I wanted to share my latest published piece, give you a little bit of background on the article, and share a few of my favorite pillow making tips.
It all started when Denise Holguin, managing Editor of Designs in Machine Embroidery magazine, asked me to contribute to their "For the Love of Embroidery issue." Basically, the idea was to showcase a project that would answer the "Why do you embroider" question. In other words, if you had to answer that question in a flash, what would you say or show as a shining example?
My initial verbal response is a short, sweet statement of why I sew, embroider, and craft at all. The fun and satisfaction of making something and exploring your creative side is exhilarating! In essence, "When you sew, you can have WHAT you want, exactly WHEN you want it, and have it HOW you want it too!" This statement applies not only to embroidery but to any category of sewing.
With this in mind, I set about to design a project worthy of the pages that fill my favorite magazine. My enthusiasm was huge but my time slot was short. You see, my sewing space was full of projects to be completed for the next series of It's Sew Easy TV. To say that I was swimming in a sea of unfinished projects was an understatement. I opted for the featured pillow project for two main reasons. First, it was do-able in the time allowed and second, it really did answer the What, When, and How in my previous exclamation. Something as basic as a pillow is in fact a shining example of an embroidered object that is unique and beautiful. Finding a perfectly sized pillow with the right design, for the right price, in the perfect color in the world of ready-mades would be virtually impossible. I could think of many other projects that represent why I love machine embroidery but a pillow it would be!
Let me give you a few more details about the pillow itself, along with some Pillow Pointers you may enjoy. Well suited for use on a patio, to find this fabric you can click on the Fabric.com *affiliate link below and type Richloom Solarium Outdoor fabric.
It all started when Denise Holguin, managing Editor of Designs in Machine Embroidery magazine, asked me to contribute to their "For the Love of Embroidery issue." Basically, the idea was to showcase a project that would answer the "Why do you embroider" question. In other words, if you had to answer that question in a flash, what would you say or show as a shining example?
My initial verbal response is a short, sweet statement of why I sew, embroider, and craft at all. The fun and satisfaction of making something and exploring your creative side is exhilarating! In essence, "When you sew, you can have WHAT you want, exactly WHEN you want it, and have it HOW you want it too!" This statement applies not only to embroidery but to any category of sewing.
With this in mind, I set about to design a project worthy of the pages that fill my favorite magazine. My enthusiasm was huge but my time slot was short. You see, my sewing space was full of projects to be completed for the next series of It's Sew Easy TV. To say that I was swimming in a sea of unfinished projects was an understatement. I opted for the featured pillow project for two main reasons. First, it was do-able in the time allowed and second, it really did answer the What, When, and How in my previous exclamation. Something as basic as a pillow is in fact a shining example of an embroidered object that is unique and beautiful. Finding a perfectly sized pillow with the right design, for the right price, in the perfect color in the world of ready-mades would be virtually impossible. I could think of many other projects that represent why I love machine embroidery but a pillow it would be!
Let me give you a few more details about the pillow itself, along with some Pillow Pointers you may enjoy. Well suited for use on a patio, to find this fabric you can click on the Fabric.com *affiliate link below and type Richloom Solarium Outdoor fabric.
The color is called Rave Coral. I found this fabric to be very impressive! It was easy to sew and almost had the look of heavy linen. Designed to withstand sunlight and resist water, it's perfect for decks, patios, pools, etc., but just as nice indoors too. The Koi fish is embroidered on plain white duck cloth which of course is not water resistant. That could be remedied by treating the completed embroidery with a waterproofing spray, or a spray like Fabric Guard 303® which is recommended by Sunbrella® for waterproof restoration.
Fabric aside, the idea for framing the fish is yet another way to use one of my favorite Brother features, the built-in frame pattern option.
Fabric aside, the idea for framing the fish is yet another way to use one of my favorite Brother features, the built-in frame pattern option.
Over the years, I've used this feature in enough different ways to fill a book! Size will vary with the available hoop size and the decorative stitch patterns vary slightly too, but this is an option built-in to all Brother machines from entry level to the top of the line. You could consider tracing a shape of your own if you don't possess this feature.
The article details each step you need to follow to make the pillow from start to finish. My embroidery was stitched on the Brother 6 needle PR670E using the 8" X 12" hoop and a design built into the machine.
In keeping with the outdoor theme the pillow features a simple closure at the back with bright colored KAM Snaps. I hope this project inspires you to make a pillow using your own design ideas. this easy framing technique can showcase any design you choose. Are you ready for a few pillow pointers? CLICK HERE for a free Pillow Pointers Tip Sheet.
As always, I'd love to hear from you if you have any comments or questions :-) And please . . . let me hear your answer to the answer the "Why do you embroider" question. If you had to answer that question in a flash, what would you say or show as a shining example?
As always, I'd love to hear from you if you have any comments or questions :-) And please . . . let me hear your answer to the answer the "Why do you embroider" question. If you had to answer that question in a flash, what would you say or show as a shining example?
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