Thimbleanna » A Little Machine Embroidery

A Little Machine Embroidery

August 19, 2009 on 8:34 pm | In Sewing | 43 Comments

I’ve been playing with my embroidery machine a little bit. A week or so ago, a friend brought me some fabric and asked me if I’d embroider a monogram on some fabric for her. Even though I’ve learned to say no to some requests (when I was younger, I didn’t know how to say no, but MeMum taught me how to gently decline some of those gracious “offers”), I’ll never be able to repay this friend’s kindnesses to my boys, so I gladly accepted.

My friend is re-doing her daughter’s room and has purchased a little 2-seat ice cream set for one corner of the room. Several years ago, I monogrammed the seat backs for our ice cream set and she wanted to duplicate the look.

Our ice cream set sits in the corner of our sun porch. Doesn’t that adorable quilt that Toni sent me look cute hanging there with “She likes to Nap”? (It’s true — I Love to Nap!)

Thank you again Toni — I had an ugly wreath hanging there and your quilt is just what that corner needed!

Now…here’s to a happy slide into the weekend for all of you!

XOXO,
Anna

(P.S. Some technical info for those of you with embroidery machines: these letters come from the Arabesque Monogram Set at Embroidery Arts. I love Embroidery Arts monograms — they’re beautifully digitized. I doubled the letter size with my Easy Sizer software. Easy Sizer is a product of Echidna Sewing (an Australian company) and if you don’t have good re-sizing software, this company can’t be beat. I looked on their website and didn’t see the Easy Sizer software, they may have sold out to another company by now, but I’m sure an e-mail to them would get some answers. Years ago, I read on a Yahoo board that they were the best sizing software available and that certainly has been true for me. My Viking sizing software can’t handle increases more than about 50%.)

43 Comments

woohoo.
i might be the first commenter!!!!!
your monogram is beautiful and your parlor set is darling. makes me wanna go hang out on your porch. will you move to california please?
i’m a great neighbor.
i’ll bake you cookies and won’t ask you to sew for me, not like your INDIANA friends…
:waves madly

Comment by brigette — August 19, 2009 #
omg, that is so cute i can’t stand it! nice work! i love it!

Comment by Diana — August 19, 2009 #
Just beautiful! Great job! Thanks for posting the embroidery info.

Comment by Shirley — August 19, 2009 #
OMG I love your chairs!! You are so kind to do such a lovely job for a friend, it is looking beautiful. Would you consider moving here?

Comment by Judy — August 19, 2009 #
Now I really know we’re kindred spirits. We both have a viking. I’ve loved my vikings for many many years now.

Comment by Kim Walus — August 19, 2009 #
Your little corner looks soooo inviting!!! I just love it … and you’re right … Toni’s wallhanging is just PERFECT there!!!
Great job on the monogramming … and it’s a lovely thing to do for a friend :o).
Hugs,
Joy :o)

Comment by Joy — August 19, 2009 #
Anna, You are the best. Your embroidery always looks so professional. I love your chairs and the monogram you did. You are a sweetie Pie. xoxo

Comment by Jewels — August 19, 2009 #
Ok I really need to come visit you. That is adorable!!!!! I still want an embroidery machine so I can do fun stuff like that.

Comment by Sharon — August 20, 2009 #
Your sunporch looks so nice and lovely, and the stitched monograms are so classy.

Comment by Janine — August 20, 2009 #
I just love those chairs! Can I come over to your porch for ice cream?

Comment by Gina — August 20, 2009 #
Wow! Really, really fab. I needed that this morning. It is grey here, and I am guessing there too. But at least it has cooled off some. A great day to sew or knit!

Comment by Anne — August 20, 2009 #
Oh, how I would love an embroidery machine. I’m not that knowledgeable about them, but I know I want the kind that lets you create on your computer and have it come out on your sewing machine.

Your work is absolutely beautiful!

S.W.A.K.

Comment by Marsha — August 20, 2009 #
Wow this is so pretty – what a way to dress up those cute little chairs – hey I love the bowl of baseballs on the table – way cool Ms. Thimbleanna, way cool. Your embroidery always inspires me to drag out my machine and dabble a bit, then I wake up and know it won’t happen, lol

Your quilt looks darling tucked into that corner. What a cute design

Hugs – mrs. Farmhouse

Comment by Karen — August 20, 2009 #
Love everything… wish it all was mine…:o)))

Comment by Stina — August 20, 2009 #
WOW! I LOVE those monogram backed chairs! WOW! You are something else, Thimbleanna! I am very impressed.

I agree, that quilt DOES look so cute up there under the “She likes to nap” sign, LOL! Adorable! :)

Comment by tattingchic — August 20, 2009 #
Cute Cute…My dream is to someday have an embroidery machine…sigh…someday.

Comment by Judy — August 20, 2009 #
I love the fabric and thread choice…so cute. And what an adorable set you have, no wonder she wanted to duplicate it. I know what you mean, once you say you sew everyone has some mending for you to do or some curtains they’d like sewn. I always just say that I have a hard time sewing straight and would hate to have their curtains lopsided, but they were welcome to cut them, pin them, bring them over and I would supervise them using the machine, and then I guess-timate how much that much fabric would cost. IT works everytime, no one ever takes me up on that…they just go buy some.

Comment by Dandelion Quilts — August 20, 2009 #
Clever CLEVER you! I love gingham. I’d never heard of an ice cream set – you’ve taught me something today. How pretty it is!

