A bunch of different applique projects – ALL using the Artistic Edge to cut the fabric and the Simple Cut software to digitize a variety of applique stitches to attach the appliques to the background fabric in-the-hoop of our Janome embroidery machines…………..THIS is the way to do applique!
Last week we did a blog post about the wide array of things the Artistic Edge 15 Digital cutter can do. There was a pic of a big white star on a blue background fabric: this showed just one of the HUNDREDS of applique stitches you can use to digitize around the edge of your star (or any other shape for that matter) with the Simple Cut software which comes included with the Artistic Edge cutter . Here are a couple more pics showing alternative applique stitches – the fun is endless!
This was actually a teeny, tiny star shaped motif which was my choice of applique stitch for this star.
And for those who prefer the traditional blanket stitch, that is there to choose!
Fabric alphabet “soup”. We prepped the fabric with Terial Magic stiffening spray and fusible web fused to the back of the fabric. The Artistic Edge 15 Digital cutter then cut the letters out accurately and crisply – ready to fuse to our project and applique stitch the letters in place. See our baby quilt below.
Terial Magic is available in a small spray bottle in our Fabric applique starter kit which you may purchase from participating Janome dealers. Your dealer should also be able to sell larger containers to you. It is what we highly recommend for a crisp, clean cut. It is like Best Press on steroids!
BABY could not have been quicker easier to apply to our quilt. Do you like our quilting? Criss-crossed buttonholes! Debbie dreamed this idea up and we think it is very innovative and clever.
Talking about quilts……do you use quilting stencils to mark your quilts? Always looking for the perfect one to do the job? Or you have dozens of stencils but none suit the quilt you are making? No worries…..make your own custom stencil in the Artistic Simple Cut software in the exact shape & size you require with the nifty stencil making function. Even scan your fabric and cut a stencil to “mirror” designs and shapes in the fabric. Cut the stencil using thick cardstock or template plastic, mark your quilt & you never need to buy another stencil! No X-acto knife was used, no tedious transferring of markings…….just the easy Artistic way.
Flower shape cut for a quilt marking stencil. I used the stencil function and inserted stencil bridges at intervals around the flower. This holds the flower together with the background but cuts enough double lines for me to mark through to the fabric below when marking)
My preferred method of marking is to use my Pounce Pad with powdered chalk. Rather like a powder puff for quilters! The white chalk disappears with ironing too which is a bonus.
And there is the chalk marking on my fabric. This works well with any quilting design you might like to dream up!
Also make & use your own stencils for painting words and/or shapes onto banners, walls, posters, you name it!
- Similarly, you too can now make your own silk screen templates very easily. No fancy equipment needed: just use self adhesive vinyl and drapery sheers to create a myriad of patterns for silk screen printing; fabric painting and inking.
Please excuse the reflection in the pic – the self-adhesive vinyl was silver an acted just like a mirror as I tried to take the pic!
To make custom silk screens, all you do is stick a sheet of self adhesive vinyl with its peel away backing onto the cutting mat and cut away the top sticky layer of the vinyl only. The peel away backing should not be cut so make adjustments to blade depth & pressure to get the best results.
Then peel your design carefully away from the paper backing. You may need to use a transfer sheet it the design is quite intricate.
Next step is to paste the sticky vinyl down on top of a piece of drapery sheer. Smooth gently to remove any air bubbles and ensure a good contact. Strengthen & neaten the raw edges of the silk screen. We used duct tape but you could attach a stiff cardboard frame if you prefer.
You are now ready to apply paint or inks and silk screen any design you can dream up.
The back of the silk screen showing the drapery sheer that the paint will “squish” through to print on fabric and other mediums.
Ever bought stamps for scrapbooking, card making and/or fabric embellishment? Did you nearly choke when you saw the price of these little things which you might only use a few times? Mmmmm……yes, well, now make your own from any shape & size you so desire. Cut craft foam with the Artistic Edge digital cutter, mount this onto a base such a thick cardstock or a little wood or plastic block….Voila! you have a stamp ready to ink and start making memories with scrapbooking and card making. You could also paint & ink fabric……the creative potential is
My star stamp ready to press onto my stamp pad to twinkle, twinkle, twinkle.
Another more intricate stamp ready to ink up.
Are you having fun yet?? I know I am. And you can too…….see your local Janome dealer today to ask about the ARTISTIC EDGE 15 DIGITAL CUTTER.
Janome Life 