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When To Replace Your Bobbin Case

12/28/2022

 
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Your bobbin case gets a lot of use in your embroidery machine.  Think of it like your car. You maintain it by keeping gas in the tank, changing the oil and washing it on a regular basis.  For bigger problems, you have a mechanic look at it and if needed you replace parts. 
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Your bobbin case and bobbin area on your machine needs to be maintained by cleaning and applying oil on a regular basis.  Through use, the bobbin case that holds your thread can become damaged if you have dropped it or you might not be able to adjust the tension to your normal setting. So the case might need to be replaced with a new one.  I have had bobbins work one day and the next day when I turn on my machine, they are extremely loose on the tension. After cleaning and trying to adjust them with no success, I will usually put them through my Bobbin Tension Gauge to see if the thread pulls off smoothly. If I see any jumping or uneven movement of the bobbin in the case, it is an indication the case may be warped or "Out Of Round".
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A good clean bobbin with tension adjustments appropriate for your machine, thread, fabric etc will usually produce even separation of color. This example shows the upper thread on the outside blue color and the inner white bobbin thread.
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A dirty bobbin can cause the middle or bobbin thread to look very jagged. When I see this in my stitches, especially satin, I will normally pull the bobbin thread out of the case and clean underneath the tension area with a business card.  Sometimes that is all it takes along with using your tension gauge and adjusting the small screw on the side. If all of this fails, you may have a bobbin case that is out of round from wear or being dropped. It doesn't take much as the small metal flanges on the side are thin. You will feel a wobble when you pull the thread off the bobbin. 
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It is a good idea to keep extra bobbin cases with your machine spare parts.  They aren't expensive and you can find the part number through your manufacturer or dealer. Another place to look is your owner's manual. I have a video below you can watch that shows how to clean the tension area and what the bobbin will look like with a wobble. This one was replaced and my machine is back to smooth stitching. I hope you have enjoyed this post, share what you learn and are generous with what you create. Someone will appreciate your hard work.

Fringe Christmas Tree Mug Rug

12/23/2022

 
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Christmas is almost here and our area is experiencing one of the coldest weather spells we have had in years.  I thought a mug rug would be perfect to enjoy some hot cocoa with.  It has been a while since I released a fringe design so my Fringe Christmas Tree Mug Rug is in my store today.
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This embroidery design has a lot of different skills for such a quick project. You will have quilting. I love the Christmas tree motif that fills in the background.
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There is raw edge applique on the trunk and the tree. This reduces the stitch count and makes it easier to work with the next step which is the fringe.
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Fringe on your embroidery machine is a lot of fun. You will need to do some creative cutting on the bobbin threads once everything has completed. Don't worry, there are color instructions included.
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A blunt object or your fingernail will pull those loops to the front. It is very satisfying to complete this step.
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A little hand sewing and pressing then VOILA, you have a mug rug.  I can see you now sipping something hot while you watch Christmas movies or the kids opening gifts.  If you would like to see the entire project come together, watch the instruction video below. I hope you have enjoyed this post, share what you learn and are generous with what you create. Someone will appreciate your hard work.

Design Patches Using Built In Embroidery Machine Files

12/18/2022

 
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Did you know that most embroidery machines come pre loaded with designs? This way you can get stitching right away. My Baby Lock machine has so many designs I don't think I have even looked through them all. I was contacted recently by a You Tube viewer who saw my Beanie Patch Video. In fact I have a couple of patch videos that have some great information in them if you are just starting out. See the video links to the right. As a beginner, she didn't know where to start. So I wanted to share details on how to create patches herself without software. Learning your machine and becoming friends with all of it's functions is the best way to begin embroidery. Then you can add to your skills with downloading designs once you are comfortable. So after we emailed back and forth for a bit, I knew what type machine she owned. With this information I realized she had a great tool box of Embroidery Design Frames built into her Brother multi needle. Baby Lock and Brother are close cousins in their function and design so I was able to talk her through some options to make a patch without digitizing software or downloading a design.
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This information is helpful and I think it would be a fun way for you to play with your machine even if you don't have a Baby Lock or Brother. Sometimes we need to move through all of the menu items and just look.  Also, that quick read you did on the owner's manual when you opened your machine the first time has probably been forgotten. You may have some of these options available in your embroidery machine but you won't know unless you get brave and search.
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A patch is usually a series of steps and all you have to do is let each one stitch out, then perform a task.  If you have a run stitch and a satin stitch shape in your machine that are roughly the same size, you should be able to create a patch. My Baby Lock also has an Applique button so it will turn a run stitch shape into an applique with a satin outline.
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In between those two steps there will usually be a tack down stitch that will sew and then stop allowing you to remove the hoop and carefully trim away the excess fabric.  You don't have to have a satin outline on your patch. You could do raw edge applique, frayed edges on your fabric, decorative stitching, blanket stitching etc... In addition to the Applique button, you can manually add each step into the machine. You might prefer that method as it is a great way to become familiar with how patches will run on the machine.  
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If you have purchased a blank patch embroidery design like these, you can add your own fonts or text from the machine catalog. In the Baby Lock you press the add button and it will take you to the design area. So many fonts are available and you can resize them to fit inside the patch.
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Your patch can be embroidered onto a clothing item or if you use Wash away cutaway stabilizer, you could have a patch with clean satin edges ready to adhere with stitches, glue or adhesive to an item like a beanie or shirt.
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I made this quick patch using the manual process in my Baby Lock and I filmed a video to show you the applique and manual processes. Don't forget, I have digitized several blank patch designs in my store also. Just in case you don't have time to play and you need something right now. Are you ready to design a patch without software? Click on the video below and I know it will make you curious about your machine for sure. I hope you have enjoyed this post, share what you learn and are generous with what you create. Someone will appreciate your hard work.

