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I used my Viking Designer 1
machine to stitch this out but you can use any embroidery machine.
I used my Mid Size Hoop even though the design fits inside the 4x4 inch
(100 x 100 mm) because this hoop gives me more room for placing the
card. I hooped my Stitch N Tear. Do
not spray with adhesive. |
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I used a Strathmore Creative
Cards for my project. It says they are made for drawing, stamping,
calligraphy, light washes and collage. You can buy these at most
art stores and are very easy to find online. The have matching
envelopes too.
I made a
LIGHT
mark on my card with a pencil that will
easily erase. I used a ruler to find the exact center of the front. |
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I folded the card flat and then I folded the front
page back over the left so that it would be easier to work with.
You can't really see the center mark but it is there. |
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This is the screen on my
machine. Notice that I selected the 170 x 100 hoop size. I
also advanced the stitch one time. The machine shows 5 stitches
but it really is only one. This machine will put the needle down
for the first stitch so I made sure that it did that BEFORE I put my
card under the needle. I also let the machine calibrate first
since it moves the hoop back and forth. When I had everything in
the correct place, I was ready to start stitching.
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The hoop is on the machine.
I laid the card on top of the stabilizer and slid the right edge of the
card slightly under the top hoop edge. It fits just right with
this hoop. I manually lowered the needle part way down to the
center mark I made on the card. DO NOT lower the needle into the
card! This is just to find the center point. The arrow shows
the center mark even if it is hard to see in the picture. Put the
center mark on the card directly under the needle. Hold in place. |
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You are seeing the front of the card laying down in
the hoop. I am holding the back of the card straight up until the
stitching starts. No need to use any spray to hold card in place.
You just start stitching and hold the card as shown.
You don't need to hold the card the entire time. I just held it
when it started and any time the stitching went over to the left since
the card in not totally flat on that side. If you use a larger
hoop, you might not even have to hold it after it takes a few stitches. |
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After it starts stitching, I put my finger on the
card near the bottom of the hoop. You only need to lightly push to
keep the card down next to the stabilizer. The design stitches the
lips first. It may also outline the lips. Then the designs stitch the eyes.
DO NOT GET YOUR FINGERS IN FRONT OF THE NEEDLE.
It would be much better to ruin the card than to put the needle into
your finger. Please use caution. |
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Here is the finished design on the front. It
still has the pencil mark in the center. |
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Clip all jump stitches as you go along between color
stops. When the design is done, clip the bobbin threads on the
back too if your machine does not trim those.
Don't clip too close - just clip away those long stitches that jump between the
eyes, nose and mouth. |
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This is a little hard to see but put your fingernail
next to and on top of the stitching as you gently pull away the
stabilizer. If works best if you lay it on a table or work area
rather than lifting it up. You don't need to get all the
stabilizer out - just
the majority of it. Much of it comes off very easily. |
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Use a gentle eraser to get the pencil center mark off.
I like Magic Rub erasers the best. I don't think one of those pink
erasers on the end of a pencil would be a good idea. I didn't try
it but if the pink rubs onto the card, it would be hard to get it off. |
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Find a dark piece of pretty fabric to use for
covering the back of the stitches. Press fabric if necessary.
I used a rotary pinking cutter and cut mine 4 x 4 inches. |
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Glue the BACK side of the fabric. |
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Place the fabric over the back of the stitches on the
inside of the card. Fold the card back to its original fold line.
I sat something with a little weight on the card to let the glue dry and
to help the card go back to its original shape.
Then just add your personal message and you are all set to give a
beautiful card to someone special.
These would make great items for craft fair sales too! |
