What’s Your Favorite Stabilizer Style?

If you follow us on Twitter or Facebook,  you’ll know that I’ve asked the question in the title of this post before.    Still,  I want to ask it in as many places as possible,  for a couple of reasons.   One reason is the fact that we always want to have the items our customers want in stock or at least readily available.   The second reason is that I’m working on revamping the backing inventory, and some items may be coming off the in stock list.   Given that I’m rearranging things,  I thought it would be helpful to have as much information as possible before I begin.

Currently,  EnMart carries  cutaway and tearaway stabilizers in rolls and pre-cut sheets.    We also have water soluble toppings and backings,  as well as adhesive backing.    If you mostly embroider knit shirts,  like polo shirts,  you may want to check out our poly mesh category.   EnMart also offers a small selection of FR backing.    These backing categories have developed over time as people have asked for a particularly type of backing,  or based on recommendations from our suppliers about what popular stabilizer types and sizes should be stocked.    Still the best information comes from you,  and I’d appreciate the help of anyone who can spare a minute to answer the following questions:

Which do you prefer, rolls or pre-cuts?Do you use a lot of colored (i.e. beige, black) stabilizer?What’s the heaviest weight stabilizer you commonly use?If you use pre-cuts,  do you generally stick to a specific size, or do you use different sizes for different things?

Our goal is to create a stabilizer inventory that will let us meet the needs of the majority of our customers without overloading our inventory to the point where we’re stocking 80 different kinds of backing, each to satisfy the needs of an individual customer.    If you do have a specific need,  we will and do stock special items,   but that’s a whole different post.  Right now,  I’m just looking for information on what people generally use and what they prefer.   Any feedback you can give me on the questions above will be greatly appreciated.

View the original article here

Online Embroidery Designs and Services

Embroidery as an art form has had lots of notable works thought the world and in various different various cultures thought history. Embroidery has been found throughout the ages from countries like Egypt, India, Persia and China to name but a few.

Contemporary embroidery has come very far from since its early formative years. The new age of emergence to machine embroidery has led to many opportunities like the possibility of huge business in the field of embroidery. Nowadays computerized designs have enabled machines to stitch mass produced embroidery designs on numerous different fabrics.

In today's times the field of Machine Embroidery Designs is a big business even for the corporate world with services being rendered by almost all the businesses. The various services being offered by the Embroidery industry are a many today.

For example, Embroidery services for gift engraving is a unique service applicable in a variety of ways. It's a highly graphic medium that has the potential to improve and provide personalized service for making creative graphic designs involving font style, patterns, color and shapes.

Apart from online marketing, many companies see custom merchandise like embroidered polo shirts, embroidered caps, towels etc. to be very effective for the building a brand in the market. This is simply because embroidered polo shirts give a big impact and translates credibility to potential clients who sees them especially those near the area.

Having custom merchandise and other customized promotional materials seems such a important marketing tool these days, that companies spend a fortune to create one. Whereas the most effort should be on thinking and designing a company logo that translates best the products or services being offered. Usually these tips are given by the embroidery company for free. And for that matter, the companies should look for embroidery businesses which offer the best materials and service and most often they are the once who give advices beforehand to make sure that you will have the best embroidered materials like polo shirts, cups and towels.

Their are quite a few producers which offer customized embroidery services besides the normal embroidery services. Some company provides custom embroidery services for either sports teams or corporate businesses as well.

Today an embroidery company must keep up to date with all the latest technologies in order to offer a complete embroidery service and keeping that vision in mind their are very few who offer a whole host of embroidery services including machine embroidery, embroidered logos and monograms onto shirts, socks, trousers, jackets and all apparel, caps,visors, beanies, bags, linen, towels & badges.

Feel Free to contact us with any of your queries or all your machine embroidery designs and embroidery service requirements!!!

Our Hopes on Our Sleeves

Erich Campbell wrote a fabulous post, “In Memory of Heroes“, talking about work he did to help commemorate and memorialize the events of 9/11.  It’s an amazing post,  but it’s the last paragraph that absolutely kills me,  and which spawned this post.

I’ve always contended that embroidery is important, and that it allows us to wear our affiliations, our beliefs and even our hopes, literally on our sleeves. If any wonder how I came to believe so firmly in our need to wear such symbols, it’s easy to define: My beliefs were made of the sadness of the survivors, the pride for those who served and the support of a nation in a time of great need. As we commemorate that fateful day, I wonder how many people will be dutifully dusting off a cap pulled from some corner of their closet, and once again donning those symbols. I wonder how much of that work that passed through our hands and our machines has survived to bear witness to our collective support even to this day. As I look upon a sample of appliqué we tested for an FDNY design that I still keep on my desk, I hope our work does as much honor now to the fallen and those who forged ahead as we hoped it would then.

Anyone who decorates garments or creates promotional products for a living probably has had at least one day when they wonder if it’s worth it.    There’s the bad artwork,  the cranky customers,  the balky machines,  any number of issues specific to running a garment decoration or promotional products business,  and then there’s the added issues that can come with running any kind of business.   There is also the pressure to create,  to make something where there was nothing.

It’s easy,  in the day to day grind,  to forget that what’s being created is more than just a polo shirt with a logo on it,  or a mug with a grandchild’s picture.   What’s being created is a symbol and a memory that will be treasured long after it leaves your shop.  It’s easy to forget because it seems so ordinary,  it is after all, what you do, day after day to pay the bills.

