{"id":3477,"date":"2009-11-01T01:09:49","date_gmt":"2009-11-01T05:09:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.janicefergusonsews.com\/blog\/?p=3477"},"modified":"2012-02-15T00:58:32","modified_gmt":"2012-02-15T05:58:32","slug":"stamps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.janicefergusonsews.com\/blog\/2009\/11\/01\/stamps\/","title":{"rendered":"Stamps"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"\"<\/a>This is one of Laurel\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s favorite dresses. She loves the butterfly “stamps” and I like the versatility of the sundress\/jumper pattern, Hanna, from Collars, Etc.\u00c2\u00a0 It can be smocked or not.<\/p>\n

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Laurel in stamps dress, Robert in rocket shirt. He thinks he got the better deal. A strip of that same ribbon, measuring the exact width of the armhole, has been stitched down at either end of the casing. The ribbon is simply whipped with thread in the center, mimicking the knot of a bow, and tacked through the elastic and casing. This gives the illusion of a bow.<\/p><\/div>\n

Made from brown Imperial broadcloth, the neckline and shoulder ruffle are edge stitched with pink thread. Stitched to wide pink grosgrain ribbon is a brown grosgrain with pink polka dots.<\/p>\n

The design concept of “stamps” came from Dianne Boney, associate editor\u00c2\u00a0and contributor to Creative Needle<\/em> magazine.\"stamp<\/p>\n

Intrigued by a baby dress she had purchased, her creative juices began to flow. The bodice of the dress featured little appliqu\u00c3\u00a9 squares, literally the size of postage stamps, embroidered with even tinier little flowers. These were scattered on the bodice of the newborn size frock.\"stampback\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Laurel\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s brown dress and a few other projects were stitched for a Creative Needle<\/em>\u00c2\u00a0 article, inspired by Dianne, written by me and the bulk of which is included below. If you would like to try some stamps, I would be happy to e-mail the design files mentioned in the article (3 sizes of applique’ frames and bumble bee).\u00c2\u00a0 Just send your request in the comment section.\u00c2\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Stamp of Approval\"\"<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/strong>Stamp a bit of playful machine embroidery on your next project for quick and easy personalization. Much like postage stamps, which feature subjects from Elvis to famous artwork, there is no limit to what can be centered in the embroidered frames. By using embroidery software such as PE-Design and BuzzEdit2, miniature designs are imported to appliqu\u00c3\u00a9 square design files. Simply insert your chosen miniature design. Three such appliqu\u00c3\u00a9 square designs will be sent to you upon request.<\/div>\n

Standard machine appliqu\u00c3\u00a9 techniques can be used when embroidering the stamp on a garment that is either under construction or ready made. Free standing stamp patches can also be made, much like Girl Scout patches. These can later be sewn onto garments with a simple zig zag stitch.<\/p>\n

stamp of identification<\/em><\/div>\n
Though embroidering a child\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s name on a cap or ballet bag may seem like a good idea to prevent loss, doing so creates a security risk. By assigning a frog or sun or even a Disney character to a youngster, a distinguishing stamp can be attached to his gear that is nearly as specific as a name. Then that youngster\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s mittens, scarves or athletic bag can be readily identified in a pile of similar items.\u00c2\u00a0<\/em>\u00c2\u00a0<\/em><\/div>\n
\u00c2\u00a0<\/em><\/div>\n
stamp of individuality<\/em><\/div>\n
Transform or any unembellished item–a plain shirt, purse, placemat or whatever\u00e2\u20ac\u201dinto something that reflects your personality or favorites. In no time at all, embroidered stamps can elevate ready made to specially made.\u00c2\u00a0<\/em>\u00c2\u00a0<\/em>Dinosaur stamps on bath towels will please a junior paleontologist. Little Disney fans will be delighted with Mickey, Minnie, Winnie the Pooh or other character patches on pj\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s or simple tee shirts. Baby aviator patches scattered on infant items can match a nursery theme. It will also bring a smile to his pilot daddy\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s face.<\/div>\n
stamp of remembrance<\/em><\/div>\n
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Many years ago,my dear friend Suzanne Sawko digitized a unique “love bug” which she embroidered in every item she made for her first grandchild. Often it was hidden in a pocket or under a collar. He delighted in searching for this tender reminder of his Mamaw\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s affection.<\/div>\n
With all the tiny designs available today, digitizing suitably sized embroidery is unnecessary. Simply select one heart or butterfly or whatever and embroider it somewhere on each gift to a grandchild, even if it is hidden in the hem or lining of a garment.<\/div>\n

How To\u00c2\u00a0Select a Design<\/p>\n

Collections of miniature designs are available from many sources. Those used on the butterfly stamp dress are from Embroidery Library\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s (www.emblibrary.com<\/a>)\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0“Things with Wings” miniature collection.<\/p>\n

Tiny elements also can be extracted from larger designs. The smaller butterflies on the back of the brown sundress have been extracted from Embroidery Library\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Butterfly Buttonholes design, available individually or as part of Nature\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Buttonholes Design pack.<\/div>\n
How to Create a Stamp<\/div>\n
The “stamp” appliqu\u00c3\u00a9 design file is offered in three sizes, 1.4″, 1.6″ and 2.3. The first two are small to maintain the illusion of a stamp. The larger appliqu\u00c3\u00a9 square can accommodate a much larger number of designs, such as the built in Disney characters on Brother embroidery machines.<\/div>\n
\u00c2\u00a0<\/em>Study the sequence of the stamp design file. There are five color stops:<\/div>\n
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