Embroidering ideas for non-embroiderer?
 

I'm making a quilt for my daughter and want to figure out how to add some meaningful/sentimental words and lines of text to the backing. The sandwich is basted but not yet quilted. I want the text to be pretty small, so you have to look close to see/read it.

I only have a straight-stitch Juki (and a Janome Magnolia with 18 stitch choices, but no embroidery options).

I'm neither good nor fast at embroidery by hand, but perhaps this is my only option.
Any other ideas or suggestions about how I might be able to accomplish this?

Thanks !

Do you have a friend with an embroidery machine? Maybe that person would be willing to do a label size piece for you. My friend and I are always doing for each other. I would be happy to do it for you if you want to let me know what you want. You could send me a PM.

Hand written label, with a fabric permanent pen. Use freezer paper on the back to stabilize it while writing.

Quiltingcandy, thank you so much for the generous offer! Above and beyond! Fortunately for you, though(;-), I think it would be too much to ask -- I have more to embroider than would fit/work on labels!

I'm picturing doing something like small lines of text running irregularly (non-symmetrically) around/near the 4 sides of the quilt. Maybe freezer paper would assist me ...??

Maggie Sue, I've read about using freezer paper in the past, but not quite clear about it. Could I use such a technique directly on the quilt back (not on a label) somehow?

Could you find a font you like, print it, and somehow transfer it to the fabric? I'll bet you could do a backstitch, and it might be relaxing to do. If you're really old like me, you probably stitched over designs printed on a pillowcase as a kid.

hugs,
Charlotte

Charlotte that sounds like a good approach for me -- thanks. Only problem is that I don't know of a good way to transfer the desired text/font onto the backing fabric -- I want to embroider directly onto the backing fabric, not onto a label etc. Mmmmmm .....

If the sandwich is already basted, how would you embroider on just the backing unless you do the embroidery by hand?

Prism99, it's pin-basted, so I could just pull them out if I find a way to machine embroider. If I end up doing it by hand, I will probably quilt it first and then embroider the backing, being careful not to allow the needle to pierce the front as I go.

I have a friend who writes the words (sometimes using a stencil; sometimes not) on her quilt top in non-permanent ink and then simply stitches them. The effect is almost the same as embroidery.

Sushi, do you mean she straight-stitches them with FMQ? I'm not good at that yet!

I have done some pretty small fonts on my embroidery machine, so don't get discouraged about putting it all on one label. I use Bernina embroidery software, and there are special fonts that look like running stitches for tiny lettering. Most of her software types have something similar. I like to use the backing fabric for my label, embroider in a similar thread, then hand apply it to the backing after quilting. Subtle, but visible if you look.

Pam

Thanks, CanoePam -- sounds like a nice option!

If you print out on paper you can then use a light box to trace over the print onto the fabric then back stitch the way you do with iron on embroidery

I use the June Tailor sew-in sheets and my ink jet printer for my quilting labels. I just type out what I want using the desired font then place the fabric sheets in my printer section where the paper goes and print it out. I also use my Print Shop program to make cute designs for the labels. This could work for you if you want to write several things on the back, but I'm not sure how it would look going around the backing like a border so to speak, since it is a fabric sheet. I have not tried this method but I think others have, to use fabric backed with freezer paper and run through their printers. This method might be used as a border on the backing. Otherwise I'm with others on suggesting some one to embroidery it for you or use a permanent marker and write it on the fabric. Good luck!

If YOU are quilting it, why not quilt your text into the borders from the front in a matching color using cursive? From a distance the design will blend, but if you tell your daughter, she will be able to see and read it with a closer look. It will also be in your own handwriting, which will make it so much more special.

I love that idea, EmiliasNana, but I don't know how I'd accomplish it. Do you mean just quilting/stitching in lines to follow pre-marked text drawn on on the quilt? I have a lot of text to get on the quilt, and I'm not yet an expert quilter (or even straight-line maker!), so this sounds a bit beyond me. But maybe I'm not understanding what you mean?

You can print on fabric using your computer and printer. I've done this many times. Be sure to read up on it before trying it out.