Recently I was commissioned to sew a dice bag.  There were a few requests for the finished product.  The dice were currently being carried in a Ziploc bag because the previous bag had failed.  Pink was the desired color and woodland creatures needed to be incorporated into embroidery.  Finally strength was very important due to the weight and type of metal dice in the collection.  My client plays tabletop games and carries the dice to gaming locations. Other than those requests, I had free reign which I love. It really opens up my creativity.

My first task was measuring a large ziploc bag so I could make sure the finished size was large enough.  I also asked my client if the bag needed to be flat or have a round flat bottom which they stated was preferable. So I knew having the round bottom would add girth to the bag.  

I went into my stash and found these cloth napkins.  When I am shopping I always look in clearance sections and these were marked down when seasons were changing. The Ric Rac on the seam edges was something I wanted to incorporate also. 

The first thing I did was digitize a woodland scene with cute creatures. I used my Winter Tree Design to build the embroidery.  I love to use designs merged together to make something brand new and this tree design is perfect for that.

I digitized the animals in my software and layered them throughout the Winter Tree design. I also changed the outer square straight stich to a motif. Embroidery software is a lot of fun to play in. Once I had everything to my liking, I stitched it on a cloth napkin.

This dice bag uses casings on the outside instead of the top of the edge.  So when I cut the front and back bag pieces, I also used remnants from those cuts for the casings. I thought keeping the Ric Rac would be a nice detail. The edges with the trim are already finished so I would only need to turn a hem on one long edge.

Not wanting to waste anything, I used the Ric Rac trim to frame the embroidery.  I love to look at framed artwork that has been matted.  You can make a simple picture look more expensive by using multiple layers of matting. I think sewing can accomplish the same thing.  

The weight and volume of my client's dice was a concern for the life of the bag.  I used a fusible fleece on the lining fabric and quilted a dense grid pattern.  This gives great structure. You can see the fabric before and after here. I used the width of my sewing foot to quilt.

I did have to cut circles of outer fabric and lining fabric.  Quilting the lining and adding interfacing to the outer fabric added more structure.

I used my Circle template to help me figure out the size circle I would need to cut out. If you would like to see how to figure out circles for your sewing projects, I have a blog post and video. Visit the link here.

Gingham fabric although beautiful does have a tendency to ravel. Throughout the project once I was finished with straight seams, I went back and did a zigzag seam everywhere.  Here I am using it on the trim around the embroidery design.  The zig zag helps add more strength to those straight seams.

The casings on the outer fabric are an easy way to add drawstrings to a bag.  Some casings are created by folding down the top of the fabric like an elastic waist band.  These are formed by folding under the ends of the casing along with the top and bottom and topstitching directly to the fabric.  The only concern is keeping the ends well away from the side seams allowances. You can see here my side seams are narrow but I used a 1/4 inch seam allowance and made sure those casings were not sewn shut.

Once the side seams were sewn I added the circle bottom.  Clips held everything in place during the stitching. Sewing the side seams and the bottom were the same for the lining fabric with the exception of leaving an opening in the side for turning later.

Here is the lining side seams showing that opening. It only has to be large enough to pull all of the fabric through later to turn everything right side out.

Sewing the bottom circle to the lining is accomplished the same as the outer fabric. So you are basically sewing two of the same bags. One for the outside and one for the inside. Then you are ready to put it together.

This is the tricky part. You want your lining to be WRONG Side Out.  Your Outer bag to be RIGHT Side Out.  Then you slip your outer bag INTO the Lining.

Make sure the right sides are facing.  Match the side seams. Clip and sew around the top.

Remember the open side seam on the lining? That is where you will turn the entire bag right side out.  Sew that opening shut with either your machine or by hand.

Then the lining can be pushed down into the bag and you can press well and secure it with a topstitch around the top edge.

Your dice bag should stand up by itself pretty well with that quilted inner lining. You are ready to add your cord.

I usually measure 4 times the bag width and add about 12 inches. This should give you more than enough to cut the cord in half and have two.  I like a cord on both sides with cord locks to pull everything tight.  You thread the first cord from one side all the way around and come back to the starting point.

Then go to the other side with your second cord and do the same thing. You can see the previous cord underneath the pin here.  Go all the way around and come back to your starting point.

Masking tape will help thread the cord through the locks. If you don't have cord locks you can tie knots.

Once installed you can trim off any extra cord length and seal the ends with a lighter so they don't fray.

This bag will be perfect for dice, but I can think of other ways to use it.  How about for cosmetics, or kid's toys on a road trip?  How would you use it?  

So how did I do?  This is a one of a kind custom dice bag. There is only one in the world like it. Much better than a Ziploc bag don't you think? I accomplished all of the tasks. A good size, pink fabric, woodland creatures and strong enough for the metal dice. 

Such a cute finished project that started as discounted cloth napkins. When you are browsing your local stores, keep an eye out for gems like these. You never know when inspiration will strike to upcycle.

This blog post is meant to inspire you and I know you might be interested in having some measurements to sew your own bag.  That is why I created a video you can watch 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.

Flip flops mean it is time for that spring pedicure. I am definitely ready to show off mine with my latest In The Hoop Flip Flop Tag Bee embroidery design. I was browsing my local Dollar Tree enjoying all of the bright spring items.  I found so many cute flip flops and these had to come home with me.  I like to have something to slip on when I am moving between inside and outside chores.  Usually I forget what I have on my feet if I jump in the car to run to town but it won't matter if I see anyone I know with these cute little sandals on my feet. That might sound odd to you but when I was growing up, you dressed to go to town. Kind of reminds you of all those things mama said like wearing your best  underwear or something like that? Did your mama tell you that too?

