SoChick Embroidery {Put a Monogram on It!}

If you are following me on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter... chances are you know what I've been up to.  And if not, I'm about to tell ya!

We'll have been in Western North Carolina for a year now at the end of this month.  When we moved I decided it was time to bring SoChick! Handbags & Embroidery back to where we started, with personalized embroidered gifts.  While I have been making a few bags here and there, I am very excited with where machine embroidery is taking this little business of mine and look forward to growing in our new location.

When you visit our website, www.sochickhandbags.com, you will find that it's been updated with a shopping cart, the ability to create an account and track your orders, as well as complete ease in ordering products with lots of options for personalization!

Here are our newest items:

Ladies Monogrammed Basic Tee... a great gift idea for Bridal Parties!

Monogrammed Caps.. for beach, pool, golf, ... or bad hair days.

Lots of Monogram Styles to choose from...

... and lots of colors, too!

Our most popular item is our Anchor Monogram Tee...

with three shirt colors and two monogram styles (circle or fancy) to choose from!

I invite you to visit our online shop to place your order today!  Our ladies items are on SALE through May 20th!

See you soon!

 *** Don't forget that we also offer local monogramming services as well as personalized embroidered baby gifts!

XxOo~ Melissa

Embroidery and Zombies, Boo! {Handmade Halloween Fun}

Here's a quick post to show you the fun designs I've been stitching...

I found this I Heart Zombies design and knew my 5th grader would love it, so here's a shirt I stitched up for Halloween:

I also have a friend who is a huge fan of The Walking Dead, so you know I needed... NEEDED... to make a shirt for her...

And finally, because Zombies and human hearts may be a bit much for my 4yr old's Pre-K class, I stitched up a cute "BOO" Halloween shirt for her...

I'm having so much fun; machine embroidery has always been a favorite and I love finding such awesome designs!

XxOo~ Melissa

Ruffled Skirt with Appliqued Top {A Handmade Outfit}

I've been wanting to sew an outfit or two for my little chickies for quite some time, but am always hesitant; garment sewing freaks me out a bit.  So, before diving into all of the pretty patterns and kits that I've collected, I decided to try out an easy sewing tutorial to make a ruffled skirt for my youngest chick... of course I made a matching shirt to go along.

[The Project] 
Little Girl's Ruffled Skirt w/ Appliqued Tee

[The Skirt]
Pattern Used:
I used Tanya Whelan's Ruffled Skirt Tutorial, which I found on Pinterest.  I have also pinned the tutorial to my Sewing Board on Pinterest.

Fabrics Used:
Appleville Village, in Chocolate, by Suzy Ultman, for Robert Kaufman Fabrics. 
Tortoise Shell Coral, Saltwater by Tula Pink for Westminster.

[I love being able to keep my iPad open on the table while I work on a project!]

[Pieces cut]

[First Steps complete]

[Finished w/ elastic in the waist and hemmed]

[The Shirt]
Embroidery Machine Used:
Singer Futura CE-150

Embroidery Design:
Bella Frame Applique from PlanetApplique.com
Monogram from my Singer Software

Supplies:
Thread: Floriani & Isacord polyester embroidery thread
Stabilizer: Floriani Fusible Mesh & Oesd lightweight tear away
Fabrics: Same as I used in the skirt
White Tee from Target

[Hooped & stitching]

[With Monogram and trimmed]

[The Verdict]
This outfit was sew fast, easy and fun!

I quickly stitched the skirt while my little chickie was at preschool, on an abbreviated schedule, meaning I got the skirt cut and sewn within two hours!!

I completed the Tee in one evening; using my embroidery software's font feature, I was able to put little chick's Monogram within the Bella Frame Applique design.

I love the way this outfit turned out and the colors are perfect for fall.  We will add tights and a cardigan for chilly fall days.

I think it's safe to say that my little chick loves this outfit, too, because she has worn it several times since I've made it.  Success!

I have Tanya Whelan's book, Sew What You Love, and I like her quick and easy-to-sew patterns.  Have you visited Tanya Whelan's website?  Have you seen her book?  Let me know if you try this Ruffled Skirt Tutorial!

You can find Tula Pink's SaltWater Collection in my Esty Shoppe.

