I've had the ability to do machine embroidery for about 20 years now, first on a Viking, and now on my beloved Babylock. I remember the initial excitement about all the wonderful things you can do and that excitement never goes away. For Chanukah, my 8 year old nephew wanted a lab coat, and of course, Aunt Lisa embroidered his name on the pocket. My greatest accomplishment, though, is a denim jacket I made (Itch to Stitch Atenas jacket) with a dragon embroidered on the back. It's stunning and gets compliments everywhere I go. (Two layers of firm cutaway stabilizer because of the natural stretch in the denim twill weave.) And I know you don't quilt much, but you can do edge-to-edge quilting on your machine that looks like it was done by a longarm! Rabbit hole doesn't even begin to describe all the ways to get sucked in. Enjoy!!!!

@TomKatStitchery

28 күн бұрын

I love that the 8 year old has a custom lab coat--nice job, Aunt Lisa! I bet the jacket is AMAZING!

My husband bought me a new combination sewing embroidery machine for my birthday in May and the next week, my MIL came to visit for 2 weeks so we got to learn to use it together. It was so fun and when she got home, her husband bought her the same machine so we can embroider + sew over FaceTime together! ❤

@denisem9407

28 күн бұрын

You have a great husband.

@TomKatStitchery

28 күн бұрын

I love that you share this hobby ! I bet you are coming up with some amazing projects!

@alannarhodes55

28 күн бұрын

@TomKatStitchery yes! We both have a very classic style and have seen lots of things in Boden etc. That have embroidery accents similar to the examples you showed. We both would love to learn how to do that. Do you think you will have tutorials to show the basics of that eventually?

@alannarhodes55

28 күн бұрын

@@denisem9407 truly, I am so blessed by him.

@TomKatStitchery

28 күн бұрын

@@alannarhodes55 Maybe. We'll see how proficient I get in it before I do any teaching!

It's a whole nother realm to sewing. Love my embroidery machines! I've had so much fun making personalized for my grandkids. I've made pillowcases with glow in the dark names on the cuffs! Love embroidering my jeans pockets.

@TomKatStitchery

28 күн бұрын

That is a fantastic use for glow in the dark thread! What a great idea!

YES it's a rabbit hole 😅😅. I've had my other business logo digitize a few years ago and IT DOES come in handy and nice to be able to put on different things. I used to do more embroidery but had gotten away from it. I was excited to watch your video because I have my 1-on-1 with my area Bernina instructor in a few days and I'm excited about it. I've been watching SO MANY embroidery videos as of late to remind myself what to do, pulled out my old notes, etc because I'm definitely ready to dive back in. I'm actually considering learning to digitize , it's been something I've been wanting to learn for a few years and because I've had several things digitized. BTW, you might want to watch Parker On The Porch, they have some AWESOME in the hoop patterns. I've purchased a couple (yet to try 😅😅😅). As a creative this is just something esle that excites me 😅😅

@TomKatStitchery

12 күн бұрын

Ooh, Nateida! Thank you for the heads up on Parker on the Porch. I will totally go check them out. Those in the hoop patterns just blow my mind!

I like to embroider on pockets, I’ve done jeans, shirt pockets and towelling for dressing gown. My most popular make was one year i made candy cane elves for all our friends kids (25 I think) with felt ITH , I have an embroidery machine and combined machine so had both going like a small production. I have also embroidered on RTW t-shirts a quick gift like their favourite animals. I didn’t notice anyone else mentioning it but you can use washi tape or painters tape to do the temporary hold down. It really is a whole new adventure that you can loose days in finding all the stuff and so many things that you can make. I think I might have as many embroidery files as garment and I have a lot of those😂

@TomKatStitchery

27 күн бұрын

I can totally see where this would be a deep rabbit hole 😂 and I love a good sewing/crafting rabbit hole!

Yes! About a year and a half ago, I purchased a Baby lock embroidery machine and loved it, and about 8 months ago, I also started hand embroidery. I'm still learning and loving it.

