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4 FREE PROJECTS
Easy Holiday Embroidery

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4 FREE PROJECTS
Easy Holiday Embroidery

Table of Contents
Holidays are the perfect time to embroider and
sew something special for loved ones, friends and
co-workers. Use your embroidery machine to
make wonderful and personal gifts like the cheery
1 FESTIVE LINENS
Deb Yedziniak............................. pg 3
and festive holiday linens in “Festive Linens”.
Deck the halls and kitchen and every room in 2
Bead Dazzled
the house with fun embroidered linens that will Brenda Boudreau........................ pg 6
be happily received as a gift. “Bead Dazzled”
shows how to create one-of-a-kind scarves with 3
Treasure Bags
Jan Swanson............................... pg 10
beading to add sparkle to someone’s holiday.
Stitch the “Treasure Bags” for a young lady,
4
Catch A Ray
perfect for holding small treasures. These little Marlis Bennett.............................pg 13
bags are also perfect to hold jewelry or precious
buttons. Finally, “Catch A Ray” is the perfect
gift to give someone who lives faraway. These
pretty sun catchers will shine in a bright window
and will add a cheerful note to anyone’s day. All
the projects here are easy and fast to complete.
No one will believe that you spent such a short
time creating these sure to be treasured gifts.

Happy Holidays!

Jil l Case
Jill Case
Web Editor, CME

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Festive
linens
Deck the halls ... the kitchen, the bath and even the bedroom! These
quick-to-stitch festive linens will make great last-minute holiday delights!
T he holidays are made for gift giving. Purchase
blank linens to embroider and stitch up some
holiday cheer — the ideas are endless!
CHRISTMAS PLACEMATS embroidered with
a design and the names of the grandkids
HAND TOWELS for a guest bathroom
KITCHEN TOWELS with an ethnic theme
AN APRON for the cook
PERSONALIZED PILLOWCASE for a child
to dream on
Embroidery tips
•Select the designs according to a theme,
personalized name or special motif to fit the gift.
• Combine designs using your embroidery soft-
ware, on-screen customizing or multiple hoopings.
• Add visual interest to repeat motifs by changing
thread colors, or by rotating, increasing or
decreasing the size. For example, the snowflakes
32 Creative Machine Embroidery HOLIDAY 2002
By Deb Yedziniak
on our sample pillow and sheet designs are
used in different ways through size and thread
color changes.
• Before choosing a design location, consider how
the gift will be used. For example, a plate will
cover an embroidery design stitched in the center
of a placemat. Therefore, place embroidery
designs along the edges or in the corners for table
dressings such as placemats, tablecloths or
runners. If a runner is used on a buffet table
where only the front edge is visible, concentrate
the embroidered motifs along the front edge or
corners. Plan ahead to determine the most visible
location for the embroideries.
• Use a medium-weight cut-away stabilizer under
tightly woven linens. With very dense designs or for
lighter weight fabric, use two layers of stabilizer.
The cut-away stabilizer will keep the designs look-
ing good through repeated washings of the linens.
For terry towels or napped fabric use a layer of
water-soluble stabilizer or vinyl topper to keep the
stitches from sinking into the nap. Use a temporary
spray adhesive to secure the stabilizer to the fabric.
3
 Hand towels decorated for the
holidays make great hostess
gifts for the party circuit. Use
metallic thread to add sparkle.
Embroider the hostess’s name
for a personal touch.

Boring bedsheets? Sprinkle snowflakes

over sheets and pillowcases for your
own winter wonderland. Add other
embroidered accessories to tie the
room together.

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www.cmemag.com 33
FESTIVE LINENS

• Placing an item in the hoop may be tricky

when embroidering an edge or a corner. In
this case, hoop the stabilizer, place in a box
for protection and spray temporary adhesive.
Adhere the linen on top of it. In the hoop,
baste the item to the stabilizer and continue
with the embroidery. Or, use an adhesive
stabilizer.
• If the item is too thick, such as a thick
terry towel or a pot holder, then embroider
a design on a piece of complementary fabric
and stitch it on separately.
• Think of other uses for standard linens. For
example, thick napkins also make
great stuffed potholders for a table or
countertop.

Deborah Yedziniak is a designer and a

Husqvarna Viking educational consultant.

Dress up your kitchen for the holidays.

Placemats, potholders, tea towels and more
help add a festive flavor.

