• Cut a 9" x 11" rectangle of fabric from tone-on-tone scrap fabric.
• Cut two more 7" x 11" rectangles from coordinating scrap fabric.
• Cut a 22" x 27" rectangle of stripe fabric.
  
  

• Fuse stabilizer to the back of the tone-on-tone fabric rectangle and hoop.
• Embroider a flower appliqué at the center.
• Un-hoop, leaving the stabilizer intact.
• Use the hand beading needle to add beading, if desired.

• Sew the 11" sides of the rectangles together using a 1/2" seam, with the appliqué rectangle centered. This will become the pocket.
• Turn under the upper edge 1/2" and sew to secure.
• Align the raw edges of the pocket and the 22" end of the rectangle.
• Sew the sides and lower edge in place.
• Thread the needle with monofilament thread. Sew along the pocket seams to create three pockets.
• Cover the corkboard with the batting and staple in place along the back.
• Place the pocketed rectangle right side up on the corkboard and fold the edges to the back; staple in place.
• Cut the 3/8"-wide grosgrain ribbon into four lengths. Refer to the photo for placement. Staple in place on the back.
• Insert the upholstery tacks where the ribbons intersect at the center.
• Tuck photos under the ribbons or tack notes to the cork.
  

Utilize preprints for quick window treatments. Here we show a valance, but you also could make panels with longer sections.

• Cut out a horizontal panel and a header from solid fabric.
• Sew right sides together, sandwiching beaded trim at the lower edge.
• Hang on a decorative rod.
  Click here for larger view of valance.

• Using the alphabet or lettering program of your choice, program enough letters to create the child’s name. Our sample letters are 3 3/4" tall.
• Thread the machine with 12-weight cotton thread in the needle and bobbin thread in the bobbin.
• Hoop tear-away stabilizer, spray with temporary adhesive and cut a piece of art paper to fit the inside of the hoop. Adhere the art paper.
• Embroider the first letter. Un-hoop and set aside. Repeat to embroider all of the letters.
• Using small sharp curved scissors, cut out each letter, leaving a small border of paper around the outside stitching.
  

• Press the fabric planned to cover the canvas. Place the fabric wrong side up on a flat surface and the canvas right side down over the top. Fold the sides of the fabric to the back and use the staple gun to adhere the fabric in place on the wooden frame.
• Arrange the letters across the front of the canvas. Glue in place with the clear-drying glue.
• Glue the eyelash trim around the outside edge of the frame.
  

• Cut a 13" x 17 1/2" rectangle from four different print fabrics.
• Cut two 22 1/2" x 24" rectangles from the dot fabric for the backing
• Hoop heavy tear-away stabilizer and one rectangle of contrasting print fabric cut larger than the hoop. Choose another print fabric for appliqué. Embroider the flower. Un-hoop and tear away the stabilizer. Trim around the outside of the flower, leaving 3/8" of fabric to frame the satin stitching.
• Repeat to create another appliqué flower.
  

• Sew the four 13" x 17 1/2" rectangles together to make a 25" x 34" rectangle. Press the seams toward the darker fabrics.
• Turn one short edge under 1" and again 1" on each of the 22 1/2" x 24" rectangles.
• Place the backing fabrics right side up with finished edges centered vertically. Place the 4-patch rectangle on top. Sew around the outside edges to secure. Clip the corners, trim the seams and turn right side out. Press.
• Measure and pin 2 1/2" around the outside perimeter. Straight stitch to create the flange.
• Center a flower appliqué in two diagonal squares. Topstitch to secure. Note: Be careful to open out the backing when attaching the flowers.

• Cut two 5" x 7", two 5" x 15" (cut with the 5" width on the horizontal) and two 9" x 15" rectangles from the stripe fabric.
• Cut two 3" x 4 1/2" rectangles and one 10" x 17" rectangle from the paisley print for the mini pillow.
• Cut two 7" square from the white cotton scraps.
  

• Fuse mesh cut-away stabilizer to the back of the white cotton rectangles.
• Embroider the designs of your choice. Leave the stabilizer in place to alleviate show-through under the white fabric.
  

• Sew one 7" side of the stripe fabric to one embroidered square. Repeat with the remaining rectangle on the opposite side.
• Sew the two long rectangles to the upper and lower edges of the embroidered unit.
• Turn under 1/2" and 1/2" again along one 17" edge on each of the 10" x 17" rectangles.
• Right sides together, layer the pillow top and the two rectangles with turned under edges, aligning raw edges.
• Sew around the perimeter. Turn right side out.
• Insert the pillow form.

