Saturday, September 18, 2010

Neat machine embroidered rose vines

You never know when an idea will strike, and when it does sometimes you have to just go with it! After I sewed rosettes to this black tote, I turned it inside out to clip all the threads and I saw this pattern made by the stitches and it got me to thinking......


What if I used contrasting thread and sewed this pattern directly onto the tote? I pulled a lime green tote from my stash and went to work with black thread. Unfortunately, this was one of those times (you know how it is) when I just went full speed ahead and didn't take process pics. But one thing I DID do was draw a light design in pencil where I wanted the rose vine to go as one continuous line of stitching.


I started slow and steady, and made sure that at each sharp curve, corner or turn that the needle was DOWN to anchor the stitch in place; such as the points of the leaves, the centers of the roses, etc.


I went over some parts twice or even three times, but as you can see, the design is very forgiving of multiple stitch lines. An abstract continuous rose design like this is surprisingly easy to do. If you do not like how it looks you can pick out the stitches. When you restart, be sure to go forward and backwards a few times at your restart point to keep the new stitches from unraveling.




For the veins in the leaves I started out by stopping and turning the whole tote and stitching them in but then I figured out I could just hit the reverse button and carefully stitch the veins in place. Going slowly and carefully I could see how the design was coming out. And you know, doing this made me grin like an idiot, because this was one of those times when it was working out better than I'd hoped!

I added the black pocket trimmed with real rosettes and contrasting fabric and some pretty black lace. I stitched one bit of leafy twig across the corner of the pocket.


Oooh! I like it, I like it alot! I could see using this technique on all sorts of things and even using it to quilt layers of muslin, batting and backing for a stylish and chic coverlet. Or how about at the bottom hem and up the side seams of blue jeans? And I wonder if it would be possible to stitch in some words or phrases, since handwriting is just one long line, isn't it? I've got to try it and I'll let you all know how it turns out!

I'll be joining up to the parties in my sidebar, come check out the neat ideas.

15 comments:

  1. Wow, I'm not a sewer,but those roses are gorgeous! I think using the same concept in some sketching/painting could be great. I might try adapting the idea to papercraft as well! Thanks for the inspiration.

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  2. Dontcha love when creative spirit takes over and the end result is so great !

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  3. Looks fabulous! Great job - nothing better than having a stroke of genius and having it all work out beautifully!

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  4. Those turned out wonderfully. I am not sure I would have the patience but I am tempted.

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  5. Oh that turned out lovely! It's so much fun to start out with one thing in mind and end up loving the unplanned result.

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  6. Love the tote... what a great idea! You make me want to bust out my sewing machine.

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  7. Wow! Those roses turned out so beautiful and really add to the tote! It's beautiful, excellent work!

    Amie @ http://kittycatsandairplanes.blogspot.com/

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  8. lovely flowers and the green fabric is simply beautiful (just love anything green).
    Had a go a while back making cards using this idea http://madeatgreenlodge.blogspot.com/2010/04/perfection.html).
    Will now go back and develop the cards more I think. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  9. i love the green.....thanks for visiting my blog, ann. i love your artwork. you are very talented.....

    cindy

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  10. Super cool! I've been toying with an art project idea that includes machine stitching like this...***wheels are turning again***
    Thanks for linking up to Mad Skills Monday!

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  11. This looks so great. I do sewing for a living and love to find things that i can create that is just for me. This might just be it. Thanks for stoppping by In His Grip.

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  12. Wow. Who would have thought of this other than a true creative spirit. I'm impressed. It's beautiful and the reason I like reading blogs...no telling what you might see and be inspired by. Great work!

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  13. I love this. I sew but seem to hand sew and crochet more than machine sew although I do like it too. So I guess I need to multiply myself so I can do all of it! ;0)

    Anyhow, I just the thread painting...Since you are a creative soul I wanted to invite you to join my big giveaway if you haven't already.

    Come check it out!

    Have a wonderful day,
    Stephanie ♥

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  14. Those.
    Are.
    Awesome.

    I can imagine a whole quilt done like that. Time consuming? Absolutely, but it would be stunning!

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