Cute just as they are.

Cuter with an added embroidered vinyl tag don't you think?  This is definitely one of those quick projects that you can do in about 30 minutes.  The best part is the tags can be moved to another pair of flip flips if they wear out.

You will need a 5x7 hoop with wash away cutaway stabilizer and a few pieces of vinyl. I used my mighty hoop which I love. I had some glitter vinyl in my stash and it added some sparkle.  There are multiple layers of vinyl where the flowers are installed so you will need to use snaps with longer posts.  You can see the two snaps in the picture above and although it doesn't look like much, the white snap has a wider, longer post that will give extra bite to hold all of those layers.

I love doing embroidery with vinyl because you can take something that stitches out in rectangular shapes and a little bit of cutting exposes cuteness.

Look for my other Flip Flop Plain Heart Tag here. Add your own monograms or text!  Weddings and shower gifts might be in your future. These would be so cute with the wedding date, the bride's monogram or how about "I Do". My art work is not perfect below but giving you some inspiration. You could add pretty ribbon underneath the snaps and wrap them around the calf with a bow. I think this would be perfect for those destination beach weddings.

 Are you interested in seeing how fast and easy these In The Hoop Flip Flop Tag Bee designs stitch out?  I have an instruction video you can watch below. Mother's Day is just a few days away. Mom would love to decorate her flip flops with these cute little bee tags. I hope you have enjoyed this post, share what you learn and are generous with what you create. Someone will appreciate your hard work.

Spring cleaning and Earth Day have inspired my newest In The Hoop Scrubbie embroidery design. If you have read many of my other blog posts, you will find that I love to repurpose things and I do have a problem throwing items away.  Many packaging materials are treasures waiting to be re-purposed.  I am hoping this project will inspire you to look around your home to get those creative recycling juices flowing.

I love to make oatmeal with fresh ginger. If you haven't tried adding this to your morning cereal, give it a try.  When you purchase ginger and many other produce items, they will often come packaged in mesh bags like the picture above.  This mesh material is usually sturdy and tightly woven. I can't throw it in the garbage because I know it can be useful for scrubbing. In fact, if you will look at purchased scrubbing sponges, they might have similar if not the same materials on them.

This photo is a little embarrassing because it shows just how long I shamelessly use dish towels.  Yes this was pulled from my kitchen drawer but it can become a fresh new In The Hoop Scrubbie. I also will move these into my rag bag for washing cars. So just a tip, any leftover towels that you don't turn into scrubbies are perfect for those outdoor jobs as well.

This project uses three layers of towel so you can find outer areas to cut that have smaller or no holes. The inner layer of towel can have larger holes because you won't see it. The mesh bag is trimmed open and cut into squares. See just how much usable fabric you can get when you look for it?  The towel is already broken in and soft so it will be absorbent and ready for duty. The mesh will give an extra layer of cleaning power without being too abrasive.

One extra recycling step will be to cut all of the leftover bits of towel and mesh into small pieces to stuff the scrubbie before it is closed up.  This gives extra bulk and thickness.  I see clean tires and rims in my future or maybe a fresh barbeque grill?.

When sewing the final seam with a needle and thread I will advise you to use a strong polyester thread.  The mesh is a tough material and cotton thread may cut easily when you pull the thread tightly underneath it. Altogether you can finish these quickly in assembly line fashion.  This would be a good project to do with kids. They can help with cutting the squares of towel and mesh and learn about recycling along the way. 

It's not colorful and bright like brand new plastic wrapped scrubbies but it will do the same if not better job. Throw these in your washing machine to sanitize after use.  Are you inspired to recycle something today? Watch my instruction video below to see how quickly you can make your own scrubbie. Start gathering your FREE materials from your home and grocery shopping. I hope you have enjoyed this post, share what you learn and are generous with what you create. Someone will appreciate your hard work.

Easter and Springtime are here. Aren't you happy about that? Just a few weeks  ago I was looking at brown trees and now everything is blooming in my yard.  The days are longer too and that makes me really happy.  My latest design Chenille Chick is a bright and soft project that is perfect for this time of year. I think you could use it for baby shower gifts too. Maybe on quilts for little ones or pillows to decorate their bedrooms.  So many options with this one because you customize it with the fabric colors.  

Can you believe that this picture is the before? Chenille with your embroidery machine is easy to do but you do have to have a design that is digitized for specifically for chenille.  Layers of fabric are stacked in your hoop and small channels are created. I have layered two different fabric colors. One is plain and the other has a pattern. Then you carefully cut in between them without going all the way down to the base fabric or stabilizer.

Your most important tools will be your scissors. I prefer to use small sharp curved ones.  When you are cutting, the curve will help get around your hoop edges and under each layer of fabric. You really can't rush when cutting and each layer needs to be done one at a time so you don't make any mistakes.  If you don't have patience with handwork, Machine Embroidery Chenille might not be your favorite thing to do.

Another tool you will need is a small metal brush or Chenille Brush.  I like to use this one from Harbor Freight.  They are a little sharp so be careful when using them. Your fabric can get damaged if you are too aggressive. I like to think of Chenille as a process. The first time you rough up the fabric edges, you will probably see long threads. These need to be cut away. Then you use the brush again and if more threads need to be cut, so on and so forth. You can also wash and dry the design with some large towels. All of this helps fluff that cut fabric.

