It’s not often you find a designer who offers unique designs in multiple categories. Many design companies specialize and excel in specific categories like home décor, quilting and fashion. But Kreations by Kara’s is different, they seem to nail multiple categories like fashion, quilting and holiday. Since they are this month’s blog sponsor, I thought it would be fun to take a look at some of their work that we’ve published in Designs in Machine Embroidery over the years.
In Vol. 88, tattoo jeans were featured. First, they stitched the design on a combination of water soluble stabilizer, tulle and stretch mesh. After removing the water soluble stabilizer, they cut a hole in the pant leg (painful for some of us, I know!) and pinned the design in place. Free motion stitching tacked the design in place and wow – it looks dynamite!
One of my all-time favorite Kara designs is this floating butterfly. Her use of value is powerful, as it gives the illusion of flight.
Next, we have a mix of fashion and holiday. What gray hoodie or white t-shirt wouldn’t benefit by the addition of this trendy holiday stamp design? As an Irishman, I’d be happy to wear this on March 17th.
Back a few years, Kara’s Christmas Ornaments Throw graced the cover of Vol. 83, Nov/Dec 2013. What a stunner that was.
Coming full circle, you’ll find a quilted tablerunner stitched by Marie Zinno featuring Kara’s Quilt Floral Squares in our May/June issue. I love these designs – they fill the block and swirl from edge to edge.
Your assignment for this week:
Have you used Kreations by Kara’s designs? If so, do you have a favorite? Leave a comment and four random winners will each receive a $25 gift certificate! Yippee! A shopping spree is in order.
The winner of last week’s blog post answered the following question:
Since this issue is the first time we welcomed a cat into our studio I’m wondering if you prefer cats or dogs as pets in your home. Leave a comment and we’ll select a random winner to receive our new Hoop Clip.
The winner is:
Arleen: “We have 3 cats and a dog in our household. They all like to “sew” and “embroider” with me in my room.”
Thank you, everyone for taking the time to comment. The information you shared is very helpful as we continue to come up with fresh content you’ll enjoy!
68 COMMENTS
Sandy
8 years agoSome of Kara’s designs leave me drooling! I’ve recently purchased some of her Christmas trees, and I’m on the verge of beginning work on them.
Kathy E.
8 years agoYes, I am a great fan of Kreations by Kara! I have purchased designs from her since 2013. Her work is so unique and stitches out beautifully. One of my favorites is a butterfly too…it’s called Butterfly Bright. I stitched it on a denim tote bag and gifted it to a friend…it was gorgeous!
Belinda Germain
8 years agoIi had never heard of Kreations by Kara before. After reading this post I had to go view her website. OMG what beautiful designs! I don’t have a favorite, yet! I’ll have to search the site some more. Beautiful designs, love the horses and Christmas designs!
Robin McCallister
8 years agoI love her designs. I’m working on a quilt using birds of a feather. It is turning out beautifully.
Bonnie Gray
8 years agoI loved the Christmas Ornaments throw. She has really high quality designs and such elegant taste.
ANIZA AbdRahim
8 years agoI recently purchased Kreation by Kara ‘A Bit of Romance’. Have not embroider it yet.
Kathy
8 years agoI really new to embroidery and am still learning and looking at all the fabulous sites. This one has some stunning designs. Don’t have a favorite yet.
Nancy Wichtendahl
8 years agoOmg I absolutely flip over kreations by Kara! I introduced my embroidery teacher at my local quilt shop to her site as she admired my stitch outs and she is the same now! Our group truly enjoys stitching out her designs.
Nancy Wichtendahl
8 years agoThe Christmas reindeer is my favorite!
maxine mac neill
8 years agoI have mega designs from Karas Kreations and each and every time I stitch out one of her designs it becomes my favorite – so needless to say it is hard to have a favorite as they all become my favorite
Susan Spiers
8 years agoI have seen her designs before-just beautiful. You are so right about the butterfky, my favorite!
Paula Hendrickson
8 years agoI have not tried any of her designs, but would defiantly like to
Faviola Martinez
8 years agoI used her “Christmas Ribbons” designs to make cushions for my family room. The designs had fantastic shading and stitched out beautifully. I have several sets that I’ve got on my “to do” list.
Val
8 years agoI haven’t bought any yet, but I go over to website all the time to drool.
Diana Hensley
8 years agoI love Kreations by Kara. The designs are so unique. I have used a lot of the designs. On a Christmas tree skirt, I put two beautiful angels, and Christmas ornaments on it. I have made some hand towels with some of the Easter designs. I have so many people ask me where I got my designs, and I tell them, Kreations by Kara, the best designs available. I love all the designs and have a lot of them!