The thing is,  what’s created matters.  It has a life and a meaning beyond simply being fabric and thread,  or a substrate and ink.  I suppose it’s easier to remember the significance when the items being made are to commemorate a major event, like 9/11,  but whether the event only has meaning for one person or one million,   it still has meaning.

Today,  when you’re struggling with that hard to hoop garment,  or dealing with a clogged printer nozzle remember that what you do is more than the sum of its parts.   Whether it’s a t-shirt commemorating someone’s first 10K run or a plaque that denotes years of faithful service, the items you create have a life and a significance long past when they leave your shop.

View the original article here

Feb 10, Win a Pair of Heart Embroidery Kits

for February 2011" readability="35">

by Amy
((embroidery-methods.com))

These kits could be yours!

Instructions include diagrams

Do you have a picture of something you made using the Hardanger embroidery technique?

I'm cleaning out my supplies, and I found 2 unopened Hardanger heart kits. That area on the website only has one submitted photo so far, so I'm using these kits as an incentive to get more submitted photos!

How to Enter:
Submit a Hardanger embroidery photo of something you made or own. Tell us about the pattern and where you got it, how easy or difficult it was to make, and anything else of interest. Limit 3 entries per person.

Dates:
The contest will be open on this website (embroidery-methods.com) during February 2011. The deadline for submissions is February 28, 2011, at midnight Eastern Time. Judging will be based on the beauty of the photo, the quality of the comments it receives, the quality of your comments on other submissions, and my personal opinion.

All accepted submissions will appear on the website for comments after they are approved. Obviously the sooner you submit, the more time you have to give and receive comments.

Winner Selection:
I will choose a winner during the first week of March and notify the winner by email. The winner must write back to acknowledge his/her acceptance of the prize and to give a mailing address within 1 week of notification or another winner will be chosen. Your contact information will be kept private in accordance with the Privacy Policy. The prize will be shipped free of charge to any US state within the lower 48. An international winner must supply $10 for shipping before the item will be sent.

Prize:
You will receive 2 Hardanger kits for heart ornaments as designed by Norsk Engros. One is in pink and the other is in blue. The stitches used in each heart are slightly different. The kits include fabric, threads, a needle, and instructions. The winning photo will also be featured on the homepage in March 2011.

I look forward to seeing your hardanger photos!

View the original article here

Embroidery Sewing Machines

As a child the I was surrounded with beautiful hand embroidery. Quilts, clothes, cushions, table clothes...all lovingly created by my mother and grandmother(s). Hand embroidery is a skill that has spanned many years! In the past it was taught to the daughters of the wealthy as a pass time activity, and something that would keep them busy as they watched over their house. Mothers in earlier years used hand embroidery to decorate and mend. Their beautiful work and talent extended the life of clothes, tablecloths, sheets, cushions...everything in the home and family life! Can you imagine how they would have reacted if they had access to some "Embroidery Sewing Machines"?

Hand Embroidery is a skill that is learned patiently and when done right the end results are absolutely beautiful. It is also very time consuming, which is why you do not see much of this traditional art form. In today's world, beautiful embroidery is usually reserved for the holidays and for special gifts...unless of course you have entered the world of embroidery sewing machines...then the sky is the limit! Embroidery sewing machines are marvelous inventions. They are both practical and creative, and a must for those of us who would like our creativity to soar!

Embroidery sewing machines produce beautiful, consistent designs on each and every project you create. They make our creative lives easier and more productive while using only a fraction of our time! Now you can expand your skills and create beautiful projects even with a limited amount of free time!

With today's technology, learning to use embroidery sewing machines could not be easier! There are on line classes, in store seminars, books, magazines and even on line videos available to us! This is something you and a friend or family member could do together! Create heirlooms that can be passed down in your family! Create beautiful quilts and jackets! Since embroidery sewing machines stitch your designs quickly, personal, elegant projects no longer need to be reserved for special occasions!

Supplies for embroidery sewing machines are available both locally and on line. Getting the best results on all your projects can only be achieved by using the proper supplies and techniques, in the right combination. Your time is very valuable, and can not be replaced, so insure it is used wisely by investing the most cost effective supplies and information you can afford.

Some of the supplies you will need to get started are an assortment of stabilizers, beautiful threads, embroidery weight bobbin threads, digitized designs and some creative ideas! If you are in the mood for extra quick results, do your embroidery on a ready made table runner or napkin...you will be done in no time at all!!! Great for quick hostess and get well gifts!

Once you have all your supplies, you are on your way to creating show stopping home decor, one of a kind garments, unique gifts, and much much more with embroidery sewing machines!

As the Exclusive Internationally Accredited Jenny Haskins Tutor, I travel across the country teaching classes on embroidery sewing machines, to all skill levels. For more sewing and embroidery secrets and a free download of "Ordinary to Extra Ordinary", please visit http://www.SewingAndEmbroiderySecrets.com

From my sewing machine to yours...happy creating
Margaret
PS...just because it's beautiful doesn't mean it is difficult!

Free Thanksgiving Embroidery Patterns ‘Round the ‘Net

Have you started your Thanksgiving stitching yet?

There’s plenty of time to whip up one of these little beauties, available FREE on the internet, for your holiday table, apron or other accessories.

Work just the outlines in redwork, of fill in the designs using your favorite DMC Embroidery Thread using filling stitches.

Over at PinTrist you can find this prayerful Thanksgiving Couple to embroider on the front of an apron, or to customize family placemats.

Q is for Quilter features an assortment of line drawings that are perfect for embroidery, including this pretty design featuring the bounty of the season.

