Applique birthday tees

[just_teachin]

With the questions about applique, I thought I'd share some of my recent applique requests. I've had several customers asking for appliqued numbers lately.... here are a few I've done. (The applique numbers or letters were just done with Embird.)

The one I knocked out today:
http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m219/musictchr1/Embroidery/IMG_7259.jpg


These were for brothers. Eli was the b'day boy, and this was the back of his tee:
http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m219/musictchr1/Embroidery/IMG_5912.jpg

And his brother got his initial:
http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m219/musictchr1/Embroidery/IMG_5915.jpg

[artsiegirl]

Those are adorable! I've been working on an appliqued outfit with a large initial on it that's very similar to these. I love doing applique by machine! Back when my boys were small (16 and 18 years ago!) I made little jon-jons with appliques for them to wear. I had to trace the applique pattern onto my fabric, add heat-n bond, cut out the shape, iron it onto the outfit, and then satin stitch around it using alot of start-and-stop action. It's soooooo much easier now!

Thanks for sharing your ideas with us. If this doesn't inspire someone to bite the bullet and begin to applique, I don't know what will!

[nanamcd]

Niicccceee! Got the applique process down pat, but I think I need a lesson in editing those nice huge letters and numbers...VERY cute, and very versatile!

[just_teachin]

Niicccceee! Got the applique process down pat, but I think I need a lesson in editing those nice huge letters and numbers...VERY cute, and very versatile!

Well, Mom... We've got a long weekend ahead of us! Certainly we could find some time to do that!

[Sew So Happy]

I love those! It does inspire me to try doing applique! How big are those numbers you used and where do we find those numbers you used? I would love to do something for Abby to wear at the ballfield during games with her brother's number on it.

[just_teachin]

I love those! It does inspire me to try doing applique! How big are those numbers you used and where do we find those numbers you used? I would love to do something for Abby to wear at the ballfield during games with her brother's number on it.

Those were all done vertically in my 5x7 hoop.

I just used Embird and the font engine extension. It'll take any true-type font and make it an embroidery design. So far, they've been for boys, so I haven't needed a more "feminine" numeral, though there are some out there.

I just look for the font that'll give me the most area to applique (and it has varied from number to number). Then I set the font big and click on the applique setting.

That's all there is to it. It automatically makes the three "layers" of stitching: the initial outline to show you where to lay your fabric; the tacking down of the fabric (then you trim); and then the satin stitch to perform the applique. You can adjust the width of the satin stitch as well.

So easy and so much fun!

[Carlene]

Oh I just love the way they turned out! Cute cute cute! Perfect for the little guys!

[Emily W.]

WOW!!! These are incredible and so cute. Just teachin-what kind of machine do you have?

[just_teachin]

WOW!!! These are incredible and so cute. Just teachin-what kind of machine do you have?

Thanks! I have a Janome 10001. (And here's where I thank mom (nanamcd here on the boards) for teaching me how to use her 10001 and then encouraging me to get my own. ;) )

[Becca]

I love the shirts. I have never machine appliqued, only by hand for quilts. Thank you for the instructions. It really sounds so simple now. My Grandson will be 3 in two weeks so I'll have to use your idea/creation and make him a T-shirt. Thank you for sharing!!!

[Emily W.]

You are very lucky to have had someone to teach you. I'm not very domesticated, and although I took every Home Ec. class in HS-I was more interested in the social hour instead of learning to sew. I always got away w/ running the teachers errands so I could leave campus. Years later I married into a family of very gifted, talented people. My MIL, SIL, aunts-all the women have to be directly related to Martha Stewart and all the men in his family are Bob Villa/Ty Pennington. It's the reason I wanted to learn to sew & embroider. I never realized how fun it could be! I'm not as good as my sis-in-law, but it's cool to be able to relate and have that bond. :) Enough sappyness!

[Emily W.]

Justteachin'-I almost got a Janome machine-my friend has one, but my DH was adamant that I start off w/ the Mickey Mouse machine from Wally World-not complaining...I'm grateful. With that said, I had to buy the Magic Deluxe Box & card, and I could've had a better machine w/ more bells & whistles and way more user friendly. I have a 12 year old who is expressing some interest in wanting to learn to embroider & do appliques, so maybe I can learn the basics enough on the Bro 270-D, then upgrade to the Mack Daddy machine with a hoop bigger than 4x4. :) Am I rambling or what???

[Emily W.]

Killen-my husband is from north Alabama. Is Killen in North AL?

This weekend is a big annual arts & crafts show called Cottontails. It's at the BJCC (Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center). Tons of vendors, tons of cute stuff, and great to get new ideas for what's hot. You should try to go if you can make the trip.

[Cynelle]

Those are so cute! I might just have to try it. I've had some blank shirts for my boys and have been trying to decide what to put on them before they outgrow them.

[sew4fun]

Those are great! I've only done applique free hand. But I love how you can have sooo many font options doing those by machine! Love your Mickey fabic too!!

[just_teachin]

Thanks for your kind words, ladies!

And here's one for the girls! :D

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m219/musictchr1/Embroidery/IMG_7311.jpg

[just_teachin]

Well, sorry the pic is sideways!! It's vertical in photobook, but not here!

I promise I wasn't :cheers: when I stitched it-- it's not sideways!! ;)

[tthuis]

I did some applique on pajamas at Christmas time and it turned out great. I really like the look. Terry

[just_teachin]

Well, sorry the pic is sideways!! It's vertical in photobook, but not here!

