How cute are these little toadstools? Look at all the quilting and stitched details on this block – from the background filled with butterflies to the toadstool spots to the glittery butterfly wings! This block and the ones below are going to be stitched together for a Spring Showers quilt.
If you have an embroidery machine, you can purchase background designs and project patterns which include in-the-hoop designs. I have used ones from the Kimberbell company, but there are other options. This is probably not new to many of you, but I have just started sewing again, so I am learning about so many products and techniques that I have never tried before.
You can choose block-by-block quilting or all-over quilting designs for larger quilted projects from table runners to full-sized quilts. You have so many options – from lady bugs to airplanes to bunnies to seasonal designs to geometric designs. Most designs have an instant download option, so you download the files onto your computer and then move them to a thumb drive, which goes into your embroidery machine. Some machines will hook right up to your computer to access the files.
This “puddle” has a fun rain drop quilting background design, then you add a layer of Mylar that is stitched with a design, then topped with a layer of light turquoise vinyl. How creative!
I think my favorite is the bee’s wings! These are made by stitching layers of tulle and Mylar together, not really quilted, just too cute not to include! One set is stitched flat and then an extra set is added to the top to add dimension.
Here are two rows of my Spring Showers quilt stitched together. I am taking a Kimberbell class at Missouri Sewing Machine Company in Kansas City to make this quilt. Emily Buck is the instructor at the downtown store and she does an amazing job!!!! It is such a fun class – and I have learned so much from her and the other ladies in the class.
If you want to learn more about machine quilting on an embroidery machine, a good place to start is the Kimberbell website. Also check out their Clear Blue Tiles, which are used when you want to quilt a larger design and their Orange Pop Rulers, which are used to help you cut all your blocks the exact size that you want. So many “toys” – so much fun to experiment!
Happy Quilting!