Glenda Marsh
8 years agoI love her high heel shoes with flowers & birds intertwined on them. ‘Drop dead gorgeous’ !!
Connie Jordan
8 years agoI haven’t sewn any of these designs but I agree she has many beautiful designs and I will be trying some soon, thanks for bringing this designer to our attention.
Susie Hoffman
8 years agoI have only recently been introduced to Kreations by Kara and have not used any, YET! But hope to soon.
Lynda
8 years agoKara has some very “funky” designs but moat are lovely. Have not stitched any out yet but love looking at them.
Lynn
8 years agoHer quilting designs are wonderful. I will check them out for my blocks.
Gail Beam
8 years agoAll of the designs by Kara are unique and stunning and it is hard to choose a favorite, but I will choose Flying Manes. For those not familiar with her site you should get an account and sign up for her newsletter and she gives a free design every month that is always unique and sensational.
Susie Mackenberg
8 years agoLots of people digitize embroidery designs, but every once in a while true artist give us art! That is how I feel about the exquisite line of Kreations by Kara! Love so many, but I have to admit the set of Christmas trees she did years ago were my first and I delighted in each one that I sewed out and each made a gorgeous, cherished gift!! Yep, I’m a fan too!!
Pam Rohrkemper
8 years agoSince I love bunnies, the Bunny in Littl Critters 1 is my absolute fav. I stitched it on a Tote bag and have it as my backdrop on my phone.
Shirley Clark
8 years agoNo, I haven’t used any of her designs. Thanks for the heads up. I like what I see!
Pam
8 years agoCan’t wait to visit and try Kreationsby Kara
Zoe
8 years agoMy all time favorite from Kreations by Kara is from the ‘Bring Autumn Home’ set: the large leaf that came from the tree. I love trees and this one so speaks to me.
Michelle Hall
8 years agoJust went and looked at her website and there are definitely some lovely designs there
Debra
8 years agoI have a few of Kreations By Kara. I have not used them yet, they are on my list to do next. She has so many that are outstanding. Hope to get more designs from her.
Elizabeth
8 years agoI have been an avid customer for many years and used her designs more often than others when doing a “special embroidery” was so sad to hear of her passing last September. Her daughter is also a digitizer/designer and she and a daughter-in-law are continuing the business now.
eileenroche
8 years ago AUTHORWe agree, Elizabeth, we were saddened to hear of Kara’s passing. And we wish the very best to her daughter to continue the business. It seems talent runs in the family!
Maga
8 years agoI too was so sad when I heard that Kara had passed away. Hat off to her family for keeping the business going.
It is almost impossible to choose a favourite but for me the Christmas in Motion is just the essence of Christmas for me closely followed by Leaves, Lovely Leaves. There is something for everybody at Kara’s – I could spend all my pin money there
Fiona
8 years agoI am a true fan of Kreations by Kara.
Last year everyone was given embroidered tea towels for Christmas with….you guessed it! Kreations by Kara designs on them, and some home made cakes.
I know that I never have to test stitch as they are beautifully digitised and it saves time and money and effort.
Arel
8 years agoI have used ‘Moonin’ a number of times on tea towels for friends and they’ve each commented on how when they walk into the kitchen in the morning and see the cows, it always brings a smile to their face. It’s my most popular and requested gift request. It’s nice to think something so simple can have so much affect on both embroiderers and non embroiderers and that Kara’s talent lives on.
Suzanna
8 years agoWow! I have never been to Kreations by Kara site until now. She offers beautiful designs at “sew” many levels. Starting today I am a fan.
Linda Epting
8 years agoI love the Christmas designs. I have used several of the Christmas Ribbons
Chris Horton
8 years agoI love Kreations by Kara and go there first when on Secrets of website. She is very creative. I love the ITH Trapunto zipper bag and her Flapper girls. Very artistic designs.
Judie
8 years agoYou are 100% correct. Kara produces some of the very best designs for home embroiderers. She has some of the finest Christmas designs in the industry. You can expect clean sharp lines and sewing excellence every time.
Jackie
8 years agoI love Kara’s Kreations and have a number of their designs. I made the Christmas Ornaments quilt shown on Volume 83 and it was a stunner. I had not seen the designs you shared and will have to look into them. Thanks
Kelly Sas
8 years agoSince I am a newbie to Machine Embroidery, this is the first I have heard of Kreations by Kara, but it won’t be the last. I’m headed over to find the website right after I’m done here!
Valerie
8 years agoKara’s designs are absolutely the BEST! Her TT Deer Head made a big hit when I used it!
Karen S
8 years agoI love the Christmas throw. I purchased the designs, but have not used them yet.
