Hi everyone. Well, I completed the update on my website and am reasonably happy with it. I did not yet put the store in operation because I still am working on the downloadables I am planning to sell there. My goodness I have been busy!
A digital design I created last year. It seems like winter to me with snowflakes that look like butterflies…LOL.
I have been having fun though. This week I am embellishing my wool applique by machine sampler with decorative stitches using 12 weight Aurifil wool blend thread. I have been really enjoying figuring out which stitches to use on each applique and how to set them.
Sampler one part one. Here we have the simple shapes of the sampler in place, ready to begin the embellishment/embroidery.
Since I used Steam-a-Seam 2 fusible for the appliques, and they are felted wool going on to Melton boiled wool background using wool thread, there is a lot of fluff! So the fluff stuck to the needle and filled the bobbin area. I just cleaned out the bobbin when my machine complained about the bobbin and it was just fine. But I had just gotten a package of Schmetz super non stick 90/14 needles. Now one needs that size needle for 12 weight threads, and I was using a Superior top stitch, which is a fine needle that I use for most of my work, but the fluff from all this wool was continuously climbing up the needle and had become problematic. So I tried the non-stick needle and was astonished at how the fluff on the needle just went away! The stitching went forward with no further problems other than stopping every now and then to clean out the bobbin area, which isn’t very hard to do. My bobbin sensor lets me know when it cannot “see” anymore. LOL
Truly I encourage you all to try some embellished applique by machine. Realize it isn’t very fast, in fact it is kind of slow when properly done, but it is beautifully satisfying to do and just plain fun! So keep it small for your first projects! In another week or maybe a little more, I will have the first of my embellished wool applique by machine videos up and running. I will tell and show you what I have learned about this technique. I invite you to join me in making a sampler of your own. I know you will enjoy it.
Next week I will post a list of supplies for the project with links of where you can get them and I will also put a pdf downloadable handout here for you to use too. This class and downloads are free. I do, however, have plans for presenting many other techniques and projects by video where the project workbooks and patterns will be available for sale on my new website shop. I hope to keep the videos free, but we will see how that goes. Keeping the videos free will depend on how many subscribers I get to my channel and how many people buy the downloadales.
Sew happy everyone! I hope you are enjoying a Happy Hanukkah and Christmas season. It’s my favorite time of the year. Blessings everyone!