Sample this!

In my travels as an Educator it seems I am always coming up with a sample or two of a technique or an embroidery pattern. On my last trip to Niagara Falls, my sample suitcase was larger than my travel suitcase! My good friend and fellow Educator Lynn Swanson and I were quite the sight; each navigating two full size suitcases, carry-on luggage (gotta have the laptop) and purses through the airports and hotel lobbies. More than once we got stuck trying to cram our luggage and ourselves onto an elevator! I don’t think it occurred to either of us to take separate elevators, we just crammed everything into one. Needless to say, laughter is a big part of our bond.

Some of the samples I haul around include a framed photo stitch, a jean jacket & skirt, vests, kid clothes, tote bags, placemats, towels, sewing kit and accessories… you get the picture. My ‘aha moment’ (thanks Oprah) came when I decided to create a sample book to try and get better organized and at the same time, cut down on the bulk.

One of my samples is a wonderful flower featured on the new Laura Ashley Limited Edition Isodore™ Innov-is 5000, sewing, quilting and embroidery machine. It is such a beautiful design I thought I would share it.

 I have been machine embroidering for over 12 years now and I still find myself in awe when I am stitching out a design like this for the first time. If you have never seen a design unfold, it’s neat to see the progress. 

The first picture shows the flower in the beginning stages. Of course I didn’t think to start taking pictures until it had stitched for a long time. This design took a total of 3 hours to stitch out.

The centre of the design shows the underlay stitching. Underlay acts like a skeleton in an embroidery design.  It is the support and foundation of a design and provides stability to maintain design integrity. These stitches are laid down before the upper decorative stitches and are much lighter in coverage.

As more color and detail is added, the design begins to take shape.

 Getting there… Just a few thousand stitches left to go…

Voila! 

Sew till the next time...