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Whats the best make/brand of sewing machine?

January 14th, 2013 3 comments

i do art-textiles at a-level and i do a lot of free machining/embroidery work , so will need it to have that feature plus the foot, also do normal machining, would like it to be quite straightforward, nothing tooo complicated
any suggestions would be great
thanks!!

I would suggest getting an older second hand machine, I do art and design A-level textiles and my all time favourite machines come from viking (also known as husqvarna). Bernina, the old ones i would say are the best for machine embroidery and last a lot longer, in one session without dying on you than the newer models :). I know quite a bit more about machines than most teenage girls doing textiles as my mum is a textiles teacher, from sweden where the teaching degrees for textiles require a lot more knowledge, also i have experience with both old and new viking machines, both great, an old bernina, especially used in our house for machine embroidery (all these three we have at home). and a Janome, a new one from school, which to be perfectly honest did not agree with me at all.

what are some good websites that can teach me embroidery basics?

January 12th, 2013 1 comment


I’ve been embroidering since I was three, and have taught a number of beginners some of the basics. I usually use aida for their first lessons, because it’s easy to see the holes, and you get some practice at working stitches regularly. Here’s a good site:
http://www.needlenthread.com/videos and another:
http://www.embroiderersguild.com/stitch/stitches/index.html

My suggestion: pick a few stitches you like the looks of and play with them a bit. Develop your own variations. Sketch a design and try some stitches on it. Here’s a piece of wrought iron art:
http://dhruvphoto.blogspot.com/2007/03/madien-hair-fern-could-fit-in-graphic.html that I turned into a quilt square for a friend — I used three stitches: stem, feather and a variant of the french knot, and three shades of green — I was pleased: http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/21784677

Head for the library for some books on embroidery — there are all sorts of formal styles of embroidery, ranging from cross stitch to blackwork to redwork to whitework to polychrome; free stitching and counted thread work; work on surface fabrics and work "in the air" like stumpwork. Play. It can be a really cheap hobby, and one you can keep handy for fidgeting — a square of fabric and a needle and a skein of embroidery thread can easily fit in an altoids box.

DMC has, over the years, done tremendous amounts of design books for embroidery ("DMC Library"). Particularly if you’re interested in historical styles, they can be an excellent resource. Here are a few more books, some beginnerish, some advanced… just have fun:






www.amazon.com/Mountmellick-Work-Irish-White-Embroidery/dp/0851055125

Don’t let first projects overwhelm you, think small at first — a little featherstitch or chain stitch variant covers the top of a pocket or around a cuff in very little time, and is much less discouraging than getting yourself into the middle of a needlepoint rug project. And choose a small oval hoop for your first hoop. They’re easy to hold and work around. Me? I mostly work in hand, without a hoop. Even easier once you’ve gotten the idea of thread tensions taught to your fingers.

FWIW, these are the usual types of hoops I give to beginners — easy to adjust, hold the fabric well, light in the hand, pretty cheap.

www.createforless.com/Darice+Spring+Tension+Hoop+7/pid17632.aspx
(aka tension hoop, spring hoop) (and also works for machine embroidery
and the plastic Susan Bates hoops:
www.createforless.com/Bates+Hoop-La+Embroidery+Hoop+_and_+Frame+5/pid69998.aspx which has an adjustment screw.

5" round is a good size for most women to hold. though I still prefer the oval hoops
that are harder to find. //www.nordicneedle.com/PROD/6980B.html

When you turn pro, go for the scroll frames or q snaps and similar, if you want to work in a frame.

I am learning embroidery, can any please suggest a list good embroidery software’s. thank you?

January 10th, 2013 1 comment

Well, Initially I would like to learn it on computer, I know hand embroidery, now I want to design new embroids and implement it practically on various cloths with differential patterns

are you looking for free patterns, instructions on various stitches, any particular stitch, ….
what do you mean by software – are you learning computerized embroidery or hand embroidery?
if you add some details, i can give you a specific answer. i have quite a few sites on hand & machine embroidery.
meanwhile, you can try google, youtube, expertvillage, about.com, ehow.com, etc.

will wait for you to update …
all the best

okay, here’s a list i’ve compiled for machine embroidery – most have free patterns, but if you browse through them, i’m sure you’ll find a lot more & further links too.
hope you find what you are looking for & more :-))

first, though :
www.embroiderytop.com/index.html — list of top embroidery sites !! and they update this regularly.

www.embroiderydesigns.com/freeembroiderydesigns.aspx
www.abc-free-machine-embroidery-designs.com/archive/
www.annthegran.com/FreeDesigns.aspx
www.s-embroidery.com/free-machine-embroidery-designs.html
www.swfeast.com/en/FREE_embroidery_Machine_Designs.asp
www.embroiderthis.com/downloads1.html
www.dekatzenembroidery.co.za
www.stitchpatch.co.za
www.hatchedinafrica.com
www.emblibrary.com
www.embroidery-free.com
www.embroidery-freebies.com
www.embroideryfree.us
www.embroideryhorizons.com/
www.oriental-embroidery.com/
http://www.bunnycup.com/
and if you want free designs, you can join to this group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/orientalto…

hope this helped

Freehand Machine Embroidery Workshop – an introduction to one of our day courses.

