I received my Machine Quilting Magazine and I always get excited when it comes.  I even have to steal it back from my husband several times.  It is so inspiring to me.  I have devoured the "Designing for Embroidery" article.  It is so fun to learn more about combining techniques. 

One of the first quilts I ever did, I used embroidery on.  I had a friend who did a wall hanging and it had wonderful borders and sashing and then some nine patch, using the border fabric and some plain purple squares.  Also there were large purple squares and the fabric was plain.  She was disappointed how the quilt turned out  because of the plain squares. So I told her to let me have it and she would be happy when I was finished.

I used the colors in the borders and embroidered butterflies in the large plain squares.  Then of course, quilted it.  She was so excited when she saw it and wanted to pay me.  I told her that she could just make one exactly like it for me instead.  It now hangs in my studio and everyone comments on it when they come.

Of course, the blocks should have been larger and embroidered before they were placed in the quilt to allow for shrinkage but there wasn't much.  It was so fun to match the colors in the borders in the butterflies.  People never guess that those butterflies didn't come on those blocks!

Now in MQU, the embroidery is for Pictorial Art Quilts.  You can even take photos and digitized them and put them in your quilts.  You just can't miss this article as Ann Horton explains how she uses, applique' with embroidery and then adds extra batting is areas  to "add texture and definition".  I can't wait to try this!

I also can't wait to read the next article "Painting with Fabric and Thread" by Kate Themel!  It makes me think the of the "Supper Quilt" that Linda quilted that is in her book "The Ultimate Guide to Longarm Quilting", also a must have book!

If you don't subscribe to this magazine, you are really missing out.  It is worth every penny and I don't say that just because we have a direct link to it at the top of our page!  You will find nothing else like it and it is full of fantastic articles to inspire and teach.