I looked at the time and braced myself as if an earthquake was about to happen. It didn’t. But my mind was miles away. A week ago on Friday evening we had to put the family dog down. She was 15 years old and she was falling apart. As I stared at my computer monitor, trying to figure out what to do next—remembering exactly where I was a week ago at this time, I decided I had to occupy myself.
I opened Perfect Embroidery Pro software without a clear plan and with some reluctance. There wasn’t any inspiration floating around in my head. None.
I played with features and dabbled with different design layouts. During this process, I realized there are some very fun designs in the software….
Did you know there are so many dog related designs built in to the software?
Kibbles would definitely approve. I was able to make a paw print frame using the Symbols feature.
Select the paw print symbol and click Ok.
Drag and drop the paw design. You can make it large or small depending on how far you drag the mouse button across the screen.
I went crazy copying and pasting.
To see how the design would stitch out I went to View, Slow Redraw.
That’s when it became clear it was as if Kibbles ran around on the screen. The paw prints were definitely not in a good stitching order.
To make the paw prints stitch efficiently, click on Edit. Optimize Sequence. That’s much better!
Since I was enjoying myself and forgetting my sadness, I decided to try another layout.
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Click on the Text tool. Select Baushaus. This font seemed to fit Kibbles’ personality.
I typed the name, Kibbles and clicked Apply.
Click the Text Designs Icon.
I got very distracted with all the designs! I chose the Bone design and clicked Ok.
Click on the Text Designs Icon again.
Select the Crown Design and click ok.
I rearranged the Crown design so it was positioned on top of the Dog Bone design.
The bone needed something more. I added the year, 2015.
My creative juices continued to flow and I lost track of the time. The design isn’t quite right. I experimented again…
I decided I needed to enlarge the name Kibbles. Perfect Embroidery Pro has a handy cheat sheet. If you hover over the font, it will display recommended sizes for a particular font style. Good information to know before I enlarge the name.
I changed the height to 1 inch.
I copied the name Kibbles.
I selected the first Kibbles design. Then I deleted the letters, “les”.
Next I selected the second Kibbles design. I deleted the letters “Kibb”.
I repositioned the “Kibb” above the crown. Then I rotated the “les” 270 degrees.
I rearranged name until I had a pleasing layout.
I clicked on the 3D View. Now it is a design fit for a princess, named Kibbles!
An hour of playing with embroidery software kept my mind occupied while creating something special to honor my four-legged friend. Machine embroidery is such a wonderful creative outlet. Use it as often as you can!
32 COMMENTS
Verla Sonier
9 years agois this a free software
eileenroche
9 years agoVerla, Perfect Embroidery Pro is a professional digitizing software program used by digitizers all over the world. It can be purchased at participating dealers. you can learn more here: http://inspiredbydime.com/products/*/*/11455
Sandy Franklin
9 years agoI am so sorry you have lost a beloved ” member of you family ” four legs two legs, they all have a place in your heart. We have a shelf with several members, all in beautiful or handsome containers.. BTY I miss seeing you here in Orange county, I love your Stitching sisters show, I’ve caught you two in Tx, and twice here. Fondly, Sandy Franklin Huntington Beach Ca
Maxine Mac Neill
9 years agoI truly feel your pain. My Black Lab. Retriever Sadie has been gone a year yet seems like yesterday. I had her for 15 years also so the imprint is deep. It the great memories of her that help as will be for you also.
Denise Holguin
9 years agoThank you, Maxine. I’m sorry for your loss of Sadie.
Delores Angus
9 years agoSo sorry for your loss. Kibble so will always be in your heart. Stitching out your design and perhaps framing it to hang where you can see it alongside a picture will help? I have a canvas with momentos and picture of our Penny. It makes me smile now.
Joy Teague
9 years agoSorry to hear about your family pet.
Theresa Lindal
9 years agoSorry to hear of your loss. What a good way to make a memory of her. Digitizing is a great way to forget about your problems.
Linda King
9 years agoSo sorry for your loss, I do feel your pain, we had to put down our little Tinker. He had severe arthritis in the spine, blind, and had alzheimers. He was my baby 14 yrs. old. We also had to put down Maggie, 3yrs. ago, she was 15 yrs, old. Our furry animals are our babies, and will never be forgotten..
