In the hoop bag

Tonight I am stitching out one of the in the bags from embroidery garden :)  Will post review up tomorrow.  Please keep sharing this Page.  I'll also be pinning up a new list of sales and linking to a fantastic tutorial on how to stitch out felties.  :) 

Shabby Key Fob

When I'm looking for a fast and easy gift for friends this is one of my "Go to" designs as they are quick, easy and i can use up some of my scraps! 

Created and developed by: GG Embroidery designs (Buy Here)

Cost:$7.50 (AU)

Embroidered on: Husqvarna Topaz 20

Size Available:   5x7 hoop - completed size approx. 3" long
                              6x10 hoop (small) - completed size approx. 3.75" long
                              6x10 hoop (large) - completed size approx. 4.5" long
                              7x12 hoop - completed size approx. 5.25" long

Instructions: Yes!!! (It tells you all supplies needed including sizes and hardware then it has FANTASTIC color pictures showing you each step)

Skill level: Beginner to advanced

Time taken:  20 min (6x10 large size) after fabric cut out

Stabilizer used: I used medium weight tear away.

 

These Shabby key fobs are incredibly easy to stitch out. Upon opening the instructions you see everything is written up for you including sizes of fabric to cut out and all hardware supplies. If you have never done in the hoop designs before this is definitely something to start with as the instructions are so well done you are guided the whole way without any guess work. Two different versions are included too in each size - a wavy quilting stitch and a simple line quilting one. I chose to do the wavy one. You need a piece of thin cotton wadding/batting. I had lots of the warm and natural batting so I used that with no problems. 

GG designs also include Tips in there instructions which was fantastic. I had never used matching thread before in my bobbin but it is necessary so that you have a matching thread to the top of the flap which folds over. I just used the embroidery thread and wound it on as i do with normal bobbin thread and this worked fine. (They do recommend test stitching this though to see if this works for your machine satisfactory). For the final steps you also need pinking shears. This reduces the fray that the cotton and batting has and gives it a groovy looking finish. If you had the appropriate software you could add a name or monogram but i think these look cool just by themselves. Have a look at mine:

This is the large 6x10 and it fits my wrist easily.

Shabby key fobs

Tonight I am stitching out this design from gg designs embroidery. Very excited!! Review to come...

http://www.ggdesignsembroidery.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=428

Swaddled Baby Bunny In The Hoop Design

New for 2015 this is another Easter bunny softie/plushie which I think will be popular.

Created and developed by: Bobbin for Applique (http://www.bobbinforappliques.com/)

Made exclusively for: Create Kids Couture (BUY HERE)

Cost: $9.00 (US)

Embroidered on: Husqvarna Topaz 20

Size Available: 4x4, 5x7, 6x10 and 7x12

Instructions: Yes (pictures clear and in color- It is a generic one of the swaddled bear baby but the instructions are the same for the bunny)

Skill level: Beginner to advanced

Time taken: 45 min (6x10 size) after fabric cut out

Stabilizer used: I used medium weight tear away. You will also need some water soluble stabilizer just so your stitches don't sink into the fabric for the face. 

 

The first part of this design is to embroider the ears. Following the instructions this is just a basic process. I decided to do my ears in a medium weight fleece and had no problems with the thickness.

Next you do the main part of the bunny. Once again by following the instructions it's easy to see what each step entails and how to do it. The nose on the bunny is different from the instructions but its just a simple applique (Without the satin stitching around it) so don't forget to choose a material which wont fray for this such as felt. One of the things I like about the instructions is that it shows you how to attach fabric which has a dimensional fabric as this is often when I tend to get things upside down or the wrong way around but i got it first go!

My only error when stitching this out was when attaching the ears of the bunny. I placed mine down flat but i think they would look better and give them more shape if you pinch them slightly so they make a ridge in the middle of the ear part. I could of also perhaps used a contrast fabric for the little blanket bit on the side, however my 20 month old loved it and my 5yr old is hanging out for hers so I think its a definite winner!! I will definitely be offering these for sale to my friends, quick, easy and cuddly :)

My adorable 20 month old with 'bunny'

Please don't forget to like my facebook page to continue to see more In the hoop embroidery reviews :)

 

Love Monster and Ink Monster

Every year down under in Australia I notice that the celebrations of Halloween get bigger and more popular. Last year I decided to have a kids Halloween party. I wanted to give each child something to take home and needed it to be something that was suitable to the wide range of ages that I had coming to the party as well as quick to stitch (Me and my last minuteness!). I chose two types of In The Hoop monsters and thought i would write up a review on each as still to this day some of those kids proudly run up and show me there loved monsters.

