Machine Embroidery

I hate to admit this but I've had my embroidery machine for almost 2 years and never used it. I was scared of the darn thing!  I've been sewing since I was 12 years old, but this is a different kind of horse. When I first got my Brother PE770 Embroidery machine two years ago, I was so excited! I immediately took it out the box, set it up and was ready to go. I can sew right?  So this should be a breeze right? Wrong-o-roony!!! First of all, where in the heck is the darn foot pedal? How does this thing know where to start sewing, if you just push a button? What the heck is Water Soluble Stabilizer? A pre-wound bobbin? Tear-away, iron-on, floating? Eeeek!!! I got a bit overwhelmed and pushed it it the corner, where it sat until a few weeks ago.

A friend of mine Susan, decided to host an Embroidery Retreat in South Carolina. Never heard of an Embroidery Retreat? Me neither , it was a first!! Myself, along with several other women loaded up our machines and accessories and headed to South Carolina.

I must say that we had loads of fun and I actually learned a lot from the few experts that were there. Poor Susan and another friend Mary. They were bombarded with "how do you" questions. They were patient and kind (much more patient than I would have been, patience wears off as you get older). I am finally learning to face my fears with this thing although I have a long way to go, I'm really enjoying it.

Here's a few things I've been working on. Now remember, I'm still a "newbie", so you are bound to see plenty of errors!

I spruced up some old kitchen towels by adding this design from +Designs By JuJu.  They have wonder designs that stitch beautifully.

 Close up 1

 Close up 2

 This is another +Designs By JuJu  file. It's an applique file embroidery file. Another old towel spruced up! You can savage a lot of old towels this way!! lol

 I got this bag from +PickYourPlum. This bag folds up into this cute little pouch. I added my name to the leather flap. I used a font from Blastostich. The placement is too high. I will get it right next time.

 Here's the bag open.

More old towels and another design from +Designs By JuJu .

These embroidery files are call Free Standing Lace, meaning just that....you embroidery directly on the stabilizer. This machine is amazing!

Here's the machine making doing it's thing!

Another FSL, you can use these for card embellishments or add a pin to the back and wear it as a brooch.

Here's the cards I made using FSL purses to give out at the Retreat.

 The inside

I'm sure there will be more to come, so check back soon!