It’s the end of the week! I have many more ideas for one-word quotes to make a wall quilt with and so many other ideas where I can create embroidery projects in the mySewnet embroidery software and stitch them out using the Husqvarna Viking Designer EPIC 2. Why does time pass so quickly when we’re having so much fun?
Today, I’ll use one of the new Sesame Street embroidery designs from the mySewnet Library and add a machine embroidery applique to that design. With over 8,000 embroidery designs in the mySewnet library, finding a specific one can be challenging.
Here’s a video to show how easy it is to find the Sesame Street designs.
Two menu systems allow you to search the mySewnet library by category, collection, techniques, design size, and a number of colors. In addition, a search box in the top right allows me to search by a specific word.
Searching with a keyword in the search box
Searching designs by technique is an awesome way to learn something new. Sometimes we don’t think of using our embroidery machine for felting, cross stitch designs, or other techniques. Be sure to browse the mySewnet library categories; there’s way more information there than you realize!
Felting designs
So however you look for a design, you can find something that works. And don’t forget there are many designs in the mySewnet software, with which you can get creative or use a font to create a motif, as I did in this table runner.
After choosing a font, I shaped it using the built-in shapes, mirrored the image, and used the words as part of the design. It was stitched on the Designer EPIC 2 in the 360mm x 260mm hoop, giving me many size options.
A table runner with words as the design
OK – let’s get back to searching. You saw how easy it is to explore the mySewnet library through the website, but do you know that you can also search the mySewnet library right from the embroidery edit screen of the Designer EPIC 2? Not only can you search, but you can download a design as well, so you don’t need to use your computer!
You can search by category and collection but must type the category names because currently there are no drop-down menus to select from.
Here’s a quick overview of how to search the library from the Designer EPIC 2.
To know more about the design (such as stitch count, size, and a number of colors), select the design, and the information appears on the screen. It’s in the small box at the bottom of the designs.
Information about the design
I found a Big Bird design and decided to use it. I want to add an applique background to this design. Did you know there are three different ways to create a simple applique shape? I can use the applique shapes from the FRAMES tab in the mySewnet embroidery software. There are a variety of shapes to choose from.
The applique shapes in the FRAMES tab
I can use the Express Design Wizard in the embroidery software and select a circle from the Draw and Paint program (part of mySewnet software).
Express Design Wizard
Or, I can use the Design Applique feature on the Embroidery Edit screen of the Designer EPIC 2. I have fewer options for creating and customizing on the Designer EPIC 2 than I do in the software, but I can create basic shapes on the embroidery machine and that’s a huge bonus.
Design Applique on the Designer EPIC 2
And here’s Big Bird sitting in the middle of an applique circle.
The embroidery motif in the center of an applique circle
Why would I want to stitch this motif with an applique background? What if my fabric is busy? The motif would disappear if I stitched Big Bird directly on this yellow floral fabric. Imagine stitching the motif on a pair of child’s PJs with a busy print. So if the fabric is busy, consider using an applique background.
Alternatively, I could use a stitched background, but that takes longer and more thread! Knowing there are many options is great. I’d need to use the mySewnet software to create a background with a fill stitch.
A busy print to embroidery on
The beauty of using these tools is that the STOP commands allowing you to place and trim your fabrics, are inserted for you! And don’t forget, I could’ve used my digital cutter to cut out the circle, but I chose to cut it by hand with my applique scissors.
The STOP command
And here’s the finished embroidery! The best part is that it was simple to add the applique, and it looks fantastic!
The stitched design
Be sure to explore all options when investigating how to create something, as there’s usually more than one way to do the same thing.
Learning all this didn’t just happen this week! I’m not afraid to play with the software, although I found embroidery software intimidating when I dabbled in it many years ago. I made the decision and put in the effort to become proficient at it. I still have loads to learn, but I’m pretty efficient with creating designs. So much to learn, so little time!
Husqvarna Viking Designer EPIC 2 with embroidery unit
And that closes off another week of playing with the Husqvarna Viking Designer EPIC 2 and the mySewnet embroidery software. As you can see, with those two tools, I never have to purchase another embroidery design. All it takes is a little imagination and some learning; I can create anything! The possibilities are endless!
Thanks for joining me this week.
Ciao!
This is part 5 of 5 in this series
Go back to part 4: Creating a one-word wall quilt | Embroidery AND Applique