The Chenille Chick Embroidery Design that I have sewn was turned into a pillow above.  Notice how the layered pattern fabric peeks through and matches the ribbon color. You can put the ribbon bow on the top of the head like mine or at the neck for a bow tie.  One more cute Idea would be to turn it into a stuffie toy.  Cut out the design along the edge and leave a seam allowance. Add a back fabric and fiberfill for a plush lovey. Have I got you inspired yet?  Watch the video below to see how the chenille is created. I hope you have enjoyed this post, share what you learn and are generous with what you create. Someone will appreciate your hard work.

Sewing needles are one of those tools that should be changed according to your project type or materials.  My newest In The Hoop Needle Minder design will help you remember what kind of needle you have taken out of your machine for later use.  I like to change my needles at the beginning of a new project and sometimes I am creating something with multiple fabric types.  I might be doing embroidery first on a cotton fabric and then construction next on a denim.  So the first needle could be taken out and placed in the Needle Minder while a new denim needle is being used. If you stay away from your crafting for a while and come back, you can quickly see what type and size needle you have placed in the Needle Minder.

The finished project is easily installed on your sewing machine using elastic and snaps.  You only need to measure the distance around the open area and it can stay on the side of your machine or on the front depending on your preference.

The elastic lays flat and should not impede your sewing. It is easily removed and reinstalled though.

This would be a perfect stocking stuffer or gift for the sewing enthusiast in your life.  They embroider quickly and require small pieces of fabric. Perfect for using up those remnants.

If you haven't used snaps before. this In The Hoop Needle Minder would be an excellent project to get some practice.  In fact, I believe this would be an easy beginner embroidery design to learn sewing with fabrics, elastic, snaps, fiber fill and closing seams with a needle and thread.

There is always an occasion to add to your sewing studio tools. This In The Hoop Needle Minder should become a favorite once you use it. Your stitching friends will want one also so start working on those birthday and Mother's Day gifts.  I have an instruction video you can watch below that shows how this project comes together. I hope you have enjoyed this post, share what you learn and are generous with what you create. Someone will appreciate your hard work.

I am always looking for ways to streamline my embroidery and tools are the quickest way I have found. Templates are my favorite tool and I use them a lot.   I have Exophoria which means my eyes don't always track together and will wander if I am tired or stressed.   I do have bifocal glasses made especially for close work but there are days that I need a little extra help. Templates that double check measurements or squaring placement really make my crafting life easier.

I have several embroidery machines and my single needle has all sorts of laser and camera tools.  My Multi Needle did not come with a laser so I have a more difficult time judging the placement of the embroidery foot.  On most projects, if I can get relatively close I am in good shape.  For more precise projects like one I am working on above, I need exact location.  I am embroidering 42 different designs for a quilt on a single piece of fabric.  I have 1/2 inch around each design to allow for cutting out the completed blocks once sewn. This is for economy of fabric use. You can see I created a small foam tool that I can slip underneath the embroidery foot.  As long as I have my fabric square in the hoop and placement marks, I can line up the foam.

When layering the foam, I made sure I kept the thickness beneath the embroidery foot when it was extended. I can jog the hoop around and carefully hold the foam in place.  You can see the cross mark very well from the front of the machine. Even at this angle, I can tell I will be right in the middle of the needle placement to start stitching.

Here is a closeup. To make the template, I used craft foam and hot glue. I drew the lines with a permanent marker on each square and lined them up. My hot glue gun is low temp and I was able to secure each one in the centers then add glue along the edges so they were secure.

It's not fancy, but it does work. If it gets dirty or damaged, I can make another one very easily. I have a short video showing it in action below. Remember to be careful using any tool with your embroidery machine.  Make sure the depth sits underneath your foot before you use it the first time, protect your fingers while using and remove before you begin 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!

Springtime in my part of the world is unpredictable as far as weather is concerned but we can depend on the yellow pollen.  It covers everything until a few hard rain storms wash everything clean.  If you normally have allergies or breathing problems, you will most certainly want to keep your inhaler close by. My latest In The Hoop Inhaler Cover Embroidery Design will help you do that.

In fact, I have five new Inhaler Cover designs. The four in the picture above are seasonal so you can match your inhaler to the time of year.  

Inhalers can come in different size containers depending on the manufacturer.  The embroidery designs I have digitized will fit the style above.  It measures    3 inches tall and 4 inches around the body.  You will be able to complete a cover in one 5x7 hooping.

Each design will require a piece of marine vinyl and wash away cut away stabilizer.  The stitching time will be very quick.  Installing the snaps is easy with a placement graphic that is included in each download.

The ITH Inhaler Cover Spring has hearts all over. This would be perfect for Valentines Day.  

The ITH Inhaler Cover Summer has stars all over.  Perfect for those patriotic or camping months.

The ITH Inhaler Cover Fall has leaves all over it. Perfect for those chilly autumn days.

The ITH Inhaler Cover Winter has evergreen trees all over it. Perfect for Christmas time. Red snaps would make this a cute seasonal stocking stuffer. 

The ITH Inhaler Cover has symmetrical quilting all over.  This would be perfect year round.  You can customize all of these designs with your choice of marine vinyl and snap colors.

You don't realize how important an inhaler is to someone until you see how they really need it.  This cover is very useful because you can attach the inhaler to bags, backpacks or keys. It is a scary thing to need quick relief and not be able to find your medication.  