This design would look absolutely fabulous embroidered on the ends of a table runner in back stitch or stem stitch using DMC Color Variations Embroidery Floss in color #4130!

Elemental Stitches features a Cornucopia Pattern,  filled to capacity with the Thanksgiving harvest.

The design would look great worked in color and framed in an embroidery hoop as wall art.

Mary Corbett has featured several Thanksgiving designs on her site, including this Adorable Turkey.

You’ll definitely want to gobble up these beautiful, free deigns!

~Emma

View the original article here

Aug 5, When to Use Different Stitches

by Amy
(Pennsylvania)

Hi!

I am very new to hand embroidery! My mother did it a lot while I was a child, but I never had an interest in learning how to do it. Now that I am older, I love it and want to learn it so I can pass it on to my daughter.

I ordered and received some patterns and tools from Jenny Hart at Sublime Stitching. She described in wonderful detail how to do all the different types of stitches, but the patterns don't explain or recommend what stitches to use.

So, my question is, how do I know when to use what stitch while embroidering? Is it all a personal preference, or do certain stitches work better with certain patterns?

Thank you in advance for any and all help and advice!

Amy's Answer
Hi, Amy, love your name! ;-)

Usually patterns have a chart with a key that will tell you which stitch to use where. Are you talking about cross stitch or crewel embroidery?

Crewel is sometimes up to the stitcher. Some stitches are naturally better for lines and some are better for filling areas. Usually you go back and outline filled areas with the backstitch or running stitch, but be sure to do that last.

Recommended Reading
Basic Crewel Embroidery Stitches
Cross Stitch Beginner Guide
Silk Ribbon Embroidery Stitches
Needlepoint Novice

View the original article here

Variety of Supplies For Machine Embroidery

If you love doing embroidery, supplies for machine embroidery and all types of sewing materials and accessories are available on various websites. Sewing and embroidery is a favorite hobby among many women worldwide as it gives hours of creative pleasure.

Finding Embroidery Supplies

Anyone who is an embroidery or sewing enthusiast knows that you need a lot of items related to the particular pattern or design you are working on at any given time. Sometimes it is very difficult to find what you are looking for in stores. You have to really scout around looking for a particular color thread or sewing tool and a lot of time and energy is wasted.

Shopping For Embroidery Materials

Now Internet has made shopping very easy and fun for any item you require related to sewing. You have the freedom to make your choice from any online store for embroidery supplies from among a variety of items that are available. You don't have to hunt around for the exact matching thread, the right sized hoops or any other item that you require.

Variety Of Selection

Online sewing supplies have an amazing variety of items for your selection.

* Thread: Embroidery thread of every variety is available which includes cotton thread, color twist thread, crochet thread, sewing thread, rayon thread, bobbin thread and many others.
* Embroidery Blanks: These are available for you to try out your skills in many options. Blankets, pillow cases, tote bags, quilted duffel bags are among the varieties.
* Embroidery Designs: These are available in downloadable forms in various formats. The files can be saved and are ready to use. Even conversion charts are available online to select the color threads you require and complete your work.
Designs are available even in CDs and digitized keyboard fonts. The CDs have beautiful patterns which include holidays and occasions, alphabets, hobbies and activities, plants, artistic designs, children and nursery patterns among various varieties.
* Basic sewing tools, iron on embellishments, embroidery supplies, trim and embellishment, quilting, fabric, ribbon are among the miscellaneous sewing and embroidery needs that are available.
* Books for embroidery and sewing guidance of all types can be ordered from among the variety available.

Buying Online

Buying embroidery or sewing related needs online is a simple and stress free process. You simply need to click on the well known and secure website for embroidery items and select whichever category you require. You select from icons, pictures and text and add to the shopping cart. Next you simply follow the instructions and place your order.

Some websites have the added convenience of buying goods without using your credit card details online. You can instead call and supply your details to the customer service personnel if nervous about online security. There are toll free numbers available to make your calls. There is even an email facility by which you could place orders at your convenience.

Advantages of buying online are many and there are clearance items and specials when huge discounts are available on some items. Finding supplies for machine embroidery or any kind of sewing is a one stop solution with websites for your shopping convenience. This way your favorite hobby is a complete delight.

http://www.threadart.com is an online store that has supplies for machine embroidery, threads, sewing related equipment and anything you need for your embroidery or sewing, easily.

The Many Embroidery Supplies

Do you know the different tools that the ladies in the Victorian Era used when they were into their tapestries? It would not matter how long ago it was, embroidery supplies must have been ready for use. For earlier civilizations that were into sewing, what could they have used for their tools? These people were smart and were able to come up with their own items.

Common knowledge will tell you that before you learn the simplest sewing like cross stitch, the running stitch, or the quarter stitch, you will need to become familiar with the supplies you will need for embroidery. You can not use the many items for creating the best designs if you do not know what they are used for.

You will certainly not find it hard when you are looking for embroidery supplies because they are available in mot of the stores. You can find them in the online stores giving you an easier way since you will be able to shop from home. By using your mouse you will be able to get your order sent to you in a flash. In a few days, you will have all the products you have ordered right in from of you. If the ancients were still around today, they would love to try this way of shopping.

One of the things you will need is the hoop. This item is round or oval in shape. It usually comes made out of wood, plastic, or spring form and will hold the fabric in place. Most of the hoops have brass screws that will allow you to make it tighter or looser than it was before. You will find that three hoops exist. They are the jacket back, the magnetic, and the tubular. The tubular has arms for the loops that are on the outside. The jacket back will give you a strong tight hold. And the magnetic has ends that are secured together.

