Quilting in the hoop with the Brother Luminaire XP2

Well, we’re already on day three of growing up with the Disney gang! I hope you got along well with piecing your project together yesterday. Today we’ll add quilting around the embroidery blocks using the embroidery hoop. You’ll be amazed at how easy this technique is using the Brother Luminaire 2 Innov-ìs XP2 Sewing, Quilting and Embroidery Machine.

The Brother Luminaire 2 Innov-ìs XP2

You can start the quilting process with the first block or the last block of the banner, it doesn’t really matter. Use the quilter’s hoop 275mm x 275mm (10⅝” x 10⅝”) provided with the Brother Luminaire XP2 during the quilting process.

1. Hoop all three layers – backing, batting, and quilt top. I didn’t use stabilizer with this project. When I hooped my project in the hoop I had it as tight as I possible and tried to have it centered.
2. Turn on the Brother Luminaire XP2 and select My Design Center.
3. Slide the hoop into the hoop lever and lock into place. Select the Scan icon.
4. Select the Image Scan. Select Scan, and OK. The machine will take a snapshot of the image in the hoop and display it on the screen. This will take 50 seconds or less.
5. The image will appear faded; tap the Darker Image Scan icon a few times until you’re satisfied with the contrast. Use the Lighter Image Scan icon to lighten the contrast.

Snapshot of faded image

The Contrast Tool

6. Select the Shapes Tool to open the files and select a shape.

Shapes Tool

7. Select the square shape for an outline stitch in the block; select OK.

Different shapes in the Shapes Tool file

A red box should appear on the screen over your image.

The red box will show on the screen

8. Select the Size icon on the right-hand side of the screen, change the size of the square to fit inside of the block. Change the length and width using the icons in the Size screen. Use the Move keys left, right, down, or up to position the block. Select OK to close the window.

Resizing a design

Snapshot of re-sized red box

If your block isn’t perfectly angled in the hoop use the Rotate icon next to the Size icon to get the angle correct. It doesn’t have to be perfect as it won’t show once it’s stitched

9. Select the Outline Property icon, select the Running Stitch icon and select a color. (I chose green.) Select OK.

10. Select the Paint Can icon and tap on the red box – it should turn green. If it doesn’t change, lighten the image using the Contrast feature for better visibility. If you make a mistake, remember you can select the Undo key at the bottom of the screen to undo the error.

Outline Property Tool

Snapshot of Outline Tool

Snapshot of contrast features

11. Select the Fill icon, select Quilt fills, and tap on the Select icon. A window will open with all the different quilting fills you can choose from. To view them all, tap on the scroll bar and slide it down the window and you will see all the designs. They’re all so pretty it’s hard to choose just one, but I used pattern 038. When you have chosen your fill, select OK. Next, select a color that’ll be easy for you to see. (I choose red.) Select OK.

Snapshot of Fill icon

Icon for Quilt Stitch

Snapshot of Select tool

12. Select the Paint Can icon, and, with the pen provided with the machine’s accessories, tap inside the green outline box. You’ll see the block filled in with a quilt fill stitch.

Snapshot of paint can

Snapshot of the quilting fill design

Now comes the cleanup. Grab yourself a cup of tea because your childhood coloring techniques will be put into action.

13. Select the Zoom key and zoom to size 800%. Select the Pan key (the icon that looks like a hand at top left of screen) and pan over to the left side of the block. Hold the pen to the right side of the screen and drag it to the left. You’ll see the image move. Drag it all the way to the left corner. TIP If your stitches are too light, darken the contrast by using the Contrast image keys.

Snapshot of Contrast Image feature

14. Select the Eraser icon to choose size and shape. I found the circle was the better one to use for this project. Choose the circle and select OK. You’ll need to erase all the stitches laying on top the embroidered design. Remember, if you make a mistake, use the Undo key to correct. Zoom in and out and pan around the design to get to other areas of the design. Each time you switch from Erase to Pan, you’ll need to select the icon again and select OK for each command.

Snapshot of Eraser icon

Here’s a short video showing you how to erase unwanted lines. The video may help further explain the steps you need to take to use the Erase function.

A closeup of the erased lines

Once your erasing is complete, zoom out to 100% check your work. When you’re satisfied, select Next. Leave the setting at default, select Set, and select OK. You’re ready to embroider the quilting on your block.

15. Thread your Brother Luminaire XP2 with the thread color of your choice and begin embroidering. When the embroidery is complete, remove the hoop and hoop the next block. TIP Always check to make sure all layers are smooth in the hoop before beginning the embroidery on each block.

16. Select the Home key at top right corner on the screen and select OK. Select My Design Center and begin the next block using same technique as for the first block.

Tomorrow we’ll embroider an applique on felt and place some lettering in the applique design using an embroidery design built into the Brother Luminaire 2 Innov-ìs XP2 Sewing, Quilting and Embroidery Machine. This technique is an easy process and adds a nice touch to any project. See you then!

This is part 3 of 5 in this series

Go back to part 2: Sewing a growth chart panel on Brother Luminaire XP2

Go to part 4: How to add letters to an applique with the Brother Luminaire XP2

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