AnnTheBlogger : embroidery designs

Ruffled Crib Quilt from Down Under

AnnTheGran — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 19:12:00 GMT

Every grandmother counts it a blessing when another child comes into her life. Each set of tiny hands and feet hold a special place in her heart forever. When the newest addition made his appearance to the Jenkins family it was just what Leanne needed to inspire her to expand her embroidery talents. It’s such a sweet quilt and certain to be his favorite with all those teddy bears to love.

Leanne is from Australia, and she calls this a "cot quilt", but I remember from being in Australia that what is called a cot there is what we in the North America call a crib, so I've changed it in the post title but not in Leanne's text below. For a bigger picture, click here.

Leanne's Description

I recently decided to shout myself (with a lot of help from my partner) an Embroidery Machine for my birthday in October last year. This cot quilt was my first real attempt at something other than tea towels and oven-mitts. Our newest addition to the Grandchildren was born in February this year and I decided to make the quilt for him. All the teddy bear designs were downloaded from Ann The Gran free designs archive and I would like to say that they sew out beautifully as you can see even when they are converted to ‘jef' Format.

Step-by-step description

Quilt Materials List (finished size approximately 1m x 1m (cot size)

Quilt Front Sashes, Ruffle and Backing Fabric 1.7m x 90cm
Contrasting Fabric for Embroidery
Batting 1m x 90cm
Cut six strips for inside vertical sashing to join three embroidery panels per row
Cut two longer strips for inside horizontal sashing to join all nine embroidery panels together
Cut four strips for outside border
Cut nine 9 x 9inch squares for blocks
Embroider nine panels and trim to 8inch squares
Join embroidered blocks x 3 using two of the six inside vertical sashing strips per row, then join each row of 3 embroidered panels together using the two longer strips of horizontal sashing
Finally, using the four remaining strips as a border attach to the outside of completed front cot panel
Make Ruffle (width can be varied to personal choice) using 11/2 x the diameter of the quilt, join strips together and over-lock and turn under one long edge, then gather the other long edge to make ruffle, I used my over-locker to gather the edge as well
Spray wrong side of the front panel with quilters spray adhesive and gently spread the front panel over the batting.
Using a walking foot attachment I then stitched around each embroidered panel using "stitch in ditch" technique
Attach ruffle to the front panel right sides together with the outer edge of ruffle towards the centre of the panel (I find it easier to attach ruffle first then attach the backing fabric last
Attach the backing fabric to the quilt right sides together leaving enough of an opening to turn the quilt right side out then slip stitch to close the opening to complete.

What makes this project special

I always try to make something for any new additions to the Grandchildren when they arrive, as I enjoy doing it and no matter what it is, it is always appreciated and commented on as it is used. I would rather make something myself than buy it because I think it makes the gift special and I love and enjoy my sewing and the time I spend doing so.

Skill level

In my opinion anyone could make this project with any skill level

Products

Cutting Board

Rotary Cutter

Quilters adhesive spray

Sewing Machine / Overlocker

Walking foot attachment

Embroidery Machine / Embroidery Designs

Time Investment

As I still work full-time I find it hard to give an estimate, but the teddy designs I have used in this project take between 30 minutes to 60 minutes so I guess about 10 hours max.

Why I love this project

One reason would be the fact that I have made this for my newest grandson and another would be that this is my first project that I have tackled that is a little more involved than the simpler projects I have done since I got my embroidery machine.

Send Us Your Creations

Do you have any creations that go with a great story? If so, we'd love to hear about them, and see them! If we choose to post your project, you'll get a free $25 gift certificate to use in the AnnTheGran.com online store. Click here for details on how to submit your creation.

What Would You Do?

What is your favorite theme to sew as a set or grouping of designs in the same project? Click on the Comments link to share your story.

