Guided Pictogram Projects

I showed you how to access and stitch the Guided Pictogram stitches yesterday. The Guided Pictogram designs are fantastic. The more I play with them, the more ideas I get! It’s just one more excellent feature on the Husqvarna VIKING DESIGNER EPIC 3. I could play all day for many, many weeks!

Today, I’ll share some projects I created using the Guided Pictograms. So, let’s begin.

Husqvarna VIKING DESIGNER EPIC 3

I found stitching out a sample of the 25 Guided Pictogram designs very useful, as it gave me a visual for the size and where to position my fabric to start stitching. It also allowed me to play with them like building blocks to help visualize a design. I’m a very visual person, and I need that tool. The name of the design can also help! You’ll see what I mean by that in a minute.

I’m using metallic threads in my projects today. Check out the SULKY Slimline Metallic Dream Assortment. It’s an excellent starter package that comes in a beautiful storage case. I had zero difficulty using the metallic threads on the DESIGNER EPIC 3. I used a pre-wound bobbin, stitched at a reduced speed, and had no issue with the threads shredding or breaking, even though I used a regular needle.

A starter package of Sulky metallic thread.

Three kinds of metallic threads, Sliver, Holoshimmer, and regular metallic, are in the starter box, and all worked equally well.

A selection of metallic threads

You can make the guided pictogram pictures as easy or complex as you like. I also want to incorporate some decorative stitches into my project, so I started by reviewing the guided pictogram samples. Here, I found the two-part boat. One is labelled boat, and the other is labelled sail. Be sure to watch the names of the designs, as some of them work together. Don’t be afraid to work outside the box; perhaps you’ll find another creative way to use these designs.

I considered adding the fish design to the water but instead went for the four-point star for the sky. To replicate a wavey ocean, I’ll use four blue fabrics for the waves and one blue for the sky.

The basic layout for my design

I’ll start with a piece of fusible fleece for the base and place the sky and the blue fabrics onto it to get a sense of proportion. Next, I’ll use a straight stitch to sew the first wave to the sky, right sides together, through all the layers. I’ll press the seam to the wave, then figure out where to position the first boat.

Position the first Guided Pictogram boat by stitching a sample of the stitch on scrap fabric.

Once you have the boat mostly where you want it, applique a scrap of fabric using the Guided Pictogram stitch. The Projection system with the Stitch Preview and Stitch Guideline is fabulous!

The Stitch Preview and Stitch Guideline help to position the fabric for applique.

Pivot the fabric and stitch the following line. You can see the Stitch Guide to the left on the previous line of stitching and the Stitch Preview in front. This is where the following stitching line will go. It’s super easy! After stitching the boat shape, I’ll use my Husqvarna Viking Applique scissors to trim the excess fabric.

The Projection provides a guide to stitching the Guided Pictogram applique

Now, it’s time to add a wave. Place the next blue fabric strip, right side up, over the first wave fabric. Positioning the blue fabric over the bottom of the boat makes it look more realistic than if the boat is sitting on the wave.

Choose a quilting wave stitch from the Quilt Menu. Select the Grid in Projection to help guide your stitching. You can see the Stitch Guide, red line, which I don’t need as I’m using the edge of the grid along the raw edge of my fabric. The wavey line is the Stitch Preview. It shows how big and deep the wave will be. Adjust the length and width until you have something you’re happy with. Note the settings as you’ll be moving back and forth between the Guided Pictogram designs and the wave stitch.

Raw edge applique the next strip of blue fabric using a wave or serpentine stitch.

I used cotton thread to stitch down the boat and will change to metallic threads to stitch the waves. Once the wave is secure, it’s time to use the applique scissors again and remove the excess fabric. All the applique on this project is raw edge.

Raw edge applique with the serpentine stitch

Here are the settings I’m using, but you can use whatever you wish. There are several stitches to choose from. You may even want to use a different wave stitch for every line. There are so many choices!

Serpentine stitch settings

I’ll stitch three boats onto my piece and separate each one by a wave. Then it’s time to stitch down the sail, another Guided Pictogram called Sail (I.2.15). It’s easy to position the sail, as there’s a tiny reference guide that stitches on the boat, though you could position it wherever you want. The stitching starts at the bottom of the mast, so it’s easy to line it up with the boat.

Stitching the sail in place

I’m using my Open Toe Foot for all the stitching to make it easy to see how everything’s lining up.

Use the Open Toe Foot for better visibility

Trim the sails after stitching them in place. Here’s the piece! It looks fantastic and is so easy to create using the Guided Pictograms.

The Guided Pictograms Regatta

Here’s a close-up of the Guided Pictogram, four-point star stitched in the sky with a metallic thread. It turned out amazing, and again, there were zero issues with the metallic thread.

The guided Pictogram four-pointed star

I love this piece! I’ll quilt mine later. I’ll add a backing fabric and use free-motion quilting or some decorative stitches to finish it. Then, trim and bind the piece. That’s a project to finish another day.

The second project we’ll create using the Guided Pictograms is a Christmas tree. I’ll use the large tree (I.2.2) and a piece of green felt to make an applique on white cotton fabric.

Now, it’s time to trim the tree. I’m using a variety of decorative stitches and Projection to add the decorations. I’ll use a scallop stitch (I.2.7) for the garland.

Stitch preview for the garland

Use the Stitch Repeat tool to get the appropriate number of stitch sequences.

The Stitch Repeat tool

I’ve selected two stitch sequences using the Stitch Repeat tool. I love that I can see them on the screen so I know I haven’t made a mistake.

The Stitch Repeat set to two stitch sequences

If you’re wondering how I know two stitch sequences will work, I use the Stitch Preview in Projection. If I need to adjust the stitch length, I can see those changes in the Stitch Preview. Stitch Preview is a fantastic feature, and I can see many uses for it in the future.

Using Stitch Preview to determine the stitch length and number of stitch sequences

Then, use the single sequin stitch to add lights, using a metallic thread to stitch them in place. Lastly, I’ve added a star on top using an Omnimotion stitch and a metallic thread.

The decorated Christmas tree

Here’s a useful optional accessory for the DESIGNER EPIC 3 – the Extension Table. It comes with an adjustable guide in case you are working with something significant and need a guide. Think about hemming curtains.

The Optional Extension Table

Here’s what it looks like on the DESIGNER EPIC 3. There is so much room to work. I’m a fan of the extension table and don’t like to work without it. It’s also very sturdy.

The optional Extension Table with the guide in place

Guidelines on the table bed help you position the sliding guide. Look at all that space to the left of the needle!

Guide marks on the extension table

The possibilities for creating unique designs with Guided Pictograms and Projection are endless. Pull your creativity hat out of the box, look at those sample stitch-outs of the Guided Pictograms, then wander through the menus of decorative stitches, and before you know it, you’ll have a one-of-a-kind project!

We need to remember that we’ve purchased the amazing Husqvarna Viking DESIGNER EPIC 3 as a tool to make our sewing and embroidery easy. It’s so important to explore the options and features to ensure that we are taking full advantage of all it has to offer, and so far this week, my goal has been to show you some fantastic tools that allow you to be super creative.

I’ll explore quilting in the large embroidery hoop on the DESIGNER EPIC 3 tomorrow, so be sure to check that out.

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!!

This is part 3 of 5 in this series

Go back to part 2: 8 Insider Tips for Mastering Guided Pictograms | HV DESIGNER EPIC 3

Go to part 4: Creating an applique placemat in the DESIGNER Regal Hoop!

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