Tuesday, November 6, 2018

Pick a Pumpkin Blog Hop!


I'm SEW honored to be a part of  Creatin' In the Sticks
Pick a Pumpkin Blog Hop.  Carla has done a wonderful job of making this fun hop happen.  If you click on the link above, you'll see some info about prizes she's offering.  If you read below, you may see something about a prize from me.  

Here's my pumpkin project.  
First, the background info.  

I've been wanting an embroidery machine.  Like really wanting.  That and a long arm, because making big quilts, like I like to do, is not fun to baste on a dining room table.  I don't mind quilting them on my Viking Sapphire, as it has a great amount of throat space, but it would be so much faster and easier with a long-arm.  But back to the embroidery.  I've been watching videos and reading blogs and stuff for years.  I "snuck" into a lesson that one of my sewing students was taking on hers, about 6 years ago.  I spoke to my favorite machine guys and gals, and spoke to fellow Quiltsy Team members who have them.  And priced some.  Then I saw a shop on Long Island was going out of business, and had great prices on the brand I wanted.  But, she didn't have that model.  I asked about another, and she said she had a Pfaff Creative 1.5, and quoted a price that was in my budget.  I took the machine home, knowing I would have to google for lessons, and go to Pocono Sew and Vac for supplies and accessories because she was not able to provide support.  I set up the machine, and played, and was able to stitch out the designs.  So, I've been playing, and wanted to try adding some embroidered applique to a project.  

The designs included didn't show a pumpkin that I liked, so I browsed through Embroidery Library and found this one, which is supposed to be a trivet, in the hoop.  I read the instructions, and figured I would try just as an applique, for this hop.  I just bypassed the step to add the backing fabric.

Then I figured I wanted something small that I could finish quickly (because being a caregiver for Mom, who has Alzheimer's takes more time each day, less sewing time).

I had made some of this style table topper, using the Pieced Tree Center Stage pattern, and figured the design would show off an applique nicely.  I think I was right.  Plus, it's done.  
Double win.  Especially since I have a few projects from last month that aren't done.  More  on that in another post. 
 I like how the background makes a star shape around the applique pumpkin.  That looks really cool in person, and inspired the twist in the feather design.  I didn't quilt over the pumpkin, but did stitch close to the outer edge to set it off a little, and make it puff a bit.  


The applique fabrics are from Island Batik, which is provided to me as an ambassador.  Thread is either 40 or 50 wt Mako cotton by Aurifil, based on the color I had.  I should have picked a slightly darker color for the embroidery on the pumpkin, but I'm still learning.  It should have more contrast. 
 It finishes about 24 1/2" side to side.  The octagon shape is fun.  
 The background, pumpkin print, and tan print are from my stash.  I know the tan is from Andover.  

I hand-guided the feathers with Aurifil 50wt, and used Warm & Natural batting.  I'll be listing this for sale in my Etsy shop soon.  I can't wait to play with more embroidery designs!  I also love mixing in Island Batik with other fabrics.  Next up is something for Christmas.  

Please check the other bloggers for more fun and inspiration, with pumpkins.  And please leave a comment, either a suggestion for other embroidery designs, or something you love with pumpkin, and I'll pick a comment next week to win something from me.  I have a new pattern coming out, so that may be included.  I often pick some Island Batik to give away, too.  I love being an ambassador!  

Pick a Pumpkin Blog Hop Schedule


Wednesday, November 7th

Thursday, November 8th


Thanks so much for visiting!  Please follow my blog if you don't already, and check out my Facebook page.  I'm going to go bake some chocolate pumpkin cupcakes to celebrate the finish!

43 comments:

Karrin Hurd said...

Cute project, thanks so much for sharing!

Lisa England said...

Beautiful, I just love sewn projects with pumpkins! And who can resist pumpkin pie or pumpkin bread?

GranChris said...

Just too cute. I love pumpkins. Any ideas for quick ornaments?

Siouxzq64@gmail.com said...

What a cute project. Love your pieced project and the pumpkin is so sweet.

Elizabeth Coughlin said...

Very pretty project!

Websterquilt said...

Fun!

Carol said...

That is a beautiful table topper. I like the thread color you used on the pumpkin--I think it sets it off. Great job!

works4me said...

Beautiful project. You made great choices.
So sorry about your mom. She is very lucky to have you.

Brenda @ Songbird Designs said...

This is a great project, Mary Mack! I love the center star shape and the appliqued pumpkin in the center! You will love your embroidery machine. When you have a chance, check out my in-the-hoop appliques and designs! Most of all, have FUN!! Thanks for sharing your project!

beaquilter said...

cute table topper!

Denise :) said...

This is so fun -- I really like the shape of the topper! Your pumpkin is adorable; great finish!!! Chocolate pumpkin cupcakes? Yes please!!! :)

Vicki in MN said...

I really like how you incorporated the embroidery within the topper, nice work! I love anything with pumpkins(especially in the quilty world!). In food it's pumpkin pie and choc. chip pumpkin bread.

