My love for embroidery is going on 10 years. I cannot believe it, how time flies when you are having so much fun. I think about my newbie days and remember frustration, determination, annoyance, jubilation, irritation, and finally the wonder and beauty of results. There are many things that I would love to tell that person. You may remember my blog - What I wish I Knew - in which I discuss some of the good buys and bad purchases.
Well, I have a few to add to that list of ‘knowledge is power' idea:
- The embroidery machine industry is changing really fast! As a relatively new craft (about 15-20 years old in the general crafting arena), it had some growing pains, improvements and ideas flow like water.
- I do learn something in every project I do. (Just don't ask me about my most recent embroidery sale, which became the project that drove me nuts!)
- Training is an absolute must! I cannot say that enough. Techniques, ideas and innovations are all around us and we need to keep learning and growing.
Those are just 3 more things that every newbie needs to know. So, on to the topic for this blog - The Stitchin Sisters.
I am fortunate to have two great monthly embroidery club meetings here in southern California, but this event was so much more.
You are probably aware of Eileen Rocha who is the founder (in 1998) and Editor and Publisher of Designs In Machine Embroidery or her sister, Marie Zinno, author of Machine Embroidery for Babies & Tots. Together, they give you 2 full (and I really mean Full) days of tips, tricks and projects that inspire and motivate everyone.
My event was in beautiful San Marcos, California. It was attended by more than 100 excited embroiderers. We were treated not only to the top of the line machines to work (more like ‘play') with, including some 10 needle, fresh from the carton beauties. Every project can be done on the terrific PE-770 for sale here at AnnTheGran.
By the first day at lunch, I stopped counting all the tips at about 30 because there was so much to learn and laugh about with old and new friends.
The techniques that we were experiencing were being rolled into great projects that were presented with quality fabrics and stabilizers. That is a true key to successful projects, using quality components.
We must have done a dozen projects and given all the supplies needed. We received a CD with all the designs and a copy of the latest Designs Magazine. Eileen and Marie are sharing this design with you:
In keeping with the California theme, this is the Starfish Stipple design from Stipple! Seashells.
The color sequence is:
- Color 1. Blue (the water is the bean stitch).
- Color 2: lay down orange starfish appliqué fabric over the opening in the Stipple block and stitch color 2, the appliqué tack down in dark orange.
- Color 3. Brown, the starfish details.
Eileen and Marie may be coming to your area soon, so check it out, I promise you will have the time of your embroidery life!
Eileen has a blog too! I think she lives on 2 hours sleep daily - Read it here.