TEMPLATES are here (no more having to make your own)!!!

Yeah...look what is available now. They're here!

Etsy Shoppe
Embroidery Stitch Templates

I'm so excited! For the past few months, Janet of Creative Impressions and I have been working on the production/distribution of a new set of Embroidery Stitch Templates.

Yesterday, a case landed on my doorstep....thank you UPS guy!

So, I've loaded all of the information into my Etsy Shoppe (link above)...and these are available now for all of my followers and students (and their friends).

The set comes flat and is about the size of a booklet...so ships in a plain shipping envelope for minimal cost.

There are 5 pages of transparent, flexible plastic template sheets.

While they can be used just as is...my recommendation is to cut these apart into individual seam/motif templates. I've included dashed lines between so you can easily see where to cut them apart. A pair of utility scissors or a rotary cutter/mat is all you need.

I just cut these apart by scoring with my rotary cuter and then folding/snapping them apart. In this photo you can see some of the Straight Stitch Templates and some of the unique Motif Templates like the starts, flowers, hearts, etc.

Each individual template has the "type" of stitch base the template is for. You can see the actual seam marked on the template, and there will be little "holes" punched where each needle-up/needle-down position would be for that size/type of embroidery stitch seam.

Each individual template also has a single slightly larger hole punched out near the end...and the entire set (which took me about 5 minutes to cut apart) can be easily organized by placing on a key ring (like my Mrs. Owl here)...or tied together with cording/ribbon, etc.

The templates are clear so you can easily line them up along your seams for crazy quilt blocks...or even use them to mark hand embroidery on other projects!

If you have taken one of my free crazy quilt classes, or purchased any of my books...you have already gotten a short lesson on how to use this type of template. But, if you have not done either of these...here's a little recap for you:

USING TEMPLATES TO MARK CQ SEAMS:

1) Determine what embroidery template you would like to use and then place it on top of your finished fabric crazy quilt block...along a seam.

For the photo above, I'm using the #4 Herringbone Stitch base template and aligning the short "X" stitches top along the sewn seam line (see the arrow).

2) Use your pencil to place a "dot" in each of the holes. (I do this by placing the tip of the pencil into a hole...then "push down & twist"...but can't show that and hold the camera and push the shutter button with only two hands).

It is important to remember to hold the template steady...and push down hard enough to leave a dot. I like to lay my block on the table (or other hard surface) to mark my seams...then hoop the block to do the stitching.

3) The result is a series of little "dots" marking where the needle up/down placements are for this specific stitch (herringbone in this example).

Now, you do need to still know how to create a herringbone stitch...but the template also includes the photo of the actual finished stitching...so that can help guide you....

as you actually create the seam.

Continue to embroider the base seam following the little dots...until the entire seam is finished.

If your seam is longer than the template, just mark...then slide the template along the seam (aligning with the previous marked "dots"), and continue until you reach the end of the seam.

This completes the basic seam.

However, you can also continue using the "motif" templates to add even more stitching to a BASE SEAM.

4) Just align a motif template (here we're using the 5-prong template) wherever you might want that embroidery object to appear. For this example, we'll add several of these 5-prongs to one side of the seam...spacing them along the seam design.

The template shows the straight stitches for the 5-prong...(see arrow, hard to see in this photo).

These are marked in the same way...with "dots" in the little holes of the template.

Then, embroider as the design shows (usually using simple Straight Stitches) to create the motifs. In this example, I've added a series of these 5-prongs down one side of the base herringbone seam.

The seam is fine as is...and would be great on a traditional style crazy quilt or even as an adornment on the border of a traditional quilt.

BUT, we can keep adding "layers" of embellishment to make it more modern.

This photo shows the addition of small seed beads to the 5-prong motif elements; and round beads to some of the herringbone base stitches, plus glass flower spacer beads with seed bead centers to the base of the 5-prong elements.

This photo shows more layers...a trio of Fargo Roses in silk ribbon, with Detached Chain Stitch leaves on the opposite side of the seam from the 5-prong elements.

Lastly, the finished seam now includes some crystal montee slides between the Fargo Roses.

So, I hope you can appreciate that a complex looking seam...is really just a simple BASE SEAM with layers of other embellishing. That base seam...is neat, straight, and uniformly space because we marked the needle-up/down positions of the embroidery using a template.

