Machine Embroidery-Quilting
 

I just spent the best two days at a John Deer 'Adorable Ideas' workshop. I bought some amazing embroidery blocks that can be used in quilts. Anyone with an embroidery machine needs to go to these workshops. And bring a big, fat roll of money. I can't wait to start putting things together!

I am going to an embroidery seminar at the end of May. I hear you on bringing the pocket book. I am getting excited!

Good for you. I hear so many times that people have gotten an embroidery machine and it intimidated them and then it sat for years. That's such a waste. I got mine in last fall and made myself a promise not to let that part of the machine sit still. I get free monthly classes at the LQS where I bought my machine and I'm always looking for more things to learn. The teacher at the LQS is always thinking of new things to use different skills with. The one thing that I'm so lucky with is she's really been developing lessons to use the cutwork needle feature of my machine and I love it. This month she's having a special class just for that; a table runner with cutwork roses in the center. Then for our month club we are making beach bags using the mesh and canvas and embroidery and possible the applique embroidery. She has us bring designs we like but normally always has more for us to look at. That is good because my mind hasn't learned to think outside the box yet and be creative. Then the following week the "educator" from Viking is coming to the LQS and we'll install the 5D software on our pcs and she'll teach us so many things we can do with it and our machines. Now, I can't afford to buy the software yet but they'll still install it and let us play and learn more techniques. I get so excited for anyone who keeps on learning even though it's frustrating at times. Like last night when I'm trying to do my daughter's Mothers Day present and it does great for a few hours then the thread keeps breaking. Finally, I just stop and go to bed. I try to do a little this morning and the needle (a new one) breaks. That was a sign to go to work and start all over again tonight. I love the whole process. Good luck to you with your new designs. I just ordered the tractor ABC designs online and they remind me of John Deer when I see them. I'm going to use them in a quilt for my grandson; or a wall hanging.

I'm glad to hear of another John Deer enthusiast! I go to his event every year in Tucson, and I learn new things every year! I joined his embroidery club the first year and downloaded 1200 designs that I'm still using - mainly for quilting.

I was one of those who took awhile to get going on embroidery. Now I love it, love it, love it. I didn't set out to buy one, but I found a great deal on a used Bernina and it had the optional embroidery module included. First, I only made quilt labels, then towels and t-shirts. Now, the project I am planning is to embroider some Laurel Burch designs on solid black, and use them in a quilt made with my carefully hoarded Laurel Burch fabrics. I found the older OOP design collection on eBay and was excited to have them coordinate with the fabrics I had collected. I also took a class on quilting with my embroidery module, hooping the quilt sandwich without stablilzer. I did a table runner with 2 hoopings per block (my hoop is 6" x 10"), and was quite happy with it.

I just got my 1200 points. What an awesome design site. I bought the quilting designs also. I would def. go again.

I am sold on a new product from Hoop Sisters called Battlizer! Batting and stabilizer together in one. Just hoop it and sew!

I take classes, also. I love to learn about new ideas and products. I have 5D software and took a class on using it.

I would love to have the 5D software, or any full set 3D or 4D to start would also work. I have to wait probably another 6mos so my machine will be paid down enough to buy 5D. This month though the Viking educator is coming to my dealers LQS and for a small fee of $10 we get to take classes on using 5D. They'll install it for the day and give us a dongle to use and teach us the great things that we can do with it. I'm really excited because even though I can't buy it right now that is the best education and for a small fee. When I do get it I'll take advantage of the classes for it at my LQS. I love to learn about the things I'm doing so that it'll make my life easier in the long run.

Hi, just wondering about the John Deer workshop you went to. I am new to the embroidery machine as well an am looking for different workshops to expand my hoizons. Can you tell me is there a site where you can find all these workshops for all the different parts of the country?
Thanks for your help