Templates and Vellum

I could never really understand when other embroiderers say your templates is so important. This is what is so wonderful about taking classes. In my class I have learned that if you print the template on Vellum- you can see through it to get your placement right. The role of the middellines- and how to get it printed (Arrange and then change start and end to centre)was also explained. A valuable lesson.

We were also shown how to correctly hoop the fabric. I like Joanne Winn's method where one do not hoop your fabric, only the stabilizer. In some instances it is important to hoop your fabric as well, though.

Because I am a quilter I do not like using "paper" like the stitch and tear in my quilts. In South Africa water soluble stabilizer is just to expensive to use it all the time. I have discovered that needle felted cotton batting is a wonderful stabilizer (I use it in free motion machine embroidery and then do not use a hoop).

Well let me go and embroider something!

New things to play with

I went for our year project embroidery class yesterday at my Bernina shop. I have ordered the new cutwork tool and Bernina V6 update- and I could collect it yesterday.

I have already installed version 6 and it looks quite different. I have found the "Artistic" view- now a button and not a "page" after some searching. To really experience the advantages of this- I will need to go for classes. We are lucky to have Hanlie Snyman in the Western Cape- she is so knowledgeable and make it her bussiness to be a long step ahead of us!

I want to do some Hardanger embroidery and thought the cutwork tool will help giving one better results. I am a bit scared though- I will install it- but wait for a demonstration before trying anything out!

How I start

A class with Joanne Winn at Quilt University www.quiltuniversity.com teach me to use the embroidery module on my Artista 170- a machine I owned for 4 years before starting to use the embroidery module!

We made a crazy patch runner in the class. I followed that with a crazy patch pillow. Then I started to try out all different kinds of embroidery designs.

Giraffe Quilt

While my Bernina 830 "create" a lion in one corner, I finished my Giraffe Quilt top on my Industrial Bernina in the other corner. These wild animals is the creative out put of Susan Wessels. The design sets are available at .zankidesigns.com

Why Machine Embroidery

I am a Quilter. Not only am I passionate about quilting but it defines me as a person- without quilting I am only half me. So why do I want to machine embroider? It was my interst in embroidery that leads me to quilting- when I was still in school. Digital machine embroidery is part of the whole package. I am interested in integrating machine embroidery in my quilting.

I am relatively inexperienced as a machine embroiderer- although I am doing it now for 4 years. (I have been quilting for 28 years now). I am trying to teach myself machine embroidery. I have taken some classes, attend some online classes, read some books and magazines and stitched out many designs. I still feel like a beginner.

I know there is a lot to learn. I would like to take you on this journey with me- if you are interested!

(I am also trying to get the hang of blogging on this site!)