-Love Monster-

Purchased design, created and developed by: Savvy Stitches applique (http://www.savvystitchesapplique.com/store/)

Cost: $6.00 (US)

Embroidered on: Husqvarna Topez 20

Size Available: 4X4, 5X7 small, 5X7, 6X10, 7X12

Instructions: Yes (Numbered, clear and in color)

Skill level: Beginner to advanced

Time taken: 40 min (5x7 size) after fabric cut out

Stabilizer used: Poly-mesh cutaway. (I have also done these with medium tear away but have found that i needed to reinforce the eyes due to a denser stitch in this area). You will also need some water soluble stabilizer just so your stitches don't sink into the fabric.

The Love monster by Savvy stitches has been a popular design in the world of embroidery. This was a fun design to stitch out as I loved varying the colors and fabrics for all my little monsters. Upon opening up the instructions you see that there are nice big pictures stepping you through each element. I chose to use fleece as the main fabric but you can  really use anything you like. The eyes I chose to do with felt underlay. The only other fabric choice to make is the gorgeous little heart on the bottom. This Plushie was an easy and quick stitch out. There was no real tips with this one as it was pretty straight forward. I did need to use my software stitch out preview button with the eyes just so i knew which part it was going to fill stitch first out of the iris and pupil. If you make a note of it the first time you do it then it will be a breeze next time around. I also added a name to the bottom of a few of mine (Done in Embird 2010)

-INK the Monster-

Purchased design, created and developed by: E and Me designs (http://www.eandmedesigns.com/shop)

Cost: $8.00 (US)

Embroidered on: Husqvarna Topez 20

Size Available: 4×4, 5×7, 6×10, 7×12, 8×12

Instructions: Yes (pictures clear and in color)

Skill level: Beginner to advanced

Time taken: 35 min (5x7 size) after fabric cut out

Stabilizer used: I used medium weight tear away. You will also need some water soluble stabilizer just so your stitches don't sink into the fabric. 

I'm going to admit something really embarrassing. I never knew why this cute little guy was called INK until i did this review. For those that don't know, this adorable monster has three 'Ink' spots stitched on the bottom of him. LOVE IT! So INK is another easy plushie to stitch out. The instructions have pictures which are easy to follow and understand. There is only really two main elements of this monster the eye and the mouth. The larger eye part and the mouth are both done as an applique keeping it quick to stitch. The inner eye is filled stitch with a cute little white of the eye dot done as well. I did all mine in fleece but i love the fur fabric as well (Just don't forget to use the water solvy for the ink dots).  Here's my version of INK

These were all my Halloween monsters ready for their new homes. I also had an adopt a monster certificate for each child to name and date!

  Thanks for reading. Don't forget to like my Facebook Page!

Bunny eggs softie

 -BUNNY EGGS SOFTIE-

Purchased design, created and developed by: Bee Stitchin' Embroidery (http://beestitchin.com/softies/) or (https://www.etsy.com/shop/beestitchin)

Cost: $8.00 (AU)

Embroidered on: Husqvarna Topez 20

Size Available: 4x4 5x7 6x10

Instructions: Yes- Beautiful, clear and in color!

Skill level: Beginner to advanced

Time taken: 30 min (4x4 size) after fabric cut out

Stabilizer used: Medium Tear away 

 

The Bunny egg softie is another one of those designs which is quick and easy. Last year I was looking for little gifts to make for the babies who couldn't eat chocolate and I wanted something that was soft and snugly. I chose the 4x4 size to make these in, just perfect to fit in the palm of your hand.

When selecting fabric I chose a soft low fluff mink (or for those fabric experts I think the correct term is short pile), felt for the face and cotton for the ears. It looks really cute with a cotton body too and the file does also come with a satin stitch for around the face if you didn't want to use felt. The egg is created in two separate hooping, one for the ears and one for the body. 

The instructions are clear to read through. My only advice after making a few of these is take the designers advice and stitch the ears like it says in step 5, trust me it makes it much much easier! For those who want to add a personal touch, there is enough room even on the 4x4 to add a small monogram.

This picture made me fall in love with them as the color styling is endless! (Sourced from https://www.facebook.com/RoyalRatbags -with permission and thanks)

And these are my beautiful eggs :)

Hope you enjoyed this review..please don't forget to like my Facebook page

Facebook page

If you are like me and spend most of your waking and should be sleeping hours on Facebook I have added a Page so you can keep up to date with this blog :) 

https://m.facebook.com/inthehoopreview

Please click the link and then like  x

A quick note about negative reviews

It has come up about negative reviews and i wanted to state outright that i don't/wont have any negative reviews on this blog. This is for a few reasons.
1- I don't feel it would be fair to judge a designer and potentially bias there future sales on one design.
2- There is so many wonderful in the hoop designs out there that i have a lifetime of positive reviews to write before getting to any negative.
3- and finally there is enough negative in this world, i do not want to add to it. Please don't forget to subscribe and to provide feedback. Thanks

<3 Nancy

Catching up with my Index cards with another review!