Templates are available at my Etsy Shoppe and at Janet's Creative Impressions site (as soon as she can get the photo loaded). She also has other crafting, scrapbooking, and embellishing supplies...so I hope you will check her site out EVEN if you choose to get the templates from my Etsy Shoppe.

Hugs (as always)...Kathy

Templates at work...

I spent a little time this afternoon making more templates...using the grid system I posted about last week. I  did punch out an entire grid with my large needle...and it took a while. I also used my 1/16 hole punch and punched out just a few "individual" seam template base ideas...cretan, holbein, herringbone, running stitch, etc. and they took far less time! More printing of the grids on vellum...but far easier to punch out.   Actually, I'm really surprised that I can even see the holes...as I'm that tired. Sommer and Aidan stopped by late yesterday afternoon. And, Sommer was so tired...she fell asleep across the end of my bed. At 8:00 p.m. I still didn't have the heart to wake her...but had too. I was worried about them driving home, and convinced her to just spend the night...and get up really early to drive back home and get Aidan on the school bus this morning. There were clothes still here for Aidan...so getting dressed this morning was no problem.   Sommer agreed, and immediately went right back to sleep...and I put Aidan to bed around 9:00 p.m. Then, around 10:30 p.m. I decided it was time for me to turn in too. So, I crawled into bed. Now, my bedroom is the only bedroom in this apartment...but is big. It has my double bed and Aidan's single bed in the same large space. After about 20 minutes...and I was just almost asleep...Aidan starts snoring. And, I mean SNORING. Her mother never moved or woke up...being dead asleep herself.    ME...another story all together!  I tried getting her to turn over. Nope, no help...I tried a pillow over my head...Nope, no help. Finally, around midnight I just gave up...and got up. No sleep, so I got on the laptop and got some design work done. At 5:00 a.m. I was in the kitchen making oatmeal....and sure did need my two cups of coffee at 8:30 a.m. when mother was awake down stairs at her house!    I've got my second wind now...a burst of energy...but, figure it won't last a whole lot longer! I should sleep like a baby....a snoring baby...tonight!   Hugs! Hope you all get a good night's sleep tonight too! p.s. If you send me something today/tonight and my response does not make sense...then, I'm asleep...so you're really talking to my muse! Hey, that might be a better conversation come to think of it!

New Grid Templates Available for Free

 

  I'm working on a new grid template idea, for making more elaborate seam designs that are based on a simple grid. So far, there is a set of four templates based on two types of grid. Accompanying the template sheet is a set of worksheets that can be printed for "doodling" your own seams.    Then, use the template to mark the corresponding "holes" based on the grid you have chosen. Complete instructions are in this pdf file...and I'd like to see what your thoughts are when you use these.    Here's how the above seam looks using this new grid template:  

  This is similiar to how you would stitch on a papercard...without the card, but with "pencil dots" to mark where the appropriate holes are for your needle placement. I'm interested in your feedback after you try these templates. Thank you.  

FFT#22 - Cathy's Block Started

The first part of the week, I put some more stitches on Cathy's block for the FFT#22, round robin at CQI. I love her base block...made from men's suit fabrics. So much texture...and keeping the base colors to gray, black, and neutral was a great idea. The block includes two huge fans...one of which has already been stitched beautifully by Diane. So, of course, I chose the second one to work on. Starting with a couched down cord (five rows actually) and some lace leaves...to which I have added silk ribbon flowers. Next, a few beads.

 But, let's start on some of the other seams first... Here is how I mark on dark fabrics. The stem stitch is already finished on the little vine...but you can see my shapes of the leaves to go down next. I use part of an address label, draw my leaf, cut it out...and use it to trace my leaves down on the fabric with my Quilter's Rule Chalk Pencil (love this pencil!)  Next, using the Fly Stitch...I finish stitching the leaves.

 Okay, these are all done...so, let's move to the next seam. Here are the dots for the basic zigzag...

and then...some five point straight stitch shapes.

Love this chalk pencil...you can easily see the marks. And after stitching, the chalk marks are almost worn off...

and a quick spot rub with the corner of a damp cloth...and they are all gone!

