Jenny's Sewing Studio Blog – Retail Sewing Machines and Accessories

Electric Quilt 7

June 19th, 2013

You can now purchase Electric Quilt 7 from Jenny’s Sewing Studio! Read more about this creative tool and watch the You Tube videos from the link below.

Drag and drop blocks, fabrics, and now photos to create your own spectacular quilt

Crop and edit your own scanned fabrics into EQ7 in minutes
Easy to learn and easy to use, even for new users; do fun, quick step-by-step lessons to learn the basics and more
Find help any time! The built-in Help buttons are everywhere and targeted to the task you are doing
Instantly create original blocks without drawing
Blocks size themselves—just drag and drop on the quilt
EQ7 has exactly the same friendly interface—plus loads of new user-requested features

More details from our Sewing Advisors:

EQ7 is the most user-friendly full-featured quilting software yet
Activate the program on multiple computers and transfer activations from computer to computer
Use EQ on netbooks in addition to laptops and desktops
Includes complete user manual
22 printable full color PDF lessons (115 pages)
Point and read info on each tool, now linked directly to Help topics
10 videos targeted for beginners
67 “How do I?” topics: printable stepped out instructions for doing everything from printing English paper-piecing templates to drawing a New York Beauty
Built in Help buttons are everywhere, targeted to the task you’re doing
New block tools for creating original blocks instantly without drawing
Blocks size themselves-just drag and drop on the quilt
5,000 copyright-free blocks
5,000 new scanned fabrics, plus grayscale textures
120 new pre-designed quilt layouts
Snap blocks to a quilt grid
Instant border blocks with greatly expanded Auto Borders
Print multiple photos on fabric
Create original fabric designs from photos, then print on fabric
Mirror and use myriad symmetries on photos
Use dozens of artistic effects, making everyday photos look like watercolor or impressionist paintings
79 new features in all
Complete reference manual
Minimum System Requirements: Windows XP, windows Vista, Windows 7. 32 or 64 bit, Internet access, 750 MB of available hard disk space, CD-ROM drive. Internet required for activation, deactivation, and periodic validations
Recommended: monitor with screen resolution of 1024 x 768 or greater, Adobe Reader, and sound card for demo videos

EQ7 Upgrade:

If you already have EQ6, you know EQ software is easy and user-friendly
See magic happen as you turn everyday photos into quilt art images, plus more with EQ7!
Simply drag and drop blocks, fabrics, and now photos to create your own spectacular quilt
Quickly crop and edit your own scanned fabrics into EQ7 in minutes
It’s easy to learn and easy to use, even for new users; do fun, quick step-by-step lessons to learn the basics and more
Find help any time! The built-in Help buttons are everywhere and targeted to the task you are doing
Instantly create original blocks without drawing
The blocks size themselves—just drag and drop on the quilt
EQ7 has exactly the same friendly interface—plus loads of new user-requested featuresTo see more about Electric Quilt I have loaded video on the web site for you to view.

Posted in Electric Quilt, Quilting | No Comments »

Learn to Sew and make a Fabric Purse at the same time!

May 27th, 2013

Jenny’s Sewing Studio is offering a fabric purse class in June and July. You can learn to make a fabric purse and learn the basics of sewing. Pick from one of 3 new double faced quilted fabrics from Hancock to make your purse quick and easy or learn to quilt your own!

Go shopping at Hancock with the instructor and pick out your lining and outside fabric. You will receive a written pattern in class to follow for any other purse project you wish to make for yourself or as a gift. Learn to drawn off your pattern and cut the shapes out. Finish your seam allowances. We will also cover using the walking foot and inserting a zipper.

The monogram was added using the Singer Futura. Learn more about the Futura in our 2 day Futura seminars.

Fabric quilted Purse - Choose your favorite color combination for your fabric quilted purse.

For fabric purse- Purchase 1 yd of purse body fabric to quilt. Buy 1yd base fabric and lining and fusible batting 3/4 yd of contrast for handles and trim and matching thread. You will also need an 22″ zipper and one 18″ zipper.