XxOo~ Melissa

My Custom Winter-Sewing Tee {Embroidering Off The Edge}

While embroidering Holiday orders, I had this overwhelming urge to stitch something holiday-related for myself.  Luckily, I had just picked up some cheap thermal long-sleeved tees at Walmart in case inspiration, like this, hit!

I was torn between stitching something sewing related and over-the-top holiday; I also like to stitch things a little differently, using unexpected techniques.  That's when stitching off of the edge came to mind; I remembered seeing a smaller scale "off the edge" technique in this Urban Threads Project... so I decided to bring it for my tee.

I snatched some awesome sewing-themed snowflake designs (below) and got to it!

[The Project] 

Machine Embroidered Thermal Tee 

{Embroidering "Off the Edge"}

Machine Used: 

Singer Futura CE-150

Material: 

 100% Cotton Thermal Long-sleeved Tee.  OP brand from Walmart

Supplies:

 Thread: Floriani & Isacord, 100%Polyester Embroidery Thread in various colors

 Stabilizer: Floriani No Show Mesh, OESD Lightweight Tear-Away

 Embroidery Design: Crystallized, Scissors Snowflake, and Sewing Snowflake from UrbanThreads.com

Process: 

  I printed the embroidery designs on paper then used the cutouts to determine the placement on my shirt.  Lucky for me, "Eloise" was more than happy to model the shirt while I decided where I wanted the snowflakes to go. 

Once I decided on placement I fused the Floriani No Show Mesh to the wrong side of the area to be stitched.  Because this shirt has a bit of stretch to it, I lightly stretched it when fusing on the stabilizer.  Next, I hooped the shirt with the OESD Lightweight tear-away. After stitching I carefully peeled off the tear-away and trimmed the mesh.  Because of the light stitching, I didn't get all of the tear-away off, but was sure to tear away from the larger open pieces.

I followed the same process with the pieces to stitch off of the edge.  I stabilized, hooped, and stitched as usual; then cut through the design as I trimmed away the stabilizer.  

[The Verdict: on Embroidering off the edge]

This was sew fun!  I have washed and worn my shirt several times without a hitch.  Although the designs I used were light stitching, they had enough stitching to not unravel when the design was cut.  (I wouldn't recommend cutting away a heavily stitched design.) I have had no fraying at the trimmed designs.

Have you tried this embroidery technique?  Do you want to try it? I'd love to hear/see what you've done!  Leave a comment!

XxOo~ Melissa

A Subway Art Mug Rug Tutorial

I am completely fortunate to have wonderful friends in my life, both in person and on the web (shout out to my Tweeps!).  It's great to have people you can count on, and it's even more fun to say "Thank You" and show your appreciation of them with a handmade gift.  

Here is a little something I put together for one of my friends, who also happens to be my neighbor, to say thank you for 1-being awesome and 2- taking care of my fur-kids when we go out of town for a weekend.  My dogs love her... true story.

Inspired by Subway Word Art, and knowing that this friend is a coffee drinker like myself, I put together this little Mug Rug as a token of my appreciation.

This Mug Rug is a quick stitching project, which is perfect for trying a variety of techniques, practicing/ refreshing your skills, and using scraps from your stash!

Subway Art Mug Rug
(Finished Size: 6in W x 10in L)


**EDITED TO ADD:
  Exciting news!  You can purchase a version of this Coffee/Morning inspired Subway Art Machine Embroidery Design in my SoChick Fabric Shoppe on Etsy!  Enjoy!


You will need:

- 5 x 7 in. piece of Muslin or light colored cotton solid for your embroidery, and any necessary supplies (i.e. stabilizer, etc). I used Muslin in this project.

- One Fat Quarter of Focal Fabric (Fabric A)*

- Assorted scraps of Fabric B

- One strip of binding fabric measuring 2 x 36 inches.

- One piece of Quilt Batting 7 x 11inches

- Home embroidery machine with a font design program, or embroidery font files.**

-Basic Sewing Tools: thread, a water soluble marking pen, ruler, rotary cutter (and mat), Iron, board or pressing pad, Temporary Spray Adhesive (optional)

*Choosing your fabric:

I picked two main fabrics for my mug rug.  The first is a focal print (Fabric A), I chose a Coffee Themed print from Michael Miller Fabrics, which has words like "Espresso" and "Coffee" throughout; I snipped these out for the applique.  The second print (Fabric B) is Lime Dots from Amy Butler Design, it coordinates great with the focal fabric.