@TomKatStitchery

28 күн бұрын

That is fantastic!

Your excitement about the embroidery is so fun! My youngest grand is 16 now so I have had to find other outlets but I sure did a lot of it when they were all young. There are people that you can send a photo to and they can digitize and return a file to you in the format that you need. They vary in price and proficiency but they are out there! If I can find the info on the person I used I will send it to you. ❤️❤️❤️

@TomKatStitchery

28 күн бұрын

Thank you so much! And there are already so many files out there ready to go--it's hard to choose where to get started!

I just purchased the Bernina 700… I am so excited about this rabbit hole I’m about to get Into😊😊

@TomKatStitchery

28 күн бұрын

It's deep hole! Have fun!

I have a Bernina 590 with the embroidery module, I bought it as a special price at the time. I took the classes both the regular sewing classes and embroidery and I sew quite a bit but never used the embroidery. Now a have a newborn granddaughter and I’m thinking I might need to make her some cute things with the embroidery. The teachers at my Bernina shop have been great. I might need to redo the class and try again.

@TomKatStitchery

28 күн бұрын

Congratulations on the grandbaby! Yes! She needs all the cute little bibs, blankets and outfits embroidered!

My hubby bought me a Babylock Meridian for my birthday and I am having so much fun learning so many things!!! I haven’t been brave enough to put it on clothing I make yet!

@TomKatStitchery

28 күн бұрын

What a great gift! When you are ready to try sewing knits on it, my Knit Sewing Essentials class covers construction with a serger and coverstitch with me holding your hand every step of the way!! www.tomkatstitchery.com/KSE

Yes, I have a Pfaff Icon and love it! I have been machine embroidering for about 10 years and enjoying all the flexibility it brings to sewing. You will find it brings so many options for gift giving. I still am. shy at demensional angles for tops. Have fun!

@TomKatStitchery

28 күн бұрын

I see lots of gifts in my future!

I loved this video! I just got a Babylock Bloom and am ready to get started. You’re so lucky to have a great instructor nearby! I’m going to pretty much be on my own.

@TomKatStitchery

23 күн бұрын

Congrats on the new machine!

Oh, now you have me all fired up about machine embroidery. LOL I have several sewing machines although only two do embroidery. I took the lessons for each machine and was totally enchanted. Unfortunately, my commute time increased over the years until I had no time for doing creative things of any sort (beyond dinner). Now, I have no commute and ready to get back into all that my machines offer. My Bernina machine though on the elderly side still works just fine but is limited to the smaller hoops of that era. I'd love trade it in for something newer but have other projects (house fix-ups) to get done ahead of that. My Viking (somewhat newer) has much larger hoops and I even have the continuous embroidery hoop set for it. My first back to embroidery projects are to complete the Christmas stockings for the grandkids which mostly consists of getting their names embroidered on each one. Then I have a jacket that needs a little something but all I have of that project is the pattern so some planning is in order first. Also, each of my embroidery machines have a quilting design that I'd love to play around with. Why do I have two embroidery machines? Well, after I purchased my Bernina and was getting accustomed to its way of doing things (they're all a bit different), I found it getting crankier and crankier with getting a proper stitch done. That's why I purchased the Viking having always used them. Frustrated with the Bernina, I took it in for servicing but they found nothing wrong. Later, while doing some quilting with the local Project LInus group (had to use the Bernina as it was right after getting it back from the servicing), a piece of greasy looking thread popped up from the bobbin area. Ever since then, it has worked beautifully and I have no complaints whatsoever about the stitch quality. So now, I use whichever machine is set up for sewing when I need to get something done and I have the option of setting up the other to do embroidery while I work on something else. My other current problem is getting two stable tables into my cramped sewing room. I have a small house so all the bedrooms are small--the master is 10x13 and the other two much smaller. I also need to update the software on both machines for best results on newer embroidery designs. One thing at a time though like getting my wardrobe in shape. I love the little touches that fancy stitches can add to many sewing projects. My first Viking is now 46 years old and all its fancy stitches were done via plastic cams. I used the little dogs to put borders on my son's baby clothes, the little hearts on the lining inside my winter coat, and even rows of double needle work on table linens. I was hooked on fancy stitches and embroidery long, long ago. I would say the one catch in the current embroidery machines is the wide throat which makes it hard to get a good straight stitch unless you have the throat plate with a single round hole to prevent fabric distortion or worse (happened to me all too often) getting your fabric pulled into that large hole--basically a slot. It happens easily with light weight fabric and nearly never with something heavier like denim. I should stop writing now and go sew something so I can get caught up with the wardrobe and back to embroidery by machine. (I love doing embroidery or cross stitch by hand as well. So soothing to do in the evening before the TV.)

