today's eye candy

Oh Wow! What an amazing collection of 'stitchwork' (all I could think of to call it). I was quite a few into the slideshow before I realised that the fabric wasn't patterned. It was beautiful enough when I thought she had edged patterned pieces with pretty stitches; then when the silks started, I realised all the fabrics were solid colours. This is a real departure; and something (another thing!) that I would love to emulate - not in such complexity, as I wouldn't be able to 'think' it; but I'd love to have a go at a special piece with some of this kind of work. Thanks so much Roberta. . In message , Roberta writes

Wouldn't you just love to climb up in her lap and watch her do that? Thank you, Roberta. Don't know if I'm inspired or simply need to turn in my fancy stitches and go home. I am home. Polly

wow, definitely eye candy! I wouldn't have the patience to do such a large piece by hand. Bet those pieces are pretty heavy in weight due to all that thread!

G>

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A customer of my sewing machine dealer does work like this. When she traded in her machine, I heard the dealer say that she had so many hours on it there was no way they could resell the machine!

D>

Now There's an Interesting notion. Makes me wonder just how many hours an SM made today can be reasonably expected to last. I know, I know. There are Singers and others a hundred years old or more that are still going but they weren't made with plastic and computer board things. I did put about a million miles on a beloved Bernina 1230 before she went quite goofy. She stitches for DDIL now - who only does straight stitches and they are fast friends. Maybe I'm going to *need* a new sm soon. I might could make somebody believe that. Polly

I don't think that regular sewing would put nearly as much stress on a machine as machine embroidery does. I understand that this lady would have her machine going steadily doing embroidery for 8 hours or more every day. Regular sewing might have as many hours, but not nearly the number of stitches.

Donna in Idaho

On Sat, 20 Aug 2011 04:07:04 -0500, Roberta wrote (in article ):

Wow! Maybe I should go back and look at all those fancy stitches I don't use again!

Maureen

Oh my ... I think I'm so out of my league there that I probably wouldn't even be allowed to watch her work. What an artist.

Sunny

Polly,

What do you think of this "deal"? The offer arrived from a local sewing machine store by email today........

To be sold for Charity 100% of proceeds goes to The Center for Courageous Kids

Baby Lock BMP9 Embroidery Professional Plus

Go to

to see all the great features on the BMP9. MSRP $11,229.99

1 week only to be sold for $6999.99, new in box. Save $4230.00

Once in a lifetime opportunity to buy a 6 needle Baby Lock embroidery machine at a fraction of its retail. And the money all goes to The Center for Courageous Kids. Onlly 1 will be sold for this event. Call or stop in today for details. Help us help these seriously ill children. Thank you for your support.

In good conscience, I feel it's my Duty to save $ 4,230.00. LOL. OTOH, I can just barely function with a simply l-needle embroidery machine. Those 'big girl' toys scare the stuffing out of me. Y'all just carry on and I'll be the cheering squad. Polly

Here's one way she may have done it.... Pfaff has a new machine out with a system called "Shape Creato Applique," which is all done in the embroidery hoop. "this sewing and embroidery machine automatically places the stitch or design of your choice around the entire shape. All you have to do is trim away the fabric ? and you?re done."

-Irene

Sorry, forgot to include the URL!

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That is pretty darned smart - if I had a machine like that, I would use this feature.

For those not bothered to look up the manual: you choose from some pre-programmed shapes, straight stitch on the background fabric, line up the applique to cover the straight stitch and attach the applique with another line of sewing (could be with a fancy stitch, made to fit). Well, that was my understanding, glancing the one'page description in the manual.

Hanne in DK