A little while back I encountered a free embroidery pattern on the internet. (And now I can't remember where it was.) It was a "primitive" style angel, and the photo showed an angel stuffed toy made with Minky-type fabric. There was the stitch file, right there, and a link to the maker's blog, which drew a blank. So, being in the mood to experiment, I downloaded the stitch file.
Opened the file in the embroidery software that came with my Janome MC500 and printed out the alignment page. Also I put it into the thumb drive.
Loaded the file into the embroidery machine. Dug around in the info provided there. It had 11 colors of thread. Each color had a color spot next to it and a nominated Janome thread color. I don't have that brand of thread in the house, so I went by the color chips and approximated the colors.
Having no instructions for the project, I used the instructions for the OESD Minkee Pals which are about the same size and look to have similar ground fabric.
This helped me to decide on stabilizer and topper. It also allowed me to try out the other pattern, which I had bought the package with the idea of making gifts, and see how I like the construction method.
A close-up of the little angel.
At the top right, part of my notes on which colors go to what. I think I misread the color that ended up on the little face, the chip looked like bright pink and probably should have been some shade of beige/tan/flesh tone. There was a pair of final colors that was a bit confusing: a speck of green that seems to have no purpose, and after adding the back fabric to the top of the sewn material in the hoop an outline stitch. This was spec'd as charcoal gray on my screen and probably should have been the same pale pink as the first outline stitch, as the charcoal shows at the interior corners of the shape.
I don't think I like the "primitive" style. The dot eyes and the half-circle mouth just aren't my thing. The texture on the wings and hair is interesting...blue wings? whatever. It is a cheerful looking little thing, perhaps as a tree ornament or package decoration? All it needs is a little ribbon loop added at the top. Maybe that was why the tiny green line was placed? It's at the top of the halo.
The most key thing I have difficulty with is the method of construction of this stuffed angel--and by extension the stuffed animals in the Minkee Pals pattern set. (Remember, this was copied from the Minkee Pals instructions as an approximation.) The final outline stitches a seam *all the way around* connecting the front to the back. This produces an inside-out angel with no turning opening. The user is supposed to cut a slit into the back fabric and turn through the slit. "It's Minkee, you can just stitch the opening together and it doesn't ravel!" Right. But I was thinking of giving the Minkee Pals to children.
I put a piece of the trimmed off stabilizer inside the slit after the stuffing was inserted and used it as an interior patch to stabilize baseball stitching and closed the slit that way.
I'm not sure I'm excited about this. The minky-style fleece and the stabilizer and topping worked out well. (A mesh in the hoop below, the fleece on top and not actually hooped, and Sulky Solvy on top--spray temp glue and tape were involved in this.)
Maybe it's time to make the first of the Minkee Pals and try a different way of attaching the back to the front. Like using my regular sewing machine to make an outline seam that has a turning opening. With a little flap to tuck in at the opening so it can be sewn shut by hand.
This was basically the way the coasters went together, except that the instructions there said "hand stitch" and I tucked the flap (just make it while trimming the fabric, they don't say anything about such and idea) into the inside of the coaster, pinned it, and edge stitched all around the edge to close. I think the machine edge stitching won't work as well on the curves and corners of this type of project.
If the Minkee Pal works out, I'll probably do another post on this stuff.
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