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Friday, March 22, 2013

IHAN Machine Embroider Blog Hop - Anita Goodesign - and Giveaway


Welcome to the IHAN Machine Embroidery Blog Hop, sponsored by Anita Goodesign - DAY 5!



Today is SewCalGal's day to share insights with you on Anita Goodesign and host a sponsored giveaway.  But, before I do, I want to recognize and thank Kelly (IHAN) for hosting this Blog Hop and Anita Goodesigns for being a sponsor. I've certainly had fun visiting all the blogs in the hop this week as they've shared insights on spectacular designs, along with great tips, tutorials and giveaways too!  If you haven't yet visited all the participating blogs, here is the line up with direct links to their posts for this hop:

Mon., March 18th
Kelly - I Have A Notion
SewCalGal
Tues, March 19th
Cindy - Sew Cindy
Trish - AllThingsCrafty.com
Wed., March 20th
Marjorie's Quilting Bee
Margaret - The Average Quilter
Thurs., March 21st
Rebecca Grace - Cheeky Cognoscenti
Fri., March 22nd
Gene Black - Alabama Artist
SewCalGal (where you are today)

TIPS/Tutorials:
Earlier this week I shared tips, as well as a quick tutorial for multi-hooping.  I want to encourage everyone with an embroidery machine to try multi-hooping as it can be quite fun and there are so many more ways to use embroidery designs too!

How about taking a "part" of a purchased design?  This is very easy if you have software like EQ Stitch, or other digitizing software packages.  But you can still combine portions of many purchased machine embroidery designs even if you don't own digitizing software.  Consider printout out a design layout and cutting out the portion that you want to use, such as the Classic Cosmopolitan design in the Rachel's Recipe's Collections.

It is easy to tape together a print out of designs to use as a template.  Place this printout on top of a transfer medium for fabric, such as Saral Paper.  Rub along the outline of your design template with a hard, but not sharp tool, with the layer of Saral Paper and your stencil placed on topic of the fabric that you want to machine embroider on.  This technique can easily mark your fabric for where you want to place multiple hoop designs.  And, while your original design may include more stitching than you want to incorporate you can use the features on your machine in "edit stitch" mode, where you can advance and select what part of the design file you want to stitch out. Combined with techniques for multi-hooping (e.g. up/down, left/right, rotate) you can also easily get any design to replicate on your project.

This technique is also a great technique when you want to repeat a design on a large table topper, wallhanging, etc.  It is really easy to do. Give it a try on a small project like a table topper or wallhanging and you'll soon be amazed how easy and fun it is to multihoop (and also replicate a design).

P1010037

Once your fabric is marked and hooped, before you begin to stitch, use your machine to align the placement of your design to align with the markings on your fabric. This can be accomplished on most machines by pressing the broken thread button and using the up/down, left/right, and/or rotate button whereby you periodically manually drop your needle down to check your alignment to where you want it to place the design on your fabric.  This may sound complex, but it really is easy. Give it a try. And, I'll try to get a more detailed tutorial released soon, or see if one of the very talented  Quilters with Modern Quilting Tools  can provide such a tutorial soon.


Anita Goodesigns:
Machine Embroidery takes on all forms, from monograms, easy and fun projects, machine embroidered clothing and quilts, elegant home decor projects and more.  Anita Goodesigns is a premiere machine embroidery design house that offers designs for those interested in machine embroidery for all skill levels.

As I enjoy stitching out fun projects that make for great hostess gifts, as well as creating items that are perfect inside of a gift basket for a fundraiser, I was drawn to "Rachel's Recipes" Design Collection.  Rachel is an in-house artist at Anita Goodesign and she also enjoys cooking.   You may want to check out her blog at www.ThePescetarianAndThePig.com





















The Rachel's Recipe collection includes ten designs that have yummy recipes and a cute motif, perfect for embellishing dish towels.  You may want to try this set on any dish towel, an inexpensive tea towel, or on linen fabric that you can purchase at JoAnns or your local fabric store. The 18 page instructions that come with this collection provide insights on making dish towels using "Linen", and SewCalGal loved this approach!  The instructions were also well written and easy to follow, making it very helpful for someone that was new to machine embroidery.  