Machine Embroidery On  Toilet Paper

12/14/2022

 
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Christmas usually signals cute gifts or promotional products. Machine embroidery on toilet paper can be a great inexpensive item that you can gift to so many different people or organizations. It is not hard to accomplish but you do need embroidery designs specifically digitized for toilet paper.  
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I have six new embroidery designs ready to help you with those gift exchanges, secret Santa games or possible promotion if you have an embroidery business.
​Click on the link and you will be taken to the store page.
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Some people will only use really thick toilet paper, but I have used both thick and cheaper brands. To accommodate the thin paper, just fold the end of the roll over itself several times. I hoop cutaway stabilizer and use a little spray adhesive to hold it in place while it sews. 
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In fact I buy the cases at my local Sam's Club and as of this blog post they are about .54 cents each.  I also use the Great Value brand twist tie bags to wrap the completed rolls in.  They are currently .03 cents each and you get 100 in a box.  So with my time , stabilizer and the material cost I can make a promotional item or gift for very little money.  I know you have a list of people like teachers, doctors, dentists, veterinarian etc that you might need a small gift for. Here are a few pictures of the Toilet Paper Embroidery designs available in my store.
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Are you ready to try your hand at Embroidery on Toilet paper or do you just want to see how it is done?  I have a video you can watch below that will show a complete design being sewn.  I hope you have enjoyed this post, share what you learn and are generous with what you create. Someone will appreciate your hard work.

Embroider A Bah Humbug Santa Hat

12/9/2022

 
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Do you need a cute Santa Hat to wear to work or a party this holiday season?  I have a brand new Bah Humbug Santa Hat Embroidery Design being released today. It is digitized for two layers of fabric and cute text. You can customize it so may different ways and I know you will get the most comments from friends and family. Here is a little bit about the design.
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Look at those two fabrics I used. An animal print and a polka dot! Who would have thought they would look so cute together?  Then I topped it off with Lime green thread for the text.
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Santa hats come in lots of colors and sizes. This one is an adult large and I used T Pins to secure it to the stabilizer while it sewed out. It really is a versatile design because you can change Bah Humbug Santa Hat Embroidery Design to any fabric and thread color that matches your Santa Hat
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Look at that grumpy bear. This would be so perfect as a gift to that person who walks around saying Bah Humbug!  If you want to see how easy it stitches out, watch the instruction video below. I hope you have enjoyed this post, share what you learn and are generous with what you create. Someone will appreciate your hard work.

Free Standing Lace With Mylar Christmas Ornaments

12/2/2022

 
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Free standing lace embroidery designs are fun to make especially when you add mylar.  Christmas is a perfect time to go over the top with sparkle. Mylar gift wrap is very inexpensive and comes in alot of colors so you can create an infinity of different looks. I am releasing a brand new set of FSL Mylar Christmas Embroidery designs.
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The most important thing to remember about free standing lace is to use a matching bobbin.  You will see both sides of the finished project and since this is designed to hang on a Christmas tree or wreath, you want both sides to be pretty.
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Another great tip is to use two pieces of wash away stabilizer. This gives extra structure while the design sews out. I like to use silver Mylar because it is a great neutral to let your thread colors really show.
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A FSL embroidery design will have loose fills to capture and tack the Mylar. It should also stitch around the perimeter enough to perforate the Mylar so you can tear it away.
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Once you have removed the Mylar, a satin outline will clean everything up.
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A short dip into some warm water will melt the stabilizer away. Not too long though. If you leave a little of that stabilizer in the design, it will dry just a bit stiffer. Here are the six designs included in the FSL Mylar Christmas Ornament Set
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A Christmas Bird With Heart Wing
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A Sparkly Christmas Tree With Red Trim
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A Christmas Present
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A Christmas Ornament that can be changed to so many different colors.
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A Christmas Star
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A Christmas Poinsettia. Stitch this is White or Red
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Each design has less than 7000 stitches and they sew up within 15 minutes. You can either embroider them individually in a 4x4 hoop or gang them up in a larger one to save stabilizer.  I have an instruction video below you can watch that will show how fun and easy these are created. I bet your kids or grandkids would love making these! How about slipping these ornaments into your Christmas Cards this year?  These would also be great stocking stuffers for teachers, your doctor, dentist, postal carrier or any other person you want to give a small item to. I hope you have enjoyed this post, share what you learn and are generous with what you create. Someone will appreciate your hard work.

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    Lagniappe Peddler believes that the process of working with our hands can be one of the best forms of healing the hurts in our lives and welcomes all who visit this safe little corner of the world.

    What is a Lagniappe Peddler?

    ˌlanˈyap,ˈlanˌyap - something given as a bonus or extra gift
    ped-ler - a person who offers merchandise for sale or promotes something

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