January 9th, 2013 7 comments

Our beautiful film, made by the wonderful folk at Sideways Cornwall, gives you a feel for attending one of our freehand machine embroidery day courses at the Poppy Treffry studio. Meet Poppy and see what course attendees created in just one day, using our quirky, vintage Singer sewing machines.

Duration : 0:2:43

Read more…

Categories: Free Hand Embroidery Designs Tags:

Textiles mock GCSE on Art Deco, what materials and components should I be using!?

January 8th, 2013 1 comment

Textiles mock GCSE on Art Deco, what materials and components should I be using!?
In the prep, it says I should be able to write a list of the materials and components I will use. I have no idea what this means!! (We have an awful teacher who has taught us NO theory!!) Can someone help me with examples of materials and components?

There are lots of materials you can choose from
Velvet
Cotton Calico
Satin
Sateen
Fleece
Twill
Drill
Jersey
Sheeting
Denim (Lightweight or Heavyweight) & loads more
When annotating your designs say what percentage fibre they are e.g. 100% polyester cotton etc

Components:
Modern:
Solar changing threads
Glow in the dark thread
When annotating again say the fibre content e.g 100% polyester (most threads are this content)

Normal:
Buttons (say size, shape, 4 or 2 holes)
Zips (say length, invisible or visible? – also show close up of the zip fastening)
Eyelets
Hook & eyes
Velcro etc.

Decoration:
Modern:
Solar changing beads (say size/shape of beads)
Glow in the dark string
Sound boxes

Normal:
Sequins
Beads
Printed design? – sublimation print/cool peel
Embroidery – free machine, hand, Janome PE300 (CAD/CAM) – I would use the CAD/CAM example as you gain more marks for the use of this
Iron on motifs
Applique
Quilting – English
Transfer inks/crayons

I can’t think of anything else, try searching it on google and try using modern techniques as well as old, you always gain credit for this as they are looking for unique designs so be as creative as possible because it doesn’t matter if you can’t make it, they are looking for creativity.

Also do some research into art deco so you know abit about it and the common patterns/colours/themes it uses and commet about these when annotating – you need this to get marks in the exam so it is always best to do a mood board before the exam

Good Luck!!

How can I be a fashion designer?

January 6th, 2013 2 comments

I’m turning 12 and I wanna be a fashion designer.
I’m good in math, drawing, and im sort of good in knitting (im learning, but im good enough now)
I ADORE fashion designing specially the part when you end up with alot of clothes 😉
but i need tips.. any help?
thnx in advance!! 😀

psst… the rules of Yahoo answers say you need to be over 13 to post questions…Can you edit out your age? I don’t want your question deleted before seeing my answer.

To answer your question: at your age you should be learning how to make clothes and how to take the clothes you have an make them different and special. You can add beads, trims, appliques, sparkly things, paint…anything and everything creative. At your age you should be developing your imagination and exploring your creativity. You are too young to worry about the business and the technical stuff, you can learn that later…when you are young it’s more important to unchain the imagination and let your thoughts run free and untamed. Pattern making is easy to learn…creativity can’t be taught.

You should be experimenting with a sewing machine and fabric, trying to turn your sketches and ideas into clothes. Try to make a dress form based on your body and then drape fabric on it, pin it together, sew it ups and see how it looks. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes and learn from mistakes. All designers are willing to fail, because a failed experiment can pave the way for a successful design. Keep a record of what you have made, fabric samples, and write out what worked, what didn’t any lessons learned, and what you might do different next time or what you will do the same. I have kept a record like that since I was about 13, and I still keep a record of experiments, special pieces, or any new tricks or techniques.

