Last year I was very lucky to be able to purchase a brand new ‘all singing, all dancing’ machine. I was a little daunted at first but after many an hour playing my confidence has started to grow.
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| My New Sewing Machine |
It didn’t take long before I was dropping the feed dogs and swapping the normal sewing foot for a darning foot!
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| Darning Foot |
I was ready
to start drawing once again with my sewing machine!
But where
to start?..... I needed a bit of help and inspiration!
After a bit of ‘Googling’ and research I came across Poppy Treffry’s book, Freehand Machine Embroidery.
After a bit of ‘Googling’ and research I came across Poppy Treffry’s book, Freehand Machine Embroidery.
I simply just
NEEDED it!
I was so
excited, a few days later, when the postman knocked on the door with my special delivery.....
I couldn’t
wait to get reading!
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| My New Book |
Poppy’s
book definitely didn’t disappoint.
Everything about the book is amazing.
The quality..... the photography..... and most of all Poppy’s writing style.
Each page
is set out so that it’s easy to understand whether you are reading it page by
page or just flicking through.
The
book is split into three main sections:
1. Starting Out
An introduction into the basic equipment, fabrics that you will need and getting to grips with using your machine for freehand machine embroidery.
This
section is brilliant for those that are just starting out. As well as it being very informative, the
images are so inspiring. Poppy even
covers how to maintain your sewing machine!
2. Techniques
This guides you through outlining, shading and appliqué. It covers finishing and edging.
There is also a brilliant (much needed in my
case) trouble shooting table.
I love this part of the book! Poppy encourages you to just have a go, have fun and not to worry if it’s not perfect or if your needle snaps. In her words it’s,
This put my mind at rest as I did have one or two needle mishaps along the way!
3. PROJECTS
The
exciting part! Lots of lovely projects
for you to try out, sixteen in all! Every
single project has easy to follow instructions with a combination of beautifully
hand-drawn images and photographs. The
step by step guides are simple yet detailed enough to make the learning process
easier.
I love that Poppy includes
little ‘tips’ that, believe me, do come in really useful!
Templates for all of the projects are included too.
At the back of the book there is a suppliers and a sources of inspiration section.
This was my first attempt at a little machine embroidery, not perfect, I know, but with more practice I'm hoping to improve my skills. In the meantime I'm enjoying every minute of practicing!
You can follow my progress by 'liking' the Pink Sweetheart Facebook page here. I'll also be sharing a few pictures over the next few weeks on Twitter, @PinkSweetheart
Overall I would highly recommend Poppy Treffry's, Freehand Machine Embroidery book. The book has taught me so many new things that I would have never thought of on my own. I have shown it to quite a few of my crafty/artistic friends and every single one was impressed by the high standard and quality of this brilliant book.
I can't wait to get my next Poppy Treffry book and maybe do another little review to share here on my blog.
Thank you Poppy!
For more information about Poppy Treffry take a look at her website, http://www.poppytreffry.co.uk
You can also follow her if your are a twitter user,
1. Starting Out
An introduction into the basic equipment, fabrics that you will need and getting to grips with using your machine for freehand machine embroidery.
 |
| Starting Out |
2. Techniques
This guides you through outlining, shading and appliqué. It covers finishing and edging.
 |
| Techniques |
I love this part of the book! Poppy encourages you to just have a go, have fun and not to worry if it’s not perfect or if your needle snaps. In her words it’s,
"all part of the learning curve"
This put my mind at rest as I did have one or two needle mishaps along the way!
3. PROJECTS
 |
| Projects |
Templates for all of the projects are included too.
At the back of the book there is a suppliers and a sources of inspiration section.
This was my first attempt at a little machine embroidery, not perfect, I know, but with more practice I'm hoping to improve my skills. In the meantime I'm enjoying every minute of practicing!
 |
| My First Attempt |
Overall I would highly recommend Poppy Treffry's, Freehand Machine Embroidery book. The book has taught me so many new things that I would have never thought of on my own. I have shown it to quite a few of my crafty/artistic friends and every single one was impressed by the high standard and quality of this brilliant book.
I can't wait to get my next Poppy Treffry book and maybe do another little review to share here on my blog.
Thank you Poppy!
Jayne
xxx
For more information about Poppy Treffry take a look at her website, http://www.poppytreffry.co.uk
You can also follow her if your are a twitter user,
And also on Facebook,
Book Details
Freehand Machine Embroidery
Learning to draw with your sewing machine.
By Poppy Treffry
Published by David and Charles
ISBN-13: 978-1-4463-0186-9 paperback
ISBN-10: 1-4463-0186-9 paperback
it looks perfect to me jayne.Well done it looks brilliant xx
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Lyn, I'm enjoying the freedom of freehand machine embroidery. In fact I prefer it to regular sewing! J x
ReplyDelete