embroidered squares

[sadiedaisy1]

BarbieJean, I would like to make an embroidered quilt also so let us know how it goes and/or any tips you have along the way.

Jacquie2, thanks for the info. I've never heard about having the stretchy sides of the fabric on the top and bottom. I'll have to try to remember that. I'm with you on not hooping the fabric.

[BarbieJean]

Thanks for the hint on the stretching sides of the material. I have not heard this before.

[jacquie2]

Here's an update on my baby quilt...After the 6 inch blocks have relaxed a bit, backing and threads cut... I have quite a bit of puckering, and it really doesn't seem to matter whether the straight of the fabric is vertical or horizontal. The puckers alomost iron out, but I can still see them, but I kind of figure once the quilt is pieced and quilited it really won't make a big deal, other than I know they are there and they aren't suppose to be. I asked my little sister about and she thought maybe I needed more stablizer and I was either hooping too tight or too loose. I had to explain her I don't hoop the fabric, just the stablizer. She wasn't too thrilled with that idea, but I never get anything to come out if I hoop the fabric. Anyway, I tried doubling my stabilizer, and I have to admit, the puckers are almost all gone, and that one looks better. Sure glad I decided this was a practice anyway.

I'm going to try and post some photo tomorrow. Maybe someone who does embroidery more often than I do can give some other suggestions.

Happy trails, jacquie

[SFOQuilter]

Hi Jacquie,

I do quite a bit of embroidery and have always found that puckers are the result of hooping too tight. I actually think your problems could be the result of not hooping especially depending on the size.

I found this information which may be helpful.

Use the smallest hoop possible for your design. If your design is 4" square use the size hoop closest to the size of the design. Using a too large of a hoop could distort the fabric during the embroidery process. Then, when you unhoop the fabric you will experience puckering around the design. It is important to hoop your fabric tightly - not taut. Too taut of fabric could result in the stretching of the fabric and will cause the same result - puckering of the fabric around the design. It is also important to set the size of the hoop before the final hooping. First, set the screw on your hoop approximately where you think it should be for the layers of stabilizer and fabric. Then, try to hoop your fabric - continue hooping and unhooping until you have the perfect tension. Never adjust the screw on the hoop after hooping your fabric with the stabilizer. This action will cause the fabric to shift in the hoop and ultimately cause puckering of the fabric around designs.

Here are some pics of a baby alphabet quilt I made.



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[jacquie2]

Thanks for info SFO -- and WOW what a pretty blanket!!
I still have a few letters to play around with on this quilt, hopefully I'll come up the right combo. I've already cut my blocks, so I'm sticking with them...but I can play with stablizer. The info you gave is way different from what the sewing machine store taught us in class...tighten, tighten and tighten some more. I'll give your a try, thanks for the info!!
Happy Trails, jacquie

[cindyg]

SFO - I still think your alphabet quilt is one of the most gorgeous quilts I've ever seen. I'm so impressed with it. You did a great job and I just love the colors. Beautiful.

[sadiedaisy1]

SFO, what a beautiful embroidered quilt!! I love it! I love your quilting also. I sure wish I lived by you to take some lessons.

[jacquie2]

I wish SFO lived closer too. My photos did not turn out, must have had the wrong setting on the camera or something, but they are so yellow one can't really see anything with them. I'll have to try and set something up outside.

However, I'm posting one of the photos that was taken of myself and Lady, my 5 year old 1/2 arab. This was taken on her first 50 miles race last Oct. We had completed 30 miles of the ride and heading out for the last 20 miles. This is my baby ... i bred her parents, lived in the barn for 3 weeks waiting her arrival, mommy waited until I was in the house watching a movie to give birth. But I got to see her stand for the first time. I've done ALL of her training, including breaking her to ride when she was 4 and I was 51, first and only horse I will break to ride <g>.

Happy Trails, jacquie and Lady

[SFOQuilter]

Cindy/Sadiedaisy,

Thank you for the kind comments. I have a major confession to make:) I wanted to make a baby quilt for a friend, a colleague actually, not a good friend. So I had the embroidery machine and I thought an alphabet quilt would be a good idea (i saw one on the cover of a quilt magazine and that inspired me). I experimented a bit with the colors in the letters, settled on a combination and got my machine going without a real plan. When the blocks were finished I took them into the LQS to look for fabric for the sashing and came out with what you see here. I wanted the embroidery to be the focus so I kept the design pretty simple. Anyway, I get it all put together and quilted and the binding put on...and then guess what. I couldn't bear to part with it. I just couldn't let it go, it seemed so special and I knew I probably wouldn't do another like it. I have no baby girls in my family and I have no one else really close to me to give it to but I decided to keep it. Everyone who has seen it says they don't blame me. So I made a replacement "normal" baby quilt for my colleague and sent it off:) They are still quite happy with their gift. LOL

[cindyg]

SFO - I don't blame you a bit for keeping that gorgeous quilt. It is something to be proud of. It's possible that the people we give our quilts to don't have a clue how much time and work and money goes into a quilt and so the quilts are not always treated with kindness. I'm glad you kept your quilt.