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Sunday, December 22, 2013

Not for the true to heart!



When I stumbled on this wonderful pattern "Vintage Tin" from Crabapple Hill, I knew I had to make it for someone special for Christmas. Now my big issue, was there was no where near enough time to get it done, by the time I found the pattern!   What to do, What to do??

Hummm... free motion quilting, I have always loved that. Wonder if I could just free motion stitch the design.

 
I picked up a great tip awhile back.  By cutting  a dissoluble stabilizer in sheets that would fit thru my printer, I could actually scan and print the design directly onto it, saving myself from having to trace the design out. Adhering it to the front of my fabric allows me to stitch just like normal. The added plus is that it gives you extra stability, so hooping really isn't necessary. Once it's all done, a quick soak in water makes all the stabilizer disappear. That is just about the greatest tip, I have ever used. Not only a time saver, but I don't have to worry about mis-tracing anything. :-)
 
 
I did use a heavy quilting thread for my top thread, so it would show up better, since I was not going to be hand embroidering it.  I do a lot of jumping around. It's much easier for me to trim out of the jump threads, than stop and start all the time.
 


 
Here are some of the blocks...


                   You can see that it isn't quite the same as hand embroidery...


                                But it certainly is an option that works!


                                 Especially if you are in a real time crunch!


I do love the detail of this pattern. So many little things that any car guy would pick up on, for sure!
:-)
 
 
                                        Lots of fun things for the guys
                                   and a great stash buster for the quilter!
                                          Can there be a better combo?

 
And to top it all off, this fun little label is included with the pattern.
 
Too fun!
 
I put this on my longarm once it was done and ran a simple little pantograph over it all.
 
It's not for the purest for sure, but in a pinch, it worked out well.
 
Thank goodness, my guys are not connoisseurs, they wouldn't notice or appreciate all the hand work that went into it anyway!   LOL!!
 
Let the holidays begin.
Wishing you all the very Merriest of Christmas's and a Happy New Year!
 
 
 

16 comments:

  1. Love it! You did a great job and it is done!!! Thanks for the tip about dissoluble stabilizer - I've never thought to use it and if I can put it thru my printer, it will be great! Merry Christmas! ~Jeanne

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  2. That's brilliant!!! I have looked at that pattern so many times for my brother who is a mechanic and LOVES old cars but haven't wanted to invest all the time involved in doing it by hand. Thank you for sharing! Off to buy that pattern now. :)

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  3. I think it was a real brain storm to do it like this. I love it!!

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  4. What a great idea. So cute. Still a lot of work though.

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  5. Wonderful! Your stitching is amazing. What a great job you did.

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  6. What a great idea that was. You are right, they probably wouldn't have appreciated the hand work but they would appreciate the designs with all of that detail. Wonderful gift. have a very Merry.

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  7. I have loved this pattern ever since I first saw it but knew it was a big commitment I wasn't ready for. That's a splendid idea to use your sewing machine and you did a fabulous job! Did you know that Sulky actually makes a product called "Sticky Fabri-Solvy"? It comes in a package of 8 1/2 x 11 inch size sheets. It's ready for the printer and then you peel off the backing and stick it down. The project I'm working on was too large for one sheet so I did 2 portions and it worked just fine. I did find that it wanted to curl up around the edges so I just basted it down by machine. It's a great product.

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  8. I think it is brilliant! Great tips and I totally agree...when gifting a project most people have no idea what is involved...even when the stitching is all done my machine...guided by your hands and not a computer!

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  9. love this...share share - what quilting thread did you use for the embroidery blocks. Merry Christmas from Oklahoma, USA. crystalbluern at onlineok dot com

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  10. I love that idea!! I make my quilts to be used and loved as well. Isn't that what makes it all worth while:)

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  11. Oh, and MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU too!!!!

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  12. I love it and want that pattern..too cute! The stitching looks great to me! Merry Christmas to you and your family

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  13. I can't believe my eyes! What great stitching--and marvelous idea. Those patterns are always the best.

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  14. That was a great idea and it turned out fantastic.

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  15. I have this pattern/kit and have promised myself to start it in the new year. :) blessings, marlene

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  16. This is really great! I had not thought of using the machine that way. It works so well and looks great. I may have to stop my hand embroidery in favour of this!!! :)

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Thanks for stopping by today. Your comments really do make me day!
;-)