Headed to a 3 day retreat for machine embroidery this weekend!  This is a great time to work on items for Christmas and also for test sewing all those machine embroidery designs I have been working on with my EQStitch program.

Designs that work up quickly are linear and usually one color designs.  But, you could always opt to use variegated thread and just let it stitch out the lines and the various colors are automatically added.  I love to use a bean stitch (also called triple stitch) for a linear design or a small zigzag line when using variegated threads.

The thread choice always effects the design you create.  Too thick of a thread will cause problems with heavily filled areas and too thin of a thread will cause issues with it not being prominent enough for the overall design.  Digitizing is just the first step to creating lovely embroidery designs.  A test sew of a design using the threads you think you will use in your final project will show you if you need to change your thread type or change your design.

This weekend while I am at my retreat I am test sewing a new set of stitch files to be added to the EQStitch program.  The designs are based on the Mola designs you see in Central America.  I hope to have the set completed and available by January 2016.  Watch for the launch of the designs in the new year.