Lights Take Machine Embroidery to the Next Dimension
Take machine embroidery to a dimension never seen before. The new Merry and Bright design collection by Amazing Designs uses LED lights or hot-fix crystals.
Fourteen designs all incorporate eyelets which, when cut out with a keyhole cutter, make openings through which to insert battery-operated LED lights. Designs include a kitten in a stocking, snowflake, Christmas tree, angel, gift box, snowman, penguin, ornaments, Santa, and an adorable reindeer in addition to phrases like Season’s Greetings; Ho, Ho, Ho; and Let it Snow.
There is even a free reindeer embroidery design to download to try the technique. It would make an adorable pocket topper for a holiday shirt.
Lights can be easily removed for laundering and the small battery pack has an on/off switch, attaches with Velcro, and can be hidden from sight. Choose from clear or colored light kits (sold separately). If you don’t want to use the lights, the embroidered eyelets can be left intact and adorned with 7mm hot-fix crystals.
Download Individual Designs or the Entire Collection
Designs are available in popular embroidery machine formats for 5x7 hoops. The entire collection, just $30, can be purchased on a CD or downloaded just in time for a unique, last-minute gift. Only need one or two designs? Individual downloads are available for $8.99 each.
The Santa design (shown) was fairly stitch-heavy, but it was well worth the time it took to embroider.
Free project instructions are available on the site with photos of a sample wall hanging and stocking (What child wouldn’t love their own lighted stocking?).
Tips:
Use metallic thread as accents for added sparkle.
Slow down machine speed and use a topstitch or metallic needle.
Use a small, framed canvas as a background.
Leave enough fabric so that you can wrap it around the canvas. Poke the eyelet holes through the fabric and mark each hole on the canvas. Carefully cut holes in the canvas, line everything up, and glue or staple to the back of the canvas frame. The battery pack “hides” within the canvas frame which can be placed on an easel for display.
Make a door banner.
Make a wall hanging long and narrow to fit on the front door.
Stabilize well.
Consider using an iron-on, mesh stabilizer on the entire piece of fabric so that the transition from heavy embroidery to fabric is seamless when making a wall hanging, banner, stocking, or canvas cover.
Other Christmas Ornament Articles
- Snowflake Window Pane Ornament
- Wooden Quilted Heart Ornament
- Embroidered Monogram Heart Ornament
- Snowman in a Bucket Ornament
- Happy Holly Days Quilt Swag
- Calico Pony Stick Horse
Debbie Henry - Debbie Henry has been writing and editing for more than 23 years, most recently as a publications designer/editor at a state university. ...
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