I will help you coordinate your purse and quilt your purse project. Bring your sewing machine, walking foot, open toe foot, rotary cutter and ruler. You will also need a fabric marker or a chalk pencil. Enrollment fee is $40.00 1 session 10:00-4:30
^{Wednesday June 12th 10:00-4:30pm

Thursday July 25th 10:00-4:30pm}

Posted in Beginner sewing ideas, projects and instruction, Sewing and Sewing machine instruction at Jenny's Sewing Studio, Sewing Classes and Events, Sewing Projects for the beginner and advanced sewer | No Comments »

Singer Futura Seminar at Jenny’s Sewing Studio

May 24th, 2013

The next Singer Futura Seminar at Jenny’s Sewing Studio is August 3rd and 4th 2013. If you are looking for hands on instruction on the embroidery software and the operation of the Singer Futura, sign up today as we only have a few spots open. The Seminar will cover how to use the base program plus all the options like autopunch, photo stitch, hyperfont and editing.

In class embroider a multi-hoop design to create a border. Create your own monogram and construct a great bag for the spring and summer using the Futura.

Call Hancock to enroll. Fee is $150.00 for the 2 day event and includes your materials. Bring your Futura and laptop with mouse and software loaded and ready to use. Hope to see you there. If you have any questions email me at jenny@jennys-sewing-studio.com

Posted in Embroidery sewing machines at Jenny's Sewing Studio, News from Jenny's Sewing Studio, SINGER Futura 150,250,350 embroidery sewing machines, Singer Futura Quantum XL400, Singer Futura Quartet | No Comments »

Singer Futura Embroidery Seminar coming at Jenny’s Sewing Studio

May 24th, 2013

August 3rd and 4th Jenny’s Sewing Studio will hold a Singer Futura seminar in Salisbury, MD at Hancock Fabrics. I hope you will join me as we explore the use of the embroidery machine. This seminar is designed to benefit the brand new user as well as those who want to brush up on their skills. Class is limited so enroll early. Call 410-677-3461 to enroll at Hancock.

Teddie is a student from the November 2012 class.

Irene is a student from the November 2012 Futura class

Singer Futura Embroidery seminar will be held August 3rd and 4th 2013 Saturday 10-5pm and continuing Sunday 12- 4pm. Singer has introduced quite a few Futura models and I will cover how to use them all including the CE150, 250, 350 or the XL400, 4-1, XL550, Futura Quartet or the SESQ6000 and more. The software for all the machines is basically the same except the multi-hooping. I will show multi-hooping appropriate for the model you have.

You will cover how all the basic embroidery functions like loading a design, centering, printing a the template for positioning, changing colors, use the design browser, copy and paste designs, use the embroidery anthology, change the screen color, load the hoops, use the grid, use the lettering engine, learn the draw package and more. I will also cover all the options. Learn to use the auto punch, Hyperfont and Photo stitch. Once you create a design we will edit it using editing option. Make lace, make a simple applique, and add texture to your design. If you own the options you can create along with me. If you do not, watch the demos. If you are interested in purchasing the options, order about 2 weeks before the class to make sure you get the option and have it loaded on your computer to use in class.

The Futura’s must be in working order and all software must be loaded in a laptop and ready to use. If you own an older Futura, all software updates must be applied before class. If you have a Futura CE100/200 you will need to upgrade the software before taking class. Jenny’s Sewing Studio has the upgrade for purchase.

I hope to see you in August ! dates are August 3rd and 4th. Class is $150.00. ( additional dates are Oct 5th and 6th)
Call Hancock at 410-677-3461 to enroll.

Posted in Embroidery sewing machines at Jenny's Sewing Studio, News from Jenny's Sewing Studio, Sewing Machine Embroidery software, SINGER Futura 150,250,350 embroidery sewing machines, Singer Futura Quantum XL400, Singer Futura Quartet | No Comments »

Free motion machine embroidery and quilting

April 23rd, 2013

For years I loved doing free motion machine embroidery, especially before the embroidery machine made embroidery so easy. At that point I sharpened my skills on free motion quilting. Both skills were creative and I found them relaxing once I got my machine to work smoothly. One product that really helped was to use of an open toe foot free motion foot. There are not many accessory feet produced but I have found a few that give great visibility and are easy to use. Singer has some free video on how the free motion foot is used. Stippling is the term used to describe the free motion technique using small meandering S shapes to quilt the background area in a quilt.