Embroidered Sheepdog Wallhanging Using Photos

AnnTheGran — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 14:44:00 GMT

Like many of us, Barbara Schleter has more than one passion. Here she has combined her long time love of Shetland Sheepdogs with her more recent passion for embroidery. Barbara has done a great job of sharing her thoughts on creating personalized gifts for those who are special to her. Heartfelt expressions such as this are sure to be cherished by those who recieve the gifts.

Barbara's Description
I am very new to machine embroidery ... in fact I have only been doing it a couple of months. However, I made the attached wallhanging for a very dear lady who has helped me enormously with my other passion ... Shetland Sheepdogs.

It is approximately 20 inches wide by 30 inches long. Please click here to view a larger image of the wallhanging.

Step-by-step
First I printed out photos of three of her Shelties onto TShirt transfer paper on my ink jet printer. I then ironed them onto cream homespun, The photos are about 5 inches wide and 6 inches deep.

I cut these out and sewed glittery material 'frames' about 1-1/2 inches wide around them. I then used my sewing machine and sewed hearts around to make it stable ... any pattern would do or even just plain straight stitching.

Then I embroidered three blocks that I chose at random onto a cream with a white printed background. About 6 inches.

Then I embroidered the lady's kennel name on a piece of the same fabric about 4 inches by 6 inches (this was to enable it to be cut to fit)... but the person's name would do just as well ... or a well chosen word.

I then ran up four pinwheel blocks with a finished size of 4 inches ... but any patchwork block would be fine ... even a four patch.

To assemble I sewed the kennel name, an embroidered square and a photo together. (centre panel).
Then I sewed the left hand panel together ... the photo, then an embroidered square.
Then I sewed the right hand panel together ... again the photo, then an embroidered square.

It is difficult to give exact sizes because the photos vary.

Then I sewed a strip of bright floral material along the bottom -- 2 inches wide

Then I joined the four pinwheels and put a piece of material that I had used in the pinwheels at either end to make it the correct length and sewed it to the bottom strip.

Using another 2 inch wide strip of the bright floral material I sewed it to the bottom edge of the pinwheels.

Then I cut a strip of a different floral fabric 2 inches wide and sewed around the entire wall hanging.

All through the process I measured and ensured everything was square.

Then I got a piece of cream homespun measuring 20 inches by 30 inches and laid it on a table. I then cut a piece of wadding the same size and lay it on the backing. Lastly I put my wallhanging top on it and pinned it all together.

Then I ditch stitched it.

Then I cut a binding 3 inches wide, folded it in half and sewed around the edge.

Then I cut a piece of homespun 16 inches long and 4 inches wide and doubled it over. I then sewed this (raw edges) into the top of the wall hanging.

Then I sewed the folded over binding around the wallhanging, mitreing the corners.

Then I hand sewed the binding onto the back of the wallhanging.

Then using a darkcolour in my bobbin I machine stitched the other side of the rodpocket to the wallhanging.

I cut a piece of dowel to fit and some cord and attached the cord with drawing pins.

What Makes This Project Special
The idea was to make something that would bring a lot of pleasure to the recipient.

Skill Level
Beginner

Products
Bobbins
Colorfast Printer Fabric
Rotary cutter and ruler
Ultimate Quilt Binding Combo (incl. Stitch in the Ditch)
Embroidery Designs

Time Investment
I made it over a couple of days ... in fact I made two ... one for another friend .... but would estimate about 4 hours if one sat and did nothing else.

Why I Love This Project
I wanted to make a personalised wallhanging for a dear friend and I think I accomplished that.

Send Us Your Creations
Do you have any creations that go with a great story? If so, we'd love to hear about them, and see them! If we choose to post your project, you'll get a free $25 gift certificate to use in the AnnTheGran.com online store. Click here for details on how to submit your creation.

What Would You Do?
Barbara combined techniques of photo printing and embroidery to create a unique quilted wallhanging. Share a time when you have combined another craft or technique to make your embroidery project unique. Click on the Comments link to share your story.