Warning! over the next week I will be posting lots of reviews. Throughout the last year every time I have completed an in the hoop project I have printed out an index card with the details on it as a way of keeping a note of what i have done/hints tips etc relating to its stitch out.

Here's what i mean:

So i will be hoping to post hopefully at least one review daily for a short time until i'm up to date (when my kids allow it of course!)

I'm going to continue with the easter theme and today I chose one of my favourite, quick stitching, in the hoop projects to review.

-CHOCOLATE BUNNY PLUSHIE-

Created and developed by:  Bobbin For Appliques (http://bobbinforappliques-com.3dcartstores.com/)

Cost: $6.50 (US)

Embroidered on: Husqvarna Topez 20

Size Available: 4x4, 5x7, 6x10, 8x8, and 12x12

Instructions: Yes

Skill level: Beginner to advanced (Very basic design would be a great first in the hoop project!)

Time taken: 20min for the 5x7 after fabric is cut out. 

This bunny is a very basic yet highly marketable in the hoop design. It was one of the very first items I made in the hoop and I had no trouble at all. Upon opening up the instructions you do notice that there is no pictures but trust me you wont need them. Instructions are clear and it even tells you when to add the monogram or name so you don't have to guess when the best time is. I find this designer great and although I didn't have any questions about this bunny I have found Heather in the past to be helpful and easy to contact.

I made quite a few of the 5x7 designs of this bunny and they measured 23cm high, had fleece on one side and 100% cotton on the other.You could however use whatever fabric you wanted. I also loved that you could skip adding on the eye and make it a silhouette bunny. One tip that i will mention is when cutting around the bunny before turning (and this goes for all in the hoop projects not just this one) either cut with pinking shears or don't cut too close to the stitching edge. This will ensure when stuffing for a stiffer plushie that the cotton wont come away from the edge causing a hole.  This project is great for all those fat quarters which you have that don't quite match other fabrics, the brighter the better!

Aren't they cute!!!

NOTE: I am in no way affiliated or paid by the creator for this review.

In the hoop review

Kids are tucked up in bed, coffee is on and I have a few hours to review one of the many in the hoop products that I have purchased over the years. Now before I start I want to point out that I am by no means a writer so if you are super fussy by miniscule spelling errors and incorrect sentence structure, I apologize now! I want this blog to be as easy to read as possible so i have kept it simple.

PEEK-A-BOO BUNNY

Created and developed by: A creative medley (http://www.acreativemedley.com/)

Cost: $7.99

Embroidered on: Husqvarna Topez 20

Size Available: 4x4, 5x7, 6x10, 7x11, 8x14, 8.8" square

Instructions: Yes

Would i buy again and recommend this pattern: Yes

Skill level: Beginner to advanced as there is lots of pictures and i found the creator to respond and be extremely helpful in answering questions/advice.

 

With Easter approaching i thought i would start by reviewing this cute peek-a-boo style bunny. An egg which turns into a cute adorable bunny what could be more awesome. Upon opening the instructions i find lots of pictures (Yay, says the visual learner in me!) I also find a separate file with the amount of fabric to cut (double yay). Choosing the type of fabric for these adorable guys is a bit harder as i want it easy to turn for my littlies hands but i also want it tight, not saggy looking. After paroling her Facebook fan group page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/ACreativeMedley/) I find lots of hints and tips. I decided to do a mix of cotton and fleece. (A tip for beginners my machine JUST made it over the fleece and cotton in the final steps so i wouldn't recommend using a heavy weight fleece or doing this project all in fleece.)

I find the instructions to be brilliant...lots of pictures, easy to follow steps and tips (which stops me from making a few errors as i like to sometimes go rogue and skip ahead). It takes me on my first go around 45min after cutting out the fabric but i can see i would be able to go quicker after i have a few under my belt.

My little guy turns out almost perfect first go. I didn't use heat and bond lite on the accents so found them to be a bit wrinkly so would definitely use it next time as recommended by the creator. I also feel i need to stuff him more. I used editing software (Embird 2010) to add on a year to his foot. Another thing that i liked was that i was able to choose a "lite" stitched version or a completely "filled" version for the bunny's feet. It would mean I could create him quicker and use less thread if I wanted to.

Edited to add better pics as the sun came out :)


NOTE: I am in no way affiliated or paid by the creator for this review.