I promise I wasn't :cheers: when I stitched it-- it's not sideways!! ;)

And now it's vertical, making this post seem even more nutty!!! :rofl:

[Sew So Happy]

I love the girl version! I guess I will have to make Abby one for her 2nd birthday in May. That is, if I get to it! :)

[Granny313]

My hubby and I are discussing purchasing the Embroidery Wizard Plus for me :D Since I have been reading these threads though, I am confused as always. (You're probably think I stay confused - I DO (LOL) :hmmmm2: Some of you have Embroidery Wizard, Embroidery Wizard Plus and some have Embird. Question No. 1 - Is Embird specific to a certain type of machine? Or can it be used on other machines such as mine (Des.SE)? I am thinking that you must download the program to your computer? and transfer to your machine? (Price range ? and fonts?)

Question No. 2 - Do you have to have Emb. Wizard before you can purchase Emb. Wizard Plus? Or can you just purchase Emb. Wizard Plus without ever having Embroider Wizard? Do you also download the program to you computer and then transfer the design to your machine? (Price Range? and fonts?)

Question No. 3 - Which is the easiest to use - (Remember,, I'm not computer literate yet - am slooooooly learning so it needs to be really easy.

Question No. 4 - On either program, can you make the letters as small or as bid as you would like? Does is automatically increase or decrease the stitches so there's no empty spacing?

Is any of this clear?:confused:

Thanks in advance:D

[StitchinGrandma]

Granny ~ Since you have 4D Pro you should already have the capability between the Quick Font part of your program and the digitizing part to create almost any applique or font you would want to have. I think I'd study the software a little more and save your money to buy lots of designs with it instead. OR buy Embird and send me your 4D Pro. :DHA

[Constance]

Heather, These are wonderful! I had no idea Embird had that capability and I have used it for years. How do you stabilize? Thanks for sharing.

[Granny313]

Vicki - You are probably right about the Quick Font, etc. However as I told you before I really don't know what I am doing at all. I have used 1 or two on the Quick Font but had no idea that I could make them into applique's. (Told you I'm stupid) (LOL) I discussed the video's you told me about with DH and if I can find them I am definitely going to get them. It is such a waste to have the capabilitaies to do things and not know how. I get so disgusted sometimes. If there were any way possible, I would send you the program so you could have it and just tutor me along the way. I learn much better by having one on one direction and by watching and making my own notes than by going to a class. Maybe I was a slow learner in school, just didn't know it - back then, I don't think they had all these names that they have now!!!!!

[StitchinGrandma]

Oh please! You are NOT stupid. You are uneducated, nothing more! Just like me! Hubby bought me the upgrade to 4D extra and the video and I've so far watched one of the two videos. We also bought a VERY good book which you might want to look into also because it'a a series of three if I recall. They are written by Tim Frost and I've yet to go through that entire book. I've read through some and it's very well written and goes through things step by step so maybe you can find that. The one I have now is 4D Embroidery Basics and it covers how to use Express Design Wizard and all of the new features found in 4D AND starting on page 140 of that book it goes through step by step how to use the new "Creating an Express Embroidery". Open that program and click the icon to start your Express Embroidery and you will have two choices to start, one is "Create Express Trace" and the other "Create express Border" ....... that last one is what you want to use because it will "create a satin border of the design similar to an applique design" Tadaaaaaaaa ~ there ya go. :D That's a very simplified instruction. In the book it goes through the express embroidery and both options step by step as I said and that section alone goes from page 140 through page 153.

Here is the link to see his books (http://mrpatience.com/products/products.htm). I think you might like these even along with the video. They are very thorough, or at least the one I have is. The one I talked about above is the blue book at that link.

[Granny313]

I have decided that I need to just invest the money and send you a round trip ticket to come to my house and we go step by step. It would definitely be worth the money. For someone that doesn't have the 4D Pro yet - you will definitely be ready!!!! I get confused as to which part of the program I need to go into in order to something that I want to do (LOL) I know - I know it - it will take time. I guess I need to start with the simpler things first and not try to jump right in with complicated things like digitizing, etc. What ya think, Mom?

[StitchinGrandma]

LOL You're too funny. If Curt and I travel that direction again I'll be sure to let you know and we'll stop over. YES, jump in and play with your software. Remember one thing ~ you can't mess it up. If you don't like what you did, delete it and start over. It's not going to bite.

[Granny313]

It just may cause ME to bite - hope you aren't the one close by when I do cause I really like ya.

[StitchinGrandma]

lol you're too funny

[Melissa in SC]

[QUOTE=just_teachin;13468]
That's all there is to it. It automatically makes the three "layers" of stitching: the initial outline to show you where to lay your fabric; the tacking down of the fabric (then you trim); and then the satin stitch to perform the applique. You can adjust the width of the satin stitch as well.


These are so cute - you did a great job on these! Thanks for sharing!
Melissa in SC

[Shanda]

That is such a great idea. I will have to use it for my dd 5th birthday in December. Thank you for sharing!

Shanda

[biglucyfan]

Wow I can't wait for my DH to buy me Embird for Christmas. May take me some time to learn it, but I can see that it is well worth it. Fantastic job.

[Pedal Pusher]

You can download a trial version of Embird and practice while you wait.

Donna