Snowflakes, holly & berries designs: Martha Pullen, Disk #1023

Ornaments and Christmas tree designs: Martha Pullen, Disk #1023
Pine trees and elf designs: Husqvarna Viking, Disk #38, designs 3 & 22
Lettering: Husqvarna Viking, Disk #100, Clarendon

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34 Creative Machine Embroidery HOLIDAY 2002
 Make any holiday project special with delicate beading.
Hand beading is simple to do and adds sparkle as well as

Bead
dimension to your embroidery.

By Brenda Boudreau

dazzled

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46 Creative Machine Embroidery HOLIDAY 2002
 A Pick up and string 20 beads
with beading needle.

Beading tips
j Use a hand beading needle and glass seed
beads. Both can be found in most fabric and
craft stores. Or, check your local yellow
pages to see if you have a bead store in
your area. A hand-beading needle is much
longer and thinner than a regular hand-
sewing needle to allow it to pass easily
through the hole in the bead.
k Glass seed beads are sold by weight or
in pre-packaged containers. They come in
a variety of colors and sizes. Be sure to Construction
purchase enough beads to finish your
k Cut a strip of fleece 8”x 55”. Note: This is
project. Some beads are not colorfast so
only a guideline as you can cut your scarf to
test-launder a sample to be sure.
any size desired.
k Beads can be difficult to iron over so
k Mark the design placement at one or both
consider a fabric that doesn’t require a lot
ends of the scarf.
of ironing, such as quilted fabric or fleece.
k Hoop the appropriate stabilizer, place in a
k A solid color fabric will showcase your
box for protection and spray with temporary
embroidery designs and beading better than
adhesive.
printed fabrics.
k Place the fleece right side up on top of the
k Stitch out your embroidery design and
hooped stabilizer where you wish to stitch
decide where the beads will best enhance
the design.
the design. For example, locate beads in the
middle of a flower, the veins of a leaf or in a k Lightly spray the water-soluble stabilizer
random pattern around the design. with temporary adhesive and place on top of
the hooped fleece. The use of a topper will
k Running thread through beeswax can help
prevent the design from sinking into the nap
prevent thread from tangling while beading.
of the fleece.
k Keep in mind the location of all seam
k Embroider the design.
allowances when beading a project that will
be sewn after the beading is complete. k Remove the hoop and tear or cut away

scarves
the excess stabilizer from the fabric.
k Thread the beading needle with 18”,
double-strand polyester thread. Run the
Supplies
thread through the beeswax.
⁄ yard of fleece
8 14

8 Cut- or tear-away stabilizer k Tie a knot in the thread and pass the
8 Water-soluble stabilizer threaded needle through the edge of the
8 Temporary spray adhesive scarf.
8 Embroidery and bobbin threads

8 Size 80/12 embroidery needle

8 Hand-beading needle
8 20 grams small glass seed beads
8 Polyester sewing thread to match fabric
8 Embroidery designs of your choice
8 Beeswax (optional)
k Pick up and string approximately 20 beads
with the beading needle (A).
k Pass the beading needle back and around
through all the bead holes except the last
one (the one furthest away from the fabric
edge) (B on page 48).

www.cmemag.com
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47
BEAD-DAZZLED

B Pass beading needle up

and through all bead holes
except last one.
k Tie a knot at the fabric edge to secure
the beads (C).
k Move the beading needle 1⁄2” along the fab-
ric edge and repeat the process.
k Add strands of beads every 1⁄2” until the
scarf edge is completely fringed.
k If desired, add a row of single beads to
the scarf long edges with a basting stitch
or a running stitch.
k Thread the beading needle with a double
strand of thread and knot the end. Run the
thread through beeswax.
k Thread the needle through the fabric
right side.
k Pick up a bead with the needle tip and
reinsert the needle close to the bead.
k Continue adding beads as desired,
leaving space for seam allowances.

placemats
k Construct the placemats according to
the pattern guidesheet.
Supplies
8 Placemat pattern of your choice
1 yard quilted, washable velveteen
napkin rings
Supplies
8

C Tie knot at fabric edge to (Makes four standard size placemats)