I'd love to find more of this pencil...but have had it for years...and am no longer living next to that quilt shop (or any quilt shop)...so I'll have to go searching the internet. If y'all find it...please let me know...thanks!

TDiTM Stitch #130

This stitch continues the herringbone base stitch...and is simple to execute.

The templates help keep the stitch base straight and neat...although, I'm sure some of ya'll are much better at embroidery than me...and could do this without the templates. Perhaps, one day...I can too...but right now, they help me out immensely.

Make your own graph paper...and templates!

Here's a really great site for making your own graph paper. Then you can doodle and create your own stitch templates!

Remember to draw dots every location your needle enters the cloth!

Go to the site...scroll down and select the type of grid you desire...square, circular, dot, etc. Then download the pdf file to your computer for future use. Print...and start doodling!

So, check out all the different types!  

You can control the size of the grid also...by changing the number of lines to the inch.

Herringbone Template

I have the next twenty stitches sketched for the TDITM; but have to find time to stitch some before posting them.

This next series will be for the Herringbone Stitch. So, if you don't have a template for that yet, here's a photo to get you started. You can save the photo above, and paste it into any type of document. Then just drag the corner to change the size to something in the scale you enjoy stitching.

Paste it more than once, and change the sizes to have a page full of different herringbone templates.

If you print your document on clear acetate (or take the document to the local Office store and ask they to copy it on to a clear transparency) you will have a sheet of templates. Cut them apart. Use a 1/16th inch hole punch and punch where the "dots" are in the stitch and you will have a stitch guide for the base of these upcoming stitches.

Stitch Templates

I've been posting about stitch templates since beginning the Twelve Dozen in Twelve Months (TDiTM) series of stitches. And, I have always had to direct readers to the free wiki site that has the files loaded...since it is not possible to upload pdf files directly to the blog.

However, through a handy tip about blogging...I have found you can upload any pdf file (that you don't mind being in the public domain) directly to Adobe and they will store it free of charge. And they provide you with a handy link code for you to re-insert into your blog so folks can find the file.

So, I thought I'd share a favorite template sheet of mine; and hope you enjoy working with these. The file takes a minute to load, so have patience. Then just print...copy to a transparent sheet (any copy place can do this...we used to call these "over-head projection sheets"). Cut the template into different strips so each stitch is it's own separate template. Punch out the little black "dots" so you have holes for your needle...and viola! Your own templates...and they are free!

Link: https://acrobat.com/#d=BI0Dlp1fzJb1IolnhEYoEw


Or just copy the image above, and paste in into any word or publishing or paint document. Re-size as you wish! Just, don't resale it as that would be against my copy write.


Of course, if you would prefer not to do all of this work...I will do it for you at a minimal cost...just send me a note. Or if you are on Facebook...just send a message to Shawkl Design Studio and we'll work out the details.

And, the CQ Wiki site has more of my free templates...just go back to the first posting about TDiTM to find out how to get to the site.

If you enjoy using templates for your stitching...you might want to do a web search because there are companies that do sell various templates. Primarily they are plastic sheets that have holes punched in them in various grid patterns. Most come with a booklet that shows you which holes to use for what type of stitches. These are good...and I own about five different types! However, I frankly don't use any of them...I don't have the time to "figure out" which hole every time I want to do a stitch...so, I created my own. I like seeing the triangle, or herringbone, or circle...etc. It makes it faster for me to pick up a template and "draw" some dots on my seams so I can stitch faster with great results. And, I don't mind sharing...which is why you get them free...if you don't mind doing a little of the work.

New Template

I just loaded the 4th template onto the CQ Wiki Site. It is free after you log in. Scroll down under the CQ Lessons and Info and select the templates folder.

Any/all of the template sheets can be printed onto clear velum. If you don't have velum, print them onto paper...and take that to any local office supply store that makes copies. Request a "transparency" to be made...they are less than $2 each...some places charge less than $1 each.

After you have your clear velum print or transparent copy. Cut the page into strips, allowing each of the individual template to be a single strip. Use a tiny (1/16th size) hole punch (available in the scrap booking section of any hobby store)...to punch out the marked holes. Each marked hole represents the "spot" for the needle to enter the cloth to create the templates' stitch.