You will also find that you will need bobbin thread. You will find that four types of this thread exist. They are spun polyester, cotton, nylon, and continuous filament. The cotton can accommodate a large range of tensions because of the texture. The polyester is closer to the wool. The continuous filament gives a clean result and does not leave any lint behind. Nylon is the strongest when you are adding pressure to it.

You can also find more info on Embroidery Design Software [http://www.allthingsembroidery.com/Embroidery_Design_Software/] and Embroidery Designs [http://www.allthingsembroidery.com/Embroidery_Designs/]. Allthingsembroidery.com is a comprehensive resource to know more aboutEmbroidery.

Hand Embroidery For Beginners

Embroidery is a special kind of art that comprises of needlework and motifs. This art is in built in human and cannot be learnt. But if anyone is interested to gain mastery over this art, then an eye for creativity, mind for imagination and hands for practice are very significant. This is a creative and useful guide for hand embroidery for beginners.

Today, hand embroidery is used for various purposes like making clothing, accessories, household linen, towels and so forth. This ancient art of threadwork is a way of creating designs and pictures by sewing various strands on a particular piece of fabric.

Most of the needlework is done on woven fabric so that it becomes easier to make exquisite designs and patterns.

The most essential embroidery supplies are thread, needle and patterns. These are the first requirement when you plan to start creating an antique and exquisite embroidered fabric. Embroidery threads are categorized into cotton threads and embroidery floss. Cotton threads can further be categorized into stranded cotton thread that are composed of six loosely twisted mercerized cotton threads and soft cotton threads that are mainly used for designing tapestry and bold hand embroidery. These days, many innovative threads like silk threads, satin threads and jute threads have also come into existence.

The next requisite of hand embroidery is needle. These needles are available in a wide range of sizes from 0 to 10. These embroidery needles are sharp and of medium length. Embroidery patterns are also available in various stores and on various online sources. Different fabrics can be adorned with varied creative patterns. The ancient patterns include stencils or transfer of patterns or designs onto fabrics. The modern days and innovative technology has brought various other ways to create hand embroidery patterns. Today, there are iron on transfer patterns, computer printed patterns, stencils or templates and transfers. Iron on transfer pattern includes patterns that can be ironed on fabrics. Even a tissue paper or transfer pen can be used to transfer a design onto the fabric.

Hand embroidery is not restricted to one simple stitch. It is categorized into several types including Assisi Embroidery, Bargello Embroidery, Blackwork Embroidery, Bunka Shishu, Canvas work, Counted-thread Embroidery, Crewel Embroidery, Cross-stitch, Drawn thread work, Hardanger embroidery, Stumpwork, Ribbon Embroidery and Whitework. All these types of hand embroidery have their won unique effect, feel and elegance. These can adorn any home furnishing fabrics, adding elegance to the interior.

Creating your embroidery fonts is also a part of the modern embroidery techniques. There are many creative ways to write various different alphabets in an array of fonts. These fonts are mainly used to highlight special events like weddings, birthdays and birth announcements. These alphabets are also used for highlighting personalized message.

The moment you gather all the materials and are aware of the basic techniques, you can start revealing and reviving the art of embroidery.

For more information on the usefulness of hand embroidery, check our links on embroidery patterns, pageant dresses [http://www.pageantdresses4u.com] and nail designs.

Jul 21, Quilt: Believe in Happiness All Around You

by Kathryn
(Salt Lake City, UT)

Believe In Happiness All Around You

My mother, Gale Court, has been making quilts for 17 years. To date she has made over 500. She has never sold a quilt, they have always been made as gifts for loved ones. She made a series of motivational quilts for each child and grandchild. Each message on each quilt was different and was meant specifically for the recipient.

When she gave me my quilt, titled "Believe in Happiness All Around You", it absolutely made me cry. The message was so beautiful and so perfect for ME and my life. It reads "Dearest Kathryn, I wish for you love, faith, hope, joy, family, friends, courgage, strength, patience, compassion, health, peace, dreams to dream, songs to sing, and happiness all around you. Love always, Mommy".

She received so many requests for patterns that we have now created a business called "The Pattern Lady" and she sells her patterns online at www.thepatternlady.com. Seven of the "Words of Love and Wisdom" series patterns are available to buy there, and they even come with instructions to customize the message for your special someone.

View the original article here

Easy Embroidery Pillow

An Embroidery Pillow is the perfect project for so many different reasons!

• It is the perfect way to test colors and designs for a quilt you are planning.

• Many embroidery pillows can be completed in just a few hours.

• This is the perfect hostess gifts.

• An Embroidery Pillow is a quick way to update your home decor.

• It is a great way to test out new techniques.

• One can be made for each holiday.

• An embroidery pillow can give a child (or an adult for that matter) a feeling of security.

...And I am sure you can think of many many more ideas!

Would you like to make an embroidery pillow that is quick and easy? Well, give this a try!

You will need:

* Two linen napkins that have a hemstitch about 1" in from the edge of the napkin.

* Water soluble sticky stabilizer.

* Very narrow ribbon.

* A double eyed needle or a blunt tapestry needle with a large eye.

* General embroidery supplies ( thread, machine, hoop, scissors....)

Now lets get started!

* Decide on the design you want to stitch out for your embroidery pillow and transfer it to your embroidery machine. Don't forget this might be the perfect place for an initial or a monogram.