I attached this inhaler to a purse with a key ring. If you are in a rush, you won't forget it if you place on something you always grab before leaving your home.

The instruction video for the ITH Inhaler Cover is below.  Watch it to see how easily you can make covers for yourself, loved ones or friends. I hope you have enjoyed this post, share what you learn and are generous with what you create. Someone will appreciate your hard work.

Spring is starting to show herself in our area and I am ready with a brand new embroidery design.  This is an In The Hoop Plant Stake. We usually start seeds growing in multiple areas of our home this time of year.  Sometimes we start them indoors because of the threat of cool nights.  Other more hardy seeds or bulbs are in outdoor pots, beds or the ground. We can get too energetic and forget what we have planted.  This embroidery design will allow you to use your seed packets while protecting them from the weather.

I found other ready to purchase options online, but in all of the review comments, the main complaint was the top opening.  This allowed moisture to fill up the plastic and the seed packet deteriorated quickly.  My In The Hoop Plant Stake is designed for the opening to be at the bottom so once your seed packet is installed, it will be safer. The interior plastic is also folded at the bottom. This creates a small lip where the packet sits. I also like that you can see from the front or the back.  All of your seed packet information is available like germination times, plant heights and planting times by area.  There is a small pocket where you will insert a dowel so you can place your plant stake wherever you want in your garden.

This project uses plastic that is purchased in the decorator section of your fabric store. The same type that you might use to cover your dining room table. It is easy to work with and usually inexpensive.

The entire project is completed in one 5x7 hooping. There is some creative cutting that allows you to fold the design down while in the hoop. Masking tape holds all of your pieces in place while they are sewing.

With a little trimming the project gets neatened up and you are ready to insert the dowel and seed packet.  I think you could also use this to decorate other plants for special occasions. Or you could insert pretty cards to change the seasons.  The options are endless.

You can find dowels in the craft section of your big box store. They are typically found in packs so you should be able to make multiples of this project very easily.

Has the sunshine been peeking out in your area and are you inspired to create some of these In The Hoop Plant Stakes? Look for the instruction video below to watch this project come together. I hope you have enjoyed this post, share what you learn and are generous with what you create. Someone will appreciate your hard work.

Who else is getting itchy feet to travel?  I sure am.  In my part of the world, we have many gray days this time of year and the urge to visit someplace warm and tropical is usually starting.  The last two years have only increased this feeling as we have really begun to feel the need to stretch our surroundings. So I am releasing a brand new In The Hoop Luggage Tag design. I have a feeling travel will be in my future and yours.

 This project is very quick and easy to complete.  Notice I chose denim fabric and it has pinked edges to avoid raveling.  In fact, I used recycled blue jean material which is a bonus. You could use old pants in your closet and make something brand new for each member traveling in your group.  

The front and back of the design are sewn in two separate 5x7 hoopings.  Look how cute the little airplane is buzzing through the sky.  Snaps can be color coordinated with your thread and fabric. The hanger I used is made of ribbon, but you could use cord or decorative elastic.

The inside of the In The Hoop Luggage Tag has more cute text and a clear pocket.  As an extra "Lagniappe" the design download includes a printout of the paper template you see in the clear pocket.  So you can make a bunch, print off the inserts and fill out all of the important information.

If you have never sewn with clear plastic before, this project is a great way to try it out.  You can find the plastic in the decorator section of your fabric store.  Your embroidery machine will do just fine and because the foot is slightly higher than a normal sewing machine, it will glide over the plastic without sticking.

A few pieces of masking tape will secure it in place while the stitching happens.

So are you getting excited to plan a trip?  You don't have to go very far or spend several days. In fact if you have been staying home like us, taking an overnight trip somewhere will probably be just enough to get started.  If you have matching luggage in your vehicle, this In The Hoop luggage tag will let everyone know whose suitcase belongs to them

If you are interested to see how the In The Hoop Luggage Tag is created, I have an instruction video you can watch below. It will take you through all of the steps.  I hope you have enjoyed this post, share what you learn and are generous with what you create. Someone will appreciate your hard work.

A Brand New embroidery design is being released today. It is the In The Hoop Bunny Bum.  I think you are going to really enjoy this little project because it can be finished two different ways. It has some unique steps in the design to allow you to complete the entire process in one 5x7 hooping.

Look closely and you will see one of the finished Bunnies has a hanging ribbon on the top.  The other bunny is installed on a dowel. The front shows all of the sweet details of a smiling bunny rabbit.

When you turn them over, you see the details of the feet and a cute fluffy fringed tail.  A ribbon bow tie finishes everything up.

Look how cute that Bunny Bum is.  When I designed this I imagined spring time wreaths on front doors.  If you made several In The Hoop Bunny Bums, you could insert them facing both directions around the wreath.

Or you could stick the dowel into a house plant or flowers as an added decoration. Tie a pretty satin bow around the pot and you have a cute springtime gift for someone!

Decorate a small tabletop tree for springtime with several different pastel bunnies.

Or you can add bunnies to your Easter baskets in between all of the other goodies. These would look so sweet on your desk at work.  Teachers would love these as a gift.

One fun technique is adding the ears so they stand up. Your embroidery machine does the stitching. 

The tail is another fun part because it is digitized to be fringed. Here you see the trimming that will create that fluffy look.

Here is a sneak peek at the creative cutting you do in the hoop so the design can be completed in one 5x7 hooping.

