We are happy to be able to offer our customers a new set of FREE bonus designs as a special thank-you, with orders of $30 or more from anywhere at Secrets. The 2008 Winter Bonus Set has more than 30 designs from as many designers, making it a great “sampler” of the typical quality designs our designers offer. Click through to see them all and then go shopping to qualify for your free set!

Carolyn is asked:

I have been using Embird successfully for a while. I no longer have the colors of a design at the bottom of the screen in manager. I do not know if the colors have been there since I downloaded the latest update. I have friends who have the update and they have the colors.

Carolyn replies:

To show your colors at the bottom of the Manager screen go to Options and place a check mark beside Show Process Panel.  That will fix the problem for you.

Kind regards,
Carolyn Keber
Tutorials for Embird and PE Design

Get really creative with the new Christmas Trees collection from Too Cute Embroidery. Add some bling, whether you light them up, embellish with crystals or stitch them on cards in rich metallic threads. The set includes 14 designs in both 4×4″ and 5×7″ sizes plus two FREE photo tutorials for Stitching on Cards and creating a fabulous Lighted Christmas Tree Wallhanging as pictured. 

Hello guys, I have Wilcom ES65 2006 Full version for Windows Vista and XP for sale.  Please contact with me at wasim.cheema@gmail.com for more information.

Carolyn is asked:

Is there a away to make the stitches longer when using the connection tool? When I did a test sew out of my design I discovered that I had a gazillion running stitches between the parts that were connected. I could easily eliminate over 50% of them without affecting the design but couldn’t find a setting to increase the length of the stitches that the connection tool programs.

Carolyn replies:

Yes, you can increase the length of the Connection stitches - even after you have finished a design. Just select the Connection stitch object in the Object order screen and click on Parameters on the Menu Bar (or right mouse click and choose Parameters.)

The Parameters screen will open and you’ll be able to increase both the Min and Max length. If you want to save this setting (length) as your default setting then click on the Parameters button at the top of the screen and choose Save As default and click Apply and then OK.

Of course, if you want to change all the rest of the connections stitch objects in your Object order screen to this new setting, then rather than change them all individually, you can hold down the CTRL key and then left mouse click on every connection stitch you wish to change until they are all selected. Then select the connection stitch object you changed and holding down the right mouse button drag it down onto the selected objects. Release your mouse button and choose Set Identical from the pop-up screen. All done.

Kind Regards

Carolyn Keber
Tutorials for Embird and PE Design

Here are some designer details with machine embroidery & wing needle stitches that you might find useful on some of your future projects. Hope is working on a magazine article for Sew Beautiful magazine and has provided us with a sneak peak at a few of the “how to photos”: 

Shadow English Lace Ovals

The directions on the PDF file call for a peek-a-boo effect on my English Lace Ovals embroidery collection - but instead I layered pink cotton lawn fabric with some white netting to create a shadow of pink color which matches the flower neckline on the baby daygown. You can soften any appliqué design by following my example of layering a pale fabric with netting or silk organza for an heirloom shadow effect.

Wing Needle Corded Hemstitch

Here is one of my favorite techniques which looks like an expensive couture trim embellishment. Use a 5 or 7 hole cording foot threaded with DMC Perle cotton size #12 through the front two holes. Use 60 weight cotton thread in a 120 wing needle and select a double hemstitch. The stitches will cover the cord creating an Entredeux trim effect and then weave 6 strands of DMC floss over two holes & under one for a finished look. Make sure you use light weight tear stabilzer with this technique.

You can get 40% off Hope Yoder’s lovely Heirloom Embellishment Series (including the English Lace Ovals featured in this article), until 30 November 2008!!

You’ll notice that all our featured designs and projects this week have a Christmas theme. This will come as no surprise, as you are all probably busy planning or making gifts for friends and family. Take a look in our Christmas Designs category for a wonderful variety of inspiring designs to add a bit of Christmas charm to your projects. Shown here are some examples from the new Christmas Napkin Designs from Dainty Sticthes.

My Fair Lady has three new fun Christmas Stockings that are made in the hoop, and then assembled for a quick and easy project. Full instructions are included with each stocking. There is an adorable Christmas Stocking that includes an appliqué frame, and a beautifully embroidered Cinderella Stocking which is embellished with buttons, beading and cord. The third style is the Christmas Tic Tac Toe Stocking which doubles as a game! Any orders over $10 from My Fair Lady will also receive a bonus Puzzle Book Page and Applique Design set absolutely FREE. 

Hi
 
When using Embird Editor if I insert 2 or more stitches at the same point I can adjust the first stitch only.  Can this be fixed?  I am using Embird 2008. Thank you - Trevor Lock

Hi Trevor
 
When you insert stitches in Embird Editor using the Points Editing Mode and then the Insert command you will need to zoom in very close to the area where the stitches were inserted if you wish to edit those stitches. Only by zooming in can you select each newly inserted stitch easily. Adjust one stitch and then select and adjust the next stitch. If you have difficulty selecting the next or previous stitch then select a stitch close to the stitch to be edited and then use the Up/Down arrow keys on your keyboard to move to the next stitch.

You may find the directional keys more helpful in selecting your stitches.

I hope that helps.
 
Kind regards
Carolyn Keber
Tutorials for Embird and PE Design

These charming designs are from Embroidery Connection’s new Cuckoo Clocks design set. They are ideal to embroider for a wall-hanging, a quilt, a bag, or home decoration. Look in our Clock Designs category for many more quaint clock designs, as well as several designs especially for embroidering clock faces. Make a clock to suit your own decor and taste. They would make wonderful gifts too.