@TomKatStitchery

21 күн бұрын

I agree that embroidery can add such an elevated touch to a garment. I want to work it in my projects a bit more!

@sandyp2485

21 күн бұрын

@@TomKatStitchery I first started by adding the fancy stitches to hems (even in coat linings), cuffs, etc. instead of top stitching. From there, things took off. 😁

@TomKatStitchery

21 күн бұрын

@@sandyp2485ooh! Thats a good idea!

@sandyp2485

21 күн бұрын

@@TomKatStitchery That 790 has so many great decorative stitches. I'm sure you have a few scraps. LOL Take some solid color pieces and add a layer of interfacing. then pick out some you'd like to add to clothing and try them out. You are essentially making a sampler for reference.

It looks so fun!

@TomKatStitchery

28 күн бұрын

It really is!

Omg! Alice held my hand through a tutorial at University of Sewing when I went several weeks ago to purchase my new to me Bernina Serger. Everyone there is so helpful. Not sure when I’ll get back to their shop as I’m up in Michigan but I definitely see a road trip in my future!! Your excitement over learning a new skill is fun to watch and contagious!!

@TomKatStitchery

28 күн бұрын

Thank you and I'm glad you are enjoying your new Serger!

I'm so excited that you're talking about machine embroidery! I've never bought the software for my Pfaff, but I've done a few things with the embroidery stitches that are built into the machine. I've always thought it would be so much fun to get into it more. I hope to see a lot more about embroidery on your channel. Thanks for delving into this!

@TomKatStitchery

28 күн бұрын

Stay tuned--it will be fun to see where this leads me!

Great to see you so energised by machine embroidery. I have two embroidery machines, including a Bernina 790 Plus as well as the Bernina software. I bought my first embroidery machine 20 more than 20 years ago. If I start digitising, I can easily fall down a rabbit hole and be gone for hours :-)

@TomKatStitchery

28 күн бұрын

I love that you can create whatever is in your mind!

Thank Wendy I love Macine embroidery . I have a Babylock Destiny and love it. I do have the soft where and lots of thread. I prefer Floriani embroidery thread.

@TomKatStitchery

28 күн бұрын

Thanks for the tip!

I just bought a machine with an embroidery unit. I haven’t used it yet, but you have encouraged me to try. Thanks.

@TomKatStitchery

28 күн бұрын

Yes! and if your local store offers a class, it's a great way to get started.

I’ve seen sweatshirts and tees embroidered with Mama or Nana around the neck-so cute! I stitched some tees for my grandson with school logo and mascot when he was in Kinder, his teachers loved it. Welcome to the rabbit hole! My last project was 15 sets(2) of potholders for my Bunco group.

@TomKatStitchery

28 күн бұрын

Well that's a fun prize!

I’ve been machine embroidering for many years and enjoy it very much. I made a cadence dress out of a solid linen like fabric that I will be looking for something to “spice” it up as it’s looking very plain to me.

@TomKatStitchery

28 күн бұрын

That's a great idea!

Angela Wolf has a collection of lace for Channel Suits. And great lace too

@TomKatStitchery

28 күн бұрын

❤️❤️❤️

I have done a few machine embroidery projects. I do want to sprinkle in a few projects in between garment sewing and quilting but sometimes finding time is difficult. I am very interested in embroidery on me-made garments so I look forward to what you may have to show us.

