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 : 

Subtle text messages are a lovely way to add sentiments to gifts, home décor accessories or even wearables.   A romantic mood can be set with the right fabric, color selection, charms, ribbons and trims. I enjoyed making these small projects – the fun is in the creating and ok, the gathering of the goodies! 

Let me show you how easy it is to do. Open an embroidery lettering software program. I used Calligraphy Project Designer – designed for simple text creation with an Old World spin. Click on the Font icon to enter the text. Select a font and click Apply.

Left mouse click on the blue triangles to pull the text closer together to mimic handwriting.

Select the Ink Spots icon and left click on Heart 3 (highlighted in yellow in the image). Click OK.

Size the heart to 2.94” x 2.90” by dragging a corner handle or typing the measurement into the Properties Box. Click Apply.

Select and rotate the text. 

Change the thread color to the actual thread you’ll use if desired. Click on the color chip on the right bar and select the appropriate color from the drop down menu. Click OK.

My intention is for the heart to be the backdrop of the text so I’ll send that color to the first position. Select the heart, left mouse click and select Order/To Back from the drop down menu.

Send the design to the machine in the appropriate format and hoop linen with cut-away stabilizer. Stitch the design. Remove the fabric from the hoop and trim the fabric leaving a 1” border. 

Trim the stabilizer close to the stitching. 

Sew around the square ½” from the fabric edge. 

Fray the linen on all four sides. 

Stitch the patch to a card stock tag. Add brads, charms and ribbon if desired. 

What fun!

Thanks for reading!

Reprinted with permission from Eileen's Blog.