Category Archives: machine embroidery

Therapy Outfit #2

Posted on June 20, 2010 | 1 comment

 

NOTE:  This was written prior to surgery.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I will be going to rehab after my knee replacement surgery. At this facility, ortho patients are required to wear shorts for all therapy sessions. SHORTS!!! Good grief! I haven’t worn shorts in public, except for yard work, since 1986.   Certainly, something would be needed to draw the eye up from the legs.

Embroidery to the rescue! Several designs from Loralie’s Have A Fit collection work well on the shirts I have embroidered to wear with the mandated shorts.

“The incision was my own little touch. Loralie is not into scars.

This design is called Torture, precisely what I will be groaning as Susan, my therapist, pushes me to my limits. She and her family were our back door neighbors when she was growing up. Now she is the recognized as the best therapist in the rehab business.  When I’m not moaning, we will be having a good time chatting about the neighborhood. Continue reading →

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Posted in clothing, ladies, machine embroidery

Matching Mismatches

Posted on June 18, 2010 | Leave a comment

 

Laurel in her matching mismatched outfit.

Laurel in her matching mismatched outfit.

Some time ago, there was an article in Sew Beautiful magazine that caught my attention. After buying children’s separates from the clearance rack, the author coordinated them with other separates by using embroidery or appliqué designs. The little outfits looked like matched sets from an upscale department store.

I couldn’t help but think of on-line dating services, like Harmony or Match.com. Previously unknown individuals meet up and match up and sometimes even marry up. Ask me how I know—but  then again, I took an oath of secrecy so never mind.  Don’t bother. Continue reading →

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Posted in clothing, embroidery blanks, girls, machine embroidery

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Fishing Bag

Posted on June 16, 2010 | Leave a comment
Every grandparent strives to keep things even with the grandchildren but Judy Day manages it better than most.

Her first grandchild, Jackson, was being showered with smocked bubbles and Jon-Jon’s and button-ons when along came his sister, Courtney.  Just three months later, second  baby  girl  came into the family picture,  cousin Kennedy.

Judy scrambles to come up with cool boy things for Jackson and this bag is one of her best.  After embroidering luggage for the girls, Judy embroidered is bag for her little guy. Continue reading →

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Posted in Judy Day's creations, machine embroidery, sporting gear

Therapy Duds

Posted on June 10, 2010 | 2 comments

The preparations for my upcoming knee replacement surgery remind me of packing to go to our cabin in the mountains of North Carolina. There are appointments for this and that, lab work, X-rays, haircut, which is scheduled for two days before surgery. It’s bad enough to look like you’re suffering from a bad case of the flu, but at least my hair will be clean and all the same color.

I’m busy preparing smocking and embroidery, lest my idle hands become the devil’s playground. Today, I suppose that old adage could only be caution against mindlessly surfing the net or playing endless games of computer solitaire. Heaven knows I won’t be playing poker in the lobby of the rehab center.

Like going to NC, the packing for this 3-week “getaway” requires some special clothing.

Two years ago, I had my right knee replaced. Given that this time I have the same orthopod, same hospital, same rehab facility, I pretty much know what to expect. And I expect pain, blood, sweat and a few tears. But I can handle that. I’m tough. Continue reading →

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Posted in clothing, embroidery blanks, ladies, machine embroidery

Apple of Oma’s Eye

Posted on June 4, 2010 | Leave a comment

 

Alastair, 14 months, with his personal pastry brush at the ready.

Alastair, 14 months, with his personal pastry brush at the ready.

 

When I first saw the machine embroidery design featuring a  rosy red apple with the text, “of Grandma’s eye,”  I thought it would be fun to stitch on an outfit for Alastair  in recognition of  his other grandmother’s love.

As one design in a newly released collection, it tempted me to buy on sight.   But then I realized that it was the idea that appealed to me as much as the design itself. And I could certainly reproduce a satisfactory facsimile of the design. So I did.

 

AppleofOmascan

 

Alastair’s paternal grandmother, “Oma,” adores him as much as I do. So I thought this little ready-to-wear set would give her an extra big smile the next time she sees him.

