Embroidery Advisor Presents : Traveling Made Easy

Vacations & traveling can be fun!  What isn’t so fun is all the hoops you have to jump thru to get to your destination though.  With all the heightened security since 9/11, going thru airport security can be an adventure. Making sure everything in your luggage complies with all... [More]

Crazy Patch Heart

A couple of blogs ago, I wrote about crazy quilt stitches. Now, we'll put them to use making a basic [More]

Amazing Lace Bowl from a Doily

Untitled Document When is a doily not a doily? When you make it into a bowl! Start with the Lace Doily collection from Dakota Collectibles. https://www.annthegran.com/Product.aspx?t=1&i=42329 First, create the butterfly doily shown here as a bowl. It's pretty neat the way this in-the... [More]

Great Gifts for Mom

Mother's Day is just around the corner. Don't panic if don't have any good ideas. Here are some [More]

All Water-Soluble isn't Made Equal

All Water-Soluble Stabilizers are Not Created Equal   That’s right – there are three main varieties: Lightweight (about 20 microns) – used for topping on lightly textured fabrics Mid-weight (about 35 microns) – used a topping on more deeply textured or plush fabrics,... [More]

Decorative Crazy Patch Embroidery Stitches

Embroidery machines revolutionized hand stitching. What once took days or weeks to prepare now varies from minutes to hours. Embroidery designs aren't the only things you can stitch out. Some of the easiest embellishments are made with decorative stitches. Regardless of your embroidery mac... [More]

Monograms Made Easy

Monograms are the oldest form of identification in the world, dating back to Greek and Roman times. First used as a form of currency in the barter system, monograms served many roles from indicating social status to serving as a signature for royals and artists. Perhaps most obvious, they identifie... [More]

The Skinny on Small Lettering

  Working with small letters can be frustrating. Chances are that you think your small lettering looks distorted, bunchy or just plain amateurish. The truth is, is probably not your fault. That’s right. Your good technique can only go as far as the data allows. In other words, if the fon... [More]

Keeping It Simple Storage Cubes Big and Little - Part 3

Tired of boxes yet?  I'm not.  I am hooked for sure.  This one is VERY simple. I made a bunch of these little ones in no time at all. Some for me and some for the girls schoolroom.  But this is the last one,  Here is my smallest storage cube: What you need: One 15&qu... [More]

Tips for Getting Inspired

It's the time of year when it's easy to get in a creative rut. Winter is almost over. Spring is almost here. You are tired of being inside, maybe even tired of sewing the same old stuff. There are many ways to get inspiration, most of which, can be done from the comfort of home at little or ... [More]

Keeping It Simple Storage Cubes Big and Little - Part 2

This sewing room organization may take all year at the rate I am going.  It's a great idea to give everything a "home" but I had no idea that I has so much stuff.  Anyway I said I would do a tutorial on different ways to make those little fabric cubes. I have to warn you that... [More]

Keeping It Simple - Storage Cubes Big and Little - Part 1

Organize, organize and organize some more.  I decided to give my sewing room a makeover of sorts.  The goal however, is to repurpose as many items as possible without spending much money.  Well, this could take all year -that is how bad my room is.  But as it comes along I will s... [More]

New Quick Font Lettering Eliminates Guesswork

Ever want to add a line or two of text to a project but didn't because it's just too much of a pain? Don't want to invest in alphabet libraries? Hate lining up letters? Tired of stitching fonts that don't turn out regardless of how well they are stabilized? Afraid to install (and lea... [More]

Embroidery Advisor Presents: Unique Sports Applique Alphabets

Sporting events have been around for a long time and as a parent you are more than likely going to be attending some of these events as your children are growing up.  Whether they win or lose the most important thing is how you look at these sporting functions.  To help you look as sh... [More]

It All Comes Down to Color

Color plays such an important role in our lives from what we wear to the vehicles we drive. As embroiderers, we have artistic license to experiment with color. The possibilities are virtually endless when you mix fabric and thread combinations. I'm using the same design in several different way... [More]

Best Stabilizer for Stretchy Performance Knits? It’s in the Bedroom!

I just want to pass on the latest trend in stabilizers that is actually a blast from the past! The new thin and stretchy performance knits with brand names like Under Armor and DriWick have given commercial embroiderers fits. After trying all available sources, they have turned to an “old sc... [More]

In-the-hoop Cookies

The girls love to play with the kitchen that their dad made for them.  Their play kitchen isn't [More]

Ann's Sweetest Heart Collection: Perfect for Your Sweetheart

Ann's Sweetest Heart Collection makes it fun and easy to create a variety of special valentines you can't find in any big box store. And, for a limited time, purchase the small, large, or full collections, and get a Valentines Sayings pack absolutely FREE. Intricate, yet delicate, the des... [More]
The Avid Embroiderer Presents - The Freebie is just for YOU!

The Avid Embroiderer Presents - The Freebie is just for YOU!

Some ideas stand the test of time. These are tips that make your day-to-day and embroidery a little easier.  Originally written in February 2016, over 500 readers have taken the time to, perhaps, copy and save these tricks that will allow us to work smarter, not harder. There are 10 ideas, many of which I created and did not see on the Net. 

Green indicates tips and tricks specifically for embroidery.

Learning embroidery is a tricky craft. There are many issues that have to be learned by hands-on practice. That may sound like a time-consuming chore but, well, it is. The price for not practicing and learning is ruined, second rate, and undesirable projects. Just when I personally want to show off my work, you can bet The Rule of Murphy will prevail. It's a very positive rule, saying that if something can go wrong, it will. If it can't go wrong, it's going to go wrong anyway. 

Here is another trick for your arsenal to baste a design and avoid puckering. Here are the preeminent methods you might use. It has been created using the Freebie included in this Blog:
  • Create a standard basting stitch, usually done in a circle or square, around the design. 
  • Create an alignment basting stitch following the outline of the design. 
  • Create a basting stitch inside/under the design. This one would be useful for tricky fabrics and/or designs. You could use it on vinyl fabric where basting would leave holes. It would be done by drawing the outline of your design on paper. Then place it where your embroidery will be set including the fabric & stabilizer. With a standard machine or hand baste, sew your paper inside the line with fabric & stabilizer. Remove the top paper and your fabric is secure.
  • As you do your 'discovery sew', where you use the same or similar fabric, needles, and thread, to discover any hidden issues that may be lurking. 
  • Use a stabilizer a little heavier or stronger (not tearable or soluble stabilizer) under your project. IMHO, it is difficult to over-stabilize, you can always remove the excess, but under-stabilizing will damage your project in various ways, one being puckering. 
If you have not yet had a project slip or fall out of the hoop, you will. That sounds like a threat, but it is a promise! Check this blog that I wrote in September 2012. You will want to save, print, or copy it for future reference, it is well worth your time. https://bit.ly/oop2-freebie 




Thank you each and every one of you. When I get frustrated, the best thing for me to do is talk with a friend. Thank you for being here for me. Making beautiful things by and for beautiful people. 


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