I was trying to figure out how to thank a friend who has been very helpful the last couple months. She’s been working hard and really getting a lot accomplished. But what to do for her?
She recently moved in to a new office and mentioned she wants to decorate her new space. That’s when a spark of creativity ignited in my mind….
I decided to visit one of my favorite embroidery design sites—Embroidery Online to find something fun to stitch for my friend’s office.
Not having any idea what I wanted, I decided to visit the New Releases section on their homepage.
That’s when the Loop-de-Loop designs caught my attention. They look like something I would doodle and color if I had the talent!
I had a vague idea what I wanted—stark contrasting colors and maybe even decorative stitching thrown in for even more effect. And I’d like to decorate with some rick rack!
I used Perfect Embroidery Pro but most digitizing software programs have the same function.
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Open one of the letters from the collection. Select the entire design. (Press Ctrl + A). Right click on the design and select Group.
Next click on the Artwork tool.
Then click on Rectangle from the dropdown menu.
Draw a rectangle around the design as shown.
Right click on an empty thread color box at the bottom of your workspace. Click Add Color. Another color is added to your workspace. You can click on the color and change it to any color you wish. I chose a bright red to make it easier on my eyes to see. Next click on the rectangle image you drew. Then right click on color 7 to assign the new color to the rectangle.
Select the Letter. Right click and select Create Outline.
A new window appears.
Click OK to keep the default settings.
Your design should look similar to the one shown below.
If you look very closely in the image above, you’ll notice the outline around the design is a light blue. I added an arrow to help. As a matter of preference, I like my artwork to match, (and I like to be able to see it!) With the outline selected, right click on the color 7 to change the color to red.
Notice both artwork designs are red as shown in the color sequence in the image below.
Click on the red color sequence to select the artwork. Now click on the Combine icon in the top toolbar.
With the artwork still selected, click on Texture icon.
A window appears with a variety of textures. I chose number 148.
The texture is added to the artwork. Notice the stitching goes around the letter—it doesn’t stitch on top – which wouldn’t be a very pretty sight! The reason it works: we drew the rectangle shape, created an outline around the letter and combined the two elements. By doing these steps you get the decorative stitching in just the right areas.
For fun, (don’t do these steps, I’m just showing you for illustrative purposes) I clicked undo all the way to the step where I combined the two artwork elements. Then I added the texture. Now you see what happens when you don’t combine! Yikes! The decorative stitching covers the top of my beautiful letter D. Now, hopefully you see the importance of adding outlines and combining.
Save the (proper) design with a unique name and send to the embroidery machine.
Repeat the steps for each letter.
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I stitched the design in fun, bright colors – the colors seemed to fit my friend’s personality. Next, I sewed rick rack along the edge of the embroidery. The final touch were the buttons at every corner of the design.
Here’s your assignment this week:
As I was sewing the buttons on the embroidery, the recipient walked in to my office and with a look of interest asked what I was up to. I quickly changed the subject – hoping to distract her with ANYTHING. The project is a surprise for her, after all! I felt pretty confident I had changed the subject.. then she started to collect and arrange a couple of the letters. “What do the letters spell?” she asked. I got really nervous at that point!
Now I submit the question to you! What do the letters spell? A A N D N I
Post your answer and one lucky recipient (with the right answer) will be selected to win a $25 gift card to use on the Designs in Machine Embroidery website!
Whether you add the extra stitching or not – I think you’ll agree these Loop-de-Loop designs from Embroidery Online have endless creative uses! Need more inspiration? Be sure to stop by the Designs Plus Newsletter for the Top 5 Things You Can Make by Visiting Embroidery Online.
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The winner of last week’s assignment answered the following question:
This week tell me what color do you think I should wear? Let’s take a vote. Tell me if you think deep blue, coral or taupe is the way to go. Post your comments and ONE random winner will be selected to win the Designer Handbags DVD
The winners is:
Carolyn W: “I think the blue would enhance your coloring. It is such a cool color.”
Upcoming Fun!