Try sewing from commercial patterns and become the best sewer that you can be. The clothes you make from patterns should look like you bought them in the store. (fashion schools ALL require the student to be able to sew, some will take an accomplished seamstress with few sketches and lots of completed clothes over someone with a thousand drawings. and no clothes. When you sew with patterns try to make each piece unique and add touches of your own personality. As you progress you will discover that you are naturally attracted to certain colors, certain motifs, etc, this is your person artistic style developing. This is a good thing, everyone needs a personal artistic vision and personal artistic style, even fashion designers. You might find you put turtles on everything, or maybe flowers…that’s part of your style. (I put mushrooms on everything and my favourite print is almost always paisley)

Develop a love for fibers and fabrics, all textiles, clothes, sewing and the creative process that goes into creating the clothes. Develop a love for all things hand crafted and hand made. Try other crafts along side sewing and clothing, such as knitting, beading, applique, patchworking and quilting, fabric embellishments and hand embroidery. All these can be used on clothes to make them special

And that’s what you can do at your age. That’s how many of the designers I have met started. If you read designer biographies most will say that they started at about 12-14 making crafts and clothes and discovered that they loved doing it and they just kept doing it until it became their career.

That’s what you need to do at your age.

what is the best software to buy with which I can design my own cross stitch and embroidery patterns?

January 4th, 2013 2 comments


If you mean embroidery machine patterns, I would recommend Embird with the Cross-stitch add-on. The package is very popular and has many available tutorials to show you step by step how to create the designs for your embroidery machine.

I personally use it and find it very easy to understand and use. It has alot of functionality and versatility as well. There is also a 30 day free trial so that you can try before you buy. You can find more information about Embird as well as available tutorials at http://www.secretsof.com/

If you mean hand-embroidery and cross-stitch patterns, I personally have found that drawing my own patterns on graph paper has worked easiest and best for me.

** Hand bead embroidery designs (Mobile Version)

January 2nd, 2013 1 comment

http://www.colouricious.com

Hand bead embroidery designs with textile artist Eliza McClelland

Eliza McClelland is a textile artist who loves to teach bead embroidery. Her hand bead embroidery designs based on cross stitch designs are quick and easy to learn. In this homemade textile art video, Eliza McClelland talks to you about beadwork on canvas and the stunning pieces you can create using your own scrap fabric. Using your canvas, you will see how to use beadwork for clothes and motifs on canvas for jeans using your old broken necklaces, earrings or old jewellery. The cross stitching techniques are free and easy too for beadwork beginners who if inspired will learn how about texture in beadwork and the shades of colour Eliza McClelland uses in her work. She has been inspired in her work by designs such as stained glass windows and you can build on this inspiration too for your textile art and beading projects.
You can catch up with her at many of the craft shows in the UK where she sells cross stitch bead kits

Eliza loves to give lectures about her hand embroidery art textiles as well as textile workshops.

Duration : 0:11:3

Read more…

Categories: Free Hand Embroidery Designs Tags:

I Am trying to teach myself to knit.Does anyone have any good tips?

January 2nd, 2013 8 comments

I have never knitted before.Can anyone give me any good starter tips.Please Thank you

Hi:

The following websites and books might have what you want:

http://www.barnesandnobel.com/

http://knittingcrochet.suite101.com/arti…

http://www.theknitstitch.com/charity.htm…

http://www.knittinguniverse.com/xrx/comm…

http://www.learntoknit.com/instructions_…

http://www.learn-to-knit.com/

http://www.squidoo.com/knitting…

http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/knit…

http://knitknitting.com/

http://knitting.about.com/

http://wendyknits.net/wendy/knitting.htm…

http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/croche…

http://www.knitty.com/issuespring05/feat…

http://hobbies.expertvillage.com/intervi…

http://www.knittingfool.com/

http://www.knittinghelp.com/

http://www.letsknit2gether.com/…

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/knitting…

Books :

he Ultimate Sourcebook of Knitting and Crochet Stiches: Over 900 Great Stitches Detailed for Needle Crafters of Every Level
by Reader’s Digest Editors (Editor), Reader’s Digest Editors-
A most execellent book on the subject { I own one and agree with it} get this book it nothing else-

Learn to Knit
by Shure

The Knitting Experience Book 1: The Knit Stitch: Inspiration and Instruction, Vol. 1
by Sally Melville, Elaine Rowley (Editor), Alexis Xenakis (Photographer), Alexis Xenakis (Photographer), Xrx Press (Manufactured by)

Beginner Basics (Vogue Knitting on the Go! Series)
by Trisha Malcolm (Editor)

Kids Knitting
by Melanie Falick, Kristin Nicholas (Illustrator), Chris Hartlove (Photographer)

Knitting For Dummies
by Pam Allen, Trisha Malcolm, Rich Tennant (Illustrator), Trisha Malcolm (Foreword by)

