Table of contents for Spring 2024 in Creative Machine Embroidery

Dear Readers, Oh, spring: the renewal season full of fresh starts and new growth. Spring is like a breath of fresh air, renewed life, and a return to color after a long winter—and we're here for all of it! We love florals here at CME headquarters. Who doesn't? And there are so many ways to incorporate florals into your garments, your home projects, and even your yard décor! • Step out into the fresh air with a new bag for running errands with the Retro Tulip Tote on page 56. • Welcome a new baby into your life with the Fresh Start Baby Bundle (page 42), Earth Garden Mobile (page 47), and Petite Mushroom Ring Sling (page 51). • Freshen up your springtime wardrobe with floral embroidery on fun projects…

MATERIALS + Como Culottes pattern (see “Designs”) +Midweight or bottom-weight woven fabric (amount according to pattern instructions) + Flower embroidery design (see “Designs”) PREPARE • Download the Como Culottes pattern. Print and cut out. • Embroidery will be done along the side of the pants, so the pattern needs to be adjusted to remove the side seam. Place a piece of paper behind the gap near the waistband and tape the front and back leg together along the side seam; this piece will be referred to as pant (A). The pocket will be omitted from the pants. • The pattern calls for an invisible zipper at the side seam; this is being moved to the center back (CB). Take back waistband piece and place a piece of tracing paper along…

MATERIALS + Blazer (store-bought or thrifted) + Water-soluble or tear-away stabilizer (see “Sources”) + Embroidery software (such as Embrilliance) (optional) + Swedish tracing paper + Floral embroidery (see “Design”) PREPARE • Press wearer's left lapel to lay flat. • Using Swedish tracing paper, trace the shape of the lapel that when folded is visible on the right side of the blazer. • Trace out designs on tracing paper within the lapel outline for best position and arrangement. EMBROIDER • Download the embroidery designs and load them onto the machine. • Hoop stabilizer and lapel. Use pins, magnets, or painter's tape to hold edges of lapel in place (A). • Consider using hoop templates for your machine to get accurate placement of the designs on the lapel. • Embroider designs, changing thread colors as needed. •…

Transforming an embroidery design into a captivating mobile for a nursery adds a charming and handcrafted touch to a baby's room décor. The delicate stitches and vibrant colors of the embroidery create a visually stimulating and soothing focal point, making it a perfect addition to a nursery's ambiance. MATERIALS + Fat quarter cotton fabric + Stabilizer: Heavyweight tearaway, AquaMesh wash-away, and Fiber Form (see “Sources”) + String or ribbon +10” embroidery hoop + Earth Garden Embroidery Set (see “Design”) EMBROIDER • Download design and load onto machine. • Create mirror image of design on machine. • Hoop fabric and heavyweight tearaway stabilizer and stitch design. • Remove hoop from machine and fabric from hoop. Remove interfacing and trim fabric along design outline. Leave ¼ ” of fabric beyond the design…

MATERIALS + Picture frame with photo mat 2½ –3” wide + Cotton fabric + Fusible web adhesive + Woodland embroidery design (see “Design”) PREPARE • Remove mat from frame. Measure outside edge of mat and add 4” to both measurements. For the sample mat, the outside measurement is 11” × 14”; with the 4” added, you are left with a measurement of 15” × 18”. • Cut rectangle from fabric based on measurements above. • Working on a flat surface, center mat on fabric and mark both the inside and outside edges of the mat. Measure and mark a third line ¼ ” in from the outside line. This line represents the edge of the frame (A). EMBROIDER • Download design and load onto machine. • Hoop fusible stabilizer and fabric and load…

MATERIALS + 15” square medium- to heavyweight fabric + ½ yard accent fabric + Tear-away stabilizer + 13” × 19” rectangle iron-on stabilizer (see “Source”) + Flower embroidery design (see “Design”) PREPARE • From the accent fabric cut two 4” × 13” rectangles, one 19” × 13” rectangle, and one 5” × 20” rectangle. EMBROIDER • Download flower design and load onto the machine. • Hoop tear-away stabilizer and 15” square fabric and load hoop onto the machine. • Stitch design, changing colors as needed. • Remove the hoop from the machine and the fabric from the hoop. CONSTRUCT • Center embroidered design on fabric and trim fabric to a 13” square. • Fold 5” × 20” rectangle in half lengthwise with right sides together. Stitch along the long edge with ½ ” seam…

THE YARN METHOD For years, I used the old method of stitching rows of basting stitches to create gathers. I discovered the yarn method, and there's no going back. Use yarn or a thicker thread to gather your fabric. Simply sew a zigzag stitch over a length of yarn, then pull the yarn to easily gather your fabric. Sara B. ZIPPER FLIP This tip has saved me lots of zipper headaches over the years. Sew up your seam as you normally would, place the zipper face down over the seam allowance, and sew it in place. Then pop open the seam with your seam ripper to reveal the zipper underneath. It's my favorite way to insert a zipper. Lori Z. THREAD MANAGEMENT This isn't so much a tip or a…

