Realize the Dream : tone-on-tone designs

Threads are not all the same and neither are the methods to embroider towels

JuneMellinger — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 16:00:00 GMT

Threads for Thought: Two New Lines for Your Next Project

Experienced decorators know that quality lies stitch deep. With so many thread options to choose from, embroiderers can customize the look and feel of every project they produce. Further expanding its line of quality threads, Brother International Corporation has introduced the addition of two new thread lines, Country Yarn and Metallic, to its already extensive family. Both threads add new innovative options for embroiderers looking to add a unique touch to their next project, while maintaining a quality fiber developed to withstand high-speed sewing and embroidery machines.

Brother's traditional thread line-up consists of 100% polyester. The Country Yarn thread line is constructed using a polyester core wrapped with cotton. This design gives decorators the benefits of a strong polyester core paired with a softer, matte finish. "Polyester thread tends to give off a slight sheen, or shiny appearance," says June Mellinger, director of education for Brother. "The cotton-wrapped polyester yarn adds a unique country aesthetic that lends itself well to certain projects like quilting."

Brother's line of metallic threads also taps into current trends in the embroidery world. "If you look at ready-to-wear pieces, home décor and other crafts, metallic threads are becoming popular again as a way to add touches of color that make embroidery pop," says Mellinger. For a hip multimedia effect on a budget, consider utilizing both the metallic and country yarn threads on your next apparel project.

I was busy looking around the AnnTheGran site....I know "there's a concept!" and I discovered that you can buy an item that I think is an absolute "must have!" for anyone who embroiders. It the Peggy's Stitch eraser . I want to be honest...I bought one of these about 15 years ago and it has rested in the drawer of my cutting table without being used (not that I havn't unsewn anything over the years) but none the less I just forgot to use it. I was recently at a trade show and being bored I decided to embroider my shirts. Shirt #1 was great, Shirt #2 was not. The motif was crooked....had to be fixed. Honestly I was ready to dump the shirt in the trash but a co-worker looked at me like I was crazy and quickly reminded me that a Peggy's Stitch Eraser would make it easy to unsew the crooked motif and start anew. I took the shirt home and opened the drawer, took out the tool and the results were amazing. Stitches were quickly erased and I was able to embroider the motif in the correct spot. Shirt saved, lesson learned! If you want to see how this nifty little lifesaver works there is even a video to view.

This morning I got a phone call from my friend in Brother National Service...the guys who repair the machines at Brother...he wanted to ask me if I thought it was possible that people still did not know how to embroider a terry cloth towel....I chuckled and quickly responded, "are you kidding, of course!" To help my reader's out I have attached a quick project for embroidering on towels with a nap, and the project has a few other tips for successful embroidery as well.

One of the big issues that my caller had was that a customer was trying to embroider a towel and the embroidery foot kept getting caught on the topper.

That happened to me last week when I was making this cute litte burp cloth.....the heel of the embroidery foot got caught on the topper as I was embroidering the frame.....bad moment. If I had not been in a rush and took the time to tack down the topper I would not have that moment. Lesson learned, disaster almost!

Well gang....Project Runway is over and Qristyl Frazier, the Plus Size Designer did not make the cut....She seemed to have a death wish between last week and this week. Her garments just didn't seem to make it as far as the judges were concerned. Oh well.

This week we all need to remember "9-11" and I have to say that I think it is good idea to consider how we can volunteer our services to help others as a show of recognition of this memorable day in history. I am going to make a committment to help a "cause" this year. Are you?

Have a great week!

June

You won't want to miss this...

JuneMellinger — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 02:16:00 GMT

Tomorrow nite, Thursday, August 20, Lifetime televison you will be able to resume the fun of watching Project Runway. The show that people of all ages love to watch week after week as the next designer heads to the finish line. Tim and Heidi have moved it to Lifetime Televison. Personally I am very curious to watch this season from the first episode since I was most fortunate to attend Fashion week at the "tents" in Bryant Park in New York City this past spring. Having attended previous Project Runway events in NYC I was curious as to how this one would be presented since "season 6" had not even been on TV yet. The presentation was like previous Project Runway events except for one thing...none of the designer finalists were presented to the attendees. The audience only saw the collections from the finalists. We did get to see Tim Gunn as he was presented as a judge since J. Lo (Jennifer Lopez for those of you who are wondering about that nickname) had fallen and hurt her ankle the day before. Heidi was also there but did not have to finish the event saying "Auf Wiedersehen" since there were no finalists to recognize (but I am sure they were in the audience)!