Everything is turned out here and ready to stuff with fiberfill. If you have remnants of fleece in your stash, you can see that this little design would make great use of them.   

If you don't have dowels, you can use take out chopsticks.  That would be a great way to recycle!  Hot glue keeps the dowel where it needs to be while you hand sew the bunny closed.

Are you ready to create your own In The Hoop Bunny Bum? Maybe you are inspired to start pulling out those springtime decorations. In my area, we are trimming back our plants, cleaning out flower beds and looking through seed catalogs. Just a few more weeks and we will start to see those early spring flowers pop up. 

If you would like to see how this project comes 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.

My latest embroidery design is releasing today and it has so many techniques in it. I think for a small project you will love trying all of the different things I have packed into this design. It is the In The Hoop Lucky Towel Topper. Lets take a look at it.

The inspiration for this embroidery design started here. I purchased this decorative towel from my local Dollar Tree so it begins with an inexpensive item. Even better, you can cut the towel in half and make two towel toppers. 

The towel topper has many different parts.  There is a tab that will be used to attach it to your oven or dishwasher handle. The body of the topper has quilting and also notice the nicely hemmed edges.  Applique is laid down and then decorative text is sewn. I used a variegated rainbow thread to add to my St. Patrick's Day Theme.  Keep in mind that you can be "Lucky" any time of year so this project could be used with plain towels and other fabrics. I see all kinds of cute items in my local stores and the word "Lucky" is sprinkled all over the place.

You can embellish your towel with RicRac and buttons also. I used my sewing machine and a needle and thread for this part of the project. Let your imagination run wild and use up some of those smaller bits and pieces in your stash.

A 5x7 hoop with tearaway stabilizer is used for the topper portion of the project.  Then a second embroidery design is included so you can install the towel inside the topper with wash away cutaway stabilizer. The design sews a placement line that tells you where to place the finished topper and then sews across to secure your towel. If you have a sewing machine you can quickly sew with that instead. Cutting that towel in half reduces the bulk so your embroidery machine foot can handle it. 

One of the neat techniques you will use is creative folding and pressing on the tab. The In The Hoop Lucky Towel Topper download includes a graphic you can print out that has instructions for the tab piece of fabric.  Hem tape and your iron will morph this fabric into a nice tab with a finished edge and enclosed seam.  You won't have to pull out your sewing machine for this part.

Iron on Hem tape will also help you create finished hems on the front and the back of the topper fabrics.  It is a nice detail that keeps your project looking professional. It also makes it ready to insert your towel with minimal effort.

Fusible fleece is a fun product used on the front fabric that will give your project a nice quilted look. The appliqued front will give you a chance to do some trimming with your scissors or an SVG cut file is included in the design download that you can use with your cutting machine.

Here is the topper once it has been completed and pressed.  All of that happens in your 5x7 embroidery hoop. It is ready for the towel to be slipped into it.  You decide how long you want your project to be. So put the towel just inside the topper or move it into the upper area for a shorter finished product.

Here is a view of the second included embroidery design attaching the towel to the topper. Masking tape is used throughout the project to hold your pieces in place while they stitch. Of course if you have a sewing machine and it would be quicker for you to just sew the towel into the topper with a seam across, that is another option.

This view shows the wash away cutaway stabilizer removed and you can see the fabric is damp around that seam line. Marks for the snaps can also be seen in the tab.  It is generous in length and you can adjust that with the placement of your snaps depending on where you will be hanging your In The Hoop Lucky Towel Topper.

Once you have finished all of your embellishments, you will have a cute and unique finished product. You can see that this little design has a lot going on. So you will have an opportunity to try different techniques and products.  I love having fun and learning while I create.

If you are interested in watching this project come together, I have an instruction video below. It takes you through the entire process so you can follow along as you create your topper. I hope you have enjoyed this post, share what you learn and are generous with what you create. Someone will appreciate your hard work.

Valentine's Day is fast approaching and Hearts are everywhere in our local stores.  So in honor of that upcoming day, I am releasing a brand new simple Fringe Heart Embroidery design.

I really like quick and easy designs for those last minutes projects and this one will most certainly fit that description.  In a short time, you can put this on pillows, T-Shirts, quilts or anywhere you want to spread some love.

I used a variegated thread on my sample so you could see that by making a unique thread choice, you will have a lot of options to use this design; not just for Valentines Day, but for other occasions. Moms, Dads, Grandparents and Kids are happy to receive some love.  The inside is blank so you can customize it with your own text.

The design stitches out with a wide satin and you can see the inner zig zag stitching also. This is important because you have to have something to hold those long threads in place for your upcoming trimming.

When you are ready to create the fringe, flip the hoop over and slide a small pair of scissors underneath the bobbin threads. Carefully snip those and the long fringe threads will be released.

Here is everything trimmed away and ready to turn over. Keeping the design in your hoop during this part will make it easier to trim as the hoop keeps it taut.

Then use a blunt object or your fingernail to gently pull the fringe to the front of the hoop.  It's that easy.  

Interested in trying fringe embroidery for free?  Check out this cute little Caterpillar available in my Free Embroidery Designs.

Have I got your creative ideas for Valentine's Day perking?  Visit my store here to see the new Fringe Heart Embroidery Design. Watch the short video below to see this design come to life.  I hope you have enjoyed this post, share what you learn and are generous with what you create. Someone will appreciate your hard work.