There are ten different designs included in this collection, each with a yummy recipe and cute motif.  They include:

- Blackberry Mint Spritzers
- Peanut Butter Pie
- Cinnamon chocolate Chip Cookies
- Honey Ginger Glazed Salmon
- Black Bean Corn Salsa
- Sun-dried tomatoe & Basil Pasta
- Fresh Guacamole
- Chocolate Chip and Toffee Brownies
- White Chocolate and Peppermint Fudge
- Classic Cosmopolitan

The designs require a hoop size of 6 x 10 or 8 x 12.  File formats support machines that use: ART, PES, EXP, VP3, HUS, JEF, DST, and XXX.  File formats are also included to allow those with larger hoops to stitch out a design in one hooping, as well as those with smaller hoops to stitch out in multiple hoopings.  Just be sure your hoop size meets the minimum hoop size for this design collection.

Here are a few examples of how this collection stitches out:



P1010049 P1010043



Did I Mention A Giveaway?
Anita Goodesign generously offered a prize for SewCalGal followers to choose one Special Edition Software Collection from Anita Goodesign. (A $99.95)  There are 15 to choose from....here are just a few choices:

If you want to win a Special Edition Software Collection from Anita Goodesign simply leave a comment on this blog post and let me know which Special Edition Design Collection you would like to win.  SewCalGal will randomly select a winner and update this post on Sunday Evening, March 24th.   You can also visit all of the stops in this blog hop as many still have giveaways open where you can enter to win a design collection from Anita Goodesigns, thereby increasing your chances of winning.

UPDATE:

random
Lucky number #3, Fiesta is the lucky winner of a Special Edition Software Collection from Anita Goodesign.


Anita Goodesign can be found at:
http://www.anitagoodesignonline.com/
https://www.facebook.com/anitagoodesignfan
http://pinterest.com/anitagoodesign/

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69 comments:

BRD Girl said... 1

I had a great time visiting each of the blogs in the IHAN Machine Embroidery Blog Hop - lots of fun and interesting posts! I would love to win the "Homestead" Special Edition Software Collection from Anita Goodesign - I just love this collection inspired by vintage needlework samplers... Thank you for the opportunity.

Mary said... 2

I love the Victorian Roses collection! What a wonderful blog hop and fabulous give away!

Betsy said... 3

I so love your projects. I would love to in the recipe collection. Thank you for the chance.

Gene Black said... 4

I love you tip on sewing out "part" of a design. I have used that trick and found it really easy to do.

beaquilter said... 5

Uhhh you know I'd LOVE something..... I just can't decide I was drooling over it the other day, I'm thinking baby stuff though.

Sharon said... 6

The projects this week have been interesting. I like the special edition called Homestead

Tammy said... 7

The more I look at those designs the more I think I prefer Christmas Town. I have loved this blog hop for machine embroidery. Everyone has had great ideas, projects and little tips thrown in ther. This has sastisfied my machine embroidery, sewing and quilting addiction. My Babylock Machine has this automatic alignment feature with the built in camera. You just place the little bulls I call it bulls eye sticker in place and mash the button. Which is one heck of a great feature.

The Quilted Kitchen said... 8

I have thoroughly enjoyed seeing how the different collections inspired everyone. My favorite is the Fantasy Bird Collection.

Barb said... 9

This has been one of the most fun hops I have been to in a while. so informative, such fun designs, and it stretches the use of your embroidery machine. Thanks to you and Kelly for organizing this.

Pauline G said... 10

this has been a great blog hop for us ME addicts! i love the Mix and match quilting set. Thanks for organising and for All the great tips

Cindy said... 11

Great info! Great post!! Great bloghop!!

Sew Quilt Embroider said... 12

Love your blog, always colorful and fun and informative! thanks for joining the AG blog hop; I hopped here from IHAN. I would love to win the Christmas Edition designs! Big fan of AG! :) Thanks for the fun!

Purl Buttons said... 13

I am torn between Tree of Life and Victorian Roses. If I win, I promise to choose! Thank you!

Average Quilter said... 14

This ME blog hop has been so much fun I can't wait for another one. Thanks so much for organizing it all

Unknown said... 15

Is it Christmas yet?? Love those. Also, really enjoy your blog and the great tips.

LeAnne said... 16

Thank you for the blog hop. It was fun to see what everyone did with the designs. You can never have enough tips for getting better results from your embroidery.

Still can't decide which collection I like best, but I've narrowed it down to Fantasy Birds and The Rose, but I can't rule out Special Edition Christmas either. AG has too many good designs.

judy said... 17

thank you for all your wonderful tips and ideas
judy

Anonymous said... 18

The blog hop has introduced me to some new talented friends that I wouldn't not have found otherwise. Thank you for organizing ti. I love Anita Goodesign collections. I would love, love love to win the Golden Tapestry.

Rebecca Grace said... 19

The recipes on dish towels is such a wonderful idea -- great for gifts, and they would stitch up pretty easily. Just reading the recipes is getting me hungry!