Brighten Someone's Spirit with a Verse Lap Quilt

atgadmin — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 20:17:00 GMT

Quilts, whether large or small, can brighten the spirit and bring a bit of joy to those who need it in almost any situation. Made with love and detailed with words of comfort, Susan Osborn shows us how a simple but heartfelt project can help make the days a little better for others. Surely a gift such as this is what quilting is all about.

Susan's Description

I call them “Lap Comforts” as they are especially for people who, for one reason or another, have to remain seated for much of their day. The lap comfort keeps one’s knees and lap warm while the verses are a comfort to read--which one is able to do no matter which end is up. Two rows of designs face each end of the cover.

Step By Step

I use the machine embroidery designs from "God’s Gifts for You", found here at AnnTheGran. There are 36 in the set, I chose 12. Other designs with meaningful messages or Asian characters with meanings would do fine. Fussy cuts of printed fabric might also be used.

Materials: 12 blocks embroidered with messages½ yard for sashings and border 1 yard backing

1 yard flannel or other batting

I cut my blocks at 6 ½ inches square; the sashings are cut 6 ½ x 2 inches for eight of them for the vertical, and 21 and a half by 2 inches for three of them for the horizontal. The borders are cut as wide as you like for the size of the finished piece. I cut mine 3 and a half inches wide, 28 and a half long for the sides, 26 and a half long for the top and bottom. Yours may vary. Join rows with the sashings making sure that two rows of designs are right side up from each end. Use quarter inch seams. Sew on borders, sides first and then the top and bottom. I used flannel for the batting and for the backing, right sides facing and sewed all but an opening to turn it right side out. Sew opening closed. I tacked each intersection and where the sashings meet the border with a machine stitched heart.

What Makes This Project Special

This project is special to me as my younger sister is confined to a wheel chair and finds a lap comfort useful. I have made her several so one might be in the wash and others waiting for use.

Skill Level

Skill level would be basic quilting.

Products

Products were fabric, stabilizer for the blocks stitch by embroidery machine, thread for embroidery and sewing together.

Time Investment

I was able to make this lap comfort in an afternoon, the embroidery takes the most time.

Why I Love This Project

I love this project because it gives purpose to my hobby of machine quilting. I enjoy sharing finished projects with others.

Send Us Your Creations
Do you have any creations that go with a great story? If so, we'd love to hear about them, and see them! If we choose to post your project, you'll get a free $25 gift certificate to use in the AnnTheGran.com online store. Click here for details on how to submit your creation.

What Would You Do?
Do you know someone who makes special embroidered items to brighten the day of others? Click on the Comments link to share their story.

Western Wedding Quilt

atgadmin — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 16:47:00 GMT

Keeping up with traditions can be a challenge when you are as far away from your family as Debbie Martin is. But she obviously spends a lot of time and energy to share her love with family as shown in the wedding quilt as well as others who will appreciate the warmth of a handmade gift - such as the rag quilts for the men in her son’s unit.

Debbie's Description
My family has a tradition of giving quilts for weddings, births and graduations. My daughter-in law chose a western theme for her wedding quilt. I chose to use flannel fabrics with a western printed cotton backing. I think embroidery makes the quilt squares more personal and if you don’t like to piece you don’t have to.

Step-by-Step Description

1. Cut 24 12”X12” squares from navy flannel. I was able to embroider them even if I had to use the extra large hoop because I used higher quality flannel. To make sure there was enough body I sprayed it with 505 adhesive and stuck a piece of typing paper (I use those pieces that come in my junk mail) on the back It had enough tension even with only the two sides being help by the extra large hoop.

2. I chose 24 embroidery designs, the majority of which I downloaded from your web page of free designs. Others I purchased online and downloaded. I embroidered these in the 24 navy squares.

3. Cut 216 4 ½” squares to make your nine patch blocks. I used plaid and solid color flannels. While the embroidery machine was going, I cut and pieced the nine patch squares. Because I needed these pieces squares to end up as 12” X12” blocks and because flannel tends to ravel, I serged all my seams.