• Cut the embroidered fabric to 4 1/2" x 6". Note: If working with a leftover test sample smaller than this size, simply make a smaller pillow.
• Sew the two small rectangles to the sides of the embroidered rectangle.
• Sew the short edge of the 10" x 17" rectangle to the upper edge of the embroidery; repeat to sew the lower edge (you now have a tube).
• Sew along one 10" side of the square; sew along the remaining side, leaving a space for turning.
• Turn right side out. Stuff with fiberfill.
• Pin the opening closed and stitch to secure by hand or machine.

Dimensional Appliqué Pillow

Flower appliqués with fun button centers and beaded trim make this pillow stand out.

Cutting

• Cut a 9" square of tone-on-tone fabric for the center.
• Cut four 6" x 15" and two 12" x 19" rectangles of the dot fabric.
• Six 6" squares of stripe fabric.

• Hoop a layer of water-soluble soluble stabilizer. Spray with temporary adhesive and adhere a 6" square of stripe fabric. Repeat for the back. (You’ll sandwich the stabilizer between the two layers.)
• Embroider a flower appliqué. Note: Carefully cut away both the upper and under layers of fabric before completing the satin stitch. Always use the smallest hoop for the design.
• Repeat to embroider two more flower appliqués. Make the center appliqué smaller, if desired.
• Trim away the excess stabilizer. Soak the remainder away; let dry flat.

• Sew a 6" x15" rectangle to one side of the tone-on-tone square, aligning the 6" edge with the upper edge of the square. Continue sewing the remaining 6" x 15" rectangles to the square log cabin style to make a 19" square.
• Hand sew the flowers to the tone-on-tone square in the arrangement desired, using a button at the center of each flower. Back larger flowers with another button for stability.
• Use the zipper foot to baste the beaded trim to the pillow top perimeter.
• Turn under 1/2" and 1/2" again along one 19" edge on each of the 12" x 19" rectangles.
• Right sides together, layer the pillow top and the two rectangles with turned under edges, aligning raw edges.
• Sew around the perimeter, being careful not to catch the trim in the seam. Turn right side out.
• Insert the 18" pillow form.

Neckroll

Strip-piecing gives this neck roll plenty of interest and uses up small leftover scraps.

Cutting

• Two 10" x 20" rectangles form the strip fabric.
• Three 4 1/2" x 12" rectangles of tone-on-tone or solid fabric
• Three 4 1/4" x 15" rectangles from the dot fabric
• Three 4 1/2" x 5" rectangles of strip fabrics

• Hoop mesh cut-away stabilizer, spray with temporary adhesive and adhere one of the 4" x 12" tone-on-tone rectangles to the center. Embroider a border design. Repeat to embroider two more border designs on 4" x 12" rectangles. For interest, make the designs smaller or larger, if desired, for each rectangle.
• Cut the borders 2" from the design at each end.

• Sew the 4 1/2" x 5" rectangles to the ends of the border prints. Trim as needed to create 4 1/2" x 15" rectangles. Turn the stripes either horizontally or vertically for interest.
• Sew the dot rectangles to the embroidered rectangles along the long edges. You will have a cylinder shape when finished.
• Sew along the 10" side. Turn right side out. Fold along the 10" side to create a 5" x 20" rectangle. Tuck inside the cylinder, matching raw edges; pin in place. Sew together. Repeat for the remaining end.
• Turn right side out and tuck the neck roll inside.
• Cut the ribbons in half. Gather one end of the neck roll fabric and tie the ribbons around the fabric; knot. Trim the ends at an angle. Repeat for the remaining end.
  

Sources
Project designs: Annette Bailey, CME editor.

Message Board, Prints Charming Window Valance, and Wall Art: Flower and paisley border designs: Machine Embroidery Room by Room, published by Krause Publications.

Lettering on Wall Art: Original design from Creative Machine Embroidery, available at www.SewnShop.com.

Sham and Pillows: Paisley designs: Anita Goodesign, Paisley Daze Collection, design: Hdpa33, Hdpa35

Flower and paisley border designs: Machine Embroidery Room by Room, published by Krause Publications