I have never heard of Saral paper before. Do you get it from a fabric or quilt shop, or is it like freezer paper that is designed for something else and found in a different kind of store altogether?

I need to get more comfortable with the embroidery functions on my new machine. For instance, on my old machine, I knew how to "check" design placement before stitching by having the hoop move to center, top, bottom, and sides. On my new machine I couldn't figure out how to do that, and I couldn't locate the basting figure until AFTER I had completed my design. Multi hooping is on my embroidery bucket list for sure -- I even found an online lessson for my ME software about multi hooping the other day, although i didn't have time to go through it yet.

Thanks again for your part in organizing this wonderful blog hop, and for including me!

Nanbon44 said... 20

I like all of the special edition designs,,, to choose one... Homestead would make number 1
I would love to make the golden tapestry, but would be so afraid I would mess that one up..

Donna~~ said... 21

I've never tried any embroidery, but it looks fun--guess I'm going to have to get out of my comfort zone and try some soon! If I were lucky enough to win, I'd choose the Golden Tapestry--it's very lovely!

Anonymous said... 22

I love machine embroidery, in fact I will be spending most of today on a new project that includes lots of embroidery that will require multi-hooping.
I have already make AG's Christmas town, so if I had the chance to choose a Special Edition design set, I would choose the Christmas Special Edition set.
Thanks for the opportunity to win!
~June in AZ
(contact info on my blog)

Grandma Margie's Family said... 23

Thanks for a wonderful blog hop. I love Anita Goodesign and seeing how each of you have used the different designs gives me alot of new ideas. The tips have been very helpful and there are several that will make ME easier. I have the Foundations Special Edition and love it. Someday, I hope to get the Quilting Essentials. I would have a hard time chosing between the Christmas Special Edition and the Tree of Life Special Edition. Again, thanks to all the bloggers and the organizaters. Great Hop.

Tina said... 24

The Victorian Rose ANd Christmas EditioN Are My Favorites. I Would Choose One Of Them.

WoolenSails said... 25

I really love the designs and the idea of creating quilts and quilted items with them. I like the mix and match set, something you can use for different things.

Debbie

IHaveANotion ~ Kelly Jackson said... 26

I feel like Horshak, OH OH OH....I really like how you chose the picture to repeat for a table runner. How fun would that be on drink coasters for a party....everyone being able to take theirs home with them.

Great information and encouragement SewCalGal.

Thank you for participating in the hop and for all your help in keeping the hop on track while I'm "out laying in the sun"...:)

Hugs,
Kelly

Cecilia said... 27

Thank you for all of the tips you've provided. I enjoyed visiting each of the stops and seeing all of the different projects. I've also learned some new tips. I would love to win the Mix and Match set. Thank you for the chance to win.

Sylvia said... 28

This has been a great blog hop. I would be excited to try a Special Edition by Anita Goodesign. I think I would like the Tree of Life, if I won here.

Thank you for the chance.
Sylvia

Lyn said... 29

This has been such a fun hop. I have learned a lot. Thanks so much! I would love to win the Prayer Garden. I don't remember if that is the exact name. Thanks again.

Needled Mom said... 30

This hop had so many great hints and ideas. Thanks to all of you.

I think I would have to choose the Floral Rings. They are all lovely. I really like the clever recipe stitching that you did.

Unknown said... 31

I would choose the foundations special edition if I was lucky enough to win

Cyndy said... 32

All the designs are so pretty, but I would probably choose the Prayer Garden or Tree of Life. I loved visiting all the blogs on the cute hop.

Sandie @ crazy'boutquilts said... 33

Thank you for the good tips! I would choose the Prayer Garden or the Foundations set, but they are all wonderful! Have a happy weekend!

Linda E in NM said... 34

I'd love to win the Foundations Special Edition so that I can combine those backgrounds with other designs that I have.
Thanks so much!

Beth said... 35

This blog hop has been wonderful! I hope to see more like this in the future. I've learned a lot. Thank you to all the creative & talented people who participated. I would love to win the Prayer Garden.

Jean said... 36

Thanks for the tips! Multihooping is typically intimidating, but I should try it more!

shelleyjwilliams said... 37

The golden tapestry is just delicious I have never seen anything like this. Beautiful! Also, I have to say the multi-hooping tips were absolutely wonder ful.

Kathy MacKie said... 38

Learnt a lot from the blog hop and thanks for hosting! I really like the Christmas Town but all is great!

Marjorie said... 39

I love your designs for tea towels. What a great idea to "make" them from linen fabric. And the designs are perfect even without the recipes.

