If you are on the look out for some great Christmas project ideas, may we suggest Amazing Designs’ new In-The-Hoop Christmas Ornaments?  The designs are fantastic and will really make a Christmas tree unique and personalized!  Or make some of these for some great stocking stuffers or wonderful presents for anyone.   I’d be willing to bet that that teacher or receptionist who is so hard to shop for won’t be getting anything like this!

Download Complete Embroidery Project Instructions

For more information on the products used in this free embroidery project, click on the link below:

In-The-Hoop Christmas Ornaments (ADC-97J)

[Image and Project Courtesy of AmazingDesigns.com]

Nautical Variety 3 Embroidery Designs by Gunold (970334) gives you the pleasure of a vacation without leaving your machine.  These designs are absolutely cool but remember, no pirating!

Product Information:
Nautical Variety 3 Embroidery Designs by Gunold (970334)
List Price: $49.99
Sewforless.com Price: $24.99
Click Here For Additional Product Information Or To Purchase

Cats Embroidery Designs by Gunold (970326) are here and playful as ever!  These creative designs range from the playful kittens to the snobby aristocat.  Grab these designs before they cough up a hairball!

Product Information:
Cats Embroidery Designs by Gunold (970326)
List Price: $49.99
Sewforless.com: $24.99
Click Here For Additional Product Information Or To Purchase

Playful Snowmen Embroidery Designs by Dakota Collectibles (970161) are here for those embroiderers who love to play in the snow.  These winterly wonderful designs will absolutely make your heart melt!

Product Information:
Playful Snowmen Embroidery Designs by Dakota Collectibles (970161)
List Price: $49.99
Sewforless.com Price: $39.99
Click Here For Additional Product Information Or To Purchase

Christmas is coming and snow globes are going to be shaking.  If you’re tired of the same old style of snow globe, perhaps you should consider a snow globe that you can personalize.  The ice cream cone does not come standard, you can put whatever will fit inside this little globe.  Pictures, poems, or perhaps a nice personalized Kiwi Embroidery Paper design.  In any case, these globes make a great gift idea and are here just in time.

We love showcasing our customers’ work and here are 2 perfect examples!  These were sent in from Megan and Karen from CelebratedDesigns.com (thanks girls!).  The first project was a combination of the White with Black Zebra Print Kiwi Paper and the Travel Tumbler Acrylic Embroidery Blank. 

This fine example makes use of the Baby Sippy Cup Acrylic Embroidery Blank and a Toile Kiwi Embroidery Paper.  Any infant would look fab drinking out of this cup!

Nice work girls!

Do you have an example of the something that you would like to show off?  Drop us a line at projectshowcase@sewforless.com.

The 12 Days of Christmas Embroidery Designs by Michelle Palmer for Amazing Designs (ADC-50J) are here and wont cost you five golden rings.  From the drummers drumming to the geese a laying right down to the partridge in a pear tree, these fabulous designs would look great on any stocking or Christmas tapestry. 

Product Information:
12 Days of Christmas Embroidery Designs by Michelle Palmer for Amazing Designs
List Price: $99.99
Sewforless.com Price: $79.00
Click Here For Additional Product Information Or To Purchase

 No one taught me how to machine embroider.  I did not take a class, no lessons whatsoever. I learned from trial and error, and the internet. And many times I have been ready to throw in the towel (literally) and give up. The two readers I have on this blog know about my tyraids with “sewing gone bad”.  I am one of those people who tries once and gives up if I can’t do it right or it turns out looking like the cat got a hold of it.

There are many many tips that I have learned over the past four months on the internet (most of which I learned . . AFTER I made the mistake) . Mostly from other bloggers like Lisa at The Domestic Diva and many others. If I could remember the blog names I would mention them but my brain is a big gooey mess today. So please don’t unsubscribe just because I’m having MBS (Mommy Brain Syndrome) today. And don’t worry I will give you linky love soon.

So, here are a few of my tips for embroidering on knits. Pay close attention. And raise your hand if you have a question. Ready?

1.   Do not hoop your knit fabric.

I have done it.

Don’t do it.

Trust me on this.

Why? because when you take the fabric out of the hoop you get these “hoop marks” that are hard to get out. And knits stretch which can cause the design to come out a tad distorted or even puckered. And when you see that “embroidery gone bad” (cue evil music) you will probably throw the most unlady-like (or unmanly) tantrum. So let’s avoid the tantrum dance . DON’T HOOP KNIT FABRICS!

2. Spray adhesive and Sticky Stabilizer are your friend. Become very acquainted with these tools. They are a must. Knits can be just like a wet two year old in the bath tub. Even if you hooped it (which I just told you not to do) it will move out of place and then your design will be wacky. Want to see an example???  I’m willing to embarrass myself here. I’m laying it all out on the line.

See where the fill doesn’t meet the outline on the moon and some of the stars(the design is by Dakota Collectibles 970341)? Yep it’s the slippery toddler syndrome. You can hold on to them as tight as you can but they are going to slip anyways. Hoop the stabilizer, which by the way should be a no-show stabilizer (the sticky kind or not). If you use the non-sticky, then spray a light film of spray adhesive on the hooped stabilizer and lay or “float” your fabric on top. 

3.  I would recommend that you use a “cut away” stabilizer rather than a “tear away”. Why you ask? Did you raise your hand? Just checking to see if you’ve been paying attention. You do laundry, right?  Those knits are going to be washed a lot. While they are going through the cycles the stabilizer can get caught on a zipper, hook and eye, a pen (check those pockets people!!!),etc and tear. So you are better off with a stabilizer that can not easily be torn.  What would happen if it did tear? Well ummmm I’d imagine that your thread might start to break, fray, or unravel. I wouldn’t know the answer to the question but I would welcome any experienced embroiderers to comment on this.

That’s it for the tips this week. If your like me and can’t focus for too long on any one thing, then I know you can’t handle insanely long post. Keep it short and simple. I’m nice like that. Next week, I will continue with more tips for machine embroidering with knits. So stay tuned!!

That’s my Take!!

American Pride 2 Embroidery Designs by Dakota Collectibles, (970203) are now on hand at sewforless.com, for those embroiderers who wear their pride on their shirt, or coat.  Twenty freedom filled and blessed embroidery designs ready for the proudest of American embroiderers.

Product Information:
American Pride 2 Embroidery Designs by Dakota Collectibles (970203)
Sewforless.com Price: $49.99
Click Here For Additional Product Information Or To Purchase

The Applique Gift Bag Craft Kit Embroidery Designs by Dakota Collectibles are here so you can be ready for any special occasion!  Be among the first to obtain this kit which allows you to create up to four embroidered applique gift bags for the following occasions: Birthday, New Baby, Wedding/Anniversary, and Graduation! 
You’ll absolutely have a blast with this craft kit by Dakota Collectibles.

This Kit Includes:
4 embroidery designs with and without bag outline on CD-ROM
Enough fabric to create 4 gift bags
4 die-cut iron-on appliques

What You Need:
Embroidery Machine
Tear-Away stabilizer
Embroidery Thread
Fabric Scissors
Applique Iron
Decorative buttons & ribbon
5″ x 7″ Hoop
Embellishments if desired

Product Information:
Applique Gift Bag Craft Kit Embroidery Designs
List Price: $39.99
Sewforless.com Price: $34.99
Click Here For Additional Product Information Or To Purchase