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New Anita Goodesign Project Collections

Thursday, November 3rd, 2011

Anita Goodesign has released a new type of collection: Anita Goodesign Project Collections.

We’re very excited to be able to offer this brand new series from Anita Goodesign. Anita Goodesign Project Collections are collections that include all the instructions you’ll need to make complete projects from start to finish. These Projects aren’t confined to “In the Hoop” either. They incorporate embroidery and sewing in easy-to-follow, step-by-step tutorials with detailed pictures that make the whole process easy while teaching you new and interesting techniques. Each collection also includes a detailed shopping list of everything you’ll need to complete the project.

The embroidery designs are exclusive to the Project Collections. As always, each CD has multiple designs, each in different sizes to accommodate different hoop sizes. You can use these designs with the specific projects or add them to anything else you like.

These Projects are perfect for creating gifts for the holidays (which are right around the corner already). Here are the first four Project Collections:

Anita Goodesign Fashion Clutches Project

Anita Goodesign Fashion Clutches Project

Anita Goodesign Fashion Clutches Project Collection

These designer-inspired clutches feature a new product that gives a unique texture to any fabric. Using your embroidery machine to stitch one of three different design motifs, Stitched Flower Echo, Stippled Monogram Oval, or Stitched Grids, plus your choice of fabric and texture will highlight your personal style. After a little steam from your iron, your ordinary fabric transforms into designer chic. Finish by using your sewing machine to insert a bound zipper, lining with your choice of handle options.

Anita Goodesign Holiday Stockings Project Collection

Anita Goodesign Holiday Stockings Project Collection

Anita Goodesign Holiday Stockings Project Collection

Make three unique stockings with this project collection: Traditional Stocking Shape, Cowboy Boot Stocking, and the Folded Fabric Stocking. There are eight individual embroidery designs, and the folded fabric design comes in 3 sizes. Make one stocking for a quick gift or make a whole set for your family. The fast and easy construction will have you decorating for the holidays by the weekend!

Anita Goodesign Chic Travel Accessories Project Collection

Anita Goodesign Chic Travel Accessories Project Collection

Anita Goodesign Chic Travel Accessories Project Collection

Three unique travel bag projects. Collection includes 23 individually stitched designs. These fun and flirty embroidery designs add an artistic element that turns a plain drawstring bag into a “Chic Accessory”. After making a set to compliment your own suitcase, these bags make quick gifts for your best friends or a bride-to-be!

Anita Goodesign Sunbonnet Sue In the Kitchen Project Collection

Anita Goodesign Sunbonnet Sue In the Kitchen Project Collection

Anita Goodesign Sunbonnet Sue In the Kitchen Project Collection

Create the perfect gift with the “Sunbonnet Sue in the Kitchen” projects. Added bonus… Quilt Block designs are compatible with all the Mix and Match collections! 10 Individual hand stitched designs in 2 sizes, for the 5×7 and 6×10 hoop. 10 Quilt Block Designs in 4 sizes.
See all of the available Anita Goodesign Project Collections Here!

Happy Sewing,
Chris


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Why You’ll Love Brother PE Design® Plus Software

Friday, October 7th, 2011

Who needs more software? Many people struggle with the ones they already own. PE Design® Plus is a breath of fresh air for those who want good, really-easy-to-use software. The included tutorials will make learning a simple task.

One of the features that makes it so very special and different from other available software is that it includes the entire PhotoStitch™ program from PE Design® NEXT.

PE Design® NEXT has always been considered the benchmark of excellence in photo stitch programs. The stitch-outs are very realistic. The program will produce fantastic stitch-outs by just letting the software do the work of making the choices. It also includes many tools that are handy for those who want to make changes. It is easy to learn to use and there is an excellent training video on the Brother Sews YouTube site. The video demonstrates how to use most of the excellent tools and provides some useful tips to get the very best photo stitch:

There are 35 fonts that are instantly recalculated when resized. Underlay may be added and density (number of stitches) may be adjusted. The arc transformation for creating circles is also included.

There is an excellent auto-punch program that will turn simple clip art into an embroidery design in just seconds. It offers a choice of fill and outline stitches.

There is a design library of included designs. Designs can be imported and exported in most machine formats. The realistic preview mode and a sew simulator help determine if the design will stitch as desired. The stitching order of a design allows rearranging which part of the design will sew first or last. Designs may be resized with or without recalculation of stitches (this is useful when an existing design has too much or too little density.)

The program can also display thumbnail pictures of the designs in a file and show the details, ie: dimensions, colors, stitch time and much more. Brother hoop sizes are in the software, and additional hoops may be easily added. The print feature provides printing of actual size templates.

