A Stitch in Time Saves Nine

I thought I had a handle on my monthly deadlines and schedules. It seems I was sadly mistaken! Whether you make your living by working at home, like I do, or work in an office, it is so very important to have tasks scheduled so they get done before they are due. This is not rocket science! When I worked in an office, it worked flawlessly most of the time. Working at home is a whole new world!

Most of my work revolves around machine embroidery designs and embroidery quilting. While neither can be described as a quick and easy task, I have set my schedule to allow me to get as much work done as possible without driving myself crazy or finding that I’m spending too much time at my desk or in the sewing room. Balance is definitely the key.

I had a spurt of energy and inspiration at the turn of the New Year, and my new schedule shows it. I had become convinced that I could do more embroidery designs and spend more time making quilts than I had been. After all, years ago, I would spend eight hours in my sewing room, making quilts, and never thought about it. It was my weekend sewing time. Household chores got done during the week, in the evenings after returning home from the office.

Now that I work at home, I feel a bit of guilt for spending so much time doing what used to be my weekend pleasure. Even though it is my job, making quilts and digitizing embroidery designs is so pleasurable, that it still doesn’t feel like work, even after several years.

Last year, I would really hustle to get my deadlines met at the end of each month. The last week of the month was spent meeting obligations, while the first week of the next month was spent in answering questions and fixing any mistakes made the previous month. The middle weeks were mine to do as I wished. Generally, I didn’t work as efficiently as I should have.

Recognizing that I should have been using the middle weeks to actually get my work done, I changed up my schedule. Guess what? It actually works! Imagine that!

Now, I meet my monthly obligations a couple of days early and use the last days of the month to do follow-up. With embroidery, this means making sure everything is listed accurately. With the quilt embroidery, it means answering questions and, possibly, revising my work.

I then let myself enjoy a few days of leisure, which usually involves some sort of work because I truly do enjoy it. This also gives me a break between one deadline’s work and the next, which is important because each month is a different project. Keeping fresh is key!

I now spend the middle weeks doing my work, wandering between making quilts and digitizing machine embroidery designs as I feel the need to do so. Since what I do is art/creative, it is easier to accomplish my goals if I don’t force it. As long as I meet my goals, nothing else matters.

In an office setting, that isn’t always true. But, you still have some flexibility to schedule your time to use it most efficiently. I tried several schedules until I reached this one that seems to work for me; changed it if I saw an area for improvement.

You can do this, too! Your boss will honestly appreciate a motivated, organized employee who meets deadlines ahead of time. They might persist in wanting you to do certain things at certain times, but you can show them the light! Just tell them you’re making quilts.

If nothing else, it will confuse them and they will go away!

A Stitch in Time Saves Nine

Bring Colors to Your Idea

I’m always writing about embroidery and machine embroidery designs, as well as the various embroidery supplies like thread and stabilizer, but I rarely talk about the most important part. The embroidery machine! Let me rectify that with my thoughts on actually choosing a machine that’s right for you. To be fair, I won’t be mentioning brand names.

First, you need to set your budget. Only you can decide how much you can afford. If you decide to finance your machine, do so in a manner so that your purchase will be paid off in one year with payments that you can afford. With my first machine, I financed it and ended up hating it long before the thing was paid off. My second machine was an embroidery-only machine (no sewing capabilities) made by an “off” brand manufacturer better known for sewing patterns. It is my absolute favorite machine and cost about $300.

Once you have an idea of what you can afford, you need to decide what features you absolutely must have in your embroidery machine. The best way to do this is to visit the websites of each manufacturer. If you have a local dealer, do NOT visit them until after you have done your online research. In my experience, the dealer salespeople usually don’t know much about embroidery and even less about the machines. They will also try to sell you on items that aren’t necessary. Be armed with knowledge before visiting.

The biggest feature you will need to decide on is what size embroidery stitching field you want. The most common is the 4”x4” (100mm) hoop. This is also the least expensive option. The bigger the stitch field, the higher the cost of the machine. But, while one brand with a larger hoop may be very expensive, another brand might still be within your price range. It is very important to fully explore what’s out there. Please do not assume that the biggest “name” or highest price will be the best option! I cannot stress that enough!!!

The next thing you’ll need to decide on is how you want to get embroidery designs into your machine. All of mine have used a specialized card which acts like any CD, floppy disc or flash card. My most expensive machine also allows me to connect to my computer via a USB cable. Other machines use floppy drives, memory sticks, and thumb drives. Lots of options! And they all work well.

Finally, what type of machine do you want? Most embroidery machines for home use are a sewing machine with an embroidery attachment. If you don’t want another sewing machine, look into the embroidery-only options. For home use, though, these machines only offer up to a 5”x7” stitch field. If you want a larger field, you either need to buy the sewing/embroidery combination or opt for a multi-needle industrial machine. Some of the sewing/embroidery combo machines are as expensive as the multi-needle machines, so if you are opting for one of those very expensive machines, personally, I’d go with the industrial model.

