Machine Embroidery Projects Make Great Gifts

My sweet little granddaughter is now back home in Arizona with her parents. Her extended stay with us was so much fun!  It was hard getting used to the quiet after she left but I revved up my sewing machine and got to work making some gifts. The noise of the embroidery unit doesn't bring me as much joy as dear, little Amelia - but it was productive, at least!

Embroidery design from Embroidery Library

 First up, is a book bag. We have a wonderful public library just a short drive from home and I thought my daughter might like a new bag in which to carry her haul. We go there almost every week and usually check out a movie, also.  These designs are ones that I purchased from Embroidery Library and Urban Threads. The bag I sewed from two heavy denim fabrics that were leftover from other projects. I didn't have enough black for an entire bag so I sewed it to the off-white denim and cut it out using an Accuquilt die for a tote bag. I purchased the die a long time ago to make Christmas presents for people and never got a chance to use it.  I absolutely love it! It is so easy!

Embroidery design from Urban Threads

Next up is this adorable little penguin.  He is an In-the-Hoop design from Urban Threads. I made one for Amelia before she left and my 14-year old daughter wanted one, too!  I learned a lot about embroidering on Minkee and fur fabrics with this little guy and a couple of other stuffed critters from Urban Threads. Unfortunately, I do not have a photo of the pink hedgehog or the big stuffed sloth because they moved to Arizona with Amelia.

 If you aren't familiar with in the hoop embroidery designs and you have an embroidery machine, I would recommend giving them a try!  They are very satisfying to make because they are so quick! The instant gratification factor is huge with this type of embroidery.

 The designs stitch out a placement line for your fabric. Urban Threads gives you a pattern to pre-cut the fabric to the correct shape.  After it sews the line, you put the shape on top and sew a tacking stitch. Then follow the directions until you have your completed project. Easy!

Minky Embroidered Penguin Body

Topping Stabilizer on top of Minky Fabric

One of the main things that I learned in embroidering on top of fur or Minky fabric is that it is really important to use a topper so that your stitches don't get lost in all of that snuggly fabric.  This particular kind uses heat to get rid of the tiny pieces that you can not cut-away. If you use this, make sure that the fabric you are applying it on can take the heat.

Last up is this apron with an Urban Threads design on it.  I bought a bunch of aprons last year for Christmas presents and sewed different designs on each.  This design was still on my USB stick and I had not embroidered on it yet.  I think it is perfect for most of the introverts that I know!

Tomorrow, I will post a few more pictures of some additional embroidery that I did with my own designs for Amelia.

I hope all is well wherever you are and you are getting some crafting time in to keep your heart singing.
Beverly