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Machine Embroidery for the Summer
I recently met a friend who is not from the South and the concept of monogramming everything you own was completely foreign to her. As a G.R.I.T.S. (Girl Raised In The South), I explained the importance and beauty of having everything monogrammed. And yes, I do mean everything. The wonderful thing about monograms is they are an easy and elegant way to personalize a gift for someone. I decided to make a summer care package, including a monogrammed bag, towel, and beach hat, for my friend using several of the tutorials on this blog! Supplies Good quality beach towel Matching waterproof beach tote Wide brim straw hat Sulky Sticky Plus™…
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Why It’s Never Too Late to Start Machine Embroidery
I met Clyde by phone about a year ago when he called with some questions about threads and stabilizers. I was so charmed by him, and we ended up talking about all kinds of things. The fact that he was 80+ years old and had just recently embarked on a computerized embroidery hobby blew me away! He kept in touch, and I asked to read his book. (Yes! He wrote a book – for his family and friends). After his wonderful book, I felt like we were friends, too. It is so unusual to meet men who embroider; and men who begin embroidery in the their 80’s are rare indeed. …
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How to Achieve Perfect Design Placement
Perfect Design Placement by Pamela Cox Although there are rulers, plastic templates, charts suggesting where a design should be stitched on any given item, and even fancy laser lights with the sole purpose of aiding in perfect embroidery design placement… you already have all the necessary tools to ensure proper design placement right at your fingertips! Follow these easy steps to take the imagined difficulty out of the process: Know the size of the intended design: Find this information on either the color chart, in an editing software program, or by checking on the embroidery machine’s screen (if your model offers this feature). Use a calculator if need be, to…
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“Mad Tea Party” Jacket
“Mad Tea Party” Jacket By Diane Gloystein This is the story of how my “Mad Tea Party” jacket nearly drove me mad. As a National Educator representing Sulky of America, I often hear comments from people who assume that, as an educator, I must know it all, have all the answers, and easily whip out one project after the next. Just for the record, I want everyone to know that I, too, have sewing projects that are disastrous and throw me close to the brink of insanity as I wonder how this hobby that can be so much fun can just as easily send me over the edge. Where it…
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Why You Should Embellish Fabric First
Do you ever wonder how a beautifully embroidered garment can be stitched so “perfectly”? Designs are perfectly centered on panels! Right and left sides are mirror images of each other! How is this possible? The trick is to embellish the fabric first! Let’s use a simple collar in understanding the steps: “Trace” the pattern piece, on grain, on a piece of fabric larger than the require finished cutting line. My favorite method is tailor tacks through both layers of fabric at the same time. That way I am sure to have both the right and left side of the required pattern. I baste along seam allowances for a visual…
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Free Webinar | Unicorn Towel Hoodie
Free Webinar: Let’s Create a Unicorn! Demystifying the Hooded Towel “Let me walk you through the process of creating adorable Hoodie Towels using my new Unicorn pattern. Creating these towels as fun gifts is easy and so satisfying. I will even show you how to fold it and add a bow so it is all ready to give away.” Desiree of Desiree’s Designs You’ll learn: How to hoop up your stabilizer and float your towel How to make different-sized towel hoodies for different ages How to follow a machine guided applique by either cutting or using SVG files How to use a topper like Sulky Solvy Stabilizer, as well…
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Free-Standing Lace vs. Lace Effect
Free-Standing Lace vs. Lace Effect This series is written by guest blogger, Pamela Cox. Pamela is an expert embroiderer, designer, digitizer and all around wonderful girl! We are so happy to have her contributing to the Sulky Blog! We all know what lace is, but do we understand “lace” in terms of machine embroidery? Many design collections include the word lace in their title, and this is especially true for embroidery intended for Bridal or even Heirloom designs. However, lace in a title can be describing a “lace effect”, which requires a fabric foundation, a strip of lace to be used as an accent or even an item made of…
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Machine Cross Stitch Journal Cover
Make it Personal Machine Cross Stitch Journal Cover Finished book size: 8-3/8” x 6-5/8” This series is written by guest blogger, Pamela Cox. Pamela is an expert embroiderer, designer, digitizer and all around wonderful girl! We are so happy to have her contributing to the Sulky Blog! When my girls were little, I volunteered in their classrooms. I remember an elementary school project, which I was so fortunate to participate in: Helping young authors turn pages of their original stories into a book! Together, we wrapped cardboard in gift wrap, folded the story pages in half, and hand-stitched down the center to bind these precious thoughts into history. To this…
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Why You Will Fall in Love with Machine Cross Stitch!
Why you’ll fall in love with Machine Cross Stitch (like we did!) We still can’t get over how amazing Machine Cross Stitch embroidery designs are! We recently added two new designers to the Sulky Embroidery Club (where you can find hundreds of unique downloadable designs!). These designers are Marcia Manning of Lickity Stitch Designs and Ursula Michael. We adore Marcia’s whimsical Christmas tree designs, her adorable Monster Alphabet, and her most recent camping and Christmas designs are too funny. And wait til you see Ursula’s fun word play designs! There are tons of designs to choose from and we could rave about them for days, so why don’t we just…
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Let’s Make It Waterproof! (Plus, The Giveaway Winners!)
Make it Waterproof Once you make something that needs to withstand the elements, you may ask yourself, “How do I make it waterproof?” Better yet, how do you KEEP something waterproof after stitching it, creating little holes for moisture to seep through? The answer is Sulky Stitch ‘n Seal. Gift Ideas When it comes to gifts, monogrammed items are always a favorite. Here in the south, we monogram everything from shirts, purses and jackets to shoes, lunchboxes and umbrellas. The problem is, once you have embroidered anything that is supposed to be waterproof, like a rain jacket or umbrella, the holes that were made by the needle for the embroidery…