If you do want the sewing/embroidery combo, once you’ve decided on the embroidery features, you will then look at what the sewing features offer. Look for a needle up/down function and the ability to automatically lock stitches in place (instead of back-tacking). Make sure it offers the number and type of decorative stitches that you would like, and that it has enough advanced features to justify the price.

Once you go to the dealer, they will tell you that you need to take classes on the machine. NONSENSE!!! Many people learn to use their machines quite well on their own. If you feel confident enough to learn on your own, negotiate a lower price on the machine. The dealership offers the classes for “free” to their purchasing customers, but the added cost is tacked onto the price of the machine. You can usually get a couple hundred dollars discount! This is more money that you can spend on all those yummy embroidery supplies!

Do your homework in advance, and you’ll be a happy embroiderer for years to come!

Bring Colors to Your Idea

Keep yourself warm this winter with quilts and quilting

It’s the day after Christmas and I am stuck at home. Well, honestly, I could go out, but the weather is cold and wet while the house is warm and dry. This is our first Christmas here, out of three, that the weather hasn’t been sunny and somewhat warm. We had developed a habit of going into Chania for lunch and coffee, sitting outside and watching the local Greeks in the most jovial moods they will exhibit all year.

Since my hubby has to work today, I had planned to continue the new tradition. But, going places here isn’t the same as going places in California. Back home, I can pick my destination and then park in the conveniently close parking lot. Here, I have to choose where I want to park and then hike into the center of town to my destination. While my house is only 10 minutes from Chania, the weather can be very different, so I also have to plan my wardrobe accordingly. That’s a lot of work for an omelet and some cappuccino!

But, isn’t our crafting a lot like that? A lot of the time, I really want to do one thing, let’s say machine embroidery, but I end up working on making quilts instead! Why is that? Several things can come into play, but a lot of times it stems from not having the proper embroidery supplies, or that those supplies are difficult to get to. In the latter, laziness is the culprit since I know I have all the proper quilting supplies at my fingertips. In the worst cases, I just won’t do any stitching at all. That’s no fun!

For months, I’ve been getting my sewing room set up to receive my giant long-arm quilting system. I love my sewing area, and was loathe to change it to fit the twelve feet of tables that needed to also fit. As a result, except for any machine embroidery or quilt blocks that I had to make, very little was done in there are all. Sheer stubbornness on my part!

Then, last week, I was setting my schedule for making quilts in 2012. I remembered that I have a huge, unused basement where my twelve foot long-arm quilter will fit perfectly! It’s not like I use it every single day, so there really was no reason for it to be in the sewing room. For months, I’ve wasted time on this, and the decision was such an easy one to come to!

In fact, the solution is a perfect one! Not only will my quilter be in a large space that will allow me access to all sides, but I can now expand my sewing area that I love so much in my sewing room. This means more storage space inside for my stash, too! Currently, I keep 90% of my supplies down in the basement.

I’m actually quite excited by all the changes, even though none have really been made! Instead, it’s a matter of mind-set. If I can get it all set up efficiently, I won’t have those days where I plane on machine embroidery and end up making quilts! Even if I’m stitching, I’m much happier if I do what I set out to!

So, instead of going into Chania and freezing, maybe I’ll spend the day in the sewing room with my new iPod stereo dock, cleaning and organizing for the new solution. But, that also means I have to fold all the laundry in there and pick up the colorful blizzard of gift wrapping scraps.

Oh, darn! More decisions!

Keep yourself warm this winter with quilts and quilting

Making Quilts: The costs Involved

I don’t do production work. These are words I find myself saying more and more in regard to my machine embroidery. I take the compliment intended when someone says they should buy something that I make. Unfortunately, whatever it is I’ve made isn’t usually for sale! The politest thing I can say is that I really don’t do production work.

While I love making quilts or small embroidered items to give as gifts, it’s just not worth the time and effort to make these things to sell. Contrary to popular belief, making things on our own is not less expensive than buying it from a store! The only true benefit we get is by creating a one-of-a-kind item that is exactly what we want. If that option was readily available at stores, we would be expected to pay top dollar for it.

However, when someone wants us to make something for them to buy, they don’t seem to understand the true costs involved in making quilts or stitching intricate lace by machine embroidery. Instead, they see prices at stores and think our prices should be the same.