The New Year is here and my first design is being released today.  How about a Round Tuit Coffee Mug Wrap designed for the procrastinator in you?  This time of year is kind of dreaded by a lot of people isn't it?  There are a lot of things ending and life slows to a crawl for celebrations. Then the normal get back to work tasks creep back in.  The hardest part is getting started. So I designed this mug wrap to remind myself that I will                                     "Get Around To It" 

I am a hot beverage lover and real coffee mugs are necessary in my opinion.  It is truly a small pleasure that I indulge in daily.  There is something so decadent in sitting quietly with a warm mug enveloped in a quilted wrap.  I chose a floral fabric for this wrap and the quilting looks so pretty. I look forward to using it on my favorite pink mug.

This project has some applique in it so small pieces in your stash can be used up.  The design will require at least a 6x10 hoop and the entire wrap will be completed in one hooping except for a small opening to turn.

The text is really cute and simple.  I think the sky is the limit with color choices in fabric and thread.  

A button finishes everything off. If you are like me, you probably have a lot of buttons in your stash that need a project home.

What a bright and cheerful wrap.  I love the colors. Now instead of procrastinating, I can say I am going to get "Round To It"

Get The Round Tuit It Coffee Mug Wrap Embroidery Design here. I hope your New Year is going great so far and you are working on all of those needed tasks in your world. Remember to add in some time to be creative too. I hope you have enjoyed this post, share what you learn and are generous with what you create. Someone will appreciate your hard work.

Happy New Year to you in your part of the world.  In honor of this day, I am releasing a brand new FREE New Year Ball Drop Embroidery Design. This is a fun one because you can play with MYLAR to add some sparkle. It has also been digitized for Knitwear. So decorate those T Shirts or Sweatshirts.

First there will be a placement line that will tell you where to place the MYLAR.

You can use whatever color you can find in the gift wrap section of your store and let your machine sew it down. I like to add a few small pieces of tape while it sews.

It will add amazing sparkle. I also used a variegated thread color on my sample above. Look how pretty all of those colors came out.  The MYLAR has also been pulled away for the remaining elements to sew.

Festive, Fun and you get three different sizes in the download. There is a 5x7, 6x10 and 9x12 (or 9x9 for JEF machines)  So you can stitch out one for each family member.  One more creative idea is to use some Glow In The Dark thread.  Perfect to see while you watch those fireworks!

Now you can see the original design does not have a year on it. That is because I want you to be able to sew it in the future. You can add your own fonts to customize the date like the picture above.

If you don't have MYLAR, no problem. It will look like the shirt above. Just an open fill with no sparkle.

Or just leave the year date off and your shirt can be used in the future. So many ideas for you to be able to celebrate the New Year Ball Drop anywhere in the world. My family will celebrate close to home this year which is perfect for us. When caring for a Mylar design, I would wash on delicate or hand wash and line dry.

Get this and lots of other FREE EMBROIDERY DESIGNS HERE. I hope you have enjoyed this post, share what you learn and are generous with what you create. Someone will appreciate your hard work.  See you next year!

This week has been all about the beanies in my studio.  The time of year is perfect to decorate these accessories.  I am not sure if you have seen or felt the supply crunch this year but the decorator industry definitely has.  For months, certain ball cap brand favorites have been no where to be found. Many companies are not accepting new customers until they get their back orders processed. I think that is why you will see this very trendy project everywhere.  I have even heard my embroidery friends state they love doing beanies so much, they would rather sew them all day instead of ball caps which are more intensive to embroider.  I will admit these are lots of fun and I have digitized several brand new designs for you to enjoy. Let's look at them below.

My first design is a Plain Patch for a beanie. This one completes really quickly and you can add your own fonts from your collection or machine. All of these Beanie Patch Designs are digitized to use Faux Leather or Marine Vinyl. There are so many vinyl colors out there, you will be able to use these over and over.

The next design is the Boss Beanie Embroidered Patch. You probably have someone in your life that kind of rules the roost. This is perfect for them.   

How about a Beanie Patch For Daddy? I used a tan faux leather for all of these and I can just imagine camo or hunter orange beanies with these patches. 

This Hubby Embroidered Beanie Patch would be so cute for a new couple. In fact, that is what inspired me to design all of these patches. It just grew from there!

Here is the Wifey Embroidered Beanie Patch. In a different thread color so you can see options. I like it stitched both ways.

We can't leave out Mama for a Beanie Patch. No matter how old our kids get we are always gonna be Mama.

Now here is where it gets tricky. What do you call your Granny?  Maybe she goes by Nanny and she needs a Beanie Patch too.  

In our family we had at least one Papaw so he needs a beanie patch.

There is probably a Mimi somewhere in your friends or family right? Well Mimi needs a beanie patch.

I know a lot of families have a Pops.  So I have created a Pops Beanie Embroidery Patch. Again, all of these are easy to sew and I love the Rustic border. It really does create a unique finish to the patches.

Now you might be wondering how do I sew a Faux Leather Beanie Patch on?  I have got you covered there also.  Scroll to the bottom of this page or to any of the beanie patch designs in my store and you will see a great instruction video. Also, when you download any of these you will receive cut files, design sheets and full color instructions to make it a fun and easy project. I hope you have enjoyed this post, share what you learn and are generous with what you create. Someone will appreciate your hard work.

Christmas is fast approaching and we will celebrate on December 25th. Did you know in many places around the world, the celebrating continues through advent until January 6th? This is called the Epiphany.  I like the idea of observing this tradition until after the New Year. Maybe that is why so many people keep their decorations up until that time.   My latest In The Hoop 12 Days Christmas Tree Skirt embroidery design will help you do that.  This has been such a fun project to create. I think you will love seeing how it unfolds.

