Blending Embroidery and Quilting

Power be to the hands that create the stitches.

Hand embroidered quilt block.

Before there were fancy, computerized, multi-needle embroidery machines or the hundreds of decorative stitches that are status quo on most any sewing machine these days, we had built-in tools for creating stitches on fabric—they're called our hands.

At the April 21 Choo Choo Quilters guild meeting, the program will be on "Embroidery on Quilts" and will highlight several hand embroidery and needlework techniques to accentuate, adorn and add dimension to quilts. Many examples and quilts will be shown, and guild members can bring other examples for Show and Tell.

A hands-on demonstration will be included in the program. If you would like to participate, bring the following supplies to the meeting:

• sewing scissors, such as small embroidery scissors
• Milliners needle (Size #1) or a long, large-eyed hand stitching needle

Other supplies will be provided.

Hand stitched Redwork rabbit on a quilt.

Reminder: We'll also be taking photos for our member directory. New members (and anyone who missed the last photo shoot) should bring a quilt for their photo.

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Have you been Hexed?
After last month's program on Hexies, has the hexie bug bitten you? If so, there are quilt shops around town that have options to expedite the cutting process:

An Accuquilt die-cutter that cuts hexagon shapes from up to 10 layers of fabric is available in-store at Spool. Quilters are welcome to bring their own or buy fabric and use the machine for free. Hyderhangout Quilt Fabric & More has the Accuquilt Studio and Go! Fabric Cutters, cutter supplies and a selection of dies for cutting multiple hexagons and other fabric shapes. Ready Set Sew offers the Cameo Silhouette machine and software that allows quilters and sewists to cut fabric, paper or card stock using files from their computers. Cameo users can purchase downloadable designs or create their own. And, Pins and Needles Quilt Shop has the Hex N More acrylic rotary cutting rulers in two sizes and a variety of English Paper Piecing paper templates.

Thanks to all our local quilt shops—they have it covered! Remember to "shop local" at YLS (your local [quilt] shop) for all your quilting fabric and supplies and support our local businesses.