This software is compatible with nearly every machine available. It is easy to use. Best of all there are so many features you will actually use. Stop by one of our locations to learn more and pick up your own copy of this wonderful software!

Happy Stitching!
Carol


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Create Embroidered Greeting Cards with Pfaff’s 5D Card Shop Software

Thursday, September 22nd, 2011

Creating beautiful embroidered greeting cards couldn’t be easier with the new 5D Card Shop. The templates perfectly place all sides of your card flawlessly. If you have created cards before and wanted to do them in one hooping but got confused on which way each side should be set, upside down, right side up…5D Card shop has that all figured out for you.

Start with selecting from one of 41 themes. From Anniversary to Wedding, there is a theme for every occasion. Decide which layout you prefer, folding, double or single sided.

Select the template you wish to use. Each theme has a number of templates from which to select.

Select the size of the card, your hoop, and if you want it all to be stitched at one time, or each side individually. Selecting the 360mm x 350mm hoop and Single Embroidery would place all four sides of your card in one embroidery, aligning and flipping each side properly for folding. (See example of embroidery at the end of this article.) If you do not
have a 360mm x 350mm hoop, then you would select Multiple embroideries to stitch each side of your card separately.

That’s it! But wait…

What if you want a different design other than the one that is provided? Or, you want to remove a detail? Or, you want to add more detail? That is not a problem. Save your card and QuickLink to 5D Embroidery Extra or 5D Stitch Editor. Open the card into the work area and make any changes you want and save it.

What would the design look like in the hoop? Perfect!

With 5D Card Shop you will create delightful greeting cards, postcards, invitations, announcements and certificates that will be treasured by all who received them.

Stop by Quality Sewing and get a demo on the new 5D Card Shop and see how easy it is for yourself!

Enjoy your sewing adventures!
Lana L Jones
Educational Consultant


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Snap-Hoop Now Fits More Machines!

Friday, September 2nd, 2011

Snap-HoopSnap-Hoop has always been a great hooping system. It comes with a flat magnetic top and flat metal bottom frame. Simply lay the fabric over the bottom frame and snap the magnetic top frame in place! Voila! The fabric is secured. You can tug the fabric around between the two layers without distorting it so that you don’t have to worry about puckering. Check out a video demonstration here.

Well, now they’ve just added three new Snap-Hoops that fit more Brother, Baby Lock, and Singer embroidery machines:

Slide-on AttachmentSnap-Hoop Version A4 for Brother/Baby Lock:
130×180 mm (5″ x 7″)
Slide on attachment
Fits:
Baby Lock Ellageo Plus ESG, ESG2, ESG3
Brother ULT 2001
Brother ULT 2003
Brother ULT 2002

Clamp-down AttachmentSnap-Hoop Version A6 for Brother/Baby Lock:
130×180 mm (5″ x 7″)
Clamp down attachment
Fits:
Baby Lock Ellure Plus
Baby Lock Ellure
Baby Lock Esante E SE2
Brother Innov-is 1000
Brother PE-700
Brother PE-750D
Brother PE-700II
Brother PE-750D
Brother PE-700II
Brother PE 770
Brother PE 780D
Brother 8500
Brother Innov-is 1250D
Brother Innov-is 1200
Brother 8500

Screw-on AttachmentSnap-Hoop Version G1 for Singer
4½” x 6¾”
(Screw-on attachment)
Fits:
Futura CE-100
Futura CE-150
Futura CE-200
Futura CE-250
Futura CE-350
SES2000

If you’ve ever wanted to get the Snap-Hoop but haven’t had a compatible machine, chances are much greater now! All Snap-Hoops are on sale for only $179.99. Snap hoops are available for most current model Pfaff, Viking, Brother, and Baby Lock machines as well. You can view the complete list of Snap-Hoops here.

Enjoy!
-Chris


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Bernina Convention

Thursday, August 18th, 2011

Bernina Convention was just a few weeks ago in San Antonio, Texas. Sandi from the Tacoma store and Robin from the Puyallup store both attended this education-packed event. The most exciting new thing that Bernina debuted was their new Bernina 5 series! Sandi was lucky enough to take a class on the new machine and she loved it: “The new Bernina 550QE, which I sewed on, is geared toward quilters and comes with the Bernina Stitch Regulator (BSR), walking foot, and 1/4″ quilting foot… everything you need to quilt up a storm!”

There is also a new sewing and embroidery machine coming: the Bernina 580. We don’t have much info yet, but I am sure it will be fabulous. The ladies also got to preview some amazing new embroidery designs like the new 3D Embroidery Designs and Christmas Collections from OESD. Plus Bernina has 2 new attachments coming out – a Spanish hemstitching foot and a needle punch attachment for the rotary hook machines. Look for all of these exciting new things in stores this Fall.

