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True confessions. A number of years ago I purchased a Bernina that had an embroidery unit. Having never done machine embroidery before, I was very challenged in using the embroidery features on the machine. After a couple of trips to the repair shop, I decided machine embroidery was not for me and eventually sold the machine. Now that I have Art and Stitch, I really wanted to give machine embroidery another try. This time I decided to go simpler. I purchased a used Brother PE 500 machine (which only does embroidery). I watched a number of You Tube videos on the machine. I also spent some time at a retreat last weekend, talking to a machine embroidery expert in the group (who was working on embroidery designs on her machine). I was ready to try again. I thought I would start with recreating a small quilt block using embroidery. I am a big Dear Jane fan and thought that one of the Jane Stickle blocks would be a good start. I selected the first block to get started.  Jane A. Stickle Block (redrafted by Kari Schell) Here is the Art and Stitch video tutorial on how I created the embroidery design. Note that I do not have the "Embroidery module". This was all done with the Art and Stitch Base version! Here is my finished design stitched out on my Brother PE500.  Jane A. Stickle Embroidered Block 2" x 2", created by Kari Schell The entire process was a lot less painful than I thought. I think I may try a few other blocks. Featured Product - Come Said the Wind Are you starting to think about an autumn quilt for your wall this fall. Now is the time to get started with Come Said the Wind. The pattern includes two sizes and the verse can be printed directly on fabric, traced or hand embroidered. You choose.  Purchase here. Happy quilting. Kari Sign up for my newsletter to stay current on what's happening in my studio and learn more quilting tips. As a thank you, I'll send you a FREE pattern for this small maple leaf quilt.
Carole Corn
8/8/2015 01:03:07 am
Keri, I'm not familiar with the Brother 500 embroidery machine but am thinking maybe it is a multi needle type machine. For all the wonderful help I've found in your newsletters and videos I wanted to share with you a bit of digitizing info that I have learned. When you are planing your stitch out...as you did at the end of your video and marked the sections 1, 2, 3, ...you always want to start in the center and work out....center being 1 and then in a counter or clockwise motion after that. The theory is that it sews out smoother with less wrinkles in the fabric. I also noticed that you might have use a piece of twill or some type of woven material for your sample. Try some good quality cotton, that usually embroider's nicely. And never ever embroider without stabilizer behind. There are so many types it is hard to know what to use but with your persevering mind you will get the hang of it. I've been about 2.5 years teaching myself to digitize and I'm old! so I know you will get the hang of it sooner.
Kari
8/8/2015 02:30:03 am
Thanks so much Carole. This is a new venture for me and I really appreciate your sharing your embroidery experiences. Your recommendations make sense and I plan to incorporate them in my next designs.
Melanie Gillette
8/8/2015 02:34:33 am
Thanks again Kari! As usual I learn so much from your videos. I also am new to machine embroidery so am going to give this a try today.
Lilia
8/9/2015 11:10:02 am
After trying several times in several years to do the DJ quilt myself, piecing and applique, I found Treetrunk designs online who had patterns of digitized DJ blocks done in tiny X stitch. Even the same coloration as the antique quilt! I finished my quilt after 9 years (I don't quilt everyday) and it's on my bed presently. I had to put in an extra row or two in length to fit my bed and opted not to include the triangle borders after realizing it would be too long on the sides for my bed. I did it in colors to match my room and machine quilted it on the longarm; each block. I'd love to send a photo. Best wishes on your embroidery digitizing - Treetrunk designs retired several years ago. They were very good at it! Comments are closed.
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