Saturday, September 8, 2012

Digitizing Machine Embroidery Designs


While I'm usually sewing, not using the embroidery features of my machines, every once in awhile the "need" to paint something with thread raises its beautiful head.  Sometimes (like today) it's because I have gifts I want to get ready, but other times taking a drawing and turning it into stitches just fits my mood to create.  I've actually combined them today, because I digitized both the designs on the burp rags seen in this post.

I love using the Gerber flannel burp rags that I can find at Target or WalMart.  They are a great weight, are absorbent, and I can find them in pinks, blues, yellows and prints for boy, girl, or "we don't know yet" babies.  I've been making these for several years to give as gifts, and some of my daughter's friends who are expecting their second babies are asking for them again.  I like to wait till the baby is here so I can add the name, which makes it a special gift.

I did some commercial digitizing several years ago, and this lamb was one of the designs I digitized from a client's artwork, and she then sold sets to quilt stores.  Unfortunately she's gone out of business.  The teddies I do are an act of love because the detail found in the drawings takes a lot of time to work up, but the results are exquisite.  I have always loved teddy bears, and the out-of-print Cherished Teddies book has given me hours of digitizing pleasure.