Sewing Embroidery Designs in New Ways

How many of you are always looking for new ways to use your embroidery designs - always, or never? If never, you are overlooking wonderful opportunities! Do you optimize the use of every design? Do you routinely review your library of designs to see if you can combine motifs from one set with another? Have you noticed how embroidery design styles have changed over the past few years? Give those old motifs a new look by using the designs that you got way back when, again! Add new motifs under, or around, them to create a whole new look! My last big project, a wind jacket back, is a good example of what anyone can do with a little time and imagination!

With fall already upon us, I wanted something tropical in my wardrobe as it's still every where in ready-to-wear & home dec. The colors are just as exciting as leaves turning colors. With the tropical look continuing into fall, I remembered a wind jacket, with a hole that needed covering, in my closet. The fabric is an aqua, "falling leaf" jacquard that would be perfect in both style & color!

I began with the 168-169 Tropical scene components but wanted to add other motifs to cover the entire jacket back. Next I added a colorful bird from set 166 Flights of Fancy.

Although larger, these birds were simply wonderful as forefront motifs with the smaller tropical plants as background! When I went back through my sets, up to 2 years old, I found 117 Japanese Botanicals with several motifs that worked into what I had already stitched to make a spectacular finished look. The scene had motifs from 4 entirely different themes that I had never thought about putting together before.

When planning a large area you want to give the effect of being almost covered, yet leave an open effect. You want most motifs to appear as just an illusion, with only a few focus pieces to be in full fill. Often this can achieve this by using muted colors that almost blend into the fabric color & brighter colors for the key pieces which you want to draw the real attention.

TIP: A great way to visualize how the whole "picture" will look, print out 1:1 size templates of the motifs, cut them out & move like puzzle pieces until it's pleasing to you.

The main things to watch when creating a large area or scene are:

1. Don't overdo it! Don't try to fill every single inch of the large area making the scene too busy.

2. Don't worry about exact placement - a random look is much more attractive, especially on all 4 sides. Place motifs in an uneven fashion.

3. Don't limit yourself to motifs from one set - you might wind up with something less than spectacular!

4. Think outside the box! You may be surprised at the sets you pull motifs from to create a whole new theme! Example: try roosters with florals or veggies or create a theme of fruit & flowers.

5. Don't let the design colors keep you from considering them for the project. Very often a few color changes will give a whole new look to a motif making it work with something else you would never have considered before.

If you don't "think outside the box", you are missing out on the real enjoyment & ability to expand your creativity to optimize the use of your designs! To see what I mean, take a look at the photo of my finished wind jacket that is post on our web site!

Thread Artist has the superior designs & supplies you need to make all your creations as spectacular as you imagine them. You've invested a lot in your equipment; don't compromise the projects you create with your equipment by using less than the very best supplies & embroidery designs available anywhere!

Sandy Carter is the author of embroidery articles at embroidery designs by Thread Artist. She has an article about embroidery software for digitizing and lettering fonts at embroidery software. There is free embroidery digitizing Tutorial at this web address - embroidery by Thread Artists.

---

Sell Hobby Items by Mail

You can, if you are ambitious, start a Mail Order Business selling collectables to hobbiest by mail. To begin, you must first find a hobby that appeals to YOU. Next, you must spend... Read More

Collectibles: Searching for those Hard-to-Find Diecast Models

For collectors of any kind, there are always those items that are much sought after, but nearly impossible to find. If they're lucky enough to finally locate them, the price is often exorbitant... Read More

A Look at Patriotic Lapel Pins

Perhaps the most popular type of lapel pin is the patriotic pin. Dating back to the Civil War in the United States, lapel pins that declare a person's patriotism are popular, highly collectible... Read More

Friendship Albums

My 12-year-old daughter was mad at me when I refused to pay $25 for a school yearbook last year. Who are they trying to kid?In an attempt to appease my daughter, I suggested... Read More

Origami Instructions

Origami is a fantastic art form that guarantees hours of fun and enjoyment, not to mention a great way to challenge yourself and build your creativity. However many beginners come across trouble in... Read More

The Proper Use of Comic Book Supplies Will Help You Maintain a Top-Notch Collection

If you want to keep your comic book collection in tiptop shape, comic book supplies will become part of your collecting life. As soon as a magazine is printed there are natural environmental... Read More

Woodworking Tools: Right Selection And Care Will Save You Money, Part 2

Woodworking: Tools Of The Trade, Part 2 - Tools For CuttingA civilization's maturity and intelligence is judged, in part, by the diversity and sophistication of its tools. When it comes to woodworking, the... Read More

World Skills & Learning About Old World Skills

There was once a time when almost everyone acquired, or knew how to do a practical skill of some kind, they were special skills, which most people used throughout life. They just became... Read More

