The Avid Embroiderer - All Comments

re: The Avid Embroiderer Presents - The Zen of Mars

pat71896 — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:58:07 GMT

I enjoy hearing all input of issues we all have. Susan is not only a great mother, but I forgot to add the information about her charity work as well.

Perhaps she will give us some info on an upcoming blog. In the meantime, I hope each of us takes some time in our busy lives to support the charity that is dear to us. As you may know, my grandson is autistic and is it so difficult to watch him and my daughters family go through this terrible situation.

My Best wishes to you and yours, Pat

re: The Avid Embroiderer Presents - The Zen of Mars

SusanMars — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:26:23 GMT

I've been amazed at how many people have sent me tips on getting my Jake to fall asleep at night. Cathy's advice is good---we ended up taking the light bulbs out of his big overhead celing light last week. All he has now is the reading night light in the corner by his bed. That helped tremendously. He used to get up and turn his light on and continue playing. I can tell he's using his reading lamp to read through his pile of books and play a little bit, but having it darker is definitely helping. And no more knock-down drag-outs about the ceiling light!!

re: The Avid Embroiderer Presents - The Zen of Mars

pat71896 — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 18:51:30 GMT

Thanks Cathy! I have gotten into quality sudoku, you can see it here: http://www.qualitysudokus.com/

I agree about the book reading, my daughter has an autistic son and she starts with 'clean up time' then goes to bathing and then to a book. Autistic children must have a routine, this one, for any child, has a stair step method of relaxing.

Thanks, Pat

re: The Avid Embroiderer Presents - The Zen of Mars

cathy246 — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 16:02:00 GMT

I love doing Sudoku also, and feel guilty when I'm doing them because I want to be sewing and embroidering. Then I feel guilty because I'm closed up in my sewing room and not spending more time in the garden or with my husband. Then I feel guilty if I plant too many flowers and have to tend to them because then I cant' be sewing. So I just go around in circles... enjoying the winter, when I can't be in the yard. And trying to enjoy each of the other pleasures in the spring, summer and fall. But it's still fun to keep all of these balls juggling.

As for Susan Mars' 4 yr. old and bed time. I used to let my children read a book quietly in bed, with a lamp (rather than an overhead light), until they fell asleep. That kept them in bed and quiet.

re: Plauen Lace

Pattiann — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:27:51 GMT

I purchased John's book a few years ago and am still amazed the the hands-on training he received at his Granparents factory.

From "Bobbin-Boy" to teacher of machine embroidery digitizing. Only in North America!

re: The Avid Embroiderer Presents - What the Stabilizer Sellers Won't Tell You

pat71896 — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 20:59:46 GMT

Hello Fiddlentat - (Interesting name!!!)

I love it when people share their experiences. These simple examples that you shared will assist others and I know they appreciate you giving this information.

There are many ways to save on stabilizers, these are two excellent ones.

When you consider that stabilizer will cost less than a dollar (most of the time) for your project, be frugal but not to the point that the tensile strength is lost. Just use your common sense. . . .

Pat

re: The Avid Embroiderer Presents - What the Stabilizer Sellers Won't Tell You

fiddlentat — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 19:59:30 GMT

Here's one way I've found to reduce wasted stabilizer: after removing stabilizer from the finished embroidery, cut the used piece of stabilizer in half, through the center hole left where the embroidery was. Then place the two straight outer edges together, overlapping them. Stitch the two pieces together on the sewing machine using a straight stitch. The rough torn edges are now on the outside edge. I've frequently been able to stitch out another design without using a fresh "whole" piece of stabilizer, especially if I am using a smaller hoop the second time.

For WSS I do the same thing, but instead of sewing the pieces together dampen the overlap of one piece slightly, finger press the overlapped edges of the two pieces together and wait until completely dry before using.

Maybe these ideas will work for you, too.

re: The Avid Embroiderer Presents - What the Stabilizer Sellers Won't Tell You

pat71896 — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 18:20:41 GMT

Hello Maggie, This is an excellent question! A scrap needs to be large enough to make a difference. I don't mean a 1" by 1" or etc.

I mean that you can use your scrap as a 'floating' stabilizer. Your original stabilizer will be attached to the hoop and doing most of the work. However, some designs need a little more and you would place the scrap under the hoop, covering (from below) the design area.

That extra stabilizing can make a difference for your design - puckering is one of the ways it will help.

Also, make sure you are using the smallest hoop for your design. That will make the scrap smaller as well.

Pat, The Avid Embroiderer

re: The Avid Embroiderer Presents - What the Stabilizer Sellers Won't Tell You

maggie3411 — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 17:20:53 GMT

How do I use up bits of stabilizer? Usually the embroidery design uses only the middle part of the stabilizer in the hoop.

re: Candlewicking 9/19/08

isewez2@yahoo.com — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 00:27:57 GMT

Pat can you help me on how to use Ann the Grans Cataloge Express?

I hve downloaded designs and they don't even go to the cataloge.

The only designs that show up are some I purchased from some place else, so this really sucks.

My membership runs out in Jan 2012 and I don't think I am going to renew it.

There are other sites that have designs I would gladly pay to join and maybe there won't be such a hassle.

Also is there a way to download designs from Ann's besides one at a time, you would think she would have it where you could download a page of designs at a time, for those who want to work on projects instead of downloading one design at a time.

Do you know of a site that yo can domore then one design at a time?

IF SO I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THE SITE!

Martha

re: The Avid Embroiderer presents: My Top Three Mistakes That Make You Look Like a Newbie

pat71896 — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 17:40:52 GMT

Because I think it is not appropriate to give the link for another site here at AnnTheGran, and if you want the site where I got the above design, email me from my profile and I will give the name to you.

I know franamazonia is going to love what she finds at the site!

Pat, The Avid Embroiderer

re: The Avid Embroiderer presents: My Top Three Mistakes That Make You Look Like a Newbie

SherrylD — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 16:50:03 GMT

Good information, doesn't hurt to be reminded of the basics!

re: The Avid Embroiderer presents: My Top Three Mistakes That Make You Look Like a Newbie

franamazonia — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 15:30:54 GMT

Love the skull pattern in this article where could I purchase it?

re: The Avid Embroiderer Presents – Kokopelli, The Prankster

beedragonlady — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 14:06:33 GMT

Hi, I saw on an older (2009) that you have a source here in SD for iron on tricot. Does it still exist and could you pass the info on? Thanks in advance, Bee. And I like Kokopelli also! That life size one would look great in my garden!!

re: 21st Century Hooping

noninademama — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 06:14:22 GMT

What a fantastic hoop, I have a Janome 11000, will there be a snap Hoop for that model???? I can't wait to have one .....

Susana