Tomorrow nite's show will be different for other reasons...there will be 2 other shows prior to PR Season 6 that feature former contestants....and models!

Lest I forget....Brother continues to be the exclusive sewing machine sponsor for Project Runway and boy has that been a neat experience. We have been able to be part of Jillian Lewis' journey to success in the fashion world. Last spring I had an action packed March with Jillian. I got to attend her Fall 2009 Collection showing at a very fashionable salon in the trendy "meatpacking district" of New York City and the next day as part of the introduction of Fashion Week in New York City, I was invited to help her ring the closing bell at NASDAQ . I have to tell you that when we took our grandchildren to see Lion King a few months before, we stood at theatre window gazing across the street from NASDAQ and I never imagined being part of this very exciting experience. A few hours later I was home in Metuchen dining out at a local restaurant and I chuckled to myself as my husband said, "I'll bet no one in this restaurant would believe that you helped "ring the closing bell at NASDAQ" today. I am sure he was right about that!

Brother has also had a great opportunity to have "Daniel and Wesley" of last season fame help our dealer in Peoria host a publicity event for FCCLA....Family, Career, Community Leaders of America if you are wondering....

These fellows did a super job of hosting the finals for a Project Runway competition at this convention...from what I am told, they stayed for hours gving interviews and signing autographs. If you want to learn more about this event, click here. You will not believe how much money the winner invested in her garment and how she made it!

In case you have not heard Brother has a full line of Project Runway sewing and embroidery machines. So if you are feeling like the next designer or you know a young person with big dreams, now is the time to check out these well priced machines! To learn more about the complete line up and special offers please click here.

Well it's time for me to get my beauty sleep so I can be ready to watch Season 6 tomorrow nite! I hope you will too!

June

June from Brother - Tone-on-Tone Designs & Hole-Punching on the Quattro

JuneMellinger — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 14:15:00 GMT

Not sure where the last two weeks have gone but it seems like it is time to check in with you all, again. I have recently been to Des Moines, Iowa for two reasons. The first was so I could film a video for a new feature on www.allpeoplequilt.com (part of Better Homes and Gardens) and the second was so that I could see how exciting the newest AQS show was in downtown Des Moines.

Both events were most interesting. For any of you that might wonder what it would be like to let a film crew come into your home and film a magazine story….think twice. The film crew that I worked with was wonderful but they can sure turn things upside down, plus the hostess had to be well versed in “no problem.” She told me that her ordinary home had been a few different colors and that she often had to be comfortable with it being Christmas in July. For those of you who might be considering painting your furniture but just can’t quite put the paintbrush in your hand….her beautiful dining room china closet that had one been a pecan wood finish is now white. She took off the lower doors and slid in some pretty baskets on the shelves. Chancey but none the less interesting. Kind of reminded me of when we have a pretty blouse and we are afraid to add some glitz to it with machine embroidery. Really, are the plain blouse police going to come find you? Go for it! And while you are at it, why not try embroidering with two threads in the needle or embroider a design more than once for emphasis? Better yet, have you considered changing thread colors or even leaving a color region unembroidered? You can do it, honest it’s all right, I promise not to tell any one.

In case you have not heard, the new Quattro machine will let you do a few crazy things too. You can actually turn on the mono-color thread icon and those multicolor designs become all one color. I love this feature because I am a real fan of tone on tone designs. Another wonderful feature is the ability to turn off the thread sensors. This now means I can “sew” without thread….hole punching if you will! I also love the fact that I can turn on the edge sewing feature and the machine will automatically track as close to the edge of the fabric as I dare go!

For those of you who might wonder what I am up to this evening….I am embroidering a cute little dog image from the Brother memory card SA374. The image is actually a few dachshunds and terriers surrounding a frame. I am going to use it for a scrapbooking project that I have that never seems to end.

This week I am headed to the first annual Georgia Quilt Show. This show is in Atlanta. Perhaps I will run into a few of you?

From what have read…a few of you gals in the Tampa were hoping for a choice of dealers. Well you might be interested to know that the second part of my trip this week is to train the employees of a new dealer that has 3 stores in the Tampa area.

From the sound of things on the blog there are some gals who need lessons on how to embroider. Has anyone reached out to offer lessons or at least some tips as to what to do first? I have to honestly say that this site has always had members who never hesitated to help each other!

I am off to take quite photo of my newly finished photo frame. This time I sealed the edges by using the handy appliqué wizard feature on the Quattro. For those of you with the upgraded NV4000D and NV4500, you have this feature as well!

I have to admit, I am becoming addicted to making these photo frames. I already have two on my desk!