I teach. Do I have to buy a pattern for each of my students to use in the classroom?
Of course not - please just buy one pattern and make as many copies as you need for your students. But if you recommend it to another teacher, I'd appreciate it if you'd let them buy their own pattern. :-)
Can I sell items made with your patterns? Is there a fee?
If you are making everything yourself then there's no charge, but please credit me as the designer. And please let me know! I'd be happy to link to your shop.
If you're contracting out to have them made, please contact me so we can work out a licensing agreement that's fair for both of us.
Can I print your patterns out and sell them?
No.
Can I lift pictures of your work and show it on my blog/site?
Sure - as long as you link back to me.
Can I embed your videos in my site?
Sure - as long as you link back to me.
If you have any questions that I haven't addressed here - please just let me know and I'll add it to the list (with an answer).
Can you tell me what size/type of embroidery needle you use most in your stitching? I need the longest needle possible with the largest eye available...do you have a tip for me? Thanks for all of you great videos!
ReplyDeleteAloha, Andrea
I use a pretty basic embroidery needle - DMC #5. It's big enough to thread a full 6 strands through the eye, but not so big that it's crazy to use it for the occasional single strand for detail work. I'm usually too lazy to change needles mid-project and I like the versatility of this size.
ReplyDeleteDon't feel like you have to use something labeled "embroidery needle." Take a look at what's in the section and just make sure you get one that's sharp. When I need a really long needle I use something called a doll needle. The eye is big enough for embroidery thread and they're usually about 5 inches long.
Good luck!
Wendi - first of all your site is wonderful....you have given me so much information...but now I have a question, what is the best way to press your embroidery when done and do you remove it from the hoop every time you are done for the day?
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! I actually try not to press my embroidery if possible. I don't like to compress the stitches. If I MUST press it for some reason, I press it face down on a towel.
ReplyDeleteI know I should take my embroidery out of the hoop every day - but I don't. :-)
Dear Wendi, thank you for this great blog. I always wanted to work with embroidery but never tried it. Now with your excellent video-tutorials, I can;t wait-- I'm excited! Can you please tell me if linen is a good fabric to use for a teddy bear? I'm a beginner, so your suggestion would be appreciated. Thnks/Rgds
ReplyDeleteLinen would make a lovely teddy bear! I've been a few out of old linen shirts before and they looked (and felt) wonderful. :-)
ReplyDeletethank you very much for your prompt response. Best regards
ReplyDeleteHi Wendi, I'm super excited I found your blog with your video tutorials! I've been wanting to learn how to embroider forever and I don't think I can avoid it any longer (!). I did have a question for which I couldn't find an answer; not that you haven't mentioned it before, I just couldn't find it. What type of fabric do you recommend for starting out embroidery? I'd like to make a couple of bookmarks to start.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Erika
Erika,
ReplyDeleteOne of the great things about embroidery is that you can really use any kind of fabric you want. The easiest fabric to transfer an image to is just a basic woven cotton - just use a pencil or some iron-on transfer pens for that. But Tshirts will work and so will "fancy" fabrics like velvet - they just might need some special tools when transferring your pattern.
Have fun!
Best,
Wendi
Hi Wendi!
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to thank you for a really great blog! So simple to learn from your videos. My 11 year old son made the skirt for a 6 year old friend (it was her birthday today) and my 13 yr old daughter (with a little of my help!) made a matching mini tote! Both turned out amazingly!
I've been following your embroidery videos, and they have been a great help.
So...thank you...for a great site!
Tahnea in Melbourne, Australia
Thanks so much for your nice comment! I love hearing about (and seeing) kids sewing! And grown-ups too. :-)
DeleteI want to ask.. where do you buy all of those sewings ?? Is it like a craft shop or what ?? Do you know any shops that sell needles, threads, felts and the embroidery [the frame thingy] please tell me at irdinasophea@yahoo.com [it's my sister's e-mail.. peace out =)
ReplyDeleteP/S : LOVE YOUR BLOG !!
DeleteMaybe it's a silly question but I want to know if my zig zag scissors to cut fabric can be use to cut felt or if I must to have different scissors.
ReplyDeleteIf they're pinking shears (designed for fabric) they should be just fine. In my experience the scissors designed to cut fancy edges on paper for scrapbooking do NOT cut fabric or felt well at all.
ReplyDeleteOh! That's a quick answer! Thank you so much.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your great tutorials. I am trying to finish a reupholstery project, and have never sewn a boxed cusion seat with piping and with a zipper! The top back cushion is a "T" shaped (to fit over the arms) and the bottom cushion is a regular square. Are you planning on a video showing these? I want to learn how to do this myself, not just take it to someone else to do it. I've looked at other youtube videos and they aren't as good as yours. My email is
ReplyDeleteedlundamy@ hotmail.com Thanks, Amy
I already have a zipper tutorial that should help you with that part. You can find it at http://wendigratz.blogspot.com/2011/05/how-to-sew-in-exposed-zipper-video.html. I have plans for a piping video, but not coming up immediately.
DeleteOkay, thanks. I had a friend come over and teach me and I am proud to announce I have reupholstered an entire chair with a boxed seat cushion and a t-shaped back cushion! They turned out great and I'm so excited with my new skill! Ya for sewing! It's so fun when a project turns out the way you wanted! amy
DeleteYay! Congratulations!