BizyStitches said... 40

Wow, lots of fun things to choose from. At first scanning I would have to say "Homestead", but I would certainly want to think about it. This has been the best hop and so many tips. Thanks

Agnes B. Bullock said... 41

Victorian roses

Sallie said... 42

I like Homestead Special Edition. Thanks for the tips and giveaway!

Jean(ie) said... 43

I'm so excited about how quilting and machine embroidery are just colliding these days. And it's HOT! Those dish towels are adorable!

I really like that golden tapestry set. While it's very traditional, I can see it for making beautiful fabric for home dec projects! The design elements in that set rock.

Sally said... 44

That recipe collections is so cool. I can just see a quilt with them all. How would anyone be able to pick just one collection--those birds, Christmas, oh my! Thanks for opportunity!

cntryways said... 45

I like the Homestead or Christmas Town collections and would like to win one of those, if I have my choice.

Rosemary

Lou said... 46

I like Victorian Roses:)
Need to find that recipes cd now though:)
Thanks for a great hop:)

My Sister Made Me Do It.... said... 47

Thanks for all the tips. I am new to ME and so far am loving it! I like Prayer Garden. Thanks for the chance! And I'm a happy follower!

Ohio quilter said... 48

Garden Gate....beautiful

OhioLori said... 49

Love the Prayer Garden!!! :)

MJ said... 50

I love them ALL! Garden Gate, Tree of life... Thanks for the chance to win!

quiltin cntrygrl said... 51

I had a great time blog hopping this week. I even got some inspiration to stitch and to write a couple blog entries of my own. I love how the recipes are stitched but look like they are hand written. If you haven't checked out Lunch Box Quilts or Grandma Debbie's Designs they have some great recipe towels. I have a few of the Special Editions I love them. I'm debating which I would Love more Garden gate or the Victorian roses.

Trish said... 52

What a fun project using the Rachel's Recipe collection on kitchen towels. They are so cute! Thanks for sharing!

CK said... 53

Yes, I need to take the plunge and try multi hooping! Thanks for the encouragement and motivation. I would select the Mix & Match Quilting design pack. It seems a great way to be creative!

Rebecca Fiedler said... 54

I just LOVE the Golden Tapestry collection,

Judy Z said... 55

I really like the Prayer Garden.

Unknown said... 56

Thank you for all your tips and for this whole blog hop it has taught me allot. I really love "homestead" but then their are a few that I really enjoy. Have a fun weekend and take care.

Bonnie58 said... 57

Thanks for the info. I am learning so much and feel so much more comfortable with my embroidery machine . Thanks for the opportunity on a great draw. I would love to try the golden tapestry design.
bonnielarson58@gmail.com

Unknown said... 58

I really do love the Christmas Special Edition. I see so many possibilities for decorative items and gifts.

Susan said... 59

Thanks for this blog hop. I am loving machine embroidery and am glad to see more info available on blogs. I would love to win either the Homestead collection or the Tree of Life.

Anonymous said... 60

These are such rich and fabulous designs that it is hard to pick one! But..I think I would pick the Quilting Mix and Match series, how neat would it be to make a quilt with some of these beautiful designs! Thanks for another great posting and giveaway!

Melody said... 61

What a fun I had blog-hoppin' with y'all!
While many components of all the Anita Goodesign's Special Editions are quite wonderful; I have to say I'd love to win "Prayer Garden" as it has been on my Pinterest board (my ME lust...) for over a year. Thank you for this giveaway!

KatieQ said... 62

This blog hop has been great. I learned a lot of tips that I can use in my machine embroidery. I particularly like the Garden Gate Design package.

barbara woods said... 63

i love 'christmas town' thanks for the chance

Deb said... 64

Very interesting. I like the Tree of Life.

LJ said... 65

Thanks for all your tips. Those 'recipe' designs are really neat. AG are wonderful; Christmas Town is definitely my favorite in the Special Edition category.

Michelle said... 66

I love Anita's work, thanks for the givaway, so hard to choose one but it would have to be Golden Tapestry as my most favourite.

Debra Dixon said... 67

I'm just starting the Hop. Happened on it from Rebecca's blog. I need to connect with more machine embroiderers so happy to find some here.

I am interested in the Fantasy Bird Collection. Love Jacobean Designs!

Rose in IN said... 68

Thanks so much for the hop, projects, tips, ideas, inspiration, etc. Love the mix and match quilting! Thanks!
Rose

Sewgirl said... 69

I really like the prayer garden collection. Thanks for the great tips!