I chose to bind my mug rug with Limestone Dancing Paisley print from Amy Butler Design.  Having a third print lends clean lines to the edge of the mug rug and keeps your binding from blending in with your focal prints.

The Layout:

Subway Art Mug Rug Layout

To Cut:

Fabric A (blue):
  1- 7 x 11in (backing)
  1- 3.5 x 4.5 in
  2- 1.5 x 6 in strips

Fabric B (green):
  1- 3.5 x 4.5in
  2- 6.5 x 1in strips
  2- 1 x 4.5 in strips

(Note: these measurements include 1/4 in seam allowance on all pieces)

Prep:

-Embroider your Subway Art onto the 5x7 piece of muslin (or whichever fabric you are using):

  I used Hyperfont, which is part of my Singer Futura Ce-150 design suite, to create coffee/morning related words in different fonts.  I arranged the words to fit within a 3x5 inch space, as this is what will show in my mug rug.  Once the embroidery is complete, trim your piece to 3.5 x 5.5 inches (which accounts for our 1/4 in seam allowance).

**If you do not have an embroidery unit, you may choose to hand embroider or applique words into your 3x5 in piece.  Alternately, you may choose to fussy cut a piece of fabric or monogram this piece, too!

-Applique:
  I cut the words "espresso" and "Cafe au lait" from my Fabric A.  I used temporary spray adhesive to adhere them to the green 3.5 x 4.5 piece in the lower right corner, keeping in mind that there is a 1/4in seam allowance.  Then, I used my machine to sew a simple zigzag stitch around the edges.

Piecing your Mug Rug:
(Remember to use a 1/4in seam allowance when piecing your Mug Rug.)

(Oops, I forgot to add my 1 x 6in green strips to the top and bottom in the picture)

Step 1- Take the 3.5 x 4.5 pieces (on the right in the above drawing) and place them right sides together (RST) with the bottom of Fabric A matching up with the top of Fabric B.  Stitch together.  Press open with seam to Fabric A.  Set aside.

Step 2- Working with the embroidered piece and the 1 x 4.5 in Fabric B strips, match the short side of one strip to the top left corner of your Embroidered piece, RST.  The long edge of this strip will extend beyond the embroidered piece, this is OKAY.  Starting at the top corner, stitch down the long side of the strip, stopping 1/2 in from the bottom left corner of the embroidered piece.  Press open, with the seam to Fabric B.  Repeat with the second strip on the opposite corner of your embroidered piece.

(Refer to the layout drawing at the beginning of this tutorial to be sure you are matching your pieces up correctly.)

Step 3- The strips we just attached will extend past your embroidered piece,  fold these back and pin out of the way, leaving the seam allowance of your embroidered piece exposed (remember, we stopped stitching 1/2in before the edge.)

Step 4- Working with the Fabric A strips, match the long edge of one Fabric A strip to the top of the embroidered piece, RST, starting at the top right corner of the embroidered piece (This is why our fabric B strip is folded back and out of the way).  To the left, the Fabric A strip will align to the top short edge of Fabric B piece.  Stitch all the way along this edge.  Repeat with the second Fabric A strip on the opposite side of the embroidered piece.

Step 5- Unpin the Fabric B tails.  Fold to the front (with RST) and stitch to the remaining Fabric A pieces, to join.  Press all seams away from the embroidered piece.

Step 6- Working with the final Fabric B pieces, align one of the 1 x 6in pieces to the top of the block we just made, RST, and stitch in place.  Repeat with the final strip, along the bottom of the block.  Press seams to back of Fabric B strips.

Step 7- Attach the left and right sections of the mug rug by placing both pieces RST, making sure that your designs are facing the same way.  Stitch in place and press.

You've finished the top of your mug rug! Yay!  Now, simply layer, quilt as desired, and bind.

The following is a quick run-down of how I finished my mug rug:


Quilting:

I chose to use straight lines for all of my quilting (below); you can see that I went ahead and used a water soluble marking pen to mark where I wanted to quilt a zigzag pattern in the top right corner (above).

To Bind:

Fold the binding strip in half width-wise, making a double thick strip which measures 1 x 36 inches. Starting at the bottom of the mug rug and using a 1/4in seam allowance, I stitched the raw edge of my binding to my mug rug, mitering the corners.  I then folded the binding to the back, pinned and hand stitched it down with a blind stitch.  

