Im at home and i cant go out, i want to do a craft with things at my house. Any suggestions?
I enjoy scrapbooking. I already have an album done to give as a Christams gift so all my friend will have to do is to put her photos on the pages and add the jourrnaling.
I also enjoy rubber stamping…making cards, small books, decorating things with stamped items.
Listed below is a great place to look for ideas, specific projects to do with tutorials.
Or you could try knitting, crocheting (good to do while watching tv), sewing, cross stitching, embroidery.
I also enjoy photography. So if you have a digital camera there's a lot you can take photos of. You could photograph the area you live in, plants andd flowers, events you attend, local events, whatever strikes your fancy. From there you could touch up your photos by editing them then create a slide show or DVD which has your photos set to music.
I like to read a lot. I'm always curious to learn more about a lot of different things, just for my own information. The library is available to all and is free to join. Or if you prefer you could look a lot of stuff up on the internet.
Exercise, many of us Americans (I assume you are American) are carrying too much weight and should move more. Even if you don't have any pounds to lose exercise makes you healthier.
Genealogy…tracing your family history and roots. A lot of the research can be done on the internet these days. It's one of those things that's on my list to get around to.
There are a lot of craft ideas out there for the holidays. Your local library might be a good place to look for ideas of things you can make to decorate for Thanksgiving and Christmas. There are also a lot of home made gift ideas out there this time of the year, Look both at books and at what magazines the library gets. The current issue is not usually available for check out but you can use the copier at the library or take you digital camera and take detailed photos of the project. Also have scrap paper with you to trace any patterns that you'll need or again you could photo copy them.
Gardening Watch DVD's, VHS movies
Stamp (postage) or coin collecting,
Learn to draw, or learn basket weaving.
Learn a new skill that's been on your list.
Hope this list is a help and a starting point for you.
Filed under Embroidery Library by on Feb 1st, 2013. 3 Comments. 
I am new at sewing…how should i start? i want ot make one of those square patch work ones – should i sew it by hand or with a machine? how do i start etc?
when I started making quilts I did a nine patch lap quilt. It measured 54 in/54 in. You cut a strip(now they call them jelly rolls) 2 1/2 in by 2 1/2 in.You will need at least three (can be different colors or two strips the same and one a different color.You can use solid material ,small prints, crazy prints, bold colors,etc. I always buy the fat quarters for this and I buy one main color for the backing and the borders,4 colors that I can use to make the squares, I have use 6 different colors.I sew the strips together. Then go back with my rotary cutter and ruler cut the strips to 2 1/2 inches. Line them up to make a square that has nine total 2 in squares in it (when you have sewn them together the little square will measure 2 inches). I did 6 of those squares across and down (total of 36 finished squares) in three rows. then I took a contrasting color for the sashing(if you want to separate them).You can just sew them all together. Then use a color from the square to make a 2 or 3 inch border. The strips for the border to frame in the squares is measured for the length of the quilt sides,then top and bottom. Sew the strips on the sides first then come back to the top and then the bottom. then measure your quilt top, if you want to make it still bigger go and take the contrasting color and make a 6 inch border to sew on the smaller border. It should now measure at least 54 x 54 or larger. Your material for the backing should be the same length maybe even 6 ot 8 inches more all around. Now you are ready to make the quilt. I use a color from the quilt top for the backing, batting for a twin size to cut the right size. I would recommend warm and natural or warm and white.Here's the part that is up to you- it is very easy to quilt on a machine if you have the attachment and some decorative stitches or you can hand quilt . I would recommend that you sew all of the squares on the machine and then hand quilt your first quilt. If you do not work it should take you a week to do the top and then quilting about 4 hours a day by hand about two to three weeks to finish. When sewing on the machine I would also recommend that you get an embroidery needle or an in-between. These needles will not poke holes in your material. I also use cotton material. Then look for quilting thread-machine or hand quilting thread. Be bold and use color thread if you are making decorative stitches or just use a thread that will match the main color in the quilt top. You can buy stencils to draw on the top to follow if you like or you can free hand the design.When you have finished the quilting you can either take binding tape and sew around the quilt to finish the edge or turn the rough edges under and sew them together. If you want to see some simple blocks go to quilterscache.com you can see the blocks and get instructions on how to make it down to how much material you will need plus the pattern for free. Good luck
Filed under Free Hand Embroidery Designs by on Dec 11th, 2012. 2 Comments.
Are you looking for machine embroidery designs? Try the machine brand web sites, they all have downloads of free sample designs of the collections that they sell. Also, most designers have a free sample of the work that they sell. Some of my favorites:
http://www.husqvarnaviking.com/uk/1556.htm
http://www.brother-usa.com/HomeSewing/GetCreative/free-designs.aspx
http://www.elnausa.com/
http://www.singerco.com/projects/
http://www.pfaffusa.com/4704.html
http://www.embroideryonline.com/products/SpecialDeals.aspx
http://www.emblibrary.com/EL/default.aspx
http://freeembroiderystuff.embroiderydesigns.com/stockdesigns.aspx
Have fun!!
Filed under Free Embroidery Downloads by on Dec 3rd, 2012. 1 Comment.
I'm short on funds this year and want to make Christmas presents out of stuff I already have. I'm getting tired of making purses and memo boards. I have lots of scrap material and embroidery supplies. I'm good at embroidery, sewing, and cross stitch but am looking at other ideas as well. Please don't post anything expensive. I am on a very fixed budget! thanks in advance for your help
There are many ideas that you can do as well as a few books that cater to making recycle items. I have a few so if you send me an email with some ideas you are looking for I can check them out I have couple of books that everything cost about 10.00 or less to make. These books normal can be found in most crafts stores. Or you can check out what books your local library have. They will mostly likely have a craft type section.
