Inspiration is everywhere!
We have a restaurant in the area that has taken recycling to a new level. It has an entire wall covered in wooden pallets. Now if that’s not crazy enough—the pallets have graffiti all over them.
I read the pallets as I was enjoying my hamburger. There were various messages, “Susie was here.” “12/5/2015: We bought a house!” And of course, the most common sort of graffiti—a heart with two people’s initials.
When it came time to stitch the Monogram of the Month, I used what I had seen at the restaurant as my inspiration. I want to stitch an appliqued heart with the letters SS + BH.
I opened the bernette Embroidery Software Customizer. The software includes a variety of embroidery design files and applique designs that can be used with the CutWork tool. I chose an embroidery design that has a coordinating applique file.
I opened design FB521_48.
Next I clicked on Settings / Options / Hoop.
Click on the Manual setting option and click OK. This will give you the freedom to move embroidery designs later.
Next I RIGHT clicked on the Lettering icon.
What I appreciated in this software was the ability to scroll through the selection of fonts – while previewing the text I have typed. This makes it easier to decide which font style to select. I chose the Futura Md BT font. Another great feature about the software—it uses true type fonts. You can continually add fonts to your collection.
I typed the initials: “SS”
I pressed OK and added the text.
I repeated this step for the “+” and the “BH”
Once all the text was placed on the heart, I rotated each text element 30 degrees.
Last, I selected all the text and changed the color to black.
I saved this design onto a memory stick.
Next I opened the coordinating applique heart file and sent to the memory stick.
Using the BERNINA 830 with the CutWork tool I “stitched” the applique file, FB521_48_CWA. The end result was a perfectly cut applique heart.
Then I hooped a new piece of fabric and stitched the heart embroidery design.
While reminiscent of the graffiti from the restaurant, my version uses fabric and thread as the medium!
You may not always realize inspiration is around you – but challenge yourself to see embroidery possibilities in unexpected ways.
Check back in on Friday for the second installment of Monogram on the Month!
Here’s your assignment this week:
Inspiration can be found everywhere and in everything. For today’s blog, Denise’s inspiration came from a restaurant’s graffiti wall. What has been your most peculiar source for embroidery inspiration?
Post a comment below and one very lucky winner is going to score BIG by winning a one-year subscription to Design in Machine Embroidery magazine!
24 COMMENTS
Kristal
9 years agoWhile it’s not “peculiar” (to answer the above question,) I had a BLAST and learned so much at the DIME social event last week. Kellie did a great job! I came away very inspired and educated. Thanks for hosting a great event.
Kathleen De Verville
9 years agoThat is a very original piece of art to work with. Good idea.
Karen
9 years agoInspiration is all over Paris when looking at wrought iron, cobble streets or stain glass … Not too unique, but hey!
Casie
9 years agoI found a very unique design in some antique metal ceiling tiles — still attached to the ceiling. I took some pictures and was able to bring them into my digitizing software!
Gail Beam
9 years agoThe City Museum in St. Louis is full of interesting art and architecture . Everything inside the huge building is made up of everyday objects turned into spectacular art.
CathyK
9 years agoMy most peculiar design is my husband’s airplane! I am going to make it into an embroidery design and put it in on his shirt as a surprise. I am a real newbie, so I hope I can do it!
Elise Stone
9 years agoPictures of some fantastic old trees I took while traveling in NZ.
Dottie
9 years agoI had a friend who renovated her kitchen with a new backsplash and one tile was decorative and included their last initial. I took a picture of it, scanned in my embroidery software and was able to embroidery a piece of fabric that I turned into a potholder.
Nancy Weber
9 years agoI do not digitize so must find my inspiration all ready to go! Also I am not a visionary. I must see something in order to be able to do it. So I love all the inspiration on Pintrest.
Saundra Romanus
9 years agoI went to an Embroidery Show hosted by Babylock and there were so many ideas and items to look at I couldn’t wait to try them!
Valerie
9 years agoI think my garden is the most inspirational. The colors, the textures, the way things feel.
Elizabeth
9 years agoMy local park’s walking path is full of inspiration. If I look very closely at the veins on a leaf or the patterns of color on a flower blossom, I’m inspired to translate it into fabric and thread.
JudiC
9 years agoAlthough probably not peculiar, mail order catalogs inspire me every day. I get so many I could not possibly afford all the beautiful things available in the many catalogs I get every week but if I can figure out how to make it I can embroider it too.
Karen
9 years agoEdged glassware.
Karen W
9 years agoToo many to list here! Inspiration comes from everywhere — nature, websites, quilts, art, etc. Often, the juices start flowing when I need something special – whether it’s a simple repair, making a gift, personalizing a store-bought item, or taking a sewing, quilt or craft project “up a notch”. My friends say I’m very detail-oriented & I like thinking out of the box/ dreaming up ways to make something more unique. Taking something plain/ inexpensive & turning it into something special is just the starting point! I’d never be able to make all the things I dream up — even with a staff to help!
MJ
9 years agoMy best inspiration is from blogs!!
Joan Shriver
9 years agoNecessity is my inspiration!
Clover
9 years agoI love making walker pouches, wheelchair chair pouches and Monogramed bibs for the elderly. I like to use flower fabrics and make things cheerful and bright.
Doreen
9 years agoI’ve been inspired by some of the antique looking wooden signs with sayings on them. I’ve seen them in my daughter’s home and in some stores. They have some inspirational quotes.
Deanna
9 years agoI get inspired by nature, or photos of nature.
Sara Redner
9 years agoOur anniversary trip to Mount Rushmore and Custer State Park inspired me. I don’t digitize but was able to purchase designs of Mount Rushmore and Buffalo and embroidered some things to remind us of our fantastic trip!
beth d.
9 years agoI have not had an unusual embroidery done. I mainly do monograms and different designs on shirts, towels and knit tops.
Karen Avey
9 years agoI also do not digitize, but was inspired by my husband’s dog. He was a beautiful hound my husband loved. I took a photo and sent it out to be digitized then embroidered it on a denim shirt as a gift.
Sue Reifschneider
9 years agoI am just starting to try to digitize also. Sometimes when u look at cloud formations u can see pictures.