HERE - Creative Machine Embroidery

Table
T pper
by Ursula Michael
Make a bright, bold table runner using colorful fabric
and appliqué designs. Save time by using an appliqué design
collection that includes precut appliqué fabric pieces.
SHOPPING LIST
† 14 yard each of 44"-wide blue cotton, coordinating print cotton & red cotton batik fabric
† 13 yard of 44"-wide denim fabric
† 12 yard of 44"-wide backing fabric
† cotton fabric scraps (for appliqué fabric,
if necessary)
† 12"x4012" rectangle of batting
† tear-away stabilizer
† thread: all-purpose, bobbin & embroidery
† temporary spray adhesive
† removable fabric marker
† assorted 4mm hot-fix crystals (optional)
† appliqué embroidery design(s)
Notes
• Finished table runner size: 12"x401⁄2"
• Use 1⁄4" seam allowances unless otherwise noted.
• Cut three 21⁄2"x fabric width strips from the blue
cotton. Piece together the strips to make one
long strip.
• Cut one 12"x401⁄2" rectangle from the backing fabric.
Embroider
• Find the center of one denim square by folding it
in half lengthwise and widthwise. Mark the center
using a removable fabric marker.
• Hoop a piece of stabilizer and the square,
centering the mark within the hoop. Load the
chosen appliqué design onto the machine. Place
the hoop on the machine and embroider the
outline stitches.
• Once the outline stitches are complete, remove
the hoop from the machine. Place the appliqué
fabric over the outline stitches, using temporary spray adhesive to secure. Or if using precut
fusible appliqué fabric, fuse the appliqué fabric
over the outline stitches, following the
manufacturer’s instructions.
• Cut four 21⁄2"x81⁄2" rectangles from the print cotton.
• Place the hoop back on the machine and embroider the tacking stitches. Once the tacking stitches
are complete, remove the hoop from the machine
and trim the appliqué fabric close to the stitching.
• Cut eight 11⁄4"x81⁄2" strips and two 11⁄4"x40" strips
from the batik.
• Place the hoop back onto the machine and
embroider the remaining design.
Cut
• Cut three 12" squares from the denim.
32 CREATIVE MACHINE EMBROIDERY
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CREATIVE MACHINE EMBROIDERY 33
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Batik Basics
using premade bias
Most batiks available for purchase
binding to bind the
in the U.S. are imported from Indo-
table runner.
Save time by
nesia, specifically the islands of Bali
and Java. Batiks are made using
traditional wax and dye methods.
The methods vary depending on
where the fabric is produced. Tjaps
(a tool used to carry hot wax to the
fabric) are most commonly used
in the production process. All batik
production starts with griege goods
(ready-to-dye fabric). To simplify
the design process, the batik artist
may dye the fabric with a single
color, hand paint the fabric or treat
the fabric with sea salt prior to the
first wax application to produce
unique background patterns. Once
the dyeing is complete, the artist
hangs the fabric outside to dry. After
the fabric dries, it receives an application of wax, and then the dyeing,
drying and wax process continues
until the desired look is achieved.
Basic batik patterns typically have
nine to 12 wax applications, but
more complex designs can have
double that amount. Batiks are
solely produced by hand—no
machines aid in the process.
34 CREATIVE MACHINE EMBROIDERY
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Bonus!
A Stitch short red strips to each print rectangle long edge, forming
four sashing rectangles.
Download helpful tips
for working with hot-fix
crystals at cmemag.com/
articles/Table_Topper.
B Stitch sashing rectangles and embroidered squares, alternating
between two pieces.
C Stitch long red strips to each table runner long edge.
• Repeat to embroider the remaining appliqué design elements,
if applicable.
• Once the embroidery is complete, remove the hoop from the
machine and the fabric from the
hoop. Tear away the stabilizer.
Trim the square to 81⁄2".
• Repeat to embroider and trim each
remaining denim square.
Construct
• With right sides together, align one
short red strip long edge with one
print rectangle long edge; stitch,
and then press.
• Repeat to stitch one short red strip
long edge to each remaining print
rectangle long edge, forming four
sashing rectangles (A).
• With right sides together, align one
embroidered square lower edge
with one sashing rectangle upper
edge; stitch, and then press. With
right sides together, align the embroidered square upper edge with
another sashing rectangle lower
edge; stitch, and then press.
• Repeat to stitch the remaining
sashing rectangles and embroidered squares, alternating the
two pieces (B).
top right side up over the batting.
Pin-baste through all layers.
• Choose a decorative stitch on the
machine; stitch along the center of
the outer red border strips.
• Bind the table runner using the
blue strip in any desired method.
Finish
• With right sides together, align
one long red strip with the embroidered panel left edge; stitch,
and then press. Repeat to stitch
the remaining long red strip
to the embroidered panel right
edge, creating the table runner
top (C).
• If desired, fuse crystals to each design, following the manufacturer’s
• Place the backing rectangle right
side down on a flat work surface.
Position the batting over the backing, using temporary spray adhesive
to secure. Position the table runner
SOURCES
instructions.
DESIGNS
Appliqué designs: Dalco Home Sew, Fancy Flowers
by Ursula Michael, Blissful, Delightful & Exotic;
dalcohomesew.com
DalCrystals provided the crystals and applicator wand:
dalcrystals.com.
Fairfield Processing provided the batting: (800) 980-8000,
poly-fil.com.
Sulky of America provided the embroidery thread:
(800) 874-4115, sulky.com.