Donna G.
8 years agoWow! What beautiful designs! I’ve not tried any from Kara’s Kreations but I’m sure going to be taking a look today!
Paula Lund
8 years agoI have been using Kara’s designs for several years. I have a whole section in my design book just for her. She not only has the best designs, but her digitizing is wonderful. I always look forward to seeing her new creations.
Lynn
8 years agoMy favorite Kara’s Kreation’s designs are the Dream Trees. I made a wall hanging, all the trees stitched on black, with a free motion quilted border. I added crystals and the result was WOW. I entered the quilt in the Arizona Quilters Guild show and won 3rd place! My first entry and ribbon. Every design I’ve stitched (and I’ve done many) is beautiful. If you haven’t tried her designs, go quickly to her website and check it out.
eileenroche
8 years ago AUTHORCongratulations on your ribbon!
Nancy Stansbury
8 years agoI have used several of her designs. And the Christmas Throw hangs on the wall of my living room every christmas.
Jacqueline Curtis
8 years agoOne of my favorite collections is Shoes of a Feather. I have sewed most of the designs in the collection and have changed the shoe colors and the colors in the feathers. I just love her designs they are so whimsical.
Kelly
8 years agoLOVE all of Kara’s Designs! They are all stunning! Especially the Butterflies. I have put them on Jackets and shirts!
Mary Dinkfeld
8 years agoI love Kara’s designs especially the butterflies, Christmas trees, and hearts. My granddaughter passed away last May but before then, I used hearts and butterflies on her tee shirts. I also made one of my nieces a composition cover using her giraffe designs.
Saundra Romanus
8 years agoI have never used Kara’s designs, but can’t wait to try them out!
Pam Pope
8 years agoI love her designs and some day when I get enough time in my world, I hope try them out. As a window shopper, I am a big fan!!!
Elaine
8 years agoI have never seen her designs before but after visiting her website, I know I will be back for more. Thank you for sharing.
Judi C
8 years agoI love Kara’s designs & they stitch out beautifully. The most recent design I stitched out was her “Painted Pony” I wish I could post a picture so you all could see just how absolutely beautiful it looks.
Susan Burns
8 years agoI too am a user of Kara’s beautiful designs. My favorites are “A Dream in Winter” and “A Nations History”. Her Russian squares are to die for!
Sandy Stein
8 years agoI have been buying Kreations by Kara for 3 years. Picking a favorite is extremely difficult as they are all so unique and beautiful but I like Ladies in Line. Truly a talented digitizer and am so thankful that her daughter is carrying on her legacy.
Janet Kirby
8 years agoI love her St. Patrick’s Day shamrocks. They stitch out beautifully! I have many of her designs and I love them all.
Joan Shriver
8 years agoI have a beautiful autumn wreath and Simple Christmas. Love them both.
Linda De Angelis
8 years agoI made a Halloween table runner using Kara’s Web Crawler designs.
Cheryl Belden
8 years agoHadn’t heard of Kara’s designs before reading this !!! I am new to machine embroidery and love coming across bits of info and especially tips ! I will definitely check out her designs and I’m sure that I will have many favotites
Debe
8 years agoYes I have purchased Kara’s designs. y favorite are the FSL Christmas Nativity scene ornaments. I have made many sets & give special persons another ornament from the set each year. They really like them.
Sara Redner
8 years agoThere are too many beautiful designs to pick a favorite but I love FSL and the FSL Christmas ornaments are definitely some of my favorites.
Janet Fishman
8 years agoI used Kara’s butterflies on the lining of a quilted jacket. I smile every time I put it on, the inside is as pretty as the outside.
Janet Fishman
8 years agoI embroidered Kara’s butterflies on the lining of a quilted jacket I made. Now I smile every time I put it on, the inside is as pretty as the outside!
Sue Thole
8 years agoI love all of the designs I have used from Kreations by Kara, but my favorite is the etched rose – a very unique sophisticated design. Such a talent for her to create something so beautiful.
Josie Dinwiddie
8 years agoI hadn’t heard of her before but what you’ve shown is awesome.
Sara
8 years agoI have purchased her designs for quite some time now, the best is she has for every thing & every body, so talented, her creations are exquisite! Sad to hear she passed, but the talent runs in the family with her daughter. We are so happy to have Kreations by Kara for the magnificent, creativity & versatility we get with her creations!
Cynthia Martin
8 years agoI love, love, love Kara’s designs and gave purchased and drooled over many. I don’t think I can choose just one favorite. They are all wonderful.
Bruce
7 years agoI love them all, wonderful! Thanks for sharing.
Bruce, https://www.printavo.com