@TomKatStitchery

28 күн бұрын

Stay tuned!

Embroidery Garden has great projects of doing on the hoop.

@TomKatStitchery

28 күн бұрын

❤️❤️❤️

I love that you refer to it as a rabbit hole! I embroider on Viking and Pfaff machines, which I sell and teach for my job, and I joke that you could get a PhD in Stabilizer and a whole other degree in thread, there's so much information to learn. And that doesn't even touch on the software element! A rabbit hole indeed, and For Sure we just need more time in our days!!!

@TomKatStitchery

28 күн бұрын

Yes, could we add just 2 more hours for creating? Definitely don't want that extra time doing chores!

Embroidery is so much fun! I bought an Embroiderer’s Compass - one for me & one for a friend- to help keep us straight with what stabilizers to use. Also, I invested in some magnetic hoops. Oh my goodness, have they ever changed and improved my hoopings! 😘

@TomKatStitchery

28 күн бұрын

Oh those sound like really useful tools!

I have a Bernina 750 but didn’t buy the embroidery module. I might have to rethink that. I’d love to see you use your embroidery module in more projects.

@TomKatStitchery

28 күн бұрын

It's a pretty nice addition to your sewing space!

Whitney I love that digitized design! You HAVE to put it up on your website so we can embroider it on stuff for ourselves! Free advertising from your followers! I have the Bernina 770 QE and love mine so much. Let me specify, your logo of course

@TomKatStitchery

28 күн бұрын

That's a great idea!

I LOVE EMBROIDERY!!! I think I sent you an email???? You need to try Lace, it is so so beautiful!!! Thank you for sharing!!!!

@TomKatStitchery

28 күн бұрын

I will check it out

I love my Bernina. I used to embroider a lot. I want to try making some pouches out of cork. I pretty sure it embroiders well. I also buy files online - your daughter might like Urban Threads. I find some great things there.

@TomKatStitchery

28 күн бұрын

Thanks for the tip--I will check them out!

Every time I go to my local sewing machine store for notions, I get distracted by the embroidery machines. So far, I've resisted the temptation, but it does look like a lot of fun.

@TomKatStitchery

28 күн бұрын

They are mesmerizing for sure!

I just watched your video for the second time. I went to my local Bernina store and looked at machines yesterday. That could be dangerous! 🤣 My current machine is 30 years old, and I'm trying to decide if I would use the embroidery module much on a new one, but I must say it's enticing. I'm hoping to hear more from you about your embroidery adventures! (Would love to hear your thoughts on the Bernina 790 Pro or 790 Plus. Do you have a video on that?)

@TomKatStitchery

13 күн бұрын

I don't have a video on the 790 Pro (which is what I'm currently sewing on), but my "loan" of the machine will be over at the end of the year. I can definitely do a review on it at that point!

@anitraanderson931

13 күн бұрын

@@TomKatStitchery Thanks for your reply! Anything will be appreciated.

❤❤

@TomKatStitchery

21 күн бұрын

❤️❤️❤️

Love your videos. Where did you get fabric for top? I must have missed it.

@TomKatStitchery

28 күн бұрын

I was wearing a dress made from fabric I purchased from www.destashify.com

This is a detailed and inspiring video. My only query is your spelling of the word chief.

@TomKatStitchery

28 күн бұрын

We had a good laugh at that one--clearly I'm not that big of a fan!

This does look like fun, but I need to avoid this rabbit hole for now…. Did Alice make the top she was wearing? It looked like there was embroidery on them front.

@TomKatStitchery

28 күн бұрын

I believe she did make the shirt she is wearing. She's a very talented sewist!

I add embroidery details to most of my me made sewing. I embroider labels that list the pattern and size of the garment.

@user-bt6ql2lb6m

29 күн бұрын

What a great idea, especially when sewing garments for others!

@TomKatStitchery

28 күн бұрын

That is a fantastic idea! Labels! I love it!