OILCLOTH BASICS Originally, oilcloth was used for functionality over fashion purposes. It was made from cotton or linen fabric that was treated with oil, making it durable, strong, and water-resistant. Today, oilcloth can be used for fashion purposes, as a variety of different colors, prints, and weights are available. Most oilcloth types are made from woven cotton fabric that's treated with a PVC coating. The fabric is great for making patio accessories, handbags, small purses, hats, belts, table runners, and more. Make biodegradable oilcloth by purchasing heavyweight cotton fabric. Stretch the fabric over a large flat surface to create a large rectangle; secure the corners using pattern weights. Draw a pattern or design onto the fabric using fabric dyes and oil paints, if desired. Let the paint or dye dry,…

MATERIALS + ¼ yard linen + 1 fat eighth main cotton print (see “Source”) + ¼ yard lining fabric + ¼ yard mediumweight embroidery stabilizer + ¼ yard mediumweight fusible interfacing + 10” zipper + Floral letter embroidery (see “Design”) PREPARE • Working on a flat surface, position the linen fabric right side up and mark a 5” × 7” rectangle with chalk or fabric marker. • Position the lining fabric right side up and mark a 7” × 10” rectangle with chalk or fabric marker. • From the main fabric cut two 6” × 7” rectangles. From the lining fabric cut one 7” × 10” rectangle. From the contrast fabric cut one 5” × 7” rectangle. • From the interfacing cut two 6” × 7” rectangles, two 7” × 10” rectangles, and two 5” ×…

SHORTS FOR SPRING Get ready to flaunt your style with a pair of playful shorts adorned with custom embroidery! Select your favorite blossom and let it bloom across a handmade pair of shorts, creating the ideal match for all your sunny weather tops. Embrace the vibrant charm and make a statement with your unique, whimsical fashion choice! ROBES FOR THE WEDDING PARTY Imagine being the radiant bride, enveloped in a robe as special and unique as your love story! Why not craft a truly extraordinary robe for yourself to wear while you prepare for your big day? And why stop there? Extend the joy by stitching personalized robes for all your bridesmaids, making them feel truly cherished and exceptional. It's a wonderful way to add a touch of warmth and…

Introducing our enchanting new machine embroidery collection for spring! Embrace the whimsy of the season with our adorable designs featuring a charming mushroom, a delightful snail, a spring flower, and the lovable Mr. & Mrs. Gnome couple. These fresh and playful patterns are perfect for adding a touch of springtime magic to your projects. Whether you're creating custom clothing, home decor, or personalized gifts, our cute collection will infuse your creations with the spirit of spring and a dash of woodland wonder. Let your creativity bloom with these endearing designs!…

MATERIALS + Strapped in Shopper Bag pattern (see “Designs”) + ½ yard each of mediumweight woven fabric (main) and lightweight woven fabric (lining) + Fusible interfacing + Cut-away stabilizer + Chalk or fabric marker + Flower embroidery design (see “Designs”) PREPARE • Download the Strapped in Shopper Bag pattern. Print and cut out. • From fabric, lining, and interfacing cut pattern pieces. • Download and print flower embroidery file to use as a template. • Using the template, mark the placement on the right side of the main fabric with chalk or fabric marker (A). EMBROIDER • Load the design onto the machine. • Hoop the stabilizer and main bag piece. Load the hoop onto the machine. • Embroider the design, changing colors as needed. • Remove the hoop from the machine and the fabric…

MATERIALS + ¼ yard vinyl or cork fabric + Mediumweight cut-away stabilizer + 5 craft sticks + Masking tape + Sage Plant Marker embroidery design (see “Design”) PREPARE • Cut fabric into ten 4” square pieces. EMBROIDER • Download the Sage Plant Marker design and load it onto the machine. • Hoop the stabilizer and load the hoop onto the machine. • Embroider the first step directly onto the stabilizer. This will be the placement stitches (A). • Remove the hoop from the machine but not the stabilizer from the hoop. Float a square of fabric over the placement stitches and secure with tape. • Load the hoop onto the machine and embroider the next two steps of the design. • Remove the hoop from the machine but not the fabric from the hoop.…

EMBROIDERY DESIGNS Embroider sweet little floral designs, or try your hand at free motion stitches to embellish the lower part of the skirt. PATTERNS Look for strappy dress or romper patterns with volume and an A-line silhouette. Empire waists are making a comeback, too! FABRIC COLOR PALETTE Spring colors include fresh and light shades of green and yellow. Choose satin or silk for a dressier garment, or select a woven fabric such as voile or lawn for a more casual look. Either would be perfect for a garden party! FINAL TOUCHES Add a fun pop of color on the feet with strappy sandals. Then pair the dress with a chunky pearl necklace and some dramatic eye makeup to round out this springtime look.…