8 1 yard of cotton print for lining
⁄ yard moiré fabric
8 14
secure beads. (Makes four to six napkin rings)
8 Tear-away or cut-away stabilizer
8 1⁄ 4 yard of fusible interfacing
8 Water-soluble stabilizer
8 Tear-away stabilizer
8 Embroidery and bobbin threads
8 Embroidery needle
8 Embroidery needle
8 One 10”x13” sheet of plastic canvas
8 Temporary spray adhesive
8 Hand-beading needle
8 Hand-beading needle
8 4 grams of small glass seed beads
8 10 grams of medium-size glass
8 Polyester sewing threads to match fabric
seed beads 8 Pattern tracing cloth
8 Polyester sewing thread to match
8 Embroidery designs of your choice no
the fabric
8 Embroidery designs of your choice
larger than 1 1⁄ 2”x 3 1⁄ 2”
8 Beeswax (optional)
8 Beeswax (optional)

Construction
Construction
k Cut six to eight 8”x10” squares from the
k Cut out the placemats.
moiré fabric and interfacing.
k Stitch a sample of your design or print out
k Fuse the interfacing to the wrong side of
a template from your computer.
the fabric according to the manufacturer’s
k Lay the sample design or template on the directions.
placemat to determine the design alignment.
k Layer the tear-away stabilizer with the
Note: Keep in mind that a dinner plate will
fabric right side up and place in the hoop.
cover designs in the middle of a placemat.
Embroider the design.
k Hoop the appropriate stabilizer, place
k Remove the fabric from the hoop and
in a box for protection and spray it with
remove any excess stabilizer.
temporary adhesive.
k Center the paper pattern directly over the
k Lay the placemat right side up onto the
embroidery design ensuring the design is in
stabilizer and adhere.
the middle of the pattern piece. Cut out the
k Lightly spray water-soluble stabilizer with design from the pattern and cut another
temporary adhesive and place on top of the piece of moiré to be used as the lining.
quilted velveteen. Embroider the design.
k Thread the beading needle with a double
kRemove the fabric from the hoop and tear strand of thread and knot the end. Run the
or cut away the excess stabilizers. thread through beeswax.

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48 Creative Machine Embroidery HOLIDAY 2002
k Thread the needle through the fabric wrong
side, so the thread is on the right side.
kPick up a bead with the tip of the beading
needle and reinsert needle close to the bead.
k Continue adding beads in the pattern of
your choice leaving room for seam
allowances.
k Place the lining and embroidered fabric
right sides together. Stitch the long edges
and one short edge together with 1⁄ 4”
seam allowance. Turn the napkin
ring to the right side through
the opening on the remaining
short end.
k Cut the plastic canvas 11⁄ 2”x 7” strips and
insert inside the napkin ring. Slipstitch the
opening closed.
k Shape the napkin ring into a circle over-
lapping the ends 1⁄2”. Slipstitch the overlap
together to secure.
Tableware and fish designs:
Husqvarna Viking, Special Collection
Brenda Boudreau is president of the Embroidery Disk #1, design 22 (twists)
Atlantic Sewing Guild. She teaches fabric and design 13 (fish)
embellishment technique classes for the Pussy willows designs:
Sewing Guild and local fabric stores in Husqvarna Viking, Disk #2, design 34
Halifax, Nova Scotia. Flower design: Husqvarna Viking,
Disk #2, design 22
9
www.cmemag.com 49
Treasure
Bags By Jana Swanson

Embroidering the fabric of your project is the perfect way to create

all-over texture perfect for a small notions bag or coin purse.

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62 Creative Machine Embroidery HOLIDAY 2002
 A Stitch two bag halves
together at lower seam-
line. Press seam open.

B Place one zipper side along bag

Supplies
6 1⁄2 yard broadcloth or muslin fabric
in a solid color
6 1⁄4 yard coordinating fabric for lining
6 Heavy cut-away stabilizer
6 Embroidery and bobbin thread
6 Size 90/14 universal needles
6 All-over embroidered bag design.
Note: To receive the design free,
see our offer on page 64.
6 7” to 9” polyester or nylon zipper
6 Tassel (optional)
6 Sewing and zipper feet
6 Air-soluble marker (optional)
Embroidery & cutting
j Hoop the broadcloth with one layer of heavy
cut-away stabilizer.
j Stitch the design using the thread colors of
your choice. Note: The final stitch color in the
design represents the pattern cut line for the
bag. Un-hoop the design and cut out one side
of the bag along the stitched cut line.
j Hoop another piece of the broadcloth and
heavy cut-away stabilizer. Stitch the design again
and cut it out same as above.
j Cut out both bag sides along the stitched
cut lines.
j To make the lining, trace a one-piece lining upper edge with zipper coil right
side facing embroidered side.
with an air-soluble marker using the embroidered
bag pieces as a template. Cut out the lining.
j Center the zipper over one bag upper edge,
letting a bit of each zipper end overhang the
bag ends.
j Place one zipper side along the bag upper
Place lining right
edge with the zipper coil right side facing the
side upper edge
embroidered side. against zipper
j Place the lining upper edge (the right side) wrong side.
against the zipper wrong side (B).
j Using a zipper foot, stitch all three layers
together. Note: Some of the zipper tape will
show on the finished bag.
C Stitch side seams, leaving a
j Repeat for the remaining side of the bag with 3” opening in lining for
the remaining zipper half. turning.
j Unzip the zipper until the tab is inside the bag
(about 2” from the side seam). Stitch one side 3”
seam. Note: Keep the zipper tape folded down
against the embroidered fabric (C).

