from the editor

Since we at Creative Machine Embroidery (CME) began publishing our special issues of Quilting & Embroidery, I’ve learned to look around my world and see it through the eyes of someone seeking quilting possibilities. Now I don’t just see in color, I see in vivid cotton prints. I don’t simply see a landscape, I see a pieced landscape. It’s contagious! Walls are canvases to be covered with quilts and wall hangings. And trips to quilt shops are journeys for life’s quilting necessities.

Sound familiar? Feed your love of fabric and texture with the spring '07 issue of Quilting & Embroidery filled with pleasures from beautiful quilts and garments, to great gifts to treat friends and family (or perhaps yourself!)—all using traditional quilting techniques in new and exciting ways.

Make a pretty quilt with pieced triangles (see “Pinwheels & Posies”) and wall hangings that help you get organized (see “Posted”) or show off antique doll clothes (see “All Dolled Up”). Or make a fashion statement all your own in a silk patchwork jacket featuring embroidered border designs (see “Stripe Up The Bands”). You'll also find projects for a baby gift, dimensional Easter eggs that last and last, a tote with Oriental appeal and much more, including a free download for the appliqué butterfly featured in our patchwork lap quilt (see “Butterfly Charm”). For more details and four ways to order this special non-subscription issue, click here.

We appreciate your feedback on any of our issues. Enjoyed a project? Have a suggestion for improvement? Drop me a line at info@cmemag.com and share your thoughts!

Until next time,
Annette Gentry Bailey
Creative Machine Embroidery Editor

fabric inspiration

For new inspiration, look beyond traditional quilting fabrics…to scraps of fashion fabrics that can be embroidered, pieced and sewn together in a patchwork collage. Rich velvets and velveteens, silks, satins and bouclés all provide beautiful backgrounds for embroidery. Sew them into a table runner, placemats, a chair cover, pillows, cozy throw, jacket or any other items to wear or decorate your home.

about us

CME is a bimonthly magazine dedicated to the art and joy of machine embroidery. If you'd like more information on embroidering garments, home décor and gifts, subscribe today and start maximizing your machine embroidery potential!

it's not too late

Just discovered CME’s special non-subscription issues and want more? Misplaced a back issue of CME? In addition to CME’s original embroidery designs, you also can purchase copies of past subscriber issues, and current and past newsstand-only issues of Quilting & Embroidery, Paper & Embroidery and Holiday Embroidery on our secure shopping site at www.SewnShop.com. For phone and other ordering options, click here.

better embroidery:
12-weight thread

Most embroidery designs are digitized for use with 40-weight thread. However, a heavier thread can create a bolder statement and is ideal for showcasing quilting outline motifs. Use these tips to make standard embroidery designs stitch effectively with 12-weight thread:

• Use a size 100/16 needle to accommodate the bulk of the thread.
• Loosen the upper tension slightly for smooth, trouble-free stitching.
• Test-stitch your chosen design to see how it reacts with your fabric and a heavier thread. A simple motif with a low stitch count may be a desirable option to start with for stitching on fabric, or use a heavier thread on only part of a design as a highlight.
• For best results when stitching on fabric, choose designs with simple outlines, such as redwork, bluework or blackwork designs, as they generally stitch out well with 12-weight thread. Also consider using any design that has segments as outlines, such as appliqué designs.
• Use your machine to enlarge the design as much as possible. This will lengthen the stitches, making the design more appropriate for use with 12-weight thread.
• If you need to enlarge the design more than 20 percent or edit stitches, use special software designed for this purpose.

you can win!

We at CME thank you for subscribing to our free
CME e-Update. To show our appreciation, each month we’ll randomly select from among our subscribers a winner of a special embroidery-related prize. This month it’s a great set of circular template rulers perfect for quilting projects. If you’re already a subscriber, you’ll automatically be entered in the drawing.

Sound good? Be sure to tell your embroidery-loving friends to subscribe so they’ll have a chance to win each month, too!

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Creative Machine Embroidery magazine is published by CK Media, Inc.,
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Copyright © 2007 CK Media. All rights reserved.