Amazing Designs Blog

Christmas Tree Stocking Project

Posted by McKenzie on November 22, 2010 | No Comments

Santa will be delighted to see this curly-toe stocking on your mantle! Make your own with a template and designs from the ADC-64J Stockings I Project Collection.

Click here for the FREE project instructions!

Polka Dot Christmas Stocking Project

Posted by McKenzie on November 21, 2010 | No Comments

Bows and bells adorning this traditional polka dot stocking will make Santa stop in his tracks! Make your own stocking from the ADC-64J Stockings I Project Collection.

Click here for the FREE project instructions!

Personalized Christmas Stocking Project

Posted by McKenzie on November 20, 2010 | No Comments

Delight your family and friends with personalized stockings like this one from the ADC-64J Stockings I Project Collection.

Click here for the FREE project instructions!

Luggage, Luggage, Luggage!

Posted by McKenzie on November 17, 2010 | No Comments

Visiting family or friends this holiday season? Well, don’t forget to pack our sewing machine to make a quick gift, fix a garment, or help pass the time. And, with a rolling sewing machine trolley it’s never been easier to take it all with you.

This sturdy trolley set is designed just for quilters. It includes an extra large machine bag, a slim portfolio for mats and rulers, and a bag that’s just the right size for fat quarters. All three bags connect to the rolling trolley. Some assembly required. The inside of the machine bag measures 11″ x 20″; 15″ high. The portfolio measures 20″ x 26″. The inside of the fat quarter bag measures 12″ x 20″; 4″ deep.

Not a quilter, no problem! We have a set designed for embroiderers too! This set includes the same extra large machine bag and slim portfolio great for mats and rulers, but the third piece of this set is designed for your removeable embroidery unit. The protection this case offers will help keep the embroidery unit safe while traveling.

Still not finding the right trolley for your trip, check out other options for: sergers, individual pieces, hard cases, and floral print cases.

12 Days of Christmas Quilt Project

Posted by McKenzie on November 15, 2010 | No Comments

From 12 drummers drumming to a partridge in a pear tree, this richly detailed 12 Days of Christmas embroidery design collection brings all the lyrics to life!

Click here for the FREE project instructions!

Tips for Embroidering on Minky

Posted by McKenzie on November 15, 2010 | No Comments

Minky, or microfiber plush fabric, is quite popular. It’s great for babies, children, tweens, teens and adults. When it comes to minky, everyone loves the soft texture and the happiness it brings (how can you not smile when snuggling a minky blanket or pillow?).

Another plus for minky is the variety that it now comes in — plush, ultra plush, rasied dots, raised rows, etc. The new variety makes me want to use it more, becuase I can mix and match the different types in my project, making it fun and more creative.

The down side to minky — it can be a bit pricey. So, when I purchase it for a project, I want to be sure I don’t mess it up. Here are a few tips on achieving great embroidery on minky fabric:
• Needle — use a sharp 75/11 embroidery needle to help achieve a crisp sew out
• Design selection — you want a design with solid areas of embroidery (a redwork or running stitch design can disapear into the mat) and designs with open spaces will allow the fabric more flexibility
• Embossed embroidery — these designs look great on minky, the plush fabric really pops off the embroidery part for an amazing affect
• Stabilizer — since minky has a little bit of stretch to it, you should use a medium-weight cut-away stabilizer; this will give the fabric the stability it needs for the embroidery
• Topping — to keep the mat down while embroidering, keep the fabric from poking through the embroidering and to achieve a stitchout with less gaps, use a water-soluable topping while stitching

Happy stitching!

Embrilliance Thumbnailer Software

Posted by McKenzie on November 13, 2010 | No Comments

Have you ever lost a design on your computer? Wouldn’t it be nice to easily see your embroidery designs? Now you can!
 
This is not a complicated software program to learn. This software reads your embroidery designs and creates the pictures for your computer to display as thumbnails. Easily view these thumbnails the same exact way you view images on your computer – in your browser window. And, it works with virtually every home embroidery format

Here are more details about this great, inexpensive program:
• For PCs, view the thumbnails in folders or through Windows(R) Explorer(R), also know as “My Computer”
• For Macs, view the thumbnails though Finder(R)
• Compatible embroidery formats: ART, ART42, ART50, ART60, CND, CSD, DST, EMB, EMD, EXP, GNC, HUS, JAN, JEF, JEF+, PCM, PCS, PEC, PES, PHB, PHC, PHD, SEW, SHV, TAP, VIP, VP3, XXX
• Software requirements: Windows(R) requires XP (32 bit) or Vista / Win 7 (32 or 64 bit) and 10Mb of disk space Mac(R) requires Mac OSX v: 10.4 and up and 10Mb of disk space

Compatible with both PC and Mac computer systems!
Mac users, please note that this hybrid CD installs a separate program version written for Mac, and does NOT need Windows.

EAT HAM!

Posted by McKenzie on November 11, 2010 | No Comments

I love to give my mom and mother-in-law a little something for Thanksgiving — it is, after all, the season of thanks, and they do a lot for us. I usually try to embroidery something for them, dish towels work great (can you ever really have enough dish towels?). So, this year, I got to thinking, what could I put on them that would make everyone laugh, yet still fit the season.

I used the turkey design from the Amazing Designs To Give Thanks design collection. With the help of Personalize N Stitch 2 I was able to add the text, “EAT HAM”, under the turkey.

The dish towel I used had a waffle texture to it. This may not be the best option, but if you do choose to use this type of towel, be sure to pre-wash them as they shrink during washing. Also, since you’re stithcing on a towel and towels have a nap, be sure to use a topping stabilizer on top of the design and something stable underneath.

Needless to say, I think it turned out pretty cute. And, I’m sure they’ll get a laugh at Thanksgiving this year!

Sew a Scarf for Yourself and your Pet!

Posted by McKenzie on November 10, 2010 | No Comments

This dog-and-owner scarf set makes a great gift!  Use designs from Dog Breeds I or Dog Breeds II to match to your favorite canine.  (ADC-103J or ADC-32J).

Click here for the FREE project instructions!

Eleanor Burns’ Koala Studio Makeover

Posted by McKenzie on November 9, 2010 | No Comments

Join Eleanor Burns, author and host of TV’s Quilt in a Day, as she gives you a tour of her quilting room – both before and after the Koala Studios makeover.