DeleteI am going to teach two hand embroidery classes to kids for the first time this summer at a camp. May I show your videos to them?
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! Thanks for asking.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI love your site...thanks so much for putting it out there for others! When you use colored pencils to fill in your embroidery, can these embroidered pieces be laundered? I am working on a quilt with hand embroidered blocks and am thinking of adding some more color to the blocks. Thanks!!!
ReplyDeleteI want to be your new best friend!!! LOL. Love your site. I am starting a quilt called A Cut Above that has some embroidery dimension to it and I have never done that before. Your videos are awesome!!! Thanks for taking the time to post so many great videos to help people like me.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! I'm glad they've been helpful. :-)
DeleteHI Wendi, your embroidery examples are the best! Very understandable and easy to follow. I would like to know how to embroider a circle/dot. Kind of like what you might use for an eye but rounder and on that same size scale. Also I love the way varigated floss looks but dont know when to use it. It seems like most patterns wouldn't get the full use of the colors.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! Here's a video showing the method I use for eyes. http://wendigratz.blogspot.com/2011/01/my-no-longer-top-secret-technique-for.html If you want one that's larger than this I often satin stitch it. That video is at http://wendigratz.blogspot.com/2011/02/how-to-satin-stitch.html. I agree that variegated floss doesn't work well with a lot of things. I do think it's really effective on scrolly line work. It can also be nice in fill stitches - like seed stitch - or something like a bunch of lazy daisy leaves filling in a tree. It would have been effective in this pattern. http://shinyhappyworld.bigcartel.com/product/firefly-tree-embroidery-pattern-pdf
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
Hi Wendi : ) I was hoping you can tell me where you buy your fabrics for quilting. I love how festive, playful and fun they are. Thanks
ReplyDeleteI buy most of my fabrics from independent fabric stores and online stores. The big box stores like Hancocks and JoAnn's don't usually carry my favorite designers. I often link to favorite new collections on Facebook and in the weekly newsletter - so if you follow me in either of those places you'll see specific suggestions - usually with links to my favorite shops. :-)
DeleteP.s I enjoy your tutorials and your website is phenomenal : )!! You've inspired me to tackle sewing and much more. Thanks again for sharing
ReplyDeleteI am new to applique sewing and came across your video on youtube and love it!!!! However, you talk about "tissue paper" put under the fabric to make sewing easier -- I understand that but, what is tissue paper. Thanks for your help as I need all the help I can get!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteTissue paper is really thin paper that people use for wrapping gifts - and also for patternmaking. You can also use regular printer or copy paper, but that will dull your needle faster.
DeleteThank you so very much !!!!!!!!!!!!!
DeleteHi Wendi,
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to say THANK YOU! I'm working on a crazy quilt and came across your online videos of embroidery stitches. For years, I could not figure out how to make a French knot, despite numerous books and even a friend trying to coach me, and had given up on them. Your tip in the video to point the needle away from the fabric was the trick. I can now make French knots and am thrilled! Thank you so much!!! Your videos are great! -- Sherry
I'm glad they've been helpful! And I'm always happy to help someone conquer the dreaded French knot. :-)
DeleteIMPORTANT - SECURITY RISK - YOUR LATEST EMAIL ON STUFFED BEARS ETC. IS CONNECTED TO A PORN SITE. IT READS SECURITY RISK ON MY NORTON. DO NOT VIEW.
ReplyDeleteHi. I am going to purchase your bear PDF pattern, When I look at the complete kit photo the stomach patch looks like it is affixed differently from the photo in the PDF pattern. I prefer the way it looks without the top stitch and pinked edges. Do you give instructions for that in the PDF file as well?
ReplyDeleteThank you. Patrish
Hi, Could you tell me where you buy your tube turner? (online) thanks!
ReplyDeleteGG
You can find it here. http://www.amazon.com/Dritz-796-Quick-Turn/dp/B003LGZCZ8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1362616377&sr=8-1&keywords=dritz+tube+turner
DeleteHI Wendy, I ordered your rainbow girls pattern and just finished my first one. I emailed you a picture. Thank you for your mission on teaching us how to embroider and sewing etc. I think is awesome. Grat Job. You have inspired us to create. Thanks again.
ReplyDeleteNoemi
hi i have just joined the 6 months of softies and doing Josephine the elephant it's says i need 8 feet for it but does not say were or how to use them
ReplyDeletecan you help me please up to pinning the feet to the legs
Hi Wendy! Thanks for all your helpful tutorials, they have helped me as a brand new sewer a lot! I just ordered Franklin the Fat Cat PDF and for some reason, there was no tail pattern to trace. I just made one myself and sewed it on but thought I would let you know that I think that part of the pattern is missing.
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Amy
Sorry about the confusion. When a piece is a simple rectangle (like Franklin's tail) I don't usually include a pattern piece - just tell you the dimensions to cut it in the cutting instructions (Step 1 in this pattern).
DeleteThanks for your reply - sure enough, it is in the directions like you said, I just didn't read it! Too excited to make Franklin I guess : ) He turned out super-cute and I will send a pic of him. Thanks again for your super-helpful website - love it.
DeleteAmy