hooped, use a basting stitch to prevent design distortion. • Always use a ballpoint needle when embroidering T-shirts to prevent tears and runs in the knit fabric. Select the smallest needle size for the project. Choose size a 70/10 needle for lightweight knits or a size 80/12 needle for medium- to heavyweight knit fabric, including sweatshirt material. •…

YORK PINAFORE by Helen's Closet This modern take on the pinafore is quick to stitch and creates a loose layering piece that we love for spring. Consider embroidering a curved design along the neckline, a motif or simple border along the thick straps or go right for the pockets: place embroidery along the upper straight pocket edge or along the curved outer edge. helensclosetpatterns.com PAONIA PINAFORE by Sew News Pick this design if you’re looking for a loose-fit silhouette. Machine embroidery will really pop when paired with this simple, straightforward design. Add embroidery along the top upper edge – two corner designs – or along the split seams at the dress hemline – or both! sewdaily.com FIONA SUNDRESS by Closet Core Patterns The Fiona Sundress combines a classic overall dress…

DRESS PATTERN Opt for a breezy dress pattern with a comfortable fit, half sleeves and some fullness around the neckline. Have a blouse pattern that you like with these characteristics? Lengthen the hem to be a dress! FABRIC COLOR PALETTE Think natural fibers such as cottons, linens and denims in a neutral tone like blue or grey for a simple background that makes the embroidery pop. FINAL TOUCHES This look really is all about the embroidery! Stitch cross-stitch inspired motifs in various locations around the garment with integrated crosses and stars to bring everything together.…