4. Cut 40 12” X 3 ½” strips from brown flannel. Make 8 rows with a brown strip in between each 12” block.

5. Cut 7 strips that are the length of the rows X 1 /12” from red flannel. Sew a row to the top and bottom of each strip to create the quilt top.

6. Cut two strips that are the length of the quilt X 2 ½” from red flannel and sew down both sides for the side border.

7. Cut two strips that are the width of the quilt (including the side borders) X 3 ½” from red flannel and sew to the top and bottom of the quilt top to complete the border.

8. The quilt back is 100% cotton that coordinates with the navy flannel and theme of the quilt.

9. Quilt and bind to complete the full size quilt.

What Makes This Project Special

My daughter in-law was with me while my son (her husband) was in Iraq. She was helping me with some of my projects. We had decided to make rag quilts for the guys in my son’s unit for Christmas. While we were searching online she saw the western designs and fell in love! That made the decision of me. We would make their wedding quilt and embroidered one with western designs.

Skill Level
Easy enough for a beginner

Products
My embroidery machine, serger, sewing machine, downloaded designs, fabrics, and embroidery threads.

Time Investment
It really did take me only 2 weeks at a leisurely pace to complete the quilt top.

Why I Love This Project
It is for my son and daughter in-law. When she fell in love with the western designs I had to use that for the theme. I am mailing off the finished top and backing to my family today and they will quilt it for me. It is a family tradition and since most of these women are now in the 70’s there are fewer of us to do the work. I am the only one from my generation who has participated in this tradition over the years and I now live in the Philippines .

Send Us Your Creations
Do you have any creations that go with a great story? If so, we'd love to hear about them, and see them! If we choose to post your project, you'll get a free $25 gift certificate to use in the AnnTheGran.com online store. Click here for details on how to submit your creation.

What Would You Do?
Tell us about a family tradition that you have that has presented a challenge such as Debbie’s distance from family, by clicking on the Comments link to share your story.

Framed Letters for a Personalized Nursery

atgadmin — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 21:29:00 GMT

For Diane Brown, embroidery started as a hobby to get away from all the stress of her job as a bank compliance officer. It didn’t take long, however, for her obsession to blossom into a new career. For a number of years she has been working behind the scenes in the development of software and embroidery designs that are fun and easy-to use. Creating embroidery software learning tools and fun projects that inspire creativity is her specialty. “Embroidery should always, always be fun” is Diane’s motto.

Using embroidery to make whole rooms come to life has become a real passion for Diane. Themed nurseries are her favorite, although she loves creating comfortable accessories for every room in the house. These simple framed letters were inspired by some very expensive accents but were a fraction of the cost. They were fun to make and they match the nursery to a T.

Diane's Description
I gasped when my daughter showed me some stamped, framed jumbo letters in a very popular magazine and said she would love to have them for the new baby’s nursery. But the price was astronomical. So, we used AnnTheGran’s Jumbo Alphabet, scraps from the nursery quilt, hand cut mats from cardstock and some simple white frames from the local discount store.

Step-by-step
1. Cut 4 8”X10” rectangles from fabrics of your choice. Spray starch your fabric if desired as this will help give you a professional finish.
2. Hoop fabric with a heavy weight stabilizer (tearaway or cut away should work fine). To be sure it is centered fold the fabric in half and finger crease both vertically and horizontially.
3. Choose threads that contrast with the fabric. Just a tip: I always use the same color thread in my bobbin as in the top when I do any type of lettering. Embroider the letters that you need. Cut the stabilizer even with the edges of the fabric.
4. Cut a piece of cardboard the size you want your mat opening to be. Use this as a template for cutting your mats. You can use precut mats if you like.
5. Place the mat face down on your work surface. Center the letter in the opening and glue the fabric front to the mat back. I left the stabilizer on and glued the edges of it down to the fabric as well.
6. Place the matted letters in the frame.
7. Note: If you have software you can resize these letters to 6” tall and then for all but the widest letters they fit perfectly in a 5X7 mat or frame.