Happy Sewing!

Carmen


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Live from Brother Convention in Nashville!

Wednesday, August 3rd, 2011

Nashville is really hot, and it is not just the weather. The new Brother 2012 products are amazing, and I wanted to share some of them with everyone as soon as possible! Here are the highlights:

New Brother Quattro 2

New Top of the Line Quattro 2, NV6700D:

  • Quattro 2 has all of the features of the Quattro 1 including the original Upgrade 1 that features scanning and built-in resizing, plus all the new features from the Upgrade 2! (See below for Upgrade 2 details).
  • A new, improved Advanced Super View (ASV) HD LCD touch screen. It is actually brighter and clearer then the current one (I couldn’t believe it either).

Already have a Quattro? Both of the new Upgrades work on your machine too! Are you ready to take your Quattro to the next level of sewing and embroidery fun?

Color Shuffling

Quattro® Software Upgrade Premium Pack II:

  • My Custom Design™ feature allows you draw and auto-digitize on the sewing machine screen without needing a computer – AMAZING!
  • Includes a 10″ Pen Tablet that connects directly to the Quattro and makes sketching designs, editing and signing your creations easier than ever before – SO COOL!
  • Exclusive Color Shuffling™ Function allows you to pick a color and shuffle between possible choices to match the color. Used when you have the perfect design, but the wrong colors for your fabric or style. Just tell it what color you want to match and then choose from a random selection, gradient, vivid, or soft color palette. Use with the onscreen scanning to match designs to fabric perfectly. Check out the video here.
  • 10 new embroidery designs
  • 2 new embroidery fonts

Quattro® Software Upgrade Premium Pack III:

  • PATTERN CONNECTION FEATURE! Wow, where do I begin? How would you like to place any embroidery design or border seamlessly without having to use templates or thread marks? How would you like to do it with the exclusive InnovEye® camera? Now you can!! Using two Snowman markers you can align designs by corners or center points on each end in any direction. Everyone who owns a Quattro will want this. Works with any hoops and works with any pattern shapes. This is not just for borders – it is for connecting any design, and makes your hoop size endless!
  • Includes 4″ x 12″ Continuous Border Hoop
  • 10 border embroidery designs

New PR1000 Upgrade

New Upgrade for the Brother PR1000:

  • Auto Density Resizing on screen 60% to 200%
  • New Scanning feature: View the Video Here
  • Exclusive Color Shuffling™ Function allows you to pick a color and shuffle between possible choices to match the color. Used when you have the perfect design, but the wrong colors for your fabric or style. Just tell it what color you want to match and then choose from a random selection, gradient, vivid, or soft color palette. Use with the onscreen scanning to match designs to fabric perfectly.
  • 10 new embroidery designs
  • 2 new embroidery fonts

I am so excited about all of these great new products. I am off to class to learn about more of the new products and will be sure to report back soon. These new upgrades will be available in the stores later this month. You can be one of the first people in the nation to get to have these awesome new features! Call a store to reserve yours today.

Jim Lumbard
Quality Sewing District Manager


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Project Runway Bling Machine

Tuesday, August 2nd, 2011

Did you see the crystal-encrusted sewing machine that Brother will be awarding to this season’s winner of  Project Runway?

This machine was unveiled today at the Brother Convention and will truly be a “shining” symbol of the winner’s achievement.

Wouldn’t it be a fun machine to have?

It makes me wonder how long it took to place each of the stones with such precision. The lettering on the machine is readable and even the buttons are all dressed up.

So if you are wondering what machine they dressed up for the event, this is the Project Runway Limited Addition NS40.  In its original form, the NS40 models a fashionable shade of subtle pink and it has functions and features that make it easy to create beautiful designs of your own. With 40 built-in stitches, one-step auto-sized buttonholes, and smooth free-motion sewing, this machine can just about do it all.

In addition to the NS40, there are 6 other machines in the Project Runway line. Prices for these feature-packed machines start at a very affordable $300.

The newest addition to the Project Runway machine line is a great serger that is very easy to thread and runs very smoothly: The 5234PRW.  I really like this machine! It has a free arm and even comes with a generous, extra-large extension table that also opens up to hold whatever notions or feet you may want to have on hand.

You can see all of the machines in the Project Runway line on the Brother website.

Who knows, maybe one of us will win a machine like this someday!

Reva


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Pacific West Quilt Show is Coming Soon!

Tuesday, July 19th, 2011

Are you ready to be inspired?  This may be just what you are looking for!  The Pacific West Quilt Show (formally known as the APNQ Quilt Show) is coming to the Tacoma Convention Center August 26-28, 2011.