* Hoop your sticky water soluble stabilizer, remove the protective paper, position the linen napkin on the stabilizer in the hoop and baste in place.

* When you are finished remove your project from the hoop

* Carefully cut away any large amount of excess sticky water soluble stabilizer from around the design of the embroidery pillow

* Rinse out the stabilizer according to the manufacturer's instructions.

* Let your embroidery pillow dry, then iron it and to make it look extra beautiful, go ahead and starch it!

Now let's put our pillow together!

* Thread the narrow ribbon into the double eyed needle or the tapestry needle.

* Place the two linen napkins on top of each other (one is blank, one has your beautiful embroidery on it), wrong sides together and weave the needle in and out of the hemstitching.

* For an even weave pattern you can put your needle and ribbon in every hole, every other hole, every third hole...

* If you would like to create an "uneven" pattern, you could go down in one hole then skip three holes and come back up. Basically your ribbon pattern can be anything you would like it to be.

* Leave an opening to insert the pillow form or stuffing, then finish weaving of the ribbon around your embroidery pillow and ENJOY.

As the Exclusive Internationally Accredited Jenny Haskins Tutor, I travel across the country teaching classes, and I must say the embroidery decoupage technique is one of the all time favorite classes. For more sewing and embroidery secrets and a free download of "Ordinary to Extra Ordinary", please visit http://www.SewingAndEmbroiderySecrets.com

From my sewing machine to yours...happy creating
Margaret

ps...just because it's beautiful doesn't mean it is difficult!

Feb 17, Free Embroidery Patterns and More in The Embroidery Sampler Newsletter

At last, an online monthly embroidery newsletter that not only contains free embroidery patterns, but is also creative, thoughtful, honest, and entertaining!

Embroidery -- It covers all methods of embroidery, just like this website.Sampler -? It contains a little bit of everything from news to words of wisdom to a "find of the month" free embroidery design.

It's not just another email newsletter. It's The Embroidery Sampler.

Don't believe me? Take a look at our past issues to see the types of free patterns you'll receive (opens in a new window).

Among the archived issues, you'll find links to free hand embroidery patterns and a few downloadable free embroidery machine patterns.

Sign up today and receive a free Scissor Pouch + Needle Case pattern!

View the original article here

May 6, Free Horse Embroidery Pattern

The Embroidery Blog is my project scrapbook for what I've been working on lately. This blog will...

let you know whenever any new web pages appear on the Embroidery Methods website, sharing new tips and project ideaskeep you up-to-date with other postings or news about embroidery, like the latest new materials available for stitching and stabilizingpoint out some special past ideas and advice that you might have missed.

To subscribe to my blog (no e-mail necessary!), click on one of the buttons to the left in the box that says "Subscribe to This Site". Choose the orange RSS button to use the feed or click the button for your favorite service (Yahoo, Google, MSN, etc.)

Learn how to share your photos and stories and how to comment on what others have made. You are also welcome to ask questions and give answers! This is an interactive website.

The most recent blog items are listed below...

Oct 7, 2011

The double running stitch or Holbein stitch and some easy crewel form the basic blackwork embroidery stitches.

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Working Blackwork Embroidery Stitches"

Sep 23, 2011

I was taught by a wonderful teacher, Ellen Temkin who realized that the horizontal patterns of Swedish Weaving would be perfect for a tallit - a Jewish

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Huck Tallit Prayer Shawl"

Sep 23, 2011

It's a hand embroidery by cross stitch. It was embroidered for my mother's birthday as a present. It shows the famous clock Big Ben reflected in the Thames

Permalink -- click for full blog post "London - Heritage"

Sep 2, 2011

I need a program that will convert embroidery formats .dst and .pes to True Type lettering on the computer. My computer does not recognize embroidery

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Format Conversion Software"

Aug 31, 2011

DMC now makes a fabric covered wire to match embriodery thread colors. It's called Memory Thread and can be used to create 3D embroidery.

Have you tried it? Please share a photo!

Aug 25, 2011

I have always wondered what the difference is between needlepoint, needlepoint embroidery, and cross stitch. Can you help me out with that, as I have patterns

Permalink -- click for full blog post "What is the difference between Embroidery and Cross Stitch"

Aug 25, 2011

Learn useful advice about buying and using huck toweling or huck cloth.

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Huck Toweling for Swedish Huck Weaving"

Aug 13, 2011

Here's a creative idea for what to do with extra embroidery hoops!

You can mount them on the wall and use them to store jars.

Click for more info

Aug 5, 2011

Hi! I am very new to hand embroidery! My mother did it a lot while I was a child, but I never had an interest in learning how to do it. Now that I am

Permalink -- click for full blog post "When to Use Different Stitches"

Jul 21, 2011

My mother, Gale Court, has been making quilts for 17 years. To date she has made over 500. She has never sold a quilt, they have always been made as gifts

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Quilt: Believe in Happiness All Around You"

Jul 16, 2011

I have been having a problem with my punchneedles. The thread keeps breaking and it doesn't matter which needle I use or how many plys of thread. What

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Needlepunch Thread Keeps Breaking"

Jul 1, 2011

Hi, I'm Lien from Malaysia. I've just started to learn ribbon embroidery this year from books and internet. These are photos among the first. I hope you

Permalink -- click for full blog post "First Attempts at Ribbon Embroidery on a T-shirt"

Jun 10, 2011

Looking for crewel embroidery kits that include everything you need to complete a project with crewel embroidery stitches? I found some nice embroidery kits and listed them here.