Free motion embroidery can be shown with many different technique. My favorite is a technique by Terry White. Here are some links to her video and products showing free motion embroidery. Any straight stitch machine can do free motion embroidery. Time and practice develop the skill.

The first thing to do is know what kind of shank your sewing machine has. Most machines are low shank, slant shank, or high shank. Before you purchase a foot for your machine tell the merchant your machine make and model. That way you are sure to buy the correct shank for your machine.

Juki has a great low shank open toe free motion foot with adjustable pressure that makes embroidery and quilting easier. If you do not own a Juki, I have a generic open toe free motion foot that will fit most low shank machines. My personal favorite is the rocker foot for the low shank machine and is made for Singer.

One final idea for free motion work is to have a flat wide sewing surface. Some machines have optional slide on tables you can purchase to make the quilting and embroidery much easier. I also offer a generic table and custom cut tables called sew steady tables. Take a look. These tables are well worth the price for the support and extension they give.

Posted in Juki Quilting machine, Juki sewing and quilting machines, Quilting | No Comments »

Hoop it all embroidery

April 23rd, 2013

Hoop it all allows you to expand your embroidery hooped area for bigger designs. Less hooping of larger multi part designs means a more accurate finished embroidery. It is also easier and faster. Hoop it all works with a slide bracket that attaches to your embroidery machine. The hoop has a rail that slides through the bracket to make positioning a breeze. Next you place stick it all on the back of the hoop, draw the centering marks on the sticky paper and attach the hoop to the machine. A Super long hoop will do as many as 3 hoop sets in one hoop, depending on the machine. Draw your design centering points on the fabric and then stick the fabric to the hoop it all “stick it all” sticky paper to position. It helps to print off several templates of your design in your embroidery software so you can plan the design placement. Tape the templates together so you can visually see the complete design than mark you fabric. I have several video that show the process and the end result. Jenny’s Sewing Studio offers the hoop it all for most embroidery machine in various sizes.

If you are in the market for a hat hoop , Hoop it all has the best hat hoop on the market for the domestic sewing machine. The hat hoop slides on to make positioning a breeze. A design template helps you to visualize the design location and appropriate size. Hats make a great gift so consider the hat hoop addition to your embroidery machine accessory today.

Posted in "Hoop it all" cap hoops, border hoops and quilt block hoops | No Comments »

The wise owl by the reluctant blogger-

April 14th, 2013

I had to show you this easy and fun project from the reluctant blogger.

Wise?

Just how cute are these little owls!……..A friend had something similar ( she wouldn’t let me take it to pieces so I had to guess how they were made)….and if I knew where the original design came from then I would give them the credit!
This is how I made mine.. These pictures are quite self explanitory…..

The only thing when stitching is to make sure the point where the stiches meet is neat.. this folds over to form his nose.

Place a pin accross and stuff firmly
Fold over and hold with a few stitches..
Cut some felt circles and add sequins and beads for eyes,
Stitch on his bottom!…. cute! You can change the size and shape by making the ‘cone’ shorter, longer, wider or narrower… experiment!.. if you make one leave a link so I can come and see!

Posted in sewing crafts | No Comments »

Visit Jenny’s Picture and Video Gallery

March 29th, 2013

We invite you to visit Jenny’s Sewing Studio Picture and Video Gallery for a wealth of information , some free ideas and video. Take a look at the free embroidey designs created with the Singer Futura and the Compucon embroidery software. After purchasing a clipart CD of 300,000 clipart it is fun to see what the result created in autopunch look like. We have not sewn them out so test them first. The Futura and Compucon software are almost identical so if you would like to see how the results of our embroidery designs were achieved click here for video.