We are excited to have Eileen Roche, Editor of Designs in Machine Embroidery share this content with you, which was originally posted on Eileen’s Machine Embroidery Blog :

AN INTERVIEW WITH EILEEN ROCHE BY DENISE HOLGUIN

DH: Eileen, you are a very busy individual! You manage the production of a magazine, write weekly blogs, do appearances at events, invent new products… AND you had time to design and create a new quilt for the Flower Box Quilt book. Wow! What is your secret to finding time to create this new quilt project?

ER: I leave and breathe embroidery! And I have a passion for embroidered quilts. I just love using my embroidery machine to decorate quilt blocks and quilt the entire quilt.

DH: When you started designing the Flower Box Quilt, did you have a clear path of what you wanted or did the project evolve over time?

ER: I had a basic layout in mind as I was inspired by Amy Gibson’s The Quilt Block Cookbook. Of course, along the way, a project guides me in a new direction.

Amy Gibson’s The Quilt Block Cookbook via instagram @karenlewistextiles

DH: You used e-stitches on at least one of the blocks in the Flower Box Quilt. To those unfamiliar with an e-stitch, will you tell us more?

ER: E-stitch, also known as the blanket stitch – is a common hand (or sewing machine) applique technique. Often, the stitching is shown in a contrasting color. In the Flower Box Quilt, I matched the thread to the applique fabric to let the fabric shine – I didn’t want to introduce a wide line of stitches (think satin column) – just a gentle, almost indiscernible line of stitching. I like it.

DH: Your projects always look impeccable! Do you ever make mistakes? How do you overcome them?

ER: Thank you!
I make mistakes ALL the TIME! Frankly, if I wasn’t for the mistakes I’ve made, I wouldn’t be the embroiderer I am today. When I do make a mistake (which I do with every project), I rarely throw out the project. I figure out how to rectify the situation and move on. One of my biggest shortcomings is, I’m always excited to finish the project – to figure out if the design and techniques that I created will work as planned. I think if I worked at a slower pace, I would eliminate some mistakes. But I also know, that a slow pace does not meet deadlines! It’s a catch-22.

DH: What is the one take-away you want readers to learn from the Flower Box Quiltbook?

ER: You don’t have to make a large quilt to learn all the techniques. Start with a manageable size, like a table runner or lap size quilt and you’ll master the techniques upon completion.

DH: Do you have a favorite quilt block in this collection?
ER: Hmm…that’s a tough one. Probably Block 1 – I just love those flowers!

For more information about Eileen’s Flower Box Quilt and its companion product, The Quilting Stabilizer Kit, Click here: Eileen’s Flower Box Quilt

Ever wonder what to do with all of those test stitchouts? Bonnie Welsh from SewInspiredbyBonnie.com has put hers to some of the most uniquely versatile uses I've ever seen and, fortunately, has given me permission to share them with you.

I just adore this tote bag. It uses mylar in the designs for added sparkle and dimension (More about that in another post!). Not only are the designs adorable, but the wavy border adds interest and I absolutely love how the fabric complements both the subject theme and color scheme.

As a digitizer, Bonnie undoubtedly has a much bigger collection of test stitchouts than most people.

"I try to come up with original ideas/ways to use up the test sews I complete," Bonnie said.  "I just hate to see anything go into the trash."

You never know what you might do with stitchout samples so, most of the time, they are just slightly larger than hoop size. Bonnie has addressed that variable by using applique frames and borders with her stitchouts. That way, she can make them whatever size she needs for completed projects.

Bonnie takes the technique even further using appliqued strips for this adorable quilt. Once again, the colors in both fabric and thread match perfectly.

In this block, Bonnie uses an applique frame as a base for the stitchout.

Gives you lots of new possibilities for test sews you might otherwise throw in a pile, doesn't it?

I'd love to hear some of the creative ways you use yours.

Debbie SewBlest