This design stitches entirely in your 5x7 embroidery hoop. There are 12 designs included and each one creates a different panel you can see above.  Once completed, it will be 16 inches across. This is the perfect size to use with a tabletop Christmas tree.  

Or you could decorate with some holiday candles.

Maybe you need a special place to leave Santa some Milk and Cookies?

So how can you complete a project that will be 16 inches across in a 5x7 hoop?  First you will stitch each panel.  Here you see one ready for releasing from the hoop.

Once it has been removed from the stabilizer, you will load the next embroidery design and stitch it out. Then, use a small amount of masking tape to hold the panel to the hoop, and your machine will sew a connecting stitch. It is very repetitive and once you have the first two panels sewn, you will get the hang of it.  

The project will continue to grow as you stitch and add panels.

Until finally you have all of the sections stitched out.

Even the back of the project looks pretty because you use a matching bobbin for the satin stitching.

Have I got your interest?  Are you trying to figure out how this works? Want to get the In The Hoop 12 Days Christmas Tree Skirt design? Scroll down to the bottom of the page and you can watch the instruction video.  When you download the design, you will also receive full color instructions.

I hope you are having a wonderful Holiday Season. Remember to share what you learn and be generous with what you create. Someone will appreciate your hard work.

Digitizing is one of those skills that definitely gets better with time and practice.   If you are reading this and are a complete beginner, you may not want to hear that. I remember just starting out and thinking I had to know everything all at one time. If I took a class or watched videos I sometimes came away with feelings of being so far behind and never being able to catch up. Sound familiar? Well guess what?  I have been digitizing for several years now and I still feel that way sometimes. There will always be someone out there who has more skills or more expensive equipment.  So how can you move forward?  Get friendly with your software of choice and tools available to you at this moment. Then, if you want to learn more or buy better, you can. ALSO remember, there are a multitude of ways to do machine embroidery. So be careful of thinking one way is the CORRECT way. Tools, techniques and products have a way of coming around in circular patterns.  It may look like a brand new thing or the latest buzz but they might just be old school reimagined. Keep an open mind and be ready to experiment. I thought I would show you some easy ways to digitize a cute design with built in software shapes. My latest design releasing today is Red Nosed Reindeer in honor of our holiday season and I used only ready made shapes that are in my program. No artwork necessary. Just playing with those shapes to see what I could come up with. This way of creating machine embroidery should be able to be used with any digitizing software as they usually include built in designs to help you.

Here is the reindeer portion of my design.  If you will notice when I originally digitized it, I was working in a 4x4 size hoop you can see in the picture. I added text later and moved it to a 5x7 hoop with that addition. In my software (Hatch by Wilcom) you can see all of the shapes listed on the right side of the screen by color. When you look at this Objects view, it really does keep it simple so you can sort everything. I like to do this to make sure I keep my color changes to a minimum. 

In Hatch by Wilcom, when you click on Digitize it will open up and you will see a Standard Shapes option. This is where all of those choices open up to you. 

Here is the shape I used for the collar. Also I wanted to keep my stitch count lower so I chose a cross stitch fill pattern for most of the shapes.  That choice is available when you click on the shape and on the Fill choices at the right side of the screen. Remember these options may not look exactly the same in your software, but similar choices should be available.

Each cross stitch shape was also outlined with a bean or triple stitch.  That can be done by making sure you have clicked on the shape and choosing create layout on the left side of the screen below digitize. A flyout will open and you can add any type of outline listed as well as the color choice.

I used a border shape that looks like a shield for the face.

How about this shape for the ears?  Once they were added I just rotated them and moved into place.  You could also create the first one, duplicate it then mirror so they are the same size.

A heart shape works well for the muzzle of the reindeer. Just rotate and move onto the face.

Antlers might sound tricky but check out this banner shape. Again create one resize it so it is the size you need, duplicate and mirror.

A circle shape can be used for the nose and then a tatami stitch is used for the fill so it really stands out.

A star shape is filled with cross stitch and then outlined like the other shapes.

Circles for the whites and pupils of the eyes. Then a satin fill is chosen for them.

So far most of the shapes are easy to add and put in place. You may have some parts that include trims that you don't want.  That is when you may need to add some travel stitches in between the objects like the ones circled in red.  These are just stitches that will keep your machine from trimming when you have the same thread color on objects. You can see these trims when you look at the design with True View unclicked. You will need to digitize a single stitch line. Start at the trim from one object then continue to the start area of the second object. In Hatch by Wilcom you can also click on objects you want to Join using the control key and then press the letter J. This is a hotkey that joins the objects and will hopefully remove trims between them if they are close enough and the same color. Any small triangles will denote trims.  In this picture all of the trims have been removed from the brown objects.

Here is that area mentioned earlier where you can create outlines for each shape if you want to. Click select on the object, create outlines and offsets. The shape will be outlined exactly on the edge and will usually be placed right behind the object in the stitch order for better stitch registration. I think it just gives it a better finish on those cross stitch fills. I didn't outline the shapes with Tatami or Satin Fills to keep the stitch count down.

I used fonts built into the Hatch by Wilcom software for the Merry Christmas words. This did increase my design and a 5x7 hoop was used for the stitch out. Normally you want to know your design size from the beginning but I didn't resize the reindeer. I simply added the text underneath and it no longer fit into a 4x4 hoop. Finally, all items were grouped together and then moved to the hoop center in the software before saving.  If you don't have digitizing software, I do have this Red Nosed Reindeer Design available in my store here. How about some ideas for last minute Christmas gifts?