LJ said...

Congrats on the embroidery machine; you are doing a great job of playing; I hope you'll be able to take some embroidery machine classes, too. The topper is really cute and the shape is wonderful.

Rozz01 said...

The pumpkin table topper is adorable. You are making me get hungry for some pumpkin pie with whip cream or my fav..... whip cream with a little piece of pumpkin pie.

Susan said...

That was a great idea! I'd never know you were still learning the machine if you hadn't told us. I think the color thread is perfect, not completely blendy, but not standing out and taking over, either.

I'm glad you got a machine you liked for a price you felt comfortable paying. That was a great deal, and I hope that you find a longarm as well. I bought a used one and had a business for ten years before I sold it when we went fulltime RV. I still miss that fun! Not the business part, though it was wonderful getting such a variety of quilts to stitch. I only had an 18", but I only ever had one quilt I couldn't do because she wanted super puffy batting, and I was happy not to do that one. LOL So, maybe a great used value will come up for you!

Carol Swift said...

This turned out really beautiful with the embroidered pumpkin and lovely quilting. I have an embroidery attachment I need to use more often. Great pumpkin project and chocolate pumpkin cupcakes sound yummy!

Quilting Tangent said...

Pretty table topper. 24Tangent@gmail.com

Calicojoan said...

Love it and your quilting is gorgeous. Congrats on finding that perfect machine for you. Looking forward to seeing many more projects!

Needled Mom said...

That is such a pretty mat. You did a great job on it.

Kathy said...

I love it. Glad you shared.

Unknown said...

Great table topper for autumn. I think another one with 5ose cute pumpkins around the edges would also be cute!

Moira said...

Nice project!

Scrapatches said...

Great choice of pattern for showcasing your embroidered pumpkin centerpiece. Beautiful quilting.

I do not have an embroidery machine, but I see many projects I would like to make. The embroidered ornaments idea sounds very interesting. Mug rugs and coasters would also be a good choice for small projects.

Thank you for sharing in the hop ... :) Pat

wendy said...

Great table topper! I can picture a santa, gingerbread house or a nutcracker in the middle for a Christmas topper.

Nancy A: rangerer@sbcglobal.net said...

I love pumpkin pie and pumpkin bread.

Karla said...

Great table topper!

Susan said...

Beautiful table topper! Love your choice of fabrics - they make for a striking design!

Sharon Aurora said...

Very pretty table topper.

Charlene McCain said...

Beautiful table topper! You did an awesome job. This is a stunning project and your color choices are great.

tink's mom said...

I don't do embroidery but I do admire it. Would never have guessed that you were a newbie at this skill set. Love what you did with your pumpkin.

Carla said...

WOwzers, your table topper is so pretty. I love the embroidery and I'll bet you will have fun learning more. Thanks for the link to those cupcakes. I may have to try them too. Thank you, so much, for joining the Pick a Pumpkin blog hop!

Anna brown said...

Great idea...ty for sharing your talents with us.. happyness04431@yahoo.com

Michelle said...

This is pretty, love it!

Super Mom - No Cape! said...

What a gorgeous table topper. I love the fabrics you used.

ShirleyC said...

Your project is just beautiful! I love machine embroidery, and you'll find so many things to use it for.

Let me suggest a couple of places for wonderful appliques.
https://www.embroidery-boutique.com/
https://www.theitch2stitch.com/
https://www.kreativekiwiembroidery.co.nz/page/home.html

If you want more, just email me. You can also search on FB for applique designs, and many places will pop up. Some also have the fill and the popular sketch designs.

Barb Neiwert said...

I love everything about this table topper! How fun to be able to embroider - expands the possibilities!!!

BarefootThunder said...

Great table topper 🎃🎃🎃

Tu-Na Quilts said...

You sew some seriously awesome quilt stitches!!! Love your project. I love eating pumpkin pie; my brother makes the best pumpkin pie with bourbon cream.
kthurn(at)bektel(dot)com

Sandi1100 said...

Cute table topper! I like anything pumpkin. I also like Pocono Sew & Vac. They are nice there.

JANET said...

Love pumpkin pie! And pumpkin quilts! Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Kathy E. said...

An octagon table topper is so perfect, especially with a sweet pumpkin in the center! I haven't mastered binding on those non-right angles yet...they always give me fits. I love most anything with pumpkin and just made pumpkin pancakes for dinner last night. So yummy!

Dione Gardner-Stephen said...

Love your octagonal project and so glad for you that you were able to chalk up a finish. Sorry to hear that your mum is deteriorating, thoughts are with you as you adjust and continue to work on your beautiful projects when you can.

Pamela said...

I love pumpkin pie and I'm looking forward to making some for Thanksgiving. Thanks for sharing the story of making your table topper. It's beautiful! I'm glad that you are able to fit some sewing into your life. I'm so sorry about your mother. I think that caregiving for a parent is a privilege and something that we never will regret doing, but it's also sad and stressful at times, and sewing time helps.