Filed under Embroidery Library by on Nov 25th, 2012. 5 Comments.
I want to turn an illustration into a digital image in order to get it embroidered onto something. I asked about it at Lids and they have a service where they digitize the image for $50. I would like to find something free or cheaper. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.
once you have drawing on paper done, use scanner to import to image editor or use camera to upload image , then touch up or re-edit image to inaccurate copy of design you want,
PhotoPlus
http://www.freeserifsoftware.com/software/PhotoPlus/
Artweaver Free
http://www.artweaver.de/products-en/artweaver-free/
Gimp ~image editor,
http://gimp-win.sourceforge.net/stable.html
then place in embroidery program or sewing knitting tools the set blocks for stitches,
Embroidery Reader
Scheme Maker
http://schememaker.sourceforge.net/
Stitch –
http://people.dsv.su.se/~henrikbe/stitch/screenshots.shtml
KG-Chart for Cross Stitch
http://www.iktsoft.net/kgchart-en/kgchart/
Sophie Sews
http://www.sophiesew.com/SSDLP/Gallery.php
Stitch buddy (mac)
http://www.stitchbuddy.de/
http://sewhelp.com/
..
Filed under Free Embroidery Software by on Nov 21st, 2012. 3 Comments.
I have been looking and I can only find embroidery or serger thread in multiple colors in a set. I am looking for all purpose poly blend where I dont have to purchase each spool separate.
Gutermann's Mara 100 polyester thread, about 400 colors: http://www.wawak.com/products/category.cfm?cID=333 (an excellent price); Gutermann premade assortment: http://www.amazon.com/Gutermann-In-Home-Sew-All-Thread-Assortment/dp/B003SBV5ZC
You may also want to read: http://sewing.about.com/library/weekly/aa102100a.htm
Filed under Embroidery Library by on Nov 21st, 2012. 2 Comments.
I'm just trying to get an idea what I can sew on with this machine, and also which would be the best thread for embroidery? I know I can sew towels, but for some reason, I had difficulty sewing on one when I tried it. I'm thinking my machine doesn't like the thread that I have so which embroidery thread serves best for that model? Any information you can provide will be greatly appreciated.
Embroidering towels or other napped fabric takes preparation of the fabric.
Be sure to use thread specifically for machine embroidery and bobbin thread specifically for machine embroidery.
There are tips, techniques and charts at Embroidery Library that would be very helpful to anyone who does machine embroidery. http://www.emblibrary.com/EL/elprojects/holder.aspx?page=techniques
Filed under Embroidery Library by on Nov 15th, 2012. 3 Comments.
I inherited my mom's Brother NV4000D embroidery machine and want to learn to use it. The Brother dealer wants $50/hour and I can't afford that. Mother used to go to weekly classes and I doubt she paid that much for them but she was in Colorado so I don't know.
Your mother may not have paid that much, because the lessons where at the dealer from which she purchased the machine. Over the past years, prices have gone up for service and lessons.
When I purchase my first embroidery machine, there wasn't anyone selling the machines who new very much about how to use the.
I learned at my own pace from Jeanine Twigg's books.
The manual for the machine will show you how to operated the machine – read and follow the instructions carefully.
There are many sites where you can ask questions or view "conversations" among those who do machine and embroidery and they are always very helpful when it comes to a "newbie".
Try Machine Embroidery Essentials, How to Stabilize, Hoop and Stitch as well as a few visits to http://www.sewforum.com
One important caveat – never walk away from the embroidery machine while it is operating. A jam can throw off the timing and this is around a $90 fix.
Visit Ann The Gran for free designs to download as well as Sewforum and several other sites.
Ask about lessons in San Diego at Ann The Gran. There is at least one person on the forum in CA, but I am not sure of the city.
You might also ask the same at sewforum.
Additional information –
Your machine embroidery format is pes.
According to this ad, the 4000 has been discontinued, but it does have the USB port for easy transfer of downloaded designs from the PC to the embroidery machine, but a limited embroidery area of 8" x 4". Another plus – it is a combo (sewing as well as an embroidery machine).
http://www.mrvacmrssew.com/Shop/products/Brother/Embroidery-Machines/Brother-Innovis-4000D-Sewing-and-Embroidery-Machine/index.html
Filed under Free Embroidery Downloads by on Nov 13th, 2012. 1 Comment.
I'm looking for some free patterns so I can make somethings for my daughter's room she is only 14mos so I need Ideas for that age group or even a little more older up to age 5 so I don't have to change it right away. Thank you
Go on line and do a search: free floral embroidery or try advanced-embroidery-designs.com. They have free designs.
Filed under Free Embroidery Designs by on Nov 13th, 2012. 1 Comment.
Make a miniature rug on the sewing machine with thread painting which mimics Russian needlepunch. Variegated threads give a lovely blended look similar to wool hooked rugs. The threads used are YLI cotton machine quilting threads. Part 1
Visit www.threadpaint.com and www.quiltstream.com for more!
Duration : 0:8:14
Read more on Designing by Thread with Terry White – Cherry Rug Part 1…
Filed under Free Machine Embroidery Designs by on Sep 2nd, 2012. 6 Comments.
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