EMBROIDERED AFGHAN

This is an afghan I made for my niece's baby.

Close-Up

My first job was to finish the edges into fringe. Then I used the double Cross stitch on my machine to make sure the fringe would not go any further and it decorated the fabric right next to the fringed area.

I used the stabilizer that is clear looking like solvy, but is called "Badgemaster." It is much heavier and very stable. It can be purchased through www.discountembroiderysupp.com Here is what I did to embroider on my afghan:

I use designs that are not really dense. I used a rose redwork design and I edited a small embroidered rosebud out of one of my other designs and placed that in the center using my Customizing program to combine the designs together as one.

I used that same rosebud and brought up my Customizing and put about 7 of those rosebuds together on the screen randomly and combined and saved that as a design. I have the rosebuds in every other square.

I use embroidery bobbin thread in the bobbin and rayon embroidery thread on top. If you wanted the back to look the same as the front, then wind bobbins with the same colors as the top thread.

I used the regular size embroidery template to make sure that I was stitching the design in the center of each square. I placed the template so the square grid was exactly centered in the square. Measure from the sides of the square grid to the sides of the fabric square to make sure everything is centered. Then use the water soluble marking pen to make the markings on the fabric for the center and all the side marking. Try to make sure the weave yarns are pretty straight too before you make the markings.

I hooped the Badgemaster. I laid a ruler on top of the bottom hoop where the vertical and horizontal markings were on the hoop. I drew vertical and horizontal lines right on the stabilizer with pencil.

I stuck a straight pin into the center dot of the fabric and aligned the point of the pin with the dot drawn on the stabilizer. Then stick the pin into those side markings and line them up with the markings on the stabilizer (the notches on the hoop will help too). Smooth the fabric out carefully so it will stick to the sprayed stabilizer. Attach the hoop to the embroidery unit

Another way after making all those markings is to connect the hoop to the embroidery unit after spraying the stabilizer and then carefully put the fabric under the needle and turn the handwheel so it goes down into that center dot of the fabric and it will hold the fabric down while you try to align the other markings on the fabric with the markings on the stabilizer. Smooth the fabric out carefully.

I cut a square of that Badgemaster about 4X4 and spray the back of it and apply it to the top of the fabric and smooth it out carefully. I use the machine's basting feature before I start stitching the design. This holds that top Badgemaster in place.

After the design is done, cut around the perimeter of the design to remove any excess stabilizer on top and on the back. When all the designs are done, I put my afghan in the washing machine and advanced to the rinse cycle and added very warm water to it. I pulled the knob on the washer so it could soak for a long time and then I advanced to the spin cycle and spun out the water.

I advanced to the rinse cycle and added more water and let it soak again for about an hour and advanced to spin the water out. Then, I put it in the dryer on a gentle cycle. It came out very soft.

J.H.