What makes this project special?
I love being a grandmother and being able to make things that are loved by my daughters. It is fun to see a whole room take shape and know that there is no one else with one just like it.

Skill Level
Beginner

Products
My embroidery machine
AnnTheGran Jumbo Alphabet
Stabilize It! heavy cut-away stabilizer
embroidery thread
fabric

Time Investment
Two to three hours once all the supplies were gathered.

Why You Love This Project
It was for Anna – my precious new baby granddaughter.

Send Us Your Creations
Do you have any creations that go with a great story? If so, I'd love to hear about them, and see them! If I choose to post your project, you'll get a free $25 gift certificate to use in the AnnTheGran.com online store. Click here for details on how to submit your creation.

What Would You Do?
Diane's passion is room decor, particularly themed nurseries. Do you have a particular passion or specialty at which you excel? Click on the Comments link to tell us your area of expertise.

Charity Project - Star Bunting with Polar Fleece Blanket

atgadmin — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 21:57:00 GMT

Every child is precious but sometimes the families of certain little ones face unique challenges. The charity FHCS (Faith Hope & Charity Stitches) has a very special way of sharing their love of sewing and embrodiery. The tiny buntings and quilts they make are a wonderful gift to those babies, keeping them warm all winter long. Karen Munro and the FHCS show us how they serve others, making a difference in the world around them.

Karen's Description
This project is a star bunting, with matching polar fleece blanket, - made from a commercial pattern ~ 9965 Simplicity ~ and embellished with embroidery designs from Ann The Gran. Using polar fleece that we buy on sale - we cut out the pattern and stitch it up. We make as many of these as possible as soon as it gets cold and continue making them through early spring.

Step-by-step Description
Choose pattern pieces - smooth them out and lay them onto the polar fleeces fabric. Cut two pieces for the hooded top, one piece for the tassel, two fronts and one back. We also often cut a polar fleece piece of the same color to make into a blanket to match the bunting. The pattern calls for a 14 inch zipper but we buy them as inexpensively as possible and that often means buying longer ones and cutting them to size. The zipper is the first sewing operation. Leave the zipper it's full length until after installation. right sides tog. stitch front to back - keeping that long zipper tail free. Zig-zag or serge zipper tail to prevent unraveling. Stitch hood pieces tog. with tassel inserted into seam allowance. Turn back raw edge of hood facing and encase elastic to gently gather hood around babies little face. Stitch hood to body. Choose a baby-themed embroidery pattern and work the embroidery to front of bunting and a copy to that little blanket to match.

What Makes This Project Special
We have cold winters here in northern Ohio and the babies we send these buntings to often do not have parents that can afford store bought snow suits in newborn sizes. I personally have made these as gifts to grand children but for the charity we make as many as we can and send them along to babies all winter. The babies don't know we made them and the parents or care takers are grateful for the gifts. The thought of helping a young mom keep her child safely warm ~ warms my heart!

Skill Level
The bunting itself is fairly easy - the instructions for a hooded jacket could be used as easily using buttons or snaps instead of a zipper. This makes the project even easier. I think most sewing enthusiasts that can operate an embroidery machine would find this very easy.

Products
I used the "baby keys" embroidery found at Ann The Gran, polar fleece, standard threads to stitch, my serger,1/4 inch elastic in the hood, a standard 14 inch nylon zipper, colored threads for the embroidery, wash away - or soluble stabilizer for the embroidery work. I sew out embroidery on a little Brother sewing machine that serves me well.This project is just one of several from our charity group. We use embroidery on blankets, quilts, burial layettes and all sorts of items for the babies and children.

Time Investment
Because this is usually a group effort - cutting, stitching , embroidery work - I can only guess that in two hours it could be completed.

Why I Love This Project
The softness and detail attained quickly by adding the embroidery to the polar fleece. Knowing that an infant in Northern Ohio will be cuddled up snuggly this winter and looking cute at the same time - now that's precious!

