I have one of those fancy-schmancy sewing machines that can output
original embroidery designs. When I first received the machine (oh,
about a year ago), Isaac took it upon himself to figure out exactly how
I might utilize my new Cadillac considering we're a totally-Mac
family and these machines are all designed for PC users. He signed up
to write an article on the process for Sew News. All I had to do was
design an embroidery and sew up something cute with it -- no problem.
My design is now a free download. Follow the "Sew News Rose" link over
in my sidebar and you'll download a zipped folder containing several
file types of the same design (.ART, .CSD, .HUS, .PCD, .PCQ, .PCS,
.PEC, .PES, .SEW, .SHV, .XXX) If you have a tricky sewing machine too,
then one of these should work for you. If you need some other sort of
file type to be able to use the design, I apologize, but the above 11
file types are all we can do.
I wish I could say that digitizing embroideries is now second-nature for me, but I have some work to do before I can hatch an idea out in thread lickity-split. I'll have to take some classes or hook up with someone who enjoys moving needle positions around. I've got the flower-doodling part down pat... and plenty of thread.
Check out Isaac's article in the August/September '07 issue of Sew News.
Enjoy! (and send me photos!)
Love it!
Posted by: Katie | July 22, 2007 at 07:22 PM
How Cool! I only wish I had a cadillac that could do that LOL...maybe next year ...
As a sidenote, I was catching up on my magazine reading and noticed a tablecloth made from your Freshcut Collection in the April 18th 2007 issue of family circle magazine ~ it was the backdrop for a photo of one of their recipes....
Posted by: kristen | July 22, 2007 at 07:48 PM
Oh, that's sooo pretty, makes me want a fancy schmancy machine. Thanks Heather.
Posted by: Tanya | July 22, 2007 at 08:00 PM
Dang Heather! That is so cute! My machine is a dinosaur but I do have a fancier-schmancier one on layaway (although I think it's not so much a Cadillac, but maybe a really nice Camry?). Some day.
But I'm so glad for the freebies you share because we have lots of fun with them!
Posted by: jona | July 22, 2007 at 08:14 PM
Scrumptious little apron Heather!!
Thank you for the pattern also :)
Posted by: Mary Hogan hoganfe | July 22, 2007 at 08:16 PM
How cool. I was always frustrated that these machines only seem PC based, but now you're telling me that it's Mac doable. I have to get that magazine. Thanks!
Posted by: Shin Young | July 22, 2007 at 09:17 PM
Saw this on Bernina's website? Love it. I'll check out the article, I have a fancy machine as well, and a husband who wants to digitize..
Posted by: pam | July 22, 2007 at 09:46 PM
Thanks! Can't wait to use this!
Posted by: Leah Nicole | July 22, 2007 at 09:57 PM
This is really adorable! I don't have a machine that does embroidery but I appreciate your generosity in offering the pattern. I'll have to settle for enjoying it all vicariously.
Posted by: June | July 22, 2007 at 11:37 PM
You and your hubby sound like the perfect combination of craftsy-meets-geek-techie! Good to know I date the right type. ;) Oh, and we're into photography as well!
Posted by: Kat | July 23, 2007 at 02:28 AM
I picked up Sew News last week and was excited to find the article! I have a Mac. I have an embroidery machine. I have a Vikant Ultimate Box. So, I guess I'm ready to sew! Thanks to you for the pattern and your husband for the article!
Posted by: Diane | July 23, 2007 at 03:37 AM
Hi Heather! Wonderfully done as always! Any chance we are looking at your new fabric? :)
Posted by: Tina | July 23, 2007 at 05:58 AM
thank you! such a beautiful pattern!
Posted by: Jessica | July 23, 2007 at 06:06 AM
I was all ready to pull out my hoop and thread, but this is fancy stuff we're talking about, right? Oh well. It's beautiful... I'm happy just to appreciate your "flower doodle."
Posted by: Natalie | July 23, 2007 at 08:42 AM
Oh Funny! I like the Cadillac... Camry sewing machine comparisons. So, I am sewing with something like a Geo Metro LOL.
Posted by: Natalie | July 23, 2007 at 08:44 AM
ooooo, I can't wait to read this article! This was my big problem when choosing a sewing/embroidery machine. My 1998 windows laptop is teetering on the edge of its mortality and I fear each use will be its last! I would love to use my shiny new mac for my crating and my craft reading :)
Posted by: kaitlyn | July 23, 2007 at 09:13 AM
I tried out this design last night it is so cute. now I have to think of something to put it on. I really like the apron pattern. Is it your design? Can we buy it somewhere? Love your style and cant wait to see what trash ties is all about.
Posted by: Amber | July 23, 2007 at 09:16 AM
I have a fancy schmancy machine, too and I have digitized a few things....it isn't as easy as it looks. So thank you, this one is really cute!
Posted by: erin | July 23, 2007 at 09:32 AM
Just browsing the internet, very interesting blog.
Posted by: Freddie Sirmans | July 23, 2007 at 10:43 AM
How stinkin' cute is that?!! Just darling Heather.