Bag construction
Note: Use 1⁄4” seams for the bag construction
unless otherwise noted.
j With embroidered right sides together, stitch
the two bag halves together at the lower seam-
line. Press the seam open (A). You now have
the embroidered fabric stitched, cut out and
pieced for the entire bag.

This little bag is perfect for jewelry,

charms or precious buttons.

www.cmemag.com 11
63
TREASURE BAGS
D Fold each end with seamline
on top of foldline and stitch
1” from points.

1” stitch 1” from the points (D). Turn the

E Turn points up and hand- or
machine-tack to seamline.
j Be careful as you sew over the zipper. Sew
slowly as you cross over the zipper teeth to
avoid breaking the needle. Stitch the remain-
ing side seam, leaving an opening of at least
3” in the lining for turning.
j Box all four corners by matching the bot-
tom seam of the bag to the bag’s side seam
and the center bottom of the lining to the
side seam of the lining. Fold each end and
points up and hand- or machine-tack in
place (E). Trim off the excess zipper tape
if needed.
j Turn the bag right side out. Hand or
machine stitch the lining opening closed.
j Add a tassel as a zipper pull,
if desired.

SPECIAL OFFER
To download the oversize striped and polka dot bag
embroidery designs from Jana Swanson, go to
www.cmemag.com and click on “Special Offers” to access
the free download. Follow the instructions to save the design
to a disk or the computer hard-drive. The design is available
Jana Swanson is a in limited embroidery formats. You will need an oversize
machine embroidery hoop to create these designs.
instructor and
freelance writer from
Colorado.

64 Creative Machine Embroidery HOLIDAY 2002 12

 Pretty sun catchers sparkling in a window
will brighten any day especially with the use of
color-changing thread.

Catch a Ray By Marlis Bennett

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70 Creative Machine Embroidery HOLIDAY 2002