Send Us Your Creations
Do you have any creations that go with a great story? If so, I'd love to hear about them, and see them! If I choose to post your project, you'll get a free $25 gift certificate to use in the AnnTheGran.com online store. Click here for details on how to submit your creation.

What Would You Do?
I know that many of our readers love to share their craft toward the service for others. What do you with your love of creating to help those less fortunate? Click on the Comments link to share your story.

Simple Baby Quilt for Cold Northern Winters

atgadmin — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 08:33:00 GMT

Creating keepsakes for loved ones is such a joy for those who love to sew. With her simple blankets, Sue Kerlin shows us how she continues her love of giving to family even when life is too full for intricate details.

Sue's Description:
I picked this pattern of baby quilt because I am not a detail quilter. I was sent a picture of a quilt with "outside seams" and thought it looked easy enough. The effect it gives the quilt is inviting, warm, cozy and so soft, just perfect for a "northern winter" baby. I have sewn for years, but working full time and sewing, I have lost interest in real "detailed" items. In my book, this is a "simple" quilt.

Step-by-step:
I used blue and white checkered flannel for the squares that I embroidered, and a blue cloud flannel for the strips between. The small squares are a solid light blue. The larger squares are 10 inches and the stripes between are 5 inch by 10 inch pieces. The small squares are 5X5. You can determine the size of blocks by what size you want your blanket. I embroidered the larger blocks, using mostly patterns I got from AnnTheGran web site. To assemble, I used a 5/8th inch seam toward the front of each piece. After it was completely put together, I attached it to a fleece back that I also embroidered with name, date of birth, weight, and length. I also sent my love and signed the blanket with embroidery. Each of the little blocks are also tied to the fleece with doubled yarn knots with one inch pieces left. This holds it really solid for washing. On the front reversed seams, I clipped them about every inch. Each time it is washed, it becomes fuzzier and softer.

What makes this project special:
This was first made for my 3rd granddaughter, then for my first grandson. The granddaughter's theme was ducks, so I used them in the pieces between the embroidered blocks and ducks for some of the designs on the blocks. My grandson's theme was wild animals, so I changed the block size and did his a bit different and it was a little easier to do. It is so nice to have ultrasounds and know ahead of time what designs can be used. Notice the little boy with the side-ways hat is on both. That design fits the way their daddy looked when he was growing up, I am so glad we found it. I made different blankets for the first 2 granddaughters, but I liked the look of this so much that I made a full sized one out of denim and patterns that my 15 year old granddaughter could relate to for Christmas last year. The blocks of it were denim with flannel cat fabric between since she was called "kitten" by her uncle when she was little.

Skill level:
This is VERY simple. Centering the design in the middle is so easy, I folded it in quarters and chalked a dot for the middle. I then lined my embroidery hoop so the dot was in the center of it. Assembly is also easy. If you can sew a straight line, you can make the quilt, and I find it very relaxing to do.

Products:
I have a Brother PE-150, a small embroidery machine. I never thought I would use it as much as I have, but find it fun and a nice way to personalize things. I work full time, but hide out and play often in my special room.

Time Invested:
I have no idea. Each block took at least an hour, but while they are stitching, I also did other things with my regular machine, so time flew by. It was fun watching the different designs progress.

Why I love this project:
It was fun, not stressful at all and is a great keepsake for my grandbabies. They will always know I stitched it with love. The free patterns available at AnnTheGran.com are wonderful. If I would have had to pay for all of the designs I used, I simply could not have afforded to do it.

Send Us Your Creations
Do you have any creations that go with a great story? If so, we'd love to hear about them, and see them! If we choose to post your project, you'll get a free $25 gift certificate to use in the AnnTheGran.com online store. Click here for details on how to submit your creation.

What Would You Do?
Sue has found fun ways to keep on sewing even when life consists of a full time job and growing family. Click on the Comments link to tell us about your favorite stress free project or past-time.