Just Have TOO many Fun things to work on!!!

It seems I am getting off to a very slow start on this thing called blogging.  But Fall is here and soon the snow will fly here in beautiful Vermont!  So before we get too much snow and before the VAST trails open, I must get these projects of mine finished!!!

So, updates....

The Sister Project:  A blue Quilt for mom.  As you might recall, she used her embroidery machine as she was recuperating from a broken arm last winter to create the centers of the blocks that Cathy and I built a quilt block around.  We found the blue floral print to be excessively stretchy and it has been a pain to work with, but the blocks are coming out beautiful. It is still on my list of to-do's before Christmas (and boy, that is coming faster than you think!!!)  This is what it will look like when it is completed.

Part of the reasons for the delays is the Embroidery Club that started at Cowles Quilting in St. Albans.  What a fun group we have!!!!  Preparing for this is taking a little more time, but you can be sure if you join this club, there will be projects unlike any you see in other fabric shops.  In October we learned the value of Wash-Away thread, the Hoop Sisters Trim A Block By George and about how density can become a problem if the digitizer is not careful when they create the embroidery.  Here is my end result for this month's class.

It seems there is also a growing interest in creating digitized embroidery files and so I am planning to start up a Digitizing Club in October.  There are many software packages out there and I have been exposed to several of them.  I intend to tailor the class to be inclusive of the most popular packages such as PE Designer 10, 6D and MBX.  Each of these packages have similar functionality, they just work a little differently in each.  We should have some fun!!!

Topics I intend to explore include Lettering, Applique, Cross Stitch, Photographs.  Be sure to drop me a note here if you are interested in joining this group.

So, I will end for now and pick one of these projects and get going!!!!

Happy Stitching, My friends!

 

Dream Machine Update

Whew!!!  What a great day!  I learned so much and can't wait to demo this great machine for Cowles Customers!  Let's see, I will start at the end of the day first - using the scanning feature.  It was amazing to put a picture on the scanning hoop and within minutes a completed digitized file was ready to stitch out.  Within 25 minutes I had scanned and digitized right on the sewing machine - a quilt block, a coloring book picture and a picture of a butterfly!   How cool that was!  I can see this machine in the hands of those who want some flexibility in creating their own embroideries but don't want to learn a new software. 

The ease of placing a design on anything was amazing. Imagine wanting an embroidery in a specific spot and all you have to do is place a 'snowman' and let the machine do all the work, even if you hoop your fabric a little skewed.

We started out the day looking at the sewing features.  So many functionalities to make your sewing easy.  The lazar light keeps you on target, the Duel feed foot is wonderful!  I managed to do couching for the first time ever and LOVE it with this machine! I can see some cool Jacket, Skirt and pillows with this great technique.

Overall, the Dream Machine, is just that, quite dreamy for sure.  I can't wait to get back to the shop and get some projects going on this one!

Brother's Dream Machine School - Here I come!!!

I am SO excited to have the privilege of attending Brother School for the newest Dream Machine Embroidery Sewing Machine and Digitizing Software for Cowles Quilting in St. Albans.  The machine is all packed up in the car and I will be heading out this afternoon for two days of FUN!!!! 

I'm certain my sister Cathy is feeling a bit apprehensive as we love that we have matching sewing machines, but I must say, I am a-leaning toward this model! I can't wait to see this High Definition LCD screen that is HUGE!!!  And talk about space, this one has 11.25" of workspace.  Julie and I unpacked this puppy fresh off the truck yesterday and gasped as we saw the size of the largest hoop!  9.5" x 14" - big enough to do a great embroidery down the back of a shirt or skirt - easy!

Now the really cool functionality that I MUST see is the automatic positioning available through the scan technology.  Can you imagine, sticking your shirt pocket in the hoop and having a picture of that pocket on the LCD panel under your embroidery? Well that is what happens and allows a perfect placement on that pocket or lapel, whatever you have!  Can't WAIT!!!!

For those of us who LOVE, LOVE, LOVE those decorative stitches, think of all the possibilities with the scanning to position that line of stitches perfectly on the ditch of a quilt block! 

Ok, enough for now, I'm getting the last of my daily tasks done so I can hit the road!  Stay tuned for more!

Embroidery Club at Cowles

Today we held our first Embroidery Club Meeting at Cowles Quilting in St. Albans Vermont.  It was so fun to be with everyone!  I am happy to report that we had our share of technical FUN!  Of course not everyone would describe it that way, but whenever we have a problem we get to learn from (and that is exactly what happened today)  I consider it FUN!!!

We learned that when we have a really large USB drive, it can take a long time for the sewing machine to read the files on it!  But alas, the USB did work on that machine.  Boy, was it handy having Brian around today!!  He was able to fix an embroidery arm that fell so the student was able to enjoy completing both projects!  Our hero for sure!!!

We completed a cute USB zipper pouch in the hoop and a lace coaster, learning about stabilizers and hooping techniques.  

I am really looking forward to next month. Applique Quilt as you go technique will be used to complete an autumn themed wall hanging.  Stay tuned because I will be blogging as I put this one together!