Continue reading →

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Posted in boys, clothing, embroidery blanks, machine embroidery, techniques

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Shower Curtain Monogram

Posted on June 1, 2010 | 4 comments

ShowerCurtainMonobathwhole

 

The talents of one who sews are always in  great demand.  Judy Day writes, “ This was done for my niece, Alison.  She rented an apartment that was in much need of  ‘fixing up.’  The owner gave her permission to re-do some things.

 

ShowerCurtainMonobathside

 

She and her mom completely redid the bathroom, from painting to putting in new tile.  Staying with black, white and grays, Alison added the red flower picture to really make this bathroom pop.

Continue reading →

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Posted in home dec, Judy Day's creations, machine embroidery

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“If apples were pears…

Posted on May 19, 2010 | Leave a comment

Ifappleswerepearswhole

And peaches were plums, and the rose had a different name.

If tigers were bears and fingers were thumbs, I’d love you just the same.” Anon

This sweet sentiment is the focus of the small quilted wallhanging. Suzanne Sawko digitized the text and embroidery designs, then I stitched the little heirloom quilt. This joint effort was for a class we co-taught at a Brother dealer convention in Denver.

 

Ifappleswerepearscenter

It is to the credit of Suzanne’s skill, perseverance and diligence that the floral designs look very much like hand embroidery. They are made all the more so by the use of Brother’s Country Threads with their matte finish. They look just like cotton but are, in fact, polyester.  However, the color palette is limited to 61 colors.  Still, it is my favorite as it offers the look of cotton with the durability of polyester. Continue reading →

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Posted in antique textiles, heirloom sewing, machine embroidery, quilts, techniques

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Scrubbing Bubbles

Posted on May 17, 2010 | 5 comments

 

Alastair needed another hooded bath towel.   So I pulled this luscious knit blank from my stash and sent  it out to him the next day. The design is from the darling Leon and Lilly collection by OED. There is a matching knit wash cloth, but I forgot to take a photo before sending it out.

Cute as this bathing bear is, adding Alastair‘s initials to the tub made it sweeter.  It just tickled my daughter who loves monograms and personalization.

It is so handy to have a supply of blanks on hand. By having this towel waiting in my sewing room, I was saved me the time it would take to make or shop for a towel. Continue reading →

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Posted in baby accessories, machine embroidery

Tool Time Boy

Posted on May 16, 2010 | Leave a comment

 

Robert, 5, with the tool caddy he made with his grandfather.

Robert, 4, with the tool caddy he made with his grandfather.

 

 

Since 4 year old Robert joined Laurel for homeschooling 6 weeks ago, shop class with Granddad has been a part of his curriculum. Robert loves it and so does his grandfather.

 

ztooltimeshirtscan

His first project was the tool box he is holding in the photo. He was so incredibly proud of it  that he carried his tool box around his home, showing and re-showing it to his entire family, all of whom ooohed and awwwwhed appreciatively. Seeing the satisfaction on that little boy’s face  just melted my heart. And Bob’s, too.

 

ztooltimescrewdriver

 

Continue reading →

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Posted in boys, embroidery blanks, machine embroidery

Bargain Sea Scene

Posted on May 12, 2010 | Leave a comment

“To sell something, tell a woman it’s a bargain: tell a man it’s deductible.” Earl Wilson

Everyone loves a bargain and I am no exception. When I saw these  pants on the department store clearance rack for $4, I snatched them up for Laurel. It was a more than pleasant surprise to find the matching shirt for $3.50.

The white polka dots easily pass for bubbles, so the outfit certainly lent itself to a bottom-of-the-sea setting. The designs are all from Dakota Collectibles. The underwater scene  is from the Seashells collection while the angelfish are from Aquarium Scenes.

One angelfish was extracted from the pair and embroidered  just above the vent at the calf. Since the single angelfish lacked bubbles, I went back to my old reliable collection, Fil Tire’ and Fancywork Elements, and inserted, copied and pasted a simple dot that Suzanne Sawko had digitized. These were just the right size to mimic the dots in the shirt fabric and inside the pants hem. Continue reading →

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Posted in clothing, girls, machine embroidery