Monday, March 21, 2011

I Learned Something New Today

I've had my sewing machine/embroidery machine for over five years already, but until now I had not tried applique in the hoop. Today, after watching a tutorial, I finally tried it.
I wanted to do one on a tee shirt for Irene, but first I practiced on a dish towel.
-
Patterns are available on line. I like Embroidery Library. There I find designs, buy them with a credit card, and download them to my computer, using software that I bought with my machine.
-
Designs come with instructions , steps in the process, and thread color changes to follow or adapt. I print out the instructions.
I download individual designs from the computer to the sewing machine card.
The card is inserted into the machine, and tells it what to do.
The first step is to run a paper template of the fabric pieces needed. These are stitched on paper with the sewing machine.
I punch these out and use them as patterns to cut the fabrics, which are backed with iron on stabilizer.
-
The machine provides an outline to place each piece, one at a time, sews it down and then repeats for the next, until the process is complete. I change the thread color as needed, and carefully place the fabric pieces in the outlines.
-
It is very cool. Now I want to do more.
I did get the design on the shirt.

13 comments:

  1. That is really cool! I have never been that great at sewing although I do most other crafts. I am working on a "craft vaccine" as every time I see something really neat like this, I am tempted to try. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is very cool. Did you buy a Brother machine? I have been thinking about getting a new sewing machine for quite some time.

    ReplyDelete
  3. You did indeed learn something new, and learned it very well. I'm nervous just thinking about it.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wow! That is totally cool, and I'm wondering what's next with this new tool, Linda. It's really lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  5. fantastic job-you are talented and brave to try new things. have fun embroidrying...

    ReplyDelete
  6. what's great is that you did the applique straight and centered, not crooked, on the shirt. Congrats!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Wow! I am so impressed. I love the colors you chose for the applique. Irene is going to LOVE this.

    ReplyDelete
  8. The whole process is amazing. Wow. I've never seen a machine appliqué done before. You did a beautiful job. Irene will love this t-shirt.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Great job there. Please has Rosemary Crawford conteact me when she perfects that vaccine as I have the same affliction.

    ReplyDelete
  10. the shirt is adorable!!

    isn't it amazing that you can download from the PC to the sewing machine! stuff like that still amazes me

    ReplyDelete
  11. Linda,
    I am so so so impressed; I love it!!! I bet you are going to have some fun now :) Wow!
    I love it on the t-shirt! Great job!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Beautiful Linda, I don't have a sewing machine anymore, haven't had one for years but yours sounds like we have gone into the jet age since my humble one from years ago.

    ReplyDelete
  13. That tee and towel are absolutely darling!

    ReplyDelete

I would love to read your comments. Since I link most posts to Facebook, you may comment there if you do not have an account. I have eliminated Anonymous comments due to spammers.