I need help with Christmas ornaments.
I have been working on Christmas ornaments on the embroidery machine. I would like to thank who-ever suggested to the sewer who was trying to sew a design on a nylon jacket to use the “frame” designs to make patch and apply that to the jacket. I made ornaments last year on fleece and started turning my square on point to get a more gracefuly ornament that the square with the hanging loop on the middle of one side.
My problem is that this year I wanted to sew on woven material and even when I put batting and backing on the back of the finished design before removing it from the hoop and did a finishing “frame”; when it is removed from the hoop and trimmed it still doesn’t have a finished edge.
I know someone else has probably solved this problem. My latest thought is to sew a plain circle frame around the design and then do a narrow and then wider satin stitche around the design with maybe trimming after the first row of satin stitch.
Last year the kids got very tickled with ornaments with their names and the year embroidered on them.
Replies
Here is a site that shows how to do an "in the hoop" project that has a finished edge. http://www.emblibrary.com/EL/elprojects/SimpleProduct_ELP.aspx?CS_ProductID=PR1422&CS_Catalog=Elprojects
Not exactly the same as what you are doing, but the principle is the same.
Choose the size circle you need - just a bit smaller than the final outline of the ornament want. You will need enough of the fabric outside the circle for the satin stitch.
Stitching a running stitch will be what is referred to as the die-line in the tutorial.
Do a few test samples and adjust the size of the circle - you will need two - the outline (die-line) and the satin stitch - as needed to get the size you need.
Edited 12/5/2008 1:40 pm ET by spicegirl1
I know this message wasn't for me, but I went to the website you suggested and it was most helpful. Thanks so much for sharing it with us. It answered a number of questions I've had, for which I do appreciate. Thanks again!
On my H/V Designer I, there are several satin stitch choices and scallops. These can be put into the software and included when embroidering, or you can chose a "frame" in the software.
Another idea would be to trim the edges and use a satin stitch all the way around the edges.
You could bias bind them or even fuse or glue on decorative ribbon or piping.
Good luck! This sounds like a fun project that will be loved by all! Mary
I want to thank all of you for your suggestions. I changed the fabric today and went back to the fleece and then to some felt. I have some christmas red felt with gold sparkles on it. The white snowflake on it looks great. We will see how it trims out.
I think I will use some of the fabric designs as applique's for some tote bags. If I have to use glue for them I will. I wanted to stay away from glue for ones for the kids.
Your ornaments sound like they are going to be very Christmassy and fun.
Joyfulneedles, I wish I had read your post sooner. For woven fabrics you might try omitting batting and substituting more or heavier stabilizer instead. It will show less edge than batting will, and the satin stitches cover more. The technique suggested by the other poster is what I would reccommend as well. If you do not want to use glue to hold the piece in place, use a wash away stabilizer on top of the outline area that you create a window for with regular stabilizer that you glue down around the ornament. The window frame will be discarded and the wash away can be removed easily. Cathy
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