The January/February issue of Designs in Machine Embroidery routinely is their “monogram” issue and this year it is really amazing. Eileen Roche always hits the nail on the head with her trendy contributions. This year it is expressions using “Vintage Embroidery” software, which is so cool. You will find it prominently displayed on the cover in Texas fashion.
Personally, my favorite article is “Monograms for Men.” Cathy Sundermann has so many different samples and such a broad spectrum of embroidery designs. She must have been writing this article for years. You are sure to find something for that man in your life.
This issue I have the honor of two articles being published: a project article, “Illuminated” on page 38ff, and a special feature, “Pressing Matters” on page 56ff.
You will notice that the “Illuminated” is the only project that is not monogram related. If you notice in the magazine in general, there is usually one or two articles that are not within that issues’ theme. This allows for a little variety for the reader and to the catch the interest of someone who might not otherwise be so enthralled with the idea of monogramming.
This article is also very unique in that the embroidery is not done on the project. It is machine embroidered on polyester organza, then it is applied to the paper lantern.
This technique works for so many different projects. See how I did it and the step-by-step instructions in the issue.
Pressing is so integral to machine embroidery and yet it is something that I think we all take for granted. There are tips in the article on how to take your project from wrinkly to wrinkle-free.
In the article there is a free project on how to make your own embroiderer’s pressing pad. Mine cost about $10 – the cost of a sweater on Ebay and I use it almost every day. There are really thick 100% wool pressing mats that you can purchase, but some of them are as much as $80. They do work fantastic though and are incredibly convenient, but if your budget does not allow for this luxury, you might want to make your own.
For a long time, I used a felted sweater in Kelly green that I salvaged from my children’s grown-out-of-pile. I just put a muslin cloth on top it and it worked perfectly until one day the green bled through the muslin and into my project. I was quite upset. It was obviously time for a white sweater. Since I went to the trouble of purchasing a sweater on Ebay, I figured I might as well go all the way and make it into an easy to use embroiderer’s pressing pad. The step-by-step instructions can be found in this issue of the magazine.
GIVEAWAY by The Embroiderist!!!
Did you know that February is embroidery month? In celebration of that and to celebrate having two articles published in the same February magazine, I am offering a machine embroidery giveaway. To be considered for the drawing, please sign up for my newsletter in the button on the right. If you are already a subscriber then you will automatically be considered in the drawing. One name will be randomly be chosen by the computer from the subscriber’s list. The giveaway is only open to subscribers who live in the contiguous United States and this giveaway is not endorsed by anyone. I will email the winner on March 1st, and ask them for their mailing address. I will post the name of the winner on my Facebook and Instagram accounts.
On March 1st, I will be giving away the following to one random newsletter subscriber:
· One new unopened copy of the January/February issue of Designs in Machine Embroidery
· One new unopened copy of the November/December issue of Designs in Machine Embroidery
· One new unopened package of 3 paper lanterns measuring 9.5 in. in white (the same size I used in the article)
· One new unopened CD of floral machine embroidery designs by Floriani – Design Collection 27 – 15 floral designs in the following formats: C2S, WAF, DST, EMD, EXP, HUS, JEF, PES, SHV, VIP, VP3, XXX.
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