The Show is presented by Pacific West Quilters and offers a Juried & Judged Quilt show & Contest with prizes equaling $25,000 and more than 500 quilts on display.  There will also be many other events of interest to quilters and sewing enthusiasts including a  Quilt Auction, Merchant Mall, Fashion Show, and Lectures.

The centerpiece of the quilt show will be the 227 finalists in this year’s contest from the 18 US states and Canadian provinces of the Pacific West region: Alaska, Alberta, Arizona, British Columbia, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, The Northwest Territories, Oregon, Saskatchewan, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and Yukon.

In addition to the contest quilts, there will be hundreds of quilts in several Special Exhibits. These Exhibits encompass various themes, Living Colour, Spice of Life, Wish You were Here, Telling Secrets, Basic Necessities, Invoking Spirits, and the Elements: Earth, Wind, Fire & Chocolate.

Love to shop? There’s also will be a Merchant Mall featuring over 100 vendors where you will find beautiful fabrics and all types of sewing items as well as see the latest in sewing and quilting technology.  Make sure to come see  us at the Quality Sewing booth!

Reva


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I Love Our New Puppy but Our Carpet Doesn’t

Tuesday, July 19th, 2011

This past fall we got a wonderful new addition to our family.  Roca is the sweetest puppy ever!  The only drawback is that we had just had our carpets cleaned and our sweet little pup didn’t come pre-trained or with a bladder larger than a postage stamp.

Now that you can surely imagine my plight, let me give you a further twist to my dilemma. We are on well water that is high in iron and tends to spot our carpet brown when used to clean a spill.  I always feel like I am trading one spot for another.

There is a product that I saw at one of our stores by Riccar Floor Care called Dry Carpet Cleaner.  I got a kit, to start with, called the Pet Survival Kit, which comes with the Dry Carpet Cleaner. What did I have to lose? So I thought that I would give it a try. After all, my husband thinks the carpet is ruined anyway.

At the advice of the store manager, I followed the package directions and restrained myself from overdoing it.  I was told not to use to much product or scrub too much.  It seemed wrong to use what seemed to be so little and to not scrub extensively.  I must say, the stains, even though old, came out beautifully!  I know where the spots were, but I really can’t see them.

Here’s how it works… Use the Pre-Treatment Spray to moisten the area and let it set for 5-10 minutes.  Use the sifter that comes with the powder and dust the surface, covering the stained area.  Let it stay there until it is completely dry (mine stayed overnight because I forgot about it). Vacuum to remove.  It was actually very easy to use and really was no work at all.

Somehow all of the stain is absorbed by the Riccar Dry Carpet Cleaner, and it leaves no tell-tail sign that my puppy had ever been there. The fibers of the carpet are not matted down or damaged like they can be from the use of a machine.

I was very impressed and plan to always have this on hand. But I sure hope that our pup is now old enough to not present this particular issue again.

Reva


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Embroidering with Metallic Threads & the Designer Diamond deLuxe

Wednesday, June 29th, 2011

Have you ever embroidered with metallic threads?  I just love how they look.  However, when using these temperamental threads, one thing that needs to be considered is that normal tensions and sewing speeds don’t always work well for metallic threads. Even when the machine is adjusted for them they can be tricky.

I had a very different experience this past week.  Some of our stores had the privilege of having an educator from Viking come and show us the features of the new Designer Diamond Deluxe.  One of the most amazing advancements of this machine is the new automatic Deluxe Stitch System.

What is that?  This new technology is a secondary tension system that when turned on, replaces the traditional style tension disks of the machine.  It is a set of rollers that smoothly glide the fabric through and releases the appropriate amount of thread for the thickness of the fabric and thread that you are using. So no matter how thick or thin your project, the feeding of the thread is adjusted automatically.  In most cases, you will not even give tensions a single thought.

The project that we stitched out was a very sheer scarf using designs that were created on the machine and using metallic thread in both the needle and in the bobbin.

Metallic threads in both the needle and bobbin?! Are you kidding?!!! I said the same thing.

What makes this work so well is that we used the Deluxe Stitch System instead of the traditional tension disks.

It was really quite fascinating how the Deluxe Stitch System accommodated the metallic threads in both the needle and bobbin without making any adjustments at all.  There was no need to test sew, adjust tensions, test sew again.  The machine was even able to stitch with the metallic threads at a high speed due to this new System.

Before this experience, I really did not understand the advantages of the Deluxe Stitch System.  Once I saw it in action and tried it for myself it was very impressive.  I invite you to stop by one of our stores and try it for yourself.  It is something worth seeing!

Reva


Posted in Home Decor, Machine Embroidery, New Products, Projects and Techniques, Resources, Sewing, Tips & Tricks | 2 Comments »

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