Monday, March 26, 2012

Blogland .... We've got a finish...!

That's right, I finally took the time to put that last border on Santa's Comin' to Town.  I just love how it turned out!


Now to figure out how I'm going to machine quilt it!

I thought of using monofilament thread as it would not show when I cross over the hand embroidery but ... I don't know if that's what I want on a quilt that will be used! It's already been claimed by dd. Gotta love her!

Any thoughts?

Thanks for stopping by! Cheers!

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Testing, testing....!

When it came to testing the printable Sticky Fabri Solvy by Sulky of America on cotton fabric, I decided to work on a cute stitchery project from Bird Brain Design.  Nothing like getting a head start on my winter projects. ;o)

Here you have the stitchery Snow Happens with the Fabri Solvy

And there you don't
I certainly found it easier to stitch on cotton fabric as opposed to the heavy towel weave. I was actually able to do my continuous stitch from the top as opposed to the up and down I mentioned on a prior post. This leads me to conclude that the heavy weave of the towel is the problem and not the Fabri Solvy.

However, where the product over lapped from the joining of the two sheets, I did have to work one movement at a time.  I also found that if I did not have the fabric in my hoop taut, it actually made it easier to stitch.

In conclusion, if you are looking to cut back on your hand embroidery prep time, I would recommend this product.  It will certainly cut back on stitchery preparation and allow you to get to work on your favourite project in no time!

Thanks for stopping by.

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Santa's in town... sneak peak!

Alright, the Santa quilt is almost done.  Here is the sneak peak of the alternate block.


I'm using Judie Rothermel's new line Spirit of Christmas from Marcus Bros. I have the whole line in the Shoppe and what a beauty it is. Wait till you see the borders! ;o)

For those who have purchased the pattern, there are a few oopps.

Please review all cutting directions before you begin. You will also notice that the fabric requirements need adjustments. Send me an e-mail if you are interested in the corrections.

I did write to the designer last Sunday but have not heard back from her as to whether she is in agreement with my math.

Thank you for stopping by! Cheers!

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Santa's in town......!

Yea..... it's been a marathon. Here goes .....


And another .....


Yep another .....


Last but not least .....


Yep, all done! Now for the piecing of the top.

For those of you that are presently working on this pattern, I would like to let you know that there are some ooopppsss! I am presently working on the math and will post them once I have it all figured out.

Thanks for stopping by!

Friday, March 2, 2012

No idle hands here....!

Still on the subject of hand embroidery, I would like to share with you a product I have recently found, thanks to the gals from Bird Brain Design. Of course it helps that they make the product suggestion in their pattern instructions! ;o)

Sticky Fabri-Solvy by Sulky! A printable heavy sticky water soluble stabilizer in pre-cut 8.5" x 11" sheets.

The product is similar to Transfer eze but less costly.

No more tracing! Allowing you to photo copy your embroidery pattern directly on the stabilizer and positioning it on your fabric.

Of course, I had to test this product!

I decided to use it on an item that I find difficult to transfer an embroidery design ... a dish towel!


Here you have what the stabilizer looks like on the dish towel. It sticks well and come to find out, it can be re-positioned should you goofed the first time. It might not be as sticky but if you iron (no steam) from the back, it adheres again to the fabric.


All stitched up!

I usually do my running stitch in one motion from the top of my work. I found it difficult to use that method on this project. I could not tell if it was due to the stabilizer or the thickness of the towel.


All washed up!

Although I did make several attempts to do the stitches in one motion, it is not recommended. I had a difficult time coming backup to a reasonable space length. The angle also makes it challenging to go back down in the same stitch hole. It is best to do a single movement stitch.

I do like this product and will be testing it on another design using cotton fabric.

Thanks for stopping by! Stay tune for further testing of this product!
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