*There is a great post showing how to bind and blind stitch on Quilting In The Rain Blog.

I really love how this Subway Art Inspired Mug Rug came out.  It was also a great way for me to freshen up my quilt binding skills for when I bind my oldest chickie's quilt. (I am thisclose to finishing the quilting on it!) 

While my machine was set up for embroidery, I went ahead and made a ruffled kitchen towel to match my mug rug, rolled it all together and gifted both as a matching set... my friend loved it, and that makes me so happy!

Let me know if you try this tutorial, it's my first with piecing and quilting... I appreciate all feedback! 
XxOo~ Melissa

Snuggle Monster [Sewing & Embroidering a Hooded Baby Bath Towel]

I had an order recently for an embroidered hooded baby towel for a new little bundle of happiness.  After looking at my options for embroidery blanks, I decided against the traditional hooded towel and set out to make my own.  In my search, however, I came across this tutorial and decided it was perfect.  (Thank you Janet, from Today's Fabulous Finds!)

Here's the towel I made and embroidered:

(Baby dolls are so helpful, who knew?!)

[The Project]

Hooded Baby Towel w/ Embroidery

Machine Used:

My trusty Singer Futura CE-150

Materials:

100% Cotton Terry Bath Towel

100% Cotton Terry Hand towel

Isacord Polyester Embroidery thread (for sewing the towel and the embroidery)

Madera Cotton Soft Cutaway Stabilzer

Floriani Heat n' Gone topper

Monster Scribble Embroidery from Urban Threads, I added the wording

I am thrilled with how this towel turned out, and I love that it will be practical for years to come! I tried it on my littlest chickie (who is 3 1/2yrs old) and it fit her, too.  This towel was added to a set of matching Snuggle Monster Onesie and Bib... CUTE!

XxOo~ Melissa

My Custom Tankini {Swimsuit Embroidery}

I waited until the last possible minute to find a new swimsuit before we left for vacation last week... well, last possible day, anyway.  I settled on a mix n' match set from Target, coral bottoms with a Navy/White striped tankini top.

Needless to say, I wasn't super thrilled with the top as swimwear... it basically looks like a tube top, cute, but not like a swimsuit, and very plain. BUT, it was on SALE!  Naturally, I decided I should spice it up with some machine embroidery! 

I knew I wanted something nautical, so I headed over to my go-to Embroidery Site, Urban Threads, to purchase my design.  Also, this was a great opportunity to use some of the new supplies I picked up a few weekends ago at The Original Sewing & Quilt Expo in Raleigh.  

Here's the deets:

[The Project] 

Machine Embroidered Swimsuit (top)

Machine Used: 

Singer Futura CE-150

Material: 

 Swimtop from Target, 92% Polyester 2% Spandex; Fully Lined

Supplies:

 Thread: Floriani, 100%Polyester Embroidery Thread in Coral

 Stabilizer: Floriani No Show Mesh

 Topper: Madera Wash Away Avalon Film

 Embroidery Design: Ahoy from Urban Threads

Process: 

  I fused the stabilizer to the back of my swimtop, where I planned to position my design; I lightly hooped the top.  I didn't pull the fabric taught because of it's stretchy-ness and the fact that the area to be embroidered doesn't stretch much when worn.

  I then pinned my wash away film to the top before beginning embroidery.  I used white bobbin thread.

P.S.- Since this was a last minute thing, I had some anxiety about it and asked my machine, "Please don't eat my swimsuit", a few times... the whole design and process went very smoothly!

Here is the design right after taking it off of the hoop and trying on the top: 

Here is the design after a week of vacation, several wears at the beach and pool, including washing:

[The Verdict: on Embroidering Swimwear]

  The embroidery held up better than the top!  While the top is still perfectly fine to wear, I am super bummed that it was so stained by sunblock... I don't know that it'll last past this summer, but for a last minute sale find, I'm happy. 

  Embroidering on this swimsuit wasn't as difficult as I imagined.  That could be because it's not the super stretchy kind of material, but I have an old top that is, and I plan to try my hand at machine embroidery on it... I'll let you know how it goes.

P.S.~ The first day on the beach I saw a similar Target top... but it wasn't custom embroidered, like mine... Winning. *wink*

XxOo~ Melissa