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.

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.

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!

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 June 1st and 2nd 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 Junel ! dates are June 1st and 2nd 2013. Class is $150.00.
Call Hancock at 410-677-3461 to enroll.

Singer has just replenished our stock of Futura XL400/ SESQ/ and XL550 bobbin cases. They have been out of stock for so long I have almost given up on ever seeing them again.

We have also received the Futura XL400/ SESQ/ and XL550 needle plate.

Another back order item that is also now in stock is the Singer extension table for the 7258, 7412, 7258 model- 052017

If you have been searching for any of these items I have a few to offer you at time time.

Jenny

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

Some neat new tricks can be achieved with applications on your computer. The new Windows 8 system is an extremely different way to use the computer. The apps are called tiles and can be grouped, added or removed to give your computer the personalized appearance. The apps take you to the internet, news, weather, or to use of your games, or office programs instantly. Using your mouse you would scroll the app to see the “whole information ” or with a touch screen you would swipe to see the entire screen. To get back to the start menu tap on your windows key on the keyboard or swipe to the lower left and see you start menu and touch it to find home.

Touching the Windows button on my key board always brings me back to the  start menu if I get lost. 

Windows 7 is also running on the desktop. The desktop is available as an app. If you enter the internet from Windows 7 the title bar look more traditional.  You can pin tabs to the bottom of your screen for easy access to programs and sites you love to use.

One of the uses of Windows 8 is to interconnect many computer devices into one by using the cloud to store information that each device can see at any time. If you have a cellphone, a computer, or a tablet they all will benefit. I have yet to explore this.

I love Skype. I have found that calling people lately on the phone is hard because the sound quality is poor. I have been struggling to hear what they are saying. With Skype and my head set I can dial them up through my computer and have a very comfortable conversation.  Email me and I will call you when I am on-line. jenny@jennys-sewing-studio.com

I have found most of the software I owned need a new driver for windows 8 so ask your manufactor for more information. Both Singer and Compucon Stitch and Sew have upgraded me to Windows 8 with new drivers.

I still am working on the email. I am not comfortable with any one  new email browser. I will let you know what I find out as I discover the new system. I have been working on it since November.  In April Wor Wic will offer more on Windows 8 and I plan to be in the front row of class.

Till then….

 For purchase information click on the link provided.

To encourage our beginner Knitter’s and Crochet students I have started a Crochet and Knitting circle to meet a few times a month at Hancock Fabrics.  Each meeting is $15.00 and you will receive the featured project pattern and instruction.  Take a look at our first couple of  projects. You will find a Crochet Purse, Crochet Flowers, Knitted Slippers, Blue Ripple Afgan, and a Crochet wash cloth.

Do not miss our next Rigoletto scarf class Monday February 25th from 1:30-3:30pm! Call Hancock at 410-677-3461 to enroll.

Here are some of our recent students ! If you have not joinned the fun in class please enroll for our next session. If you are out of town, join us at Pinterest where you will find free pattern links and pictures of thing that interest Jenny.

 In the next couple of weeks I have many quilting classes starting. Learn the Quick Trip, Log Cabin and Braid in a Day quilts and make a quilt top in a day. Finish the quilt top in our 2nd class called “ Finish the Quilt” . Learn how to quilt, and bind the quilt for a perfect finish.

These and many more classes are available at this link. Hope to see you there.

Jenny

Stitch It Straight is formerly the Embroider’s Friend! 

 The SNAP EASE ( standard size)- This Embroidery Accessory eases the stress of hand hooping with household embroidery machine hoops. It cuts the fatigue of hooping, reduces the risk of carpel tunnel syndrome and simplifies alignment of your work. No more tired and sore hands, wrists and forearms from hand hooping. Use the Snappy with almost all brands of household embroidery machines.  Also in Large hoop size. Watch the video to the formerly Snappy to see how this tool works.

Embroidery Placement tool is a must have product for all who want to embroider shirts, tees and blouses. It provides perfect industry standard positioning for left chest, center front and other embroidery placements. It comes in adult and child’s sizes.

I have created both a crochet and knit Pinterest site and have been collecting some easy patterns for you to try from both Red Heart and Lion yarns.

I hope you will join us at Hancock in January for class.

Blue Fig has added a brand new color to it sewing machine roller bag line.

Also available is a new 5 piece set for the Pfaff and Viking large embroidery machine line. Check out the brand new additions at Jenny’s Sewing Studio Blue Fig web shop! These bags will make a great storage place for your new sewing machine and add additional protection and transport to your favorite sewing class.

In wire frames change the lettering to a true type font if you have the hyperfont and lettering program.

Have you been wanting to expand your embroidery font library? Compucon has an excellent lettering program that offers a font engine and extra fonts for monogram and decorative floral lettering. This is a font engine that allows the user to  shape and edit the letters as they wish. Arc, rotate and add texture, create 2 color fill in your letters, manipulate each letter individually, even make lace letters. If you have Hyperfont or the complete studio you can also add to your font library for unlimited font function. Unlike the Futura program, with hyperfont and lettering options Compucon gives you a feature to add true type fonts permanetly  to the font library.  Compucon also gives you editing built in to the lettering program so you can change the texture of the lettering or outline it or change it’s shape. Another editing function that I like to use is the “ change font feature” found in editing.  You can create a style and edit the lettering too.

So many ideas and so little time.  Make a monogram and outline the letters with editing.

See a complete video on how the lettering program works. You can purchase the smaller 35 font option or the 71 font library option. Both options are will be great additions to your embroidery machine and the lettering created can be saved in almost any format for any make or model. Here are few more video links.

Video 1

Video 2