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Crewel Embroidery Kits"

Jun 3, 2011

Become your own free designer and be a cross stitch pattern maker. It's easier than you think!

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Cross Stitch Pattern Maker Advice"

May 27, 2011

As I continue to prepare for my marriage, I found this sweet wedding cross stitch pattern from Leisure Arts.

Click to open the .pdf file. The verse is "Love does not consist in gazing at each other, But in looking together in the same direction."

Click for more info

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Embroidery Quilting Designs

Making quilts is a unique art form. Embroidery quilting is decorating fabric with different colors and various designs to create a wide variety of styles to fit into all occasions and decors. Quilting actually means combining fabric pieces with a soft interlining using wool or cotton thread. The quilt top is traditionally sewn into an attractive arrangement. The love of quilting has been around for a very long time and has now combined with the love of embroidery for the modern craft person. It is not uncommon to see decorative stitching used to make the quilt look more attractive. Embroidery can either be done by machine or by hand. Though one can create a quilt the old fashioned way by hand stitching, machine embroidery quilting designs offer the quilter a wonderful option that is very attractive and much quicker in this busy day and age.

Let's have a look at some of the main reasons for combining fabric and embroidery designs instead of just fabric alone when making quilts:

To enhance the beauty of the quilt- Embroidering and designing around coordinating fabrics can enhance the beauty of plain colored fabrics and textures, making the finished project more interesting.

For every occasion - By using seasonal embroidery patterns and fabrics, the quilter can create projects that fit the occasion they are made for. The embroidery quilting designs add fun and festive appeal to the creation.

To ensure variation- By using different embroidery quilting designs and fabrics, the quilter can use similar quilt block shapes as they have on another quilt and the new quilt takes on a completely different personality.

What type of designs to look for?

Decorative Machine Embroidery Quilting Designs - There are many different types of designs that work well when making quilts. Filled stitch, redwork, colorwork, and appliqué are a few types to try. Whether the quilter is making a baby quilt, patchwork quilt, elegant, vintage or special holiday quilt, the desired results will be achieved by carefully choosing the right designs and fabrics and combining them into an attractive arrangement.

Feather Quilting Designs - The traditional method of hand quilting can be long and tedious. Or to get it professionally quilted with a long arm machine can be very expensive. An alternative is to use quilting designs made for the home embroidery machine. The double stitched designs have no jump stitches and come in a variety of patterns. With the continuous hoop available for some machines, a quilt can quickly and easily be quilted on the embroidery machine, though larger quilts are more difficult using this method because of the bulk.

The quality and the appearance of the quilt is determined by the fabric's thread count, which quilting patterns are used and the embroidery quilting designs chosen to decorate it. When the fabric thread count is high, the texture is better and more durable than a lower thread count. This is why it is important to choose good quality fabrics, rather than lower quality 'economy' fabrics when making quilts. The quilter will spend a substantial amount of time and money creating the quilt and the very best materials should be used. There are ample resources available on the internet where the quilter can shop for supplies, which is especially helpful for those who live in areas without a quality quilt fabric shop.

One such virtual marketplace that the serious quilter will surely enjoy, is EmbroideryQuilter.com, which specializes in embroidery quilting designs, patterns, fabrics and supplies for all your embroidery and quilting needs.
With a huge collection of Machine Embroidery Quilting Designs, Embroidery Quilter is now the perfect destination for all sorts of Embroidery Quilting designs. Embroidery Quilter has wonderful designs and amazing variety of Embroidery Quilt design that will make your embroidery experience the best ever.

Apr 21, Verizon Problems

The Embroidery Blog is my project scrapbook for what I've been working on lately. This blog will...

let you know whenever any new web pages appear on the Embroidery Methods website, sharing new tips and project ideaskeep you up-to-date with other postings or news about embroidery, like the latest new materials available for stitching and stabilizingpoint out some special past ideas and advice that you might have missed.

To subscribe to my blog (no e-mail necessary!), click on one of the buttons to the left in the box that says "Subscribe to This Site". Choose the orange RSS button to use the feed or click the button for your favorite service (Yahoo, Google, MSN, etc.)

Learn how to share your photos and stories and how to comment on what others have made. You are also welcome to ask questions and give answers! This is an interactive website.

The most recent blog items are listed below...

Oct 7, 2011

The double running stitch or Holbein stitch and some easy crewel form the basic blackwork embroidery stitches.

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Working Blackwork Embroidery Stitches"

Sep 23, 2011

I was taught by a wonderful teacher, Ellen Temkin who realized that the horizontal patterns of Swedish Weaving would be perfect for a tallit - a Jewish

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Huck Tallit Prayer Shawl"

Sep 23, 2011

It's a hand embroidery by cross stitch. It was embroidered for my mother's birthday as a present. It shows the famous clock Big Ben reflected in the Thames

Permalink -- click for full blog post "London - Heritage"

Sep 2, 2011

I need a program that will convert embroidery formats .dst and .pes to True Type lettering on the computer. My computer does not recognize embroidery

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Format Conversion Software"

Aug 31, 2011

DMC now makes a fabric covered wire to match embriodery thread colors. It's called Memory Thread and can be used to create 3D embroidery.

Have you tried it? Please share a photo!

Aug 25, 2011

I have always wondered what the difference is between needlepoint, needlepoint embroidery, and cross stitch. Can you help me out with that, as I have patterns

Permalink -- click for full blog post "What is the difference between Embroidery and Cross Stitch"

Aug 25, 2011

Learn useful advice about buying and using huck toweling or huck cloth.