Susan Skuda
9 years agoI’ve never met another who had a fur baby named Kibbles. Our first cocker was our adorable Kibbles. It is devastating to lose a pet. My heart goes out to you and your beloved Kibbles. God bless. Oh, and I must say, I love your tutorials. This one is extra special…
Denise Holguin
9 years agoHi Susan,
I was so excited to ‘meet’ another Kibbles through your comment. My Kibbles was named after my grandmother’s Kibbles. That makes 3 Kibbles that we know!
Denise
Helen Murtagh
9 years agoI am so sorry to hear about your loss. My furry boy is 15 and is showing signs that this may be his last summer with us. They give us so much joy.
Sherry McCary
9 years agoSo sad to hear about Kibbles. There are very few things as devastating as losing such a much-loved part of your family. Hope you can feel better soon.
Cynthia
9 years agoSo sorry for your loss. You have given me an inspiration for past pups we have lost. I hope that the memories of Kibbles will soon outshine the loss.
Denise Holguin
9 years agoCynthia,
Your last sentence is priceless. I read it to my friend this weekend – it really gave me peace.
Thank you!
Denise
Rrrose
9 years agoWhat a unique way to grieve over Kibbles. Pets are so special, glad you had him for 15 years, I know it is hard to lose him. Condolences to you.
Sharon
9 years agoI was so sorry to hear of your loss, we lost our boy 5 years ago after 12 years of loving companionship and I still miss him, my thought are with you.
Thank you for your superb informative blog, I have only just found you and am delighted with all your interesting topics.
Denise Holguin
9 years agoHi Sharon,
Thank you for your kind words.
We put a lot of heart into the blog and the magazine – and we are happy to have you on board!
Denise
alida jones
9 years agoI have a question . I do not have the crown in my text catalog. I do have the latest download.
eileenroche
9 years agoClick on the text designs icon. Enter MT17041 in the search box. Click on the down arrow. The search engine will take right to the crown.
Susan
9 years agoI am so sorry for your loss. Bless you for the great tutorial – such great therapy! Happy Memorial Day
Denise Holguin
9 years agoThank you, Susan!
Denise
Karla Dvorak
9 years agoI’, so sorry for your loss.
Beth R
9 years agoVery cute!
Nancy Stansbury
9 years agoThanks for the embroidery idea.
I know your feelings. We went camping this weekend, and our beloved border collie/Australian Shepard, Bilbo, was with us for the last time. He is also almost 15, and going down hill. So, tomorrow afternoon, he will also be put down.
Denise Holguin
9 years agoNancy,
That is very, very sad. My condolences to you and your loved ones.
Denise
Pat
9 years agoSo sorry about your loss. We are waiting for our 15 year old BC to give up and pass on her own. Your design for Kibb-les was inspired. I enjoyed your design evolution.
Denise Holguin
9 years agoHi Pat,
Thank you. I had no idea where my design evolution would take me – but I’m glad I tried. It kept my mind quite busy.
Denise
Tessa
9 years agoThis post is going to be fun to devour more closely, since I’m new to machine embroidery, I’ll need more time. Am also suffering pet loss…Wilson, our beloved elder pup, entered dog heaven just over 2 mos ago. I’m sorry Kibbles had to leave you too, but dog heaven is supposed to be a wonderful place! Maybe she’s met Wilson! So glad that you are productive in your mourning periods, because I want to become a better machine embroiderer! 🙂 Best to you at this difficult time.
Denise Holguin
9 years agoWow, thank you Tessa. Yes, Wilson and Kibbles are probably running around, rolling in grass, chasing balls and hiding milkbones everywhere!
I’m glad you found the post useful. Please check back with us often. We have regular posts on software tutorials, stabilizer tips and pretty much anything embroidery!
Take care,
Denise
Tessa
9 years agoThank, Denise! I’m still struggling with putting together long names on pieces I embroider. I will keep searching and reading on your post, but I have much to learn! :0 Thanks for your helpful blog!
Libby
5 years agoIs there a free update that is available for Dime? If so how do I get it?
Thank you.