Posted by: Kim (OliveJuice) | July 23, 2007 at 10:44 AM
Fantastic timing - I just got a MacBook, and was going to go the Parallel's route for my HV Designer 1... but now I'll wait the read your husband's article first :)
BTW - very cute embroidery design - I can't wait to be up and running again so I can use it!
Posted by: Marisa | July 23, 2007 at 11:07 AM
Sooooo cute! My husband is constantly asking "don't I want a new super machine?" (I'm still sewing on my little $199 workhorse). I keep saying no because A. I'm afraid LOL and B. because they are all PC based and we are strictly Mac at home and at work. Now I have 2 reasons I do want one. A.Heather Bailey is creating super cute downloads and B. Her husband figured out how to use them with Mac. Thanks to both of you!!! :) ~Dena
Posted by: SugarShop | July 23, 2007 at 11:10 AM
ohhh so beautiful . and ohhh so jealous of you .
Posted by: teresa | July 23, 2007 at 11:29 AM
Excellent inspiration to be found here. I'll be back! Thanks for sharing your brain. BTW: Parallels works GREAT!!! It's a good purchase no matter what.
Posted by: laurenbove | July 23, 2007 at 11:57 AM
Heather..
This is beautiful! One day I plan to have one of those fancy machines, yes indeed! I will keep the pattern...
Smiles..
Beverly
Posted by: tea time and roses | July 23, 2007 at 01:27 PM
We have a Mac and a PC so it's good to know I can use both. :)
Im going to have to stich this out on something and see how it looks. Can't wait!
I love the design.
Posted by: Stephanie | July 23, 2007 at 05:45 PM
How wonderful! My mom has a cadillac machine, almost as good as having one myself! And my Dad is a pretty good digitizer. I will have to download this one and give it a whirl! And since Mom says I get her machine some day, and we are a mac family too, I'll definitely need to read the article!
Posted by: Amelia | July 23, 2007 at 09:39 PM
Oh i so wish I could find my embroidery software and hook my card up! This is sew cute!! Love the apron too!
Posted by: Heather | July 24, 2007 at 04:11 AM
Hello, it is very beautiful pattern and I am glad I can use it with my new digital sewing machine. But I cannot open the zip file though. Could there be any problems? MAy be it is due to my software but wanted to ask.
Anyway thanks a lot, love your site :)
Posted by: Ezi | July 24, 2007 at 06:12 AM
I have no fancy schmancy sewing machine. I'm still trying to finish the pincushions you did. But oh I love the apron you did with the embroider design on! Can I buy one? Love love love it!
Posted by: Tracey I. | July 24, 2007 at 09:48 AM
How pretty! What a pretty "doodle." :-)
~Amelia
Posted by: AmeliaB | July 24, 2007 at 11:37 AM
Very pretty! I love it, but it looks too complicated for my novice sewing skills and cheap sewing machine! :)
Posted by: Christina | July 25, 2007 at 08:46 AM
Congrats on getting that in the mag! Too awesome and the flower is ADORABLE.
Posted by: Sara | July 25, 2007 at 09:27 PM
Hello. I loved this flower bouquet!
I belong to the crowd who does not have a fency machine. So I do it by hand. Is there a way to get this flower in a pdf, natural size?
Posted by: Anary | July 25, 2007 at 09:38 PM
No extra fancy here.....but, the pattern IS really cute:)
Posted by: Ellie | July 25, 2007 at 10:22 PM
Ooh, thank you! My Husqvarna Viking and I will enjoy this. :D
Posted by: Sam | July 26, 2007 at 09:08 AM
thanks again for all the inspiration!
xo
Posted by: jamie @ insidesign | July 27, 2007 at 11:12 AM
I don't have one of those new fangled sewing machines but I'm so in love with that design I've decided to do it old school - by hand!
Posted by: alisonmc | July 28, 2007 at 04:21 PM
WOW, thanks for the design, I can't wait to use it on my artista.
Posted by: Laurie | July 31, 2007 at 08:59 AM
WOW, thanks for the design, I can't wait to use it on my artista.
Posted by: Laurie | July 31, 2007 at 08:59 AM
WOW, thanks for the design, I can't wait to use it on my artista.
Posted by: Laurie | July 31, 2007 at 08:59 AM
Hi Heather! I work in a store which carries the magazine and I had read it the other day. Then I saw your blog article! Well, yesterday, a guest came into the store and was looking for the magazine just because you were in it, she said she loves your fabrics and she bought the magazine as soon as I showed her which one it was! Just thought you might like to hear that little story! Your blog is a great tool to promote your amazing fabrics!
Posted by: Jessica | August 02, 2007 at 07:20 AM
Just gorgeous design thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Embroidery Designs Shop | August 30, 2007 at 04:06 PM
It takes some time to get the hang of digitizing but once you've got it licked, the sky's the limit. Classes do help. I wouldn't trade my fancy schmancy cadillac(s) for anything. It's the only way to sew. Hubby is a computer nerd so he keeps that side of things working lol!
Posted by: Astrid | December 01, 2007 at 09:52 AM