Comment by Emma — August 20, 2009 #
I love how embroidery machines can sew when you’re not at the machine. I need a stove that can do that. Not a stove that can sew, but a stove that will cook a delicious dinner while I’m not there. LOL!

Love the pink embroidery on the black and white. Too cute.

Take care,
Cassie

Comment by Cassie — August 20, 2009 #
Anna, You are one talented lady- The embroidery machines all look so complicated to me – Your letters on the ice cream set look great. Toni’s quilt is sweet and perfect hanging there.
Hope you have a great weekend..
Warmest regards,
Anna

Comment by quiltmom( Anna) — August 20, 2009 #
The monogram is gorgeous! And I really like Toni’s wallhanging– it does looks great on the sun porch. I love to nap, too.

I hope you don’t mind, but I posted your picture of the kielbasa and veggie packets on my blog today along with a link to your recipe.

Comment by Stacy — August 20, 2009 #
So pretty Anna–both yours and your friends!

(I also like to nap. A lot!)

XO

Comment by Jill — August 20, 2009 #
What a lovely outdoor setting. My favorite is the baseballs in the bowl! So inventive. Of course.

I know from friends that have embroidery machines that just because you have a machine doesn’t mean it isn’t work. It is! And it uses a lot of thread. This is just darling on her fabric, too. Cute stuff Anna.

Comment by nanette — August 20, 2009 #
Your embroidery work looks wonderful Anna, you are a kind friend, I like the baseballs too, what a cute idea. We attended a lot of games watching our son, it was fun!

Comment by Shawn ; ) — August 20, 2009 #
I love it Anna, I can see why your friend would want you to duplicate it!

Comment by Penny — August 20, 2009 #
so pretty!! i farm all my embroidery needs out onto my mom!!

Comment by jaybird — August 20, 2009 #
love those ice creams chairs…and our embroidery looks great

Comment by pamela — August 21, 2009 #
Very pretty – though I’d never have known an “ice cream set” meant chairs and a table!

Comment by K — August 21, 2009 #
What a lovely idea! Your friend’s daughter will be delighted! Lucy x

Comment by Lucy Locket-Pocket — August 21, 2009 #
Your little corner there is so cute! I LOVE your chairs. And your monogramming is so darn pretty. I have to admit that I’m a little frightened of my embroidery module. Sometimes I catch a glimps of it and quickly turn away… And I also LOVE your new apron! It’s so adorable and the fabric is perfect. And last but not least…’you’ on the lawnmower is SO funny! But don’t you think that SW1 and I should be riding along in a sidecar? x

Comment by AnyoneCanQuilt — August 21, 2009 #
You are so very talented! The monogram is wonderful! I love visiting your blog, you do such amazing things.

Comment by Paula — August 21, 2009 #
Oh, wow, I love this–every single little thing you said. Now I’m envisioning embroidering everything in sight at my house. However, I don’t have a sewing machine that embroiders but am hoping to get one at Christmas if I can just make a decision as what machine to buy that doesn’t my involve my having to sacrifice my children or grandchildren for the expense.

Comment by Junie Moon — August 21, 2009 #
Oh my gosh I LOVE it !!!! Clarice

Comment by clarice — August 21, 2009 #
The ice cream set and quilt make about the coziest scene I could imagine. I’d like to come over and have a sit and enjoy a nice, chilly glass of ice tea…and knit a little

Comment by Caroline — August 21, 2009 #
Oh I love the monogrammed chairs, and the bowl of baseballs!! “No” is a really handy word to be able to use. I’m like you, when I was younger I had hard time with it and was always too busy. Then when I started having kids I realized I was going to have to choose between time with them and time doing what other people wanted me to do. I have never regretted a single “no”.

Comment by Tammy — August 21, 2009 #
Gorgeous work!

Comment by Karen — August 22, 2009 #
Hi Anna! It’s so lovely to be back and to read your gorgeous blog again. As always, it’s an inspiration! I can’t believe that your porch actually looks like that. It’s so stunning it belongs in a magazine! Gorgeous embroidery, too. I have my embroidery machine waiting for me at home, and I have yet to play with it- I’m a bit intimidated! But looking at how simple and stylish your design is might just be the push I need :-) Thanks for sharing!

Comment by Sandra @ Pepperberrya & Co. — August 22, 2009 #
All these good things I have been missing on your blog!! I am tardy with my reading lately. But, I did have my son staying, & we all know how good that is…!!!

Comment by meggie — August 22, 2009 #
I’d love to sit on those fancy chairs and have ice cream with you. Beautiful Miss Thimble.

Jody

Comment by Jody — August 23, 2009 #
I love this embroidery! That hot pink on that damask pattern is wonderful. I’ll have to keep that combination in mind.

Comment by Lisa @celebrate CREATIVITY — August 24, 2009 #
FYI, I just e-mailed you and it bounced back twice with a message that your mailbox is full.

Sorry to leave the message here in your comment section but no way to e-mail you directly.

Comment by Lisa @celebrate CREATIVITY — August 24, 2009 #
i LOVE your chairs!!!

Comment by amandajean — September 4, 2009 #
I too adore Embroidery Arts fonts. Thanks for the encouragement to try them really large. I’ve been wanting to do a shower curtain but wasn’t sure I could enlarge it that much. Lovely work.

Comment by Jane Ann — September 5, 2009 #