A bag for that ultimate lover of the season. Notice the text colors were changed on this one and others below so they stand out more.

A onesie for a little cutie.

Or a Bib?

An apron for Christmas morning when you are baking those world famous Cinnamon Rolls?

A Holiday Tea Towel for kitchen or bath?

A warm sweatshirt to wear for that Holiday gathering?  So many ideas and there is still time to do some creating before the big day. 

So why am I showing you how to digitize when I sell designs myself? I want you to be successful whether you buy my designs or create them yourself.  If you are reading this article, you love machine embroidery and are my kind of people.  When I started trying to learn how to do machine embroidery, there were only a couple of professional industry people that were openly generous with digitizing information. I am forever grateful to them because my digitizing craft has brought me forward in life. It is always here when I am ready and sits back quietly when I am otherwise busy.  I want to pay it forward to someone out there like I was helped. So, are you getting excited to try using built in shapes in your digitizing software? I think you could do an infinity of embroidery designs using this technique. That would be a real confidence booster for you in your stitching journey. Or maybe this has inspired you to try machine embroidery again and you need some inspiration? If so, try my Free Designs Page. I hope you have enjoyed this post, share what you learn and are generous with what you create. Someone will appreciate your hard work. 

A brand new FREE Embroidery design is being released today!  This Tree Of Life stitches out in a 4x4 hoop.  The cross stitch pattern will bring back memories of "Old Fashioned Holiday" projects. If you are like me, you may have some pillows, hankies or tea towels from your creative relatives. I love walking in my local thrift stores and finding these treasures. So much work goes into hand sewing. It truly is a labor of love.

Maybe you love the cross stitch look but don't have the patience to work with needle and thread?  This is a great way to try it with your embroidery machine. Here are a few ideas to stitch this Tree Of Life design out.

A soft Cotton Tea Towel would look perfect hanging in your kitchen.  You can add some meaningful text above or below the tree.

A designer pillow for a chair or sofa is another great project. If you purchase plain covers that slip onto pillow forms, you will have a custom gift.

A wine holder as a gift filled with your favorite brand would be a unique gift for friends or family.

Check out my store page for this FREE Tree Of Life embroidery design and many others. All you have to do is add designs to your cart. Pick one or all of them, then proceed to checkout. Enter your info and receive an email link to download.  I hope you enjoy this post, share what you learn and are generous with what you create. Someone will appreciate your hard work.

My latest In The Hoop Santa Tized Holder embroidery design  being released today is a cute way to carry hand sanitizer for the holiday season. It completes in a 5x7 hoop and finishes really fast.  If you have marine vinyl remnants in your stash, you will be able to stitch up several in no time.

The text is a play on words and I know it made you smile. I love corny jokes. The project is designed to complete in one hooping and with some creative cutting, even the top loop will finish so you can install any kind of hanging hardware you like.  I used a key ring here.

Now I bet this picture has piqued your creative thoughts?  If you are interested in seeing the instruction video you can scroll to the bottom of this page and watch.  Wash away cutaway stabilizer is the best way to get a good stitch out so all you are left with is the project once complete. I like to use the type that is woven as it has enough strength to hold the weight of the stitching.

The tab is looped so various sanitizer bottles will fit inside. I had several that I showcased in the instruction video. If you give this as a gift to someone, they should have no problem finding one to fit.

Are you ready to be "Santa" Tized?  Look for the design in my store here and don't forget to watch the video to see how the project comes together. I know you will enjoy making these and maybe filling a few stockings.  I hope you have enjoyed this post, share what you learn and are generous with what you create. Someone will appreciate your hard work.

Pine Cone Turkeys are cemented in my childhood memory.  They were an annual craft in my elementary school years.  Usually the last day before we got our fall break the teacher would have puzzle pages, mazes and some sort of craft.  We usually used construction paper for the pine cone turkeys but this In The Hoop Pine Cone Turkey project will make them sturdier and sparkly.

So how cute is this?  A simple pine cone transformed into a decoration that you can use on your holiday table. How about one for each of your family members and dinner guests?  Notice the small tag hanging on the front says "Thankful For".  A chalk marker can be used to fill in whatever you want. How about a new family tradition where each person writes in what they are most thankful for?

The special material used to give all that textured shine is Mylar. I have talked about the magic of Mylar before and it is so much fun to work with. Look for it in the gift wrapping section of your local store.

Ultra Firm Interfacing is the other material that allows the finished pieces to stand up tall. Here you see the pattern piece for the turkey tail. Mylar gives the shine to the front, the interfacing gives structure and the fabric conceals all of the stitches on the back so everything is pretty.

Here is the tail with all of the beautiful fall colors. You can customize those any way you like. You can also see the removal of the Mylar. It comes away very easily.

Once all of the pieces are completed, there are a few steps to prep them for installation. Here you see yarn being used  in button holes.  This allows the pieces to be woven into the pine cone and held securely in place. 

Have I piqued your interest and sparked some creative thoughts?  You can watch the entire In The Hoop Pine Cone Turkey video stitch out below to see how fun and easy this project will be. See the design here in my store. Once the Thanksgiving season is over, you can remove all of the pieces and store for next year. I hope you have enjoyed this post, share what you learn and are generous with what you create. Someone will appreciate your hard work.