We’ve been delighted to work with Husqvarna Viking over the years and that partnership will continue through 2022. Linda’s recently been loaned an Epic 2 sewing and embroidery machine and challenged to put it through its paces. Needless to say, it’s a challenge she’s relishing!

The Epic 2 machine has an embroidery unit which means it can stitch out designs automatically. It’s possible to design your own embroideries for the machine to stitch, but when you’re relatively new to the process of digital stitch, it can be a great idea to get started by using the designs included in the machine. There are lots on the Epic 2 and Linda has also been enjoying the library of designs which can be found at MySewnet.

If you have an embroidery machine you’ll likely find that it too has a lot of designs built in to its memory. As with so many things, it’s working in layers and combining one process with another that makes things ‘work’. It’s just the same with digital stitch. I like to work layer on layer of stitch, combining digital with forehand machine quilting, and hand stitching.

Linda on the other hand has been combining the ‘built in’ digital stitch designs with freehand quilting and painting. This is such a super combination – the painting can marry so well with the stitch.  Often an embroidered motif can appear as an island and is in danger of looking a bit plonked on. By combining it with freehand quilting and painting you can blend everything successfully, the painting can pick up where the embroidery finishes to complete a composition beautifully.

Take a look a this piece by Linda. Here the branch and some of the leaves are digitally stitched. Other leaves and the lemons are added with paint and then the cream on cream stitching in the background is worked freehand to add some interest and texture.

We think this has so much potential. What do you think? Would you like to learn more about this approach?

Back soon,
Laura