Welcome to the IHAN® Machine Embroidery Blog Hop Sponsored by Anita Goodesign

Hello, this is SewCalGal back as a guest blogger today.  And, Jean is also helping out with this post too!

Kelly has organized a wonderful blog hop this week that we hope you'll enjoy.  Before I share insights with you, I do want to invite you to join us in wishing Kelly a Happy Birthday and hope all her special wishes come true!  SewCalGal and Jean also hope you'll leave a comment on this post to wish Kelly a Happy Birthday too!




Time to talk about the blog hop.  Anita Goodesign is the sponsor for this wonderful hop and they have also donated prizes that will be offered on the blogs in this hop. Everyone is invited to join the fun this week and we encourage you to visit all the blogs for inspiration, tips, some tutorials, as well as more opportunities to win a great prize!

SHHHH....Kelly here.....
I snuck into this post, those girls thought I had my plate full (I have some of the best friends on this planet) but I just have to share with everyone what I made on Sunday for my Mom.  I choose the "Art Quilts" designs by Anita Goodesign for this blog hop.  

"Art Quilts" a Premium Design Collection from Anita Goodesign

I'll show you more of the designs later....now I'll share my process with you :)

The instructions for these designs come in booklet form as well as on the CD. The instructions were very easy to follow.  The recommended stabilizer is Floriani No-Show Mesh.  I hopped it with some muslin as suggested.

Then I put some batting on top of the No-Show Mesh, the machine basted it in place.  Then I laid the background fabric over the basting stitch lines.  (It doesn't get any easier than this.....really.)  

 Lucky for me, the software  indicates which colors of Floriani Embroidery Thread to use.  I just had to change a few based on the colors of fabric I choose for the appliques.  All of the thread in this design is Floriani Embroidery Thread other than the bobbin thread.

I use Wonderfil Prewound Bobbins when I do machine embroidery....I like the convenience.  Winding bobbins is not anywhere near the top of my list of fun things to do.

The quilting lines were stitched first and then an outline stitch showed me where to place the fabric for the background of the angel's wings.  After they were stitched down, I simply cut around the outline.

Taking photos of every step would have bored you to tears so I've jumped forward a bit.  I used silk for the dress and the skin on the angel.  

Knowing silk can fray, I decided to use some Mistyfuse and fuse the No-Show Mesh to the back of the silk.  I could have used the Fusible No-Show Mesh but I didn't have a package open at the time.  

It always seems that I am stitching a project when the local quilt shop is closed.  I didn't have any flesh colored fabric but fortunately I remembered I did have some small pieces of silk dupioni. 

Believe it or not, I actually got all the way through most of this design without any mistakes....up until step 30 something.  The thread color that was indicated was a dark brown and it said it was for an outline.  Thinking it was for the bird, I just put it in the machine and hit the button.  YIKES....in a minute or so I noticed the dark brown was outlining the hair.  I specifically made the angel with red hair and didn't like the dark brown outline.

The most difficult stitches to take out, in my opinion, are machine embroidery stitches.  I used my Famore Seam Rip and Famore Micro Fine Tweezers to remove that dark outline.  Where would I be without those tools? 

Here she is, a beautiful angel holding a dove....sans the dark brown outline!  

As promised, here are the other designs included in the Premium design collection, "Art Quilts."

 

The designs can be made into greeting cards, wall hangings, post cards, mug rugs or added into quilts....your imagination is really the only limit.

I hope you have enjoyed this little journey with me....I sure had a great time making this angel for my mother.

Now....back to post written by SewCalGal :)

Schedule for this blog hop that will share tips, tutorials, inspiration and oodles of giveaways:

Mon., March 18th 

          I Have A Notion® aka IHAN®- Kelly Jackson

SewCalGal

Tues, March 19th

Cindy - Sew Cindy
Trish - AllThingsCrafty.com

Wed., March 20th

Marjorie's Quilting Bee
Margaret - The Average Quilter

Thurs., March 21st

Rebecca Grace - Cheeky Cognoscenti

Fri., March 22nd

Gene Black - Alabama Artist
SewCalGal

And, don't forget today is sweet Kelly's birthday.  Happy Birthday Kelly!

SHHHH...it's me again....Thanks for the Happy Birthday thoughts....I've been bowled over by people remembering my birthday.  Sure does lift the spirits :) :) :)

If you leave a comment on this post you will have an opportunity to win a Special Edition Embroidery Software from Anita Goodesign.  (Value: $99.95).  Make sure you leave a comment on each of the participants blogs....there will be one winner from each blog!   Please join me in thanking Anita Goodesign for their incredible generosity.

THANK YOU ANITA GOODESIGN!!!!!

Smiles,
Kelly