I can pick up a decent quilt for around $100 at a local chain department store. However, just the fabric costs to make one on my own far exceeds that price. This doesn’t include the costs of prepping the fabric for use, the time it takes to make, or any of the additional quilting supplies needed. The few times I have sold quilts, my minimum price for a crib size quilt is around $100. While my wanna-be customers have no problem paying that price for a designer name, they think my homemade crafts should be cheaper. The responses I get to my price quotes are sometimes quite rude, but I don’t mind. I just smile with the knowledge that I’ve, once again, gotten out of having to do production work!

When it comes to machine embroidery projects, I’m even less willing to stitch for others. The cost of thread and stabilizer alone would put me in the poor-house if I only charged what these folks wanted to pay. Of course, they don’t understand that there is a cost in maintaining our expensive, and very well loved embroidery machines, as well as an intricate inventory system for making sure we have the right needles, threads, and other embroidery supplies for our basic projects. If the person just insists that I make them something, I direct them to very expensive linen stores online. I ask them to compare the prices and let me know what they feel a fair price is. In all but very rare cases, this also has me smiling that I got away with not doing production work.

You may be wondering what my aversion is to stitching for money. Well, I consider what I do to be an art form. If I create for cash, it’s not artistic for me. It’s just work. Instead, I would rather spend my precious time stitching beautiful embroidery patterns for those I love. I love to spend rainy afternoons making quilts for all the babies that crop up in my little corner of the world (meaning … hubby’s co-workers). Sometimes, I like to just create an embroidery project or quilt just to do it. No reason. Nowhere to put it. Just pure, simple creativity.

Now, if someone wants to buy one of those things I’ve made just for the creativity, I will gladly sell them.

And, if you’re like me and feel guilty when saying “no” to people, just learn this simple phrase … I don’t do production work.

Making Quilts: The costs Involved

Simplifying Quilting and Embroidery

Whether it’s making quilts or digitizing machine embroidery designs, I seem to be in a constant state of confusion lately! Since I make my living doing both, this is not good!

Years ago, I could happily check the state of my quilting supplies and just get to work on whatever idea popped into my head. Or, I could choose an embroidery design from my collection and make pretty things as often as I wanted. Then, I began teaching classes and all that changed!

Instead of just stitching for my own pleasure, I now had class samples to create; these had to be certain styles and consist of the new in colors, regardless of my own personal preferences. The longer I taught, the harder it was to just make a quilt. My mind was always revolving with class-type ideas. My stash of fabrics and threads began being dominated by the latest trends instead of what I love.

I let this sorry state of affairs continue for much longer than I should have! My reward was to lose my love for my fabric arts. It is said that artists do best creating from the heart instead of the pocketbook, and I can vouch that this was true for me as well. My beloved stitching became work! Oh, no!

It took me a while to realize the full effect of this; I then wasted more time brooding about it! Finally, a little at a time, I began working to change the habits that had filled my brain and held me back from the love of my craft.

I can honestly say that I am back to making quilts for fun and stitching embroidery for the love of beauty! It took me some time to get to this point, but it was so worth the effort!

If you’re a stitcher who has lost your way, let me help!

First, you need to decide what you love. If you enjoy making quilts, what colors and styles speak to your innermost heart? What embroidery patterns are your favorites? Whether you write it down or just think about it, this is the first step to reclaiming the love of your art.

Is there a certain reason why you’re not creating what you want? Too many gifts? New babies? Charitable work?

When making gifts or quilts for newborns, it is difficult to just use the colors we like. We must think about the recipient. But, it is still possible to put our personal stamp on it by choice of pattern and other finishing touches. The recipient will love it no matter what.

When making quilts for charities, many quilters err on the side of false frugality. Many of the quilts look like the quilter used the worst fabric in their stash and didn’t really care if the finished product was attractive or not. While I understand that quilting can be an expensive endeavor and that these quilters may be doing the best they can, these quilts do not look like much love went into them. So, if you are making quilts for charities, why not take a little bit more of your time to create something completely from the heart?

Another thing that had held me back was that I am the only woman in a household of men. Even most of our pets were male! Since I’m not a frilly type of gal, keeping things neutral wasn’t that hard, but I was craving some of my favorite colors … pink, purple and fuchsia. I was tired of my bedroom being in shades of blue and tan. Actually, the whole house was in those shades!

In a fit of rebellion, I made a quilt in very light shades of pink and sage that just scream out that it is feminine. Strangely, even the men in the house love that little snuggle quilt. As a result of that, my whole home now reflects my taste in all shades of red without making the men feel like they are in a ruffle palace.

Not only did I reclaim my love of quilting and use of what makes my heart sing, but I made home my haven. That is the best testament to the power of making quilts from the heart.

Take charge of your art and make yourself happy!

Simplifying Quilting and Embroidery

Innovation in Embroidery

I love learning new techniques for quilting and fashion sewing. It’s wonderful when I figure out that I can use a technique meant for making quilts to also create interesting effects on clothing.