Be sure to look for the upcoming behind the scenes blog featuring these letters. I’ll share my tips and of course my signature foibles I always seem to make!
95 COMMENTS
Erich Campbell
9 years agoI’m going to guess Dianna. 🙂 Personalization is classic for embroidery, even framed.
Denise Holguin
9 years agoErich,
At the time I photographed the samples, (I will admit I was short on food in my system) I was convinced the puzzle was difficult– especially with the As listed first. 🙂
Thanks for visiting the post!
Denise
Colleen Murphy
9 years agoDianna. Very nice.
beth daniels
9 years agoThe word is Dianna. It looks great framed.
Jan
9 years agoDIANNA
Sharon R
9 years agoDIANNA?
That looks so cool, I might have to try something like this for my granddaughter’s room.
Denise Holguin
9 years agoSharon,
You should stitch one for your granddaughter! Maybe even get her input on thread colors.
Denise
Valerie
9 years agoDianna
Anne Marie Reilly
9 years agoDianna, what a nice gift!
Sharon Grogan
9 years agoword is DIANNA
HOLLY
9 years agoThe letters make Dianna. Love the framing and rickrack nice touch, great ideas.
Denise Holguin
9 years agoThank you Holly!
Just don’t look too closely. AFTER I stitched all the white rickrack and was ready to stitch the green, I realized the two rickrack colors were different widths. I almost cried. 😉
I opted for creative license and using what I have.
Thanks for visiting the blog!
Denise
Jackie
9 years agoIt might be Dianna, Dannia, Dainna or Danina
Jacque Lindsey
9 years agoDianna
Helen Murtagh
9 years agoI think it spells Dianna
Kathy Petersen
9 years agoDianna
Paulette Kellerher
9 years agoDIANNA It’s a really great gift.
Juanita Wacaster
9 years agoDianna…
Juanita Wacaster
9 years agoBeautiful!
Charlotte Silber
9 years agoIt spells Dianna, very pretty.
Mary Lee
9 years agoDIANNA
Donna Fecteau
9 years agoDianna.
Donna
9 years agoDianna
Sue Y
9 years agoDianna! Love the lettering!
Kristal
9 years agoDIANNA
kandy
9 years agoI say Dianna one of my friends names. My middle name is DIANE. LOL
Great job and looks really pretty.
Denise Holguin
9 years agoKandy,
Diane is a shorter name! I should have stitched one for you instead! It’s funny how enormously long a name Dianna felt when I was stitching!
Denise
Deb Adams
9 years agoDianna
Belinda Germain
9 years agoDianna in beautiful embroidery!
Annette L
9 years agoIt’s DIANNA
Maria Goad
9 years agoDIANNA. What a great thank you gift
Debbie
9 years agoI am hoping it spells Dianna. I would love to get a gift like this. Thank you for all of your ideas.
Fay
9 years agoDianna – it immediately jumped out because its my sister’s second name, so its very special to me.
Gail Beam
9 years agoMy guess is Dianna
Pam Wolfe
9 years agoI too am guessing Dianna. Love the doodle design. Will have to try it too for my art wall.
Beal
9 years agoMy guess is Nadina! No? Then Dianna! 😉
Denise Holguin
9 years agoBeal,
I’m rather fond of your first guess!
You’re giving me new ideas for future blog posts!
Denise
Brenda Melahn
9 years agoDianna
Marilyn Koestler
9 years agoIt has got to be DIANNA!
karen
9 years agoDIANNA pretty gift for a pretty name
Barbara
9 years agoDianna.
Well done. Great way to decorate with something different.
Sally Kane
9 years agoDianna is the name.
Bonnie Konkle
9 years agoDianna
Joy Teague
9 years agoMy guess is Dianna. Very pretty.
She will love them.
Shirley Clark
9 years agoI guess since there’s a big “D” on the screen, it must be Dianna. It could also spell Nadina. LOL
Denise Holguin
9 years agoShirley,
Nadina! Love that! hahaha!