Thread information
Color-changing thread is available in all white spools
each changing to a vibrant color or in colors that change
to a different color when exposed to sunlight. For those
threads available in white before the color change, be
sure to keep the color indicator on the spool in order to
tell the true color of the thread in sunlight.
When choosing designs, keep in mind the color that
the thread changes to when exposed to sunlight. Some
colors of this specialty thread are white inside then
change to another color outside. Therefore, choose
designs that will be recognizable before and after the
color change. For the all white spools, be sure the
design looks well in a tone-on-tone appearance or mix
the color change thread with permanent color threads,
such as rayon or polyester.
sun
Supplies
catchers
6 Cotton organdy fabric
6 Color-changing thread
6 Size 70/10 embroidery needle
6 Extra blank bobbins
6 Spray starch
6 Water-soluble stabilizer (optional)
6 Temporary spray adhesive (optional)
Construction tips
j Use the appropriate needle for this type of thread. Too
large a needle will make holes in your organdy and too
small a needle will not allow the thread to run through
the eye smoothly. Consider using a needle that has an
eye one size larger than the needle, such as needles
from Organ (the size 70/10 embroidery needle has an
eye the size of an 80/12 needle). Should you desire to
use another needle, make a practice sample first.
j Most color-changing thread is heat sensitive. Do not
use an iron directly on the thread, as it will melt. Always
place the embroidered pieces between press cloth
layers to protect the thread. Also, resist using steam
when pressing as some irons produce too much steam
and could melt the thread even through the press cloth.
color-changing thread
j Cotton organdy is a very stable fabric and can be
stitched without a stabilizer. However, some dense
designs may require a second layer added to the heavier
stitched areas. Secure the second layer of organdy to the
underside of the hoop before the dense areas are
embroidered. This process was used on our pansy
sample. The tendrils and small flowers surrounding the
pansy were stitched first on only one layer of organdy.
The hoop was removed from the machine and another
layer of cotton organdy was attached to the underside of
the hoop with a temporary spray adhesive. The remainder
of the design was stitched and the excess organdy from
the second layer was cut away very close to the design
before the pansy was framed. This only left one layer of
organdy showing. In all of the samples, a stabilizer was
not used during the embroidery process. If the fabric
needs a stabilizer and it is determined during the test-
stitching process, then hoop the organdy with a water-
soluble stabilizer.
j Be sure to stitch the designs at a slower speed to
produce an even thread tension and to make sure the
embroidery process goes smoothly.
j The sun catchers are reversible. For easy thread
changes, wind one bobbin of each thread color used in
the design. Lay the bobbins on top of the corresponding
thread spool, if using white spools or similar colors.
This is the best way to keep the thread and bobbins
coordinating.
Embroider the fabric
j Spray the fabric with starch and press.
j Hoop the fabric. Note: The organdy will be more
secure in the hoop, if you spray the outside edge of your
inner embroidery hoop with a temporary adhesive.
j Embroider the design, changing the top thread and
bobbin thread with each color change.
j When the embroidery is complete, remove the embroi-
dered design from the hoop and place it between the
press cloths. Press lightly with a moderate temperature
and no steam.
j Clean-finish the motif by trimming threads on the front
and back.
j Finish each sun catcher using one of the following
finishing methods.
www.cmemag.com 71
14
CATCH A RAY
glass finishing
Supplies
6 Two glass disks (available at most craft stores)
for each sun catcher. Note: An alternative is to
have the framing department of the craft store
cut glass in the desired sizes.
6 Glue stick
6 Copper foil tape
6 Ribbon
6 Spring extension curtain rod
Instructions
j Place the finished embroidery on a
Use ribbon or
hard surface.
cording to easily
j Place a glass disk over the embroidery,
hang your sun centering the motif and trace around the
catchers. design with a water-soluble marking pen.
j Remove the glass disk and cut out the
fabric on the marked line.
j Run glue stick along the edge of the
glass disk leaving approximately 1⁄8” line
of glue on the disk.
j Place the embroidery in the center of
the glass disk, pressing to adhere the
edges to the glass.
j If using glass cut in a framing depart-
ment, position the ribbon at the desired
placement area to hang.
j Tape around the glass, centering the
tape on the edge of the disk. Firmly
press the tape in place and over the
edge of the glass on both the front and
the back. Press carefully on the tape
with a round pen to smooth out.
j Poke a hole through the opening of
the glass disk and thread narrow ribbon
through the hole.
j Place the extension rod in the window
casement at the desired position.
j Position the snowflakes on the rod and tie the ribbons
into knots at the desired length.
j Use suction cups to hang the sun catchers individually
on a window, if desired.
72 Creative Machine Embroidery HOLIDAY 2002
frame finishing
Supplies
7 Wooden embroidery hoop in size of your choice
7 Wood stain to give the frame color
7 1⁄4 yard of 1⁄ 4”-diameter cord or 1⁄ 8” to 1 ⁄4”-wide ribbon
7 Craft glue
7 Tassel (optional)
7 Hot glue gun and glue stick (optional)
Instructions
j Stain the wooden hoop on both the inner and outer
rings. Let the segments dry completely.
j Place a narrow bead of craft glue on the outside of the
inner hoop. Spread the glue to cover the entire outside
of inner hoop. Allow the glue to get tacky.
j Place the embroidered fabric right side up over the
inner hoop. Secure the fabric edges to the glue.
j Insert the inner hoop into the outer hoop. Pull the
fabric until the design is taut. Screw the hoop to tighten.
Trim excess fabric close to the hoop.
j Attach cord or ribbon to the hoop upper edge to hang
the sun catcher.
j Hot glue a tassel to the bottom, if desired.
j Attach the sun catcher to the window with a suction
cup or over the rod mentioned above.
Marlis Bennett is an educator for Bernina of
America, Inc. She
teaches at quilt shows and heirloom schools
across the country.
Her designs have been featured in Bernina’s
Machine Mastery Booklet, Vest Expressions, as
well as other Bernina publications.
Butterfly design: Studio Bernina, Beautiful Borders
by Sue Box; Lace & Romantic Designs by Sue Box
Snowflake designs: Oklahoma Embroidery Supply
& Design, #H292, #H289 and #NW368
Pansy design: Studio Bernina, Elsa’s Favorite Florals
15
 IDEAS, INSPIRATIONS & TECHNIQUES

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