Teach Yourself VISUALLY Knitting
by Sharon Turner

Modular Knits: New Techniques for Today’s Knitters
by Iris Schreier

Donna Kooler’s Encyclopedia of Knitting
by Donna Kooler

Knitting School: A Complete Course
by Sterling Publishing, RCS LIBRI

Big Book of Knitting Stitch Patterns
by Staff of Sterling Publishing

Learning to Knit
by BarCharts, Kaaren Ashley

Learn to Knit
by Sue Whiting (Editor)

Learn To Knit
by Penny Hill, New Holland Publishers Ltd (Produced by)

The Learn to Knit a Sweater Book
by Jean Leinhauser

How to Knit
by Debbie Bliss

Knitter’s Lib: Learn to Knit, Crochet, and Free Yourself from Pattern Dependency
by Lena Maikon

Teach Yourself Knitting
by Sally J. Walton

The Easy Learn to Knit in Just One Day
by Staff of the American School of Needlework

Start to Knit
by Alison Dupernex

Decorative Knitting: 100 Practical Techniques, 125 Inspirational Ideas: And over 18 Creative Projects
by Kate Haxell, Luise Roberts

Michaels Book of Needlecrafts: Knitting, Crochet and Embroidery
by Dawn Cusick (Editor), Megan Kirby (Editor), Megan Kirby (Editor), Lark Books (Manufactured by)

Perfectly Brilliant Knits
by Melissa Matthay, Sheryl Thies, Sheryl Thies

The Knitter’s Handbook
by Eleanor Van Zandt

Beginner’s Guide to Knitting
by Alison Dupernex

Complete Book of Knitting
by Barbara Abbey

Tips:
1) Make a xerox copy of the project So you can mark off what row you did and so you know where you are on the project – good tip for any beginers

2) Make sure you read the direction clear through so you get a idea of what the design of the pattern looks like and how it structured. and how it’s to be assembled. Also have your equipment and supplies on hand when you start your project

3) Make a sample of the stitch and measure a square inch of it and count the number of stitch in it so you got idea of it gauge or swap. this so you can find what needle size your going to need to get your pattern to the right size. Different people knit or crochet differently.

4) make sure you got enough yarn of each color on hand to do the project your doing. It hard for to you work the color yarn on your project when you find out that you don’t have that yarn color in your basket.

5) Make sure of you counted your stitches correctly when doing each row. Nothing it more frustrating than to find out you made a error in your count and have to unknit or redo the whole thing. Invest in a knit counter or a notepad and pencil..

6) Chose a quiet place to do your project along with ample time to do it.

7) Learn to add a different color or add new yarn to your project invaluable to you when you about to run out of yarn

8) Get two books :

One, a book on how to knit.
Two: a good book on knitting stitches for reference; in case you forget how to do something.

9) Be patence, Your project is going to take time to complete. – Remember "Roman was not built in a day" Also in some cases ( For example: like you find out you or a friend going to be a mother or Grandma. Start your project before way before the event happens( in this case a baby blanket. It a shame to work on baby blanket, only to finish it five years later and find out they out grown it.) unless your starting it long before it happens . use common sense here

10. Good luck and my best wishes to you on your project what ever it is.

How do you make an annabeth chase costume?

December 31st, 2012 1 comment


First you need a bright orange t-shirt, then take it to an screen printing shop or embroidery shop and have them put on "Camp Half-Blood" with a pegasus beneath it. If you’re on a budget, get over to an office supply store (or just Wal-Mart) and get some t-shirt transfers that you can design your self and print on the computer.

Make sure you don your magical baseball cap, but loop it though your belt, don’t wear it, because when you’re wearing it your character turns invisible so it won’t make sense.

A beaded necklace with a college ring hanging on it will be the easiest and funnest part of putting together this costume.

Bug spray (belt mounted to keep your hands free) to keep away those pesky spiders.

A standard gold-colored plastic sword and shield will work fine in place on bronze.

Shirt: http://store.americanapparel.net/2102.html?cid=199&c=Gold

Cap: http://shop.mlb.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3887365&cp=1452360.1452526.2016109

Beading Kit: http://www.overstock.com/Crafts-Sewing/Bead-Girl-Bead-Kit/3266824/product.html

Faux Class Ring: http://www.eternalsparkles.com/p-1128-es1251-jewelry-clear-cz-gold-tone-ring.aspx

Belt Holster for Bug Spray: http://www.combinedsafety.com/index.php?page=shop/cart&func=cartAdd&product_id=686&ps_session=fc5445fb2da802a968b8febee4f521a14b60832f

Sword and Shield set: http://www.toyboxligonier.com/rokndearwisw.html