Denise
Lynn
9 years agoDianna
Gillian
9 years agoI think Dianna is the answer. Being able to learn from your site is wonderful when I live no where near a teacher!
Mary Anne Fox
9 years agoDianna
Casie Williams
9 years agoI have to go with Dianna. Really wonderful idea!
Michelle H
9 years agoI have to go with the name Dianna
Marty
9 years agoVery pretty letters! They spell Dianna.
Liz
9 years agoDianna
Very nice design
Sharyn Wentworth
9 years agoDianna–What a great idea. Would be fun to win on my birthday.
Cheryl
9 years agoDianna. What a neat idea!
Sheila
9 years agoDianna
Dale
9 years agoDianna. I think my DGD will like this & maybe I can get her to help.
Donna G.
9 years agoDianna. What a cool idea for a gift!
Darlene Graham
9 years agoDianna. Beautiful
Pam
9 years agoDianna
Very creative!
Mary Ann
9 years agoGreat idea! I think I will do my granddaughters initials. The name is Dianna. Thanks for all the inspiration you give in these little tutorials. I find them very helpful.
Glenda Wilson
9 years agoBeautiful! Dianna
Kathy
9 years agoDianna, for sure!. Cute idea!
Sue
9 years agoDianna!! Beautiful Name, Beautiful Font!
JudiC
9 years agoDIANNA Lucky girl :o)
KAY PESCHKE
9 years agoLike others, I saw DIANNA almost immediately. What a great gift for your friend! Personal AND creative! 🙂
Phyllis Hiles
9 years agoDiana
Karen Poole
9 years agoDianna was my first guess but it could be Nandia, you never know nowadays!!
Kathleen Carls
9 years agoI go along with Dianna. I guessed that before I scrolled down to put my comment in. Thanks for the chance to win.
Gwynn McKenzie
9 years agoDianne. A pretty embroidery for a pretty name.
Karen
9 years agoDianne,what a great thank you gift.
Virginia Frazier
9 years agoMy answer is Dianna
Adeline Brill
9 years agoMy guess is Dianna.
Vicky
9 years agoDIANNA
Jeanne
9 years agoDianna, a beautiful name almost like the goddess!
Alice Cornelson
9 years agoCould it be Nandia?
Glenda Marsh
9 years agoDianna. A unique gift she’ll enjoy!
Jackie B
9 years agoDianna. Even just 1 initial would look great! Very clever and easy use of fonts. Looks very professional and well done. A gift she will cherish always!
Angela Brady
9 years agoDIANNA
Sara Redner
9 years agoI’m sure she figured out it spells Dianna. I know she will love the finished project!
Donna B
9 years agoDianna
Beautiful letters!
Elise
9 years agoDianna
Debe
9 years agoDianna or Dannai (know someone with this name). That is a beautiful gift!
Pat Kimball
9 years agoDianna
Patty
9 years agoDIANNA. What a pretty gift for a friend.
Sheila Murphy
9 years agoDianna would be the most important Word to form from this and what a beautiful way to say Thank You!
Doreen
9 years agoI think Dianna.
Clem
9 years agoBy now we know it is Dianna…love those letters! I just had my kitchen done and I think one of these letters with a possible coffee motif would work well on my blank wall! Love it!
Denise Holguin
9 years agoNo, no Clem! It’s Nadina! 😉
I told everyone at the office next time I’ll choose a less common name with 14 letters!
pearl VanDerMeere
9 years agoHow was your embroidery frame and how was it done and what products were used? It sure is a lovely piece of work. Great job.
Denise Holguin
9 years agoHi Pearl,
Good questions! I left those details out by mistake!
I used the Snap Hoop Monster frame to secure the fabric. I’m not fond of struggling with hooping so Snap Hoop / Snap Hoop Monster hoops are my go-to tools.
Denise
Judy
9 years agoDainna
Kathryn
9 years agoNADIA
Deanna
9 years agoIt’s got to be Dianna. Beautiful work. Makes a great gift.
Ruth Hampson
9 years agoThe letters spell DIANNA. She guessed, didn’t she?