Coin Collecting ? A Fun Hobby

Over the years, collecting coins has grown from being just a hobby to becoming a full-blown enterprise with numerous Internet sites devoted to coins. Over the next several weeks, I will give you... Read More

Rubber Stamps ? For Teachers and Students

Once again we are reminded that summer is not long enough. It is the beginning of another back to school shopping season. New clothes, notebooks, pencils, and rubber stamps fill out the shopping... Read More

10 Reasons to Create and Give a Gift Basket!

10. A Themed Gift Basket is for everyone and every occasion.9. Gift Baskets can be created easily with minimal time and effort.8. Creating a Gift Baskets will save you time and money!7. Gift... Read More

Antiques - The Modern Day Treasure Hunt

In today's world, everything that's old can be described as antiques and generally speaking that's quite true. A product is considered to be an antique if it is over a hundred years old... Read More

Embroidery Designs and Thread Colors for Machine Embroidery Sewing

I wish that I had a nickel for each time I've been asked for the "exact" colors I used in aan embroidery design or for a conversion chart for specific embroidery thread brands... Read More

Christmas Gifts Kids Can Make

Christmas is a time of giving and receiving. Even kids would want to get into the picture. Giving gifts to their friends and loved ones. Now what gifts can kids give that... Read More

Leather Work Tips

For leather work, consider the basics: an awl and spare point, a retractable X-acto knife and spare blades, a retractable knife with a break-off blade and a rotary punch. In addition, you'll need... Read More

Saltwater Coral Reef Aquariums - 5 Tips for Success

Do you dream of watching the natural beauty of the undersea reef life while sitting in your living room?Whether your goal is a nano reef tank or a 150 gallon aquarium with an... Read More

Blown Glass: They Do Still Make It Like They Used To

Blown art glass is quickly becoming one of the fastest growing hobbies in North America... and it is about time. Glassblowing has been around since 27 BC in Syria, though the first evidence... Read More

Pagan Crafts

Greetings to all Crafty Pagans,Witches and those who want to learn Pagan crafts.The purpose of this is to provide doable crafts and to create crafts and tools that will have your positve energies... Read More

Antique Delft and Very Collectible Tiles and Ceramics: Beginners Start Here

So you fancy starting a collection but you're not sure what to collect? How About . . . ?Every home will contain at least one example or more - in the kitchen, the... Read More

Genealogy in Switzerland - A Longenecker Family Search

I recently visited Langnau, Bern, Switzerland and spent two days immersed in all things Langenegger. My wife and I arrived at the Langnau rail station on June 25, 2004, exhausted from a long... Read More

50 Ways to Use Your Ribbon for Scrapbooking, Home Decor, Crafting and Fashion

Scrapbooking:Tie onto a tag, photo mat, border, or photo as an accent. Use with a hole punch to make a booklet. Tie onto clips attached to paper. Use to secure a fold open... Read More

How to Make a Simple Gemstone Necklace

With gemstone beads, every bead is precious. Every bead is beautiful. A little more effort is needed when stringing a gemstone necklace together.First, decide on the design. Take a fishing line and string... Read More

Rainy Day Fun - Crafts For Kids

Rainy days can be so boring for a child?and just as hard on moms. So we give some ideas to brighten your day and chase their rainy day blues away!Shadow puppetsIn a room... Read More

Wax Pencils, Stickers, and Rubber Stamping in Your Scrapbooks

Another important writing implement for scrapbooking is a wax pencil. Wax pencils are soft pencils designed to write on glass, plastic and photographs. These pencils are easy to draw with and can be... Read More

Use Order and Text to Give Life to Your Scrapbook

There are no specific rules stating that all photographs or mementos must be placed in chronological order. Therefore, it is completely up you the order you wish to place your items and embellishments.... Read More

Faux Wax Seals, Tearing, and Fraying in Your Scrapbooks

Would you like to add more creative appeal to your scrapbooks? Here are three methods to add more depth and creativity to your scrapbook creations.A good way to make your own personal seals... Read More

Woodworking Tools: Right Selection And Care Will Save You Money, Part 1

Woodworking: Tools Of The Trade, Part 1 - A Place To WorkA civilization's maturity and intelligence is judged, in part, by the diversity and sophistication of its tools. When it comes to woodworking,... Read More

Discover the Truth about Comic Book Collection; Nerdy Geeks or Shrewd Investors?

It is unbelievable when one says, yeah, I collect comic books, what the general public response might be? Oh no, a slightly off the wall geek. Here is someone who has lost touch... Read More

Mini Rc Cars

Did your heart ever palpitate for fast driving? Did you ever imagine your hands controlling an extremely speedy car? I f so, then you should definitely experience the gravity and true charm of... Read More