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Huck Toweling for Swedish Huck Weaving"

Aug 13, 2011

Here's a creative idea for what to do with extra embroidery hoops!

You can mount them on the wall and use them to store jars.

Click for more info

Aug 5, 2011

Hi! I am very new to hand embroidery! My mother did it a lot while I was a child, but I never had an interest in learning how to do it. Now that I am

Permalink -- click for full blog post "When to Use Different Stitches"

Jul 21, 2011

My mother, Gale Court, has been making quilts for 17 years. To date she has made over 500. She has never sold a quilt, they have always been made as gifts

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Quilt: Believe in Happiness All Around You"

Jul 16, 2011

I have been having a problem with my punchneedles. The thread keeps breaking and it doesn't matter which needle I use or how many plys of thread. What

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Needlepunch Thread Keeps Breaking"

Jul 1, 2011

Hi, I'm Lien from Malaysia. I've just started to learn ribbon embroidery this year from books and internet. These are photos among the first. I hope you

Permalink -- click for full blog post "First Attempts at Ribbon Embroidery on a T-shirt"

Jun 10, 2011

Looking for crewel embroidery kits that include everything you need to complete a project with crewel embroidery stitches? I found some nice embroidery kits and listed them here.

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Crewel Embroidery Kits"

Jun 3, 2011

Become your own free designer and be a cross stitch pattern maker. It's easier than you think!

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Cross Stitch Pattern Maker Advice"

May 27, 2011

As I continue to prepare for my marriage, I found this sweet wedding cross stitch pattern from Leisure Arts.

Click to open the .pdf file. The verse is "Love does not consist in gazing at each other, But in looking together in the same direction."

Click for more info

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White Embroidery Machines - How a Beginner Can Easily Operate White Embroidery Machines?

After buying an embroidery machine, you will probably wonder about the ways of using the machine. If you are already experienced in machine embroidering, then you don't want specific instructions on using the machine. However, if you are just a beginner with a brand new white embroidery machine, you need to know how to use the machine. To do embroidering, all you need to have is a machine which makes it possible and an artistic mind to create designs. Now, you can get help for both of these. Modern day machines eliminate most of the laborious work and there are various design books to start with.

Follow The Instructions Manual

With a brand new machine, it is quite common that you are so excited and you don't know where to start. Even though sewing machines help you with making embroidery stitches, different machines operate differently. Hence, you need to follow the instruction manual to setup machines that require minimal steps.

Take Your Time To Understand Different Modes

The embroidery machines come with preloaded programs that can help you with basic stitches. Once you program the machines to do one kind of stitch, you can just sit back and watch the machine working. Also, the machines will contain multiple modes and you need to understand about different modes before you start working.

Keep The Supplies Closer

Many times, embroidery becomes difficult because you have to step up to get hold of supplies necessary to complete the embroidery. Before working on a design, keep the essential supplies such as threads, needles and others close to your embroidery sewing machine.

Use The Instruction CD When You Are Stuck

Don't panic if you are stuck in the middle of embroidery. You can always refer to the instruction CD that is available with modern day white embroidery machine.

Marilyn Ross is a master on embroidery. She writes about how Brother embroidery machines are useful to every day life. More of this on BrotherEmbroiderySewingMachine.net.

Jun 10, Crewel Embroidery Kits

Several people have asked me about where to find crewel embroidery kits. These complete kits include all of the required threads, instructions, and usually have the pattern stamped on the fabric to be embroidered. You can easily make your own patterns by transfering outlines onto fabric, but then you have to choose colors. Kits take the guesswork out of the process.

All of these kits use the same basic crewel embroidery stitches.

Below are some kits I found from JoAnn Fabrics. If you click on one, it will open a new window for the JoAnn online store with more information. Prices range from $5 to $50, depending on the size of the completed design and the number of threads required for stitching.

Here are some kits I found on Amazon, too.

If you find a great kit, please share the information! Contact me about embroidery kits you like and I'll add them to this page. If you make a purchase through these links, I do receive a small percentage. Your purchases support this website so I can keep it up and running. Thanks!

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The Friday Blog Round-Up 10/14/11

Welcome to a gray and rainy, here at least,  edition of the Friday blog round-up.  First up today is a post from Erich Campbell on how to make the best of the materials you’re given.  We’ve probably all been confronted, at one time or another,  with a design or some material or an idea that isn’t optimum.   The trick, as Erich tells us,  is to see things for their inherent value,  without letting your own opinions get in the way.  In the end you may find that what you thought wasn’t workable becomes a very nice piece in its own right.

Next on the list is a great post from My Two Stitches about concentrating on slow and steady growth instead of getting rich quick schemes.   A lot of new businesses may get the urge to focus on smoke and mirrors instead of substance,  hoping to build their businesses quickly.  As Bonnie Landsberger points out,  this isn’t the best way to go.  Slow and steady wins the race, and the clients, in the end,  plus it helps ensure that your business has the sort of reputation you should want it to have.

Third up today is a post from a great new series on the Urban Threads Stitch Punk blog.  They call it Urban Entrepreneurs.  Each week they spotlight a different Urban Threads customer who is using their designs as part of a small business.   It’s an awesome series,  and I especially like the business they’ve spotlighted this week.   First of all, who wouldn’t like a business called Just for Giggles?  Second,  I love the positive attitude of the owner and what she has to say about being successful and building a business.   It’s a great post,  and a great series.

