I Want to Make a Quilt With Embroidered Squares
 

I have a combo sewing/embroidery machine and very seldom use the embroidery. I would like to make some squares to put into a quilt and I'm not sure how to go about doing it.

I have done one that was very simple. Putting embroidery blocks together with focus fabric blocks. When you do your embroidery make sure your backing blocks are oversized and then you can cut them down to size once embroidered. Embroidering tends to pull your backing, even if it is very tightly hooped. Here is the link to mine;
http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...h-t209838.html

My favorite is a triple irish chain, with the squares finishing at 1-1/2". On the alternate block, the center square finishes at 7-1/2", which is the perfect size to do embroidery (my embroidery hoop is 5x7"). I cut the center block at 8-1/2 inches; after the embroidery is done, I trim it to 8", so it finishes at 7-1/2".

I love to put embroidered flowers in the blocks (from Embroidery Library), and I'm currently working on one using their flowers of the Bible blocks.

I recently made a baby quilt with nursing rhymes (from DesignsbySick); the center blocks were white, with colorful sashing and a colorful backing. I love combining embroidery with my quilting!

Stabilizer For Quilt Blocks
 

I'm going to attempt to make a quilt block with machine embroidery. What type of stabilizer should I use? Do I add fabric behind the stabilizer?

I use Floriani Stitch N Wash Fusible water souluble tear away. You can also float some under your piece if needed.

don't know exactly what you want to do but I made several baby quilts from this site I love the open vintage hand look designs and she is having a sale right now and her designs stitch out this is one of my favorites make sure your machine accepts the size hope this helps here is a link http://www.wattsemb.com/22_bedtime_prayer.htm

Pick embroidery designs that complements the focus fabrics or theme of the quilt (don't be afraid to change colors to match your quilt fabrics) and embroider on some plain or solid color squares. Then trim down to the size of your blocks and use in place of other blocks in the quilt.

A friend recently had me embroider a set of corner blocks (8" finished) for a 25th anniversary quilt she was commissioned to make. One block was the recipient's name and her husband's with their wedding date. Another was their two kids' names and birthdates. Then, there was one with their two high schools (I looked up the mascots for each and did the initials and the mascot), and finally the logo for the university they both went to with a football. These were done on the small print that was a background fabric in the quilt. I used a heavyweight tear-away stabilizer stuck to the quilt fabric with temporary spray adhesive and hooped together to reduce puckering. My friend removed the stabilizer and used them as regular blocks.

I have one in the planning stages to use some Laurel Burch fabric I've been hoarding. It is some of the prints that have dogs. I have a set of embroidery design of her dogs that I am going to embroider on black and use as blocks with the fabrics. I am going to use a free quilt pattern that came out with one of her jungle fabrics line and adapt it to use the embroidered dog blocks.

Have fun with it.

Hi Ellie, am I correct in feeling youre not sure where to start? You might like to check out jennyhaskins .com. She sells books on quilt projects using machine embroidery, and includes a cd with designs and full instructions. Just be sure the designs cater for your size hoop. Everything is explained about what products to use and how to position designs on the block. If you're in USA, I believe RNK [Distributers or Publishing] sells her products. There were also downloadable videos - free - if still available, grab them. This is a whole new world of sewing to explore. Enjoy

For starters you could try stitching designs onto 9 or 10" squares of fabric, then sew together alternating with a pieced or floral block the same size. You do need to hoop a stabiliser behind your fabric, to stop puckering, and can also use batting instead. I've even used A4 copy paper. Must use a fine thread in the bobbin. I find the polyester used on pre-wound bobbins is great. You are welcome to PM me if you like.

If you go to Quilterscache.com - look in A's - look for Album Star. She gives the pattern and also peoples quilts. Look for mine under Judi's This was raggedy ann"s for a friends niece's baby. It turned out so cute. Designs from Hatched in Africa.