Oilcloth is a fantastic fabric to sew with and embroider. It's a fabric that gives projects an instant vintage charm. Take the techniques you've learned here and consider making the following to spruce up your summer entertaining space. • An embroidered oilcloth tote for the beach or pool • Embellished oilcloth pillows for your front porch • Customized oilcloth chair covers • Washable bowl covers, like those featured here from the March/April 2017 issue of Creative Machine Embroidery • A personalized gardening apron with tons of handy pockets • An easy monogrammed lunch tote for summer outings • Embroidered and pieced picnic blanket • Reusable sandwich and food bags • Bench seat cover for pets • Easy buckle bike tote • All manner of embroidered tablecloths and placemats for one-of-a-kind…

Combining machine embroidery designs is a great way to create larger, more complex projects by embroidering multiple designs on a piece of fabric, clothing, or an accessory. Usually, it involves using a multi-hooping technique, but it can also be done in a single hooping session. You need to choose a few embroidery designs and combine them to create a larger image. This requires careful planning and attention to detail to ensure the designs line up correctly and the finished product looks seamless. The designs should be chosen in such a way that they complement each other and create a cohesive overall look. When choosing designs to combine, consider placement, size, stitch count, colors, and styles that complement each other. For this project, I decided to put a combined embroidery design…

MATERIALS + Camp shirt (purchased or thrifted) + Mediumweight cut-away stabilizer + Flower embroidery (see “Design”) If you want to make your own camp shirt instead of using a thrifted shirt, check out our Clear Creek Camp Shirt pattern in Sew Quick + Easy Vol. 2. PREPARE • The design is stitched in duplicate. Measure the length and width of the back yoke area. Divide the length by two to help determine the size of design to download. • Download the designs and transfer them onto the machine. Adjust the size of the design to fill one-half of the yoke. EMBROIDER • Hoop cut-away stabilizer and back yoke and load onto the machine. • Embroider the design, clipping jump threads between color changes. • Remove the hoop from the machine and the…

I don't know about you, but when there is buzz about a new baby in my circle, it's time to get busy on the embroidery machine. Friends and family flock to me to customize their purchased blankets, bibs, onesies, and such. While I like to ensure every one of my embroidery projects is finished beautifully, the baby projects have special consideration. With items being up against soft baby skin, you certainly don't want rough embroidery backing or stabilizer to be irritating. So let's explore some simple techniques that can be used to tackle these ready-made items with embroidery. I love customizing ready-made items because I get all the fun of choosing embroidery designs and thread colors without the hassle of making the entire item. Embroidering a ready-made item makes a…

Get ready to carry your precious bundle in style with a DIY ring sling! This fantastic project is not only super easy but also perfect for beginners in the world of sewing. Let's dive in and create an amazing baby carrier for your little one! MATERIALS + 3 yards of mediumweight woven fabric (such as linen or linen blend) + Two 3” rings + Wash-away stabilizer (see “Source”) + Mushroom embroidery design (see “Design”) PREPARE • From fabric cut one 90” × 30” rectangle. • Fold raw edges ¼ ” toward the wrong side and press. Fold an additional ¼ ” and press well. Stitch in place along inside folded edge. • Fold one short end 1” toward the wrong side and press. Open fold and feed first short corner…

MATERIALS + 1⁄3 yard durable canvas or oilcloth + 2½ yards 1” cotton strapping + 2 yards basting tape (see “Source”) + 2 rectangle 1” D rings + 1” slide buckle + Fusible poly mesh & watersoluble stabilizer + 5” piece ¾ ” wide hook and loop tape + Wine Spout embroidery design (see “Design”) PREPARE • Measure boxed wine for width and height. The sample is based on a Bota box of wine but can be customized for any brand. • To draft the side and main panel, use the diagram for reference. The side panel width is the box width plus 1”. The length is the height and width of the box added together (A). • The main panel width is the box width plus 1”. The length is 2 times the height of the box…

How did you get started with hand embroidery? My mom taught me to embroider when I was in elementary school. I will admit, I didn't have the patience for it at that age and enjoyed coloring much more—but I'm so glad she instilled the basics. As an adult I wanted a creative outlet that wasn't a screen, and I stumbled back into hand embroidery. It's like coloring, but with a needle and thread! Where do you draw inspiration? I draw inspiration from nature and travel. A walk around my neighborhood has inspired some of my mountain embroidery patterns and a mushroom embroidery kit. Looking out my window at night inspired a moth embroidery kit and my Peel Stick and Stitch patterns. And travels near and far inspired many of the…

ginger bailey (“Patch It Up”—page 20, “Fresh Start Baby Bundle”—page 42, and “Welcome Back Spring Garden Flag”—page 62) is a seamstress, teacher, traveler, bread baker, beekeeper, maker, and snail-mailer who has never met a craft she didn't like. Her passion is sharing the joy of creating with others. She calls the plains of Colorado home on her family farm where she dreams up unique ways to live life to its fullest. olga balasa (“Combining Embroidery Designs”—page 23) has been sewing for over 30 years. Her vast knowledge and expertise have led her to discover numerous hacks and tricks that she loves to share with her followers on her blog. She is passionate about making great content that is helpful, fresh, engaging, fun, and simple—so that you can achieve professional results…