from the editor

I had dinner the other night with three of my oldest and dearest friends. We all met years ago when we worked together in the publishing industry. Despite many life changes—including the move of one of our group to another state—we’ve managed to stay close. When we get together for an evening out, it’s always a festive occasion. We laugh madly at our own stories and I’m sure we talk too loud. We’re always the ones who look like we’re having the most fun—and I suspect we are, indeed!

One of the main things we have in common is that we’re all creative types who sew. We inspire each other with our latest projects and learn from each other’s experiences. You already may have a group of friends you get together with to share ideas and your latest sewing and embroidery projects. If not, I suggest you start today! Have a few friends over for coffee or lunch. Bring your stories, projects and experiences, and watch the creative energy come alive.

The CME July/August issue has loads of great ideas to fuel the fun. Learn to embroider on illusion mesh, plus get a free original motif specifically designed for use on this airy fabric (see “Fashion Forward”). Make a sheer kimono with beautiful embroidered bands (see “Eastern Inspiration”) or create a kicky little skirt (see “Skirt Flirt”) or a halter top with lace (see “Simple Chic”) for summer outings. If techniques are your focus, you’ll want to check out how to use foam with embroidery (see “Undercover No More”), plus our "Only Online" bonus technique: "Leather or Not?". You'll also find tips for combining free-motion embroidery with machine motifs (see “Free-flowing Embroidery”) and working successfully with stretch lace (see “Lace Movement”).

Finally, if getting outdoors is your heart’s desire this time of year, do it in a yard with style. Cover a pergola (see “Shade Spot”) or boring yard swing (see "In the Swing"), or create a picnic set that will make you believe you’re on a Tuscan get-away (see “Summer Pleasure”).

Excited about a project or creative get-together? Share your thoughts or pictures with me at info@cmemag.com. I always enjoy hearing from you.

Until next time,
Annette Gentry Bailey
Creative Machine Embroidery Editor

better embroidery:
proper hooping

For the best hooping results, test-hoop stabilizer with scrap fabric, adjusting the hoop screw as needed between hoopings until you have the proper tension. Then, hoop the project fabric with the stabilizer. Never tighten the hoop screw after you’ve hooped your fabric. This can cause embroidery issues such as:

• outlines being off
• puckering
• push and pull of fabric
• other alignment and fabric problems

Also resist the temptation to pull on fabric once it’s in the hoop. Pulling can cause the fabric to be too tight in the hoop and distort the original positioning of the fabric, causing some of the same problems noted above.

time-saving tip

When Nancy P. of Roanoke, Va., embroiders multiple items—such as napkins, towels, pillowcases, etc.—she embroiders the first item, un-hoops, then hoops the next item. While that’s stitching out, she works on the previous item, clipping jump threads, trimming stabilizer and pressing as needed. By repeating this process as each subsequent item stitches out, projects move along at a faster pace, saving time for more projects. Thanks for the tip, Nancy!

How do you save time or organize yourself for productivity? Share your best tips at info@cmemag.com and we’ll publish a selection of them in upcoming e-Update newsletters.

reader gallery

Charlotte R. of Eagan, Minn., made this incredible wedding gown for her daughter Jeni using Butterick 4131 from our CME pattern collection. Creative Charlotte combined the two skirt styles and modified the bodice back to lace up with ribbon, corset-style. She made the full skirt in organza and edged it in our original CME bridal scallop design and layered it over the slim skirt in satin. Rose embroideries finished the picture. Note: To view or order the additional CME embroidery designs used on Butterick 4131, visit www.sewnshop.com and use the search keywords “bridal designs.”

Share your own projects and inspire other readers! Send .jpg images to our Reader Gallery at info@cmemag.com.

embroider on paper?

I hope you'll take a moment to participate in our latest survey to share your experiences in embroidering on paper. When you do, you’ll help us plan future articles and issues.

Whether you've been at it for years or just have a yen to give it a try, I know you'll enjoy our Paper & Embroidery '07 issue. It's filled with projects, techniques and even memory page layout ideas—all to make on your embroidery machine. Order it today at our secure shopping site, www.sewnshop.com (click this month’s featured link). Or call (800) 590-3465—or (303) 215-5657 outside the United States—to get a copy. The issue also can be found at some bookstores, fabric stores and machine dealers.

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 sampler pack of Hemingworth PolySelect thread with protective caps. If you’re already a subscriber, you’ll automatically be entered in the drawing.

Congratulations to Dawn S. of Indianapolis, Ind., winner of last month’s prize, the book “Machine Embroidery on Paper” by Annette Bailey. Be sure to tell your embroidery-loving friends to subscribe so they’ll have a chance to win each month, too!

The CME e-Update is a free email newsletter. Click here to review our privacy policy.
Creative Machine Embroidery magazine is published by CK Media, Inc.,
741 Corporate Circle, Suite A, Golden, CO 80401.
Copyright © 2007 CK Media. All rights reserved.