This is an easy process...and a great time saver! It also produces uniform base stitches for this challenge...then follow along and stitch all of these combination of very basic seam treatments for your Crazy Quilt projects!

The templates are at http://crazyquilting.pbworks.com

TDiTM Template Loaded

Morning All!

The next few (dozen) stitches will be based on a circular shape...as I'm tired and bored of zigzags!! (And you probably are too!)

We'll still keep the basics the same...french knot, lazy daisy, straight, and chain stitches. So, if you can master these simple elements...you can do the entire 45 stitches I have already posted....and those scheduled to follow.

I'm considering some other stitches after we pass the first 10 dozen completed...but we'll just see how that goes!...nothing too radical however; cause this is supposed to be for us "newbies"...

You can get the new stitch template at http://crazyquilting.pbwiki.com

Just scroll down and find the Templates by Shawkl (Kathy) area...and click. Three templates are available that you can use for marking Crazy Quilt seams...

The site does require that you create a login/password....sorry, that's just how it works...but we don't do anything with the information. You'll just need to remember it to download files.

Look around while you're there...as there are great photos of CQ endeavors...and lessons...from us gals at the HGTV.com message boards. Heck, while you're at it...come on over to www.HGTV.com and say hello. You'll have to scroll down to the very bottom of the front page....on the left side "message boards" will be in a tiny box of "additional things" on their site. They have lot's of active message board topics...like gardening, decorating, etc...but we're under the "Crafts" category...and then "Needlework and Quilting".....

The templates files are pdf format, so all should be able to print them out. They fit standard size paper. Take the printed sheet to your local copier and have them create a transparency for you (or print them on transparent sheet if you have them)...Cut the "rows" of stitches out...then punch holes where the little black dots are. This will create seam templates you can use to mark your stitch base (circle, half circle, oval, zigzag, etc). Just lay the little plastic seam strip down, and use a regular #2 pencil to place a "dot" in each hole you punched. Voila!! Now you have a guide to stitch perfect seams!

Oh, and use a tiny hole punch...you can find them in the scrapbook section. Get the single hand held type...they're less than $10.

Now, I'm off to daycare for a little while...then, will try to get the first few of the half-circle base stitches loaded for you to try out!

Twelve Dozen Template

Well, it's almost a New Year! And I hope it will be a great one for all of us, the last one sure has been a roller coaster ride hasn't it!!

The Twelve Dozen in Twelve Months Challenge is about to be in full swing!...and already I'm having such fun...as I'm on the design for #14 today!!

You've seen the first stitch...so get cracking! Post your finished seam on the HGTV Message Board string for all to see!! Here's the link (www.hgtv.com) for those that are not yet members...but should be, cause it is about the best needlework forum out there! (Okay, I think it IS the best...but since I haven't been a member on ALL the others...I'll try and be PC about it) :)

I finished a template for the basic zigzag stitch yesterday...and posted the file on the CQ Wiki instructional site so you can down load it for use. It will help you produce uniform (vertical and horizontal) zigzag seams to use during this challenge...and it's free!! And, check the WIKI site out while you're there, it's full of crazy quilt tutorials!(www.crazyquilting.pbwiki.com)

The template zigzag stitches are proportioned correctly to match the designs I'll be posting. Otherwise, you might have a problem fitting all those lazy daisy or french knot stitches ...into a zigzag that has more vertical and less horizontal than the one I'm using. (Aaaaah...it would be wonderful to have more vertical and less horizontal, wouldn't it!...but there I go daydreaming again!)

There are five sizes on the template...and here's my recommendation for their use:

TINY - for doll quilts that you want to do CQ seams on
SMALL - for blocks 9" and less
MEDIUM - for blocks 9" to 14"
LARGE - for blocks over 14"
JUMBO - for circus tents

Of course, you can mix and match on the same CQ Block if you like...it would add some variety...and your eye will tell you if the scale is right or wrong. Remember, no rules here...this is your challenge, your work, your project, your pace.

Tomorrow, I'll post stitches 3 and 4.... :)

Later in the year, when I run out of "zigzag" ideas...and add another basic stitch...I'll create a template for that/those as well and post it to the Wiki site as well.

So, get ready...hang on, this crazy ride is about to leave the station!! Woo Hoo...all aboard!!