I am currently taking an online class for creating embellished vests. There is so much information and so many ideas that I am spurred to try many new things. I want to add machine embroidery and worried about the construction of the vest making it difficult. Then, I realized that I could use a quilting technique, called Foundation Piecing, to put the outer layer of my vest together.

Once my main fabric is attached to interfacing in the foundation piecing technique, I can add embroidery designs to my heart’s content. Then, I can stitch the vest and lining together which will sandwich the backside of my embroidery between two layers of fabric.

This is wonderful for two reasons. First, my embroidery will be protected inside the lining. Second, the vest will remain reversible with the back side of the embroidery hidden. If I am truly inspired, I could even add embroidery to the lining fabric before stitching the vest together, making it an embroidered reversible vest. Beautiful.

Whether I am making quilts, machine embroidering a project or creating fashion, I find that it is very important to think about what I want from the finished item. What do I want? How will it be used? How will it be cared for?

Based on questions like this, I plan the construction of the project from beginning to end. Because I like my home furnishings to be easily machine washed and dried, I begin with cotton fabric. If I want to be able to wash a rayon skirt, I wash the rayon for maximum shrinkage before I sew the skirt. For anything that may need to be bleached, I choose polyester thread since it can be bleached without ruining the colors. I make many decisions like this before I ever begin a project.

In the case of my vest, I will create a sloper (sample garment) by stitching a vest from interfacing. Using the sloper, I can make adjustments in the fit before cutting out my fabric. When I cut my pieces, though, I will also cut it from interfacing. Then, I will draw lines on this to show me where I want to stitch my fabric pieces together using the foundation piecing technique. I can use the sloper to try out different ideas before drawing these placement lines.

While all this may seem fussy, it is something we all do when planning our quilts or embroidery design projects. It’s the same as figuring out if we will utilize embroidery quilting and where we will place it, what type of design we want for a pretty blouse, and where it should be stitched. Whether we make a huge production of making these decisions or just do it on instinct, we all make these types of decisions with every project.

Because of the decision and planning I have made, my pieced seams will be very secure because of a quilting technique. This same technique will have stabilizer (interfacing) already attached to my fabric, making the hooping for my machine embroidery a snap!

What could be easier?

Innovation in Embroidery

Warm Up for Winters with Embroidery

The winter holidays are just around the corner and, as always, my mind is filled with the thoughts of cooking special meals, baking yummy treats and creating fabulous gifts for friends and décor items to make my home festive.

Two years ago, I hosted twenty people for Thanksgiving. Since it had been many years since I had hosted this holiday and special meal in my home, I created coordinated linens for the dining room that included tablecloths, chair covers, hot pads, and cloth napkins; all were embellished with fabulous machine embroidery designs. I placed scented candles in decorative wine glasses, and my tables were beautiful.

Because my Thanksgiving décor is complete, I can concentrate on Christmas for my projects this year. While I am hosting the Thanksgiving feast again this year, I am also having several Open House receptions during the Christmas season. I will need projects that can be easily laundered so that they are fresh for every set of guests.

Several years ago, I created pillow covers for the throw pillow on my couches. These covers are created with holiday themed fabric and were constructed using foundation piecing to attach the fabric to a layer of batting and backing fabric. I then stitched the front to the back and finished the covers. Every year, these covers get freshly washed and pressed before taking place of honor in the living room. These covers utilized techniques I generally use for making quilts. This year, I will take them apart, add some machine embroidery for a fresh look and then stitch them back together.

Since my home has an open floor-plan with living, dining, and kitchen all flowing into one another, I need to color-coordinate the dining room and kitchen to my pillow covers. I have several beautiful tablecloths that I’ve collected over the years, but they are starting to get small holes and frayed edges.

In order to salvage my beloved tablecloths and coordinate my holiday home, I will use embroidery designs utilizing fabric appliqué to cover the holes. To freshen up the hems, I will stitch yards and yards of free-standing lace borders. I love this style of machine embroidery! I will stitch festive designs on one of my smaller cloths and drape it over the curtain rod in my kitchen, bringing the celebratory décor to that utilitarian room.

To finish off my décor for the receptions, I will use a free embroidery design I have that makes a collar that gets placed on the stem of a wine glass, making it easy to identify who it belongs to. These are quick and easy to make and elicit lots of wonder from my guests.

After wining and dining our guests, we will see them off with a little drawstring goody bag. These easy-to-make pouches will be decorated with tiny embroidery designs and filled with chocolate coins. A sweet treat to help our guests remember the evening and also have a little bag to hold jewelry or coins or anything they desire.

While I truly believe that good food and wonderful friends are all that are needed for a fabulous gathering, I also believe that a beautiful setting can make it even better! Celebrate and enjoy life!

Warm Up for Winters with Embroidery