Fourth at bat today is a post that characterizes common website issues as types of people.    Let’s face it, building a good, functional, nice looking website that actually works and is user friendly is a tough task.   This post is a funny way to deal with a problem that can be serious.   It’s also a great reminder to take a look at your own website and make sure you don’t have the web version of the Know It All or the Creeper.

Fifth on the docket is a post that asks if social media can make you truly happy.  The gist of the post is the fact that social media is taking up more and more of people’s time and that a lot of what is on your average social media site may not be all that useful.    If you want to get the most from social media,  you need to be mindful of what you’re putting out there, and also how you’re using your time on whatever sites you visit.    This post is a good reminder that social media can be a powerful force,  if we’re mindful about how we use it.

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Aug 25, Huck Toweling for Swedish Huck Weaving

You can buy a narrower width huck cloth called huck toweling and make your own embroidered hand towels. It is 15 inches wide, 14 count (9 floats per inch), and requires a size 24 tapestry needle for work with 6 strand embroidery floss or #5 perle cotton. Like huck cloth, it has double threaded vertical loops in brick-like rows across the fabric on one side, the right side.

When you buy yardage of toweling, such as Huck Toweling 15'' Wide 50 Yards-White from Joann.com or 50 yards of 15 inch white from Roberts Arts and Crafts. Wash it first to preshrink the cotton. You can then iron, cut, and hem. Make the towel as long as you want. I like to make two towels out of a 1 yard cut of material.

Hint: Use a seam ripper to slice one of the horizontal threads on the reverse side a few inches from the raw edge. Carefully remove the thread all the way across. This gives you a nice straight line to sew or serge the edge.

Cotton huck toweling is nice and absorbent. It washes well. However, the nature of the top work embroidery, held only by those two little loop threads, makes huck weaving vulnerable to wear.

If you plan to use the towel often...

If the towel is mainly for decorative use...

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Sep 2, Format Conversion Software

by Debbie Royalty
(Johnson City, TN)

I need a program that will convert embroidery formats .dst and .pes to True Type lettering on the computer.

My computer does not recognize embroidery formats and the applique cutter that I have only recognizes True Type font.

Any suggestions?

Amy's Answer
Ok, I warn you that I don't know much about this topic; however, it is my understanding that the .dst and .pes file types can hold a lot of information specifically relating to embroidery. True Type font files are just that -- simple font files. I don't believe it would be possible to convert between the two.

You can find a lot of inexpensive or free fonts on the internet, so why not try to find something similar to the look you want and just download that?

Recommended Reading
Selecting and Using Machine Embroidery Thread
How to Buy a Used Embroidery Machine
Stitch the Alphabet

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Machine Embroidery Thread - An Essential Element For Beautiful Embroidery

If you want to display some throw pillows as an accent to your living room couch, it would draw more attention if the pillow covers are embroidered with eye-catching patterns in vibrant hues. This effect can be achieved if you use the right kinds of machine embroidery thread in the needlework on your pillow cases.

There is no doubt that the color and texture of machine embroidery thread plays an essential role in creating beautiful embroidery projects. The overall look and style of your embroidered decorations are actually dictated by the kind of machine embroidery thread that you use, along with the design and the kind of stitching.

When you are creating a pattern for your next embroidery project, it helps to have a vision of what the final product would look like. This way, you will have an idea of what kinds of machine embroidery threads you will need to buy.

Choosing threads from an embroidery supplies store can be rather overwhelming especially when you see the various kinds of threads that are available in a myriad of distinct colors, shades and textures. There is probably a machine embroidery thread representing each of the colors in the universe and seeing them all in a single store may put your head in a spin.

In order to avoid confusion, you must have a general concept of the kind of machine embroidery thread you wish to use for your sewing project before you set off to the machine embroidery thread section of the store.

For instance, if you are working on a magical theme, with unicorns and fairies and other mystical elements, you might want to consider buying those machine embroidery threads that have a metallic shine to them. This will make your finished product look very magical, as well as add uniqueness to the design.

If you are aiming to create a fabric that will serve as a subtle but elegant addition to a formal room in the house, you could choose rich shades of browns and beiges that will not stand out in terms of color but will exude an aura of luxury and class.

Many embroidery designers [http://www.allthingsembroidery.com/Embroidery_Digitizing/] will indicate the specific kind of machine embroidery thread that they recommend for use with their pattern, but you do not have to follow this all the time. It is good to let your own imagination dictate the kind of effect you want to have on your final product by choosing the machine embroidery threads that you personally like.

You can also find more info on design software [http://www.allthingsembroidery.com/Embroidery_Design_Software/] and embroidery designs [http://www.allthingsembroidery.com/Embroidery_Designs/]. Allthingsembroidery.com is a comprehensive resource to know more about Embroidery.

Free Pattern for a Fall Flower Vase

Posted by admin on Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Fall is officially here!

To celebrate, I’ve designed and stitched a brand new cross stitch pattern to share with you this week.

Stitch this pretty Fall Flower Vase pattern using six shades of DMC Embroidery Floss on textured CharlesCraft 18-count Fiddler’s Aida in an earthy oatmeal color – perfect for fall stitching projects.

I’ve used autumn colors in this example, but the colors used in the project can be easily adapted to your own favorites.

The design measures approximately 2 x 6 inches when stitched, and can be finished as a pin cushion or ornament, as I’ve done here.

My version is trimmed with twisted cording made using two colors of the same floss that was used for stitching for a custom look.

I’ll show you how to make both single and two-color cording in an upcoming blog, so stay tuned.

Until then, happy stitching!

~Emma

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