This month, I challenged myself to quilt like a beginner using only free or entry-level software and an entry-level embroidery /sewing machine, PFAFF creative expect 350 Sewing & Embroidery Machine.
On Monday, I planned out my quilt in mySewnet Quilting Software; on Tuesday, I created the cutting files in mySewnet Crafting Software and then cut the fabric according to the yardage instructions with the SINGER MOMENTO 24. Yesterday I created the embroidery files in mySewnet Silver Level (entry) Embroidery Software. Finally, today, I’ll embroider all my blocks with the PFAFF creative expect 350, the new entry-level sewing/embroidery machine.
The new PFAFF creative expect 350!
I created the blocks with dinosaur applique (left facing and then mirror image right facing) in the mySewnet Silver Embroidery Software yesterday. While I was working on the embroidery software, I also created the center block with fonts, with my grandson’s name and birthdate. Last night I went back into the mySewnet Embroidery software and created a 100X100mm hoop for the label for the back. Since it’s so small, I used a script, Font Valentina, as it goes from 8mm to 15mm in size.
Now I have all my embroidery files for my quilt done. How do I get them to my PFAFF creative expect 350? Well, I have multiple choices I can export to a USB stick. The PFAFF is creative expect 350 is WIFI enabled, so I can “Send” from the embroidery software and name each file to me (turned on the machine), or I can save to my vault / and or my cloud. SO many choices!
I started with the easy embroideries on the center block and the label, as they are one color and easy! To set up the machine, I wound a couple of bobbins with embroidery bobbin thread, put in a NEW embroidery needle, and found the color of embroidery thread I wanted (mid-blue) to blend with the blue in the quilt. Hooped the white fabric with a tear-away stabilizer in the 100X100mm hoop. And started embroidering.
PFAFF creative expect 350 setup for embroidering
While I was at it, I also embroidered the label in blue thread on white fabric, using a mid-weight cutaway stabilizer. However, I’ll focus on finishing that tomorrow when we attach it to the back of the quilt.
Next, I need to embroider the dinosaur blocks. I cut the fabric in big 14” squares and centered the hoop in the middle with mid-weight tear-away stabilizer. And assembled all the extra thread colors I was using.
PFAFF creative expect 350 embroidering the dinosaur blocks
Seated at the PFAFF creative expect 350 machine, I would start embroidering a color and stop it when it had the outline of the applique done, this is the placement stitch area for the appliques. I cut the thread, take the hoop out of the machine, and, after peeling off the paper backing, position the applique down. Using the SINGER MOMENTO MINI PRESS, (which fits in the hoop perfectly!) I iron the fusible applique in place for embroidering. I then put the hoop back in the machine and finish each color, which would consist of a tack down (stitches over the edge of the applique and “tacks “it in place) and the final satin stitch of the edge of the applique.
SINGER MOMENTO MINI PRESS pressing the fusible applique in place
After finishing 4 embroidered dinosaur blocks and the center block, I removed the stabilizer and timed the excess thread tails on the back, especially the colored thread that would shadow through and be seen on the front. I pressed the blocks on a towel upside down…so I wouldn’t destroy the embroideries. Each block was then trimmed to the quilt size according to the directions.
Final quilt block pieces assembled on my design wall, ready to be sewn together.
I will start piecing all my blocks separately and then assemble the rows and, finally, the mini-quilt top. I have the four 2½” border strips cut and ready to add to the quilt top. The directions are online for the entire mini-quilt assembly, in a different color and finish, but the blocks and top go together the same way. So, I’ll refer you to the Sewing the Quilt Top diagram.
Just a quick word about pressing, which is important: I pressed all the seams to the dark blue when possible. For the rows, I pressed one row to the next to the left and the bottom to the right. So, the block seams rest up beside each other. Be careful using steam. It can distort your fabric edges, and you have a lot of triangles, with biased edges.
Off to my sewing room to complete the top! Yesterday, we created the embroideries; today, we embroidered them and are ready to see the quilt top together; tomorrow, we will sandwich the quilt and bind using the PFAFF creative expect 350. See you tomorrow!