Mar 24 16
Experimenting with Butterfly Designs
I’ve been playing around with some new machine embroidery applique designs, this time involving butterflies. The photo above was my first test stitch-out and it uncovered a big problem…can you spot it? It’s the edge finishing stitch I chose for the bug body. It’s got a “lacey” nature to it and so it doesn’t effectively cover the earlier stitching that was done in other colors. You can see the issue more clearly in this next shot:
The bug body edge finishing has been swapped out for another decorative stitch so now I’m happy. This next version is my whimsical butterfly version:
Much more playful, don’t you think? My next 3 butterflies are more celestial. I was influenced by intricate featherwork as I drew these out:
Here’s a close-up of that decorative stitching inside the wings…I love how it came out:
Doesn’t looking at that detail just give you butterflies?! (Pun intended!) I only had time to stitch out one more test stitch-out before I had to get going with dinner. This one channeled my love of swirls and plumes together:
I have to say that it was such a treat to watch as these all stitched out. I have another one to still test and then I’ll be done. These can all be stitched in a 5 in x 7 in hoop. They will be available soon in our online store and will come with a pdf of shapes and also a cutting file for Silhouette ecutters…more to follow!
dumb question but are the blue swirls on the whimsical one printed on the fabric or thread?
Oh, Patsy — just in time for spring!! These are GORGEOUS!! You have such a great eye for quilting designs. Can’t wait until they’re available — I can see these in my next quilt.
Diane
Patsy, can you tell us what stitch you use to create the rope effect on the edging of your stitcheries? It is so beautiful and I’d love to be able to do this on some of my applique.
Lovely butterflies. Looks like you’ll soon be able to release a fun new ME collection, or so I hope. 🙂
QuiltShopGal
http://www.quiltshopgal.com