Easy Trick or Treat Bags

Hello all!  I am Virginia, an embroidery enthusiast and an educator for Dakota Collectibles.   I love creating things with embroidery and thought it would be fun to share my projects and ideas with others, so I am entering the world of blogging.  I use Dakota Collectibles' designs... [More]

Battenberg Lace Tree Skirt Makes a Unique Wedding Gift

Typical gift ideas for newlyweds include linens, fine china, or kitchen wares. But if you are looking for a wedding gift unlike any other, consider a monogrammed Christmas tree skirt. Ann's Battenberg Lace tree skirt looks quite elegant and is perfect for beginner ... [More]

Gotta Love a Baked Potato

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Yarn Threads

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Embroidery Advisor Presents: Autumn Toile Goodies

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Introducing Pre-Design Studio III

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What's a Tortilla Warmer?

Sometime ago, I saw an advertisement for tortilla warmers and loved the idea.  They looked fun and useful but the cost was $8.00 - $12.00 each, depending on the size, plus shipping.  "What a great way to use up scraps!" I thought.  So, I tore out the ad and saved it.&nb... [More]

The Hot Retail Look of Reverse Applique - You Can Do It Too

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An Oldie but Goodie - Bag Keepers Never Go Out of Style

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Stabilizing Super Stretchy "Technical" Fabrics

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I know They're in Here Somewhere!

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Quick and Easy Sample Book

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The past four weeks of summer have flown.  For the sixth year in a row I have been teaching children African Folklore Embroidery at a summer art camp. The children from ages 7-11 have from over thirty different arts related classes from which to choose. It is an honor that African Folklore E... [More]

Keeping It simple - Bandanas - Perfect for Summer and No Need to Tie

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Holding the Slippery Stuff

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Embroidering for Pets

  Identify your pet and add fun sayings to pet bandanas. Make a patriotic one for the 4th of July - and then keep it rolling, making a new one for each holiday or mood. Rather than regular tie-style bandanas, you might want to make a slip-ver-the-collar bandana. This type of ban... [More]
AnnTheGran.com | Beautiful people make beautiful things
Keeping It Simple - Oh So Popular - Embroidered Photo Blocks

Keeping It Simple - Oh So Popular - Embroidered Photo Blocks

Newborn photo shoots are fun.  But what do you do with all those pictures?  Here is an idea that is sure to be a hit.  At least it has been with my daughter and her friends.  Make several using all the letters of the new baby's name for a great nursery decoration.  They could stack vertically or sit horizontally and they make fantastic soft toys as well.  These are easy and fun.  Here is the first one we made.

Here is what you need for a 4.5" block:

One sheet of  Sew-In Photo fabric for Ink Jet printers

Four 5" squares of cotton fabrics of your choice

Embroidery designs (Download my textured circle and oval below)

Lettering software for the embroidered letters

3.5" ribbons of various textures (we used 4)

Embroidery and sewing threads

Cutaway or tearaway stabilizer

Here is what you do:

1. Crop your photos to as close to 5" squares as you can.  You can get a free trial of Paint Shop Pro here if you don't own your own photo editing software.

2.  Print your photos on the photo fabric.  Cut to 5" squares.

3.  Lay the fabric squares out like this:

4.  Embroider on the squares as desired.  Download the textured designs from mine here.

5.  Pin the ribbons in place as desired.

 

6.  Using a 1/4" seam, sew the vertical strip of squares together with right sides together.

7.  Now place one of the photo squares over the center square with right sides together.  Center it so there is 1/4" above and below where the seam will be.  Sew leaving these edges stick out.

8.  Repeat for the other photo square.

9.  Now Fold and sew the bottom edge like this. 

10.  Repeat for the other side.

11.  Now match up the next side like this and then repeat for the other side.

 

12.  Fold the remaining square down and sew around leaving an opening for turning.

13.  Trim the corners and turn right side out.  Press.  Stuff with craft stuffing and whip stitch the opening closed.  Your first block is done.

If you don't have photos you can make blocks anyway.  Here are some others I made a while back.  I used larger 6.5"fabric squares for these.

Download the designs that go with these here.

The matching grow chart and door pillow are featured in this blog.

Alphabet Xpress would work great for creating lettering for these in whatever size you need.

Since I have been snowed in a lot this winter I have had more time to sew than I would normally.  I look forward to sharing some of the projects with you soon.

Take care,

DB

 

Comments (7) -

clairegenin 2/12/2011 9:23:45 AM

It's very nice


OMG, I think even I can do this!


Pat


Definitely a fun way to use up the fabric scraps left over from making the baby quilt!   Matching blocks.  Thanks.


Joan


sdacreations 3/2/2011 5:34:19 AM

I can't wait to make some of these for family and friends and grandkids.


Diane


Looking for a project to do with my 10 year old granddaughter. this caught my eye. i think it can be fun to do together. thank you for the instructions. della


I'm very new to machine embroidery but I'm deffo going to havea go at this idea...it's amazing.Many thanks, Sue XX


What a sweet idea, and a definite keepsake.


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