This is a special of specials by my friend Robbie M Fields. Hand embroidery could be made as simple as twiddling your thumbs! If you want to learn how to do blanket, back, chain, cross and feather stitches hand embroidery, you are in the right place. The history of Creative Success Strips started with a search for a more accurate method of making outline embroidery stitches around applique designs. This resulted in the manufacture of plastic strips with punched holes which would guide the extry/exit for the needle. The success strips covered by the United States Patent 6413091 prove to be a boon to the hand embroiderer struggling for accuracy in the embroidered pattern. The punched holes are placed in horizontal, vertical and parallel rows in and out of alignment, with certain holes having perpendicular lines extending to the outside edge of the strip. This indicates where a marking point is to be made. A disappearing ink pen to enable you to mark the points properly forms part of this kit. The 1920′s Dutch doll gives a clear picture of how the strips are to be used correctly to give the right outline. The Christmas stocking pattern is another cute example which displays the right use.

The entire kit contains 5 different success strips, a disappearing ink pen, 2 examples of hand embroidered appliques (Dutch doll and the Christmas stocking pattern) and an instruction and illustration booklet and is priced modestly at 13.75 dollars (including free shipping and handling by first class mail in the US).

Disappearing Ink Pen –

Example of hand embroidered Dutch Doll and Christmas Stocking Pattern

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Instruction and Illustration booklet

You could buy the whole kit right here and it would be delivered to your address.

Within US – 13.75 dollars

Outside US – 16.00 dollars

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What exactly is the meaning of smocking? Smocking denotes an embroidery technique which gathers fabric together at regular intervals so that it shows a stretched fabric. In yester years, this technique was used in cuffs, bodices and necklines of garments. Today, this is used in various end products which would include bedsheets, kids clothes, napkins, curtains, table covers to name a few. We have 3 main types of smocking – Latin American, English and Lattice. Latin American smocking is a technique in which the pleats are gathered and formed in the fabric by the smocking stitchwork itself. English smocking is an historic technique of sewing the embroidery over pleats already sewn into the fabric. Lattice smocking involves stitching from the back side of the fabric, creating unique effects in the pleats and appearance, and is particularly good for heavier fabrics like velvet.

Check out a cute collection of firetruck smocking embroidery designs at Sew Many Designs. Aren’t they a beauty? These form part of a smocking collection by Carol Howard. A lot of detail has gone into the machine embroidery which includes a hose pipe, ladder, wheel bumpers, simple dotted patterns on the wheel and body which makes the whole design look really beautiful.

You also have the option of designing for the 5 by 7 hoops using applique machine embroidery techniques!

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