Level: All

Create stitched photos with the click of the mouse using DigitizerPro and your Memory Craft Embroidery Machine. This photo quilt project is a great way to learn.

Janome Supplies Required:

• Memory Craft 11000, 10001, 10000, 9700, or 300E (embroidery only)
• DigitizerPro embroidery software
• SQ Hoop MC11000 or B Hoop 10001, 10000, 9700, 300E
• 1/4 inch Seam Foot O
• Robison Anton Embroidery Thread
• Janome Pre-Wound Bobbins
• Blue Tip needle 75/11
• Janome Tearaway Stabilizer

Fabric and Notions Required:

• Digital photograph of your best friend
• 1/3 yd muslin
• 1 fat quarter each of four coordinating colors for pieced border
• 1/2 yd coordinating print for border and binding
• 3/4 yd cotton for backing
• 3/4 yd cotton batting
• All purpose sewing thread
• 2 1/4 yds ribbon or cord

Note: Knowledge of DigitizerPro is helpful to complete this project. At The Computer

1. Download from a digital camera or scan a photograph of your best friend.

1. Open DigitizerPro, EasyDesign. Click on Set Up>Work Environment. Select either the SQ Hoop or B Hoop depending on the Memory Craft you are working with. Move the Grid slider to .5in. Click OK.
   
2. Click on Image>Insert Image. By the Files of Type drop down bar select all files. Browse to the folder you have stored the photograph. Click on the photo, a thumbnail of the selected image will appear, click Open.
   
3. Place the cursor on the lower right corner of the photo and drag the mouse to resize the picture to 4" x 5".
   Note: Another alternative for changing the picture size is using the Object Details option. Click on the Object Details icon. Change the Dimensions to 4" width and 5" height. Click OK.
   
4. In the Photo Click Instantly icon, click on the "fly out" toolbar (little black triangle). Click on Photo Click Advanced (...).
   
5. Change the Grain Angle to 45. Click OK.
   
6. Click on the Visualizer icon and the Display Images icon to "turn off" the photograph. If desired use the Object Details option to fine-tune the stitching to achieve the desired effect.
   
   
   Note: Before saving the design you may consider changing the thread color to match the fabric you have selected for your wall hanging. Nancy left the color Red but changed the thread color for each panel when she stitched out the design.
7. Click on Save icon. Save the design as an *.JAN in your favorite folder so that you will have the original objects for any future changes. Then click on File>Save As. Click on the drop down arrow by the Save As Type bar and select the format for your machine. Save the design in your favorite folder.
   
8. Click MemoryCraft>Select Machine Model. Click the button corresponding to the machine that you will be using. Click OK. Send the design to your machine or ATA Card/Flash Memory Card following the directions that appear on your screen.
   

Fabric Preparation

• Cut four 10" squares of muslin and TearAway stabilizer.
• Cut two 1 1/2" x 22" strips of each of the four coordinating fabrics
• Cut two 1 1/2" x 5 1/2" strips of each of the four coordinating fabrics
• Cut one 4 1/2" squares of each of the four coordinating fabrics
• Cut two 4 1/2" x 16 1/2" strips print fabric for borders
• Cut two 4 1/2" x 14 1/2" strips print fabric for borders
• Cut three 2" x 45" strips print fabric for binding.

Professional Style Embroidery
Set up the MemoryCraft for Professional style Embroidery. Center the 10" muslin square and stabilizer in the hoop. Thread the machine with a color to match one of the fabrics and insert a prewound bobbin. Embroider the first design. Repeat for each muslin square changing the embroidery thread to match the coordinating fabrics. Remove the stabilizer and use a rotary cutter, ruler and mat to trim each design to 4 1/2" x 5 1/2". Construction

1. Using the O foot for a perfect quarter inch seam, sew a 1 1/2" x 5 1/2" strip to the left hand side of two of the designs matching the fabric to the design color. Sew a 1 1/2" x 5 1/2" strip to the top on one of these blocks. And then sew the remaining strip to the bottom of the other block. Repeat this for the two remaining designs sewing the first strip to the right hand side of the designs.
2. Sew the 1 1/2" x 22" strips together as shown in the diagram.
   
3. Cut the strips into 1 1/2" segments.
4. Make seven 4-patch blocks of each color group. There will be a few blocks left over.
   
5. Sew the four embroidered blocks together as shown. Sew the 4-patch blocks into strips to coordinate with the center blocks and attach the pieced border. Sew the print border and corner blocks as shown.
   
   
   At this time add embroidery designs and lettering that reflect the personality of your friend. On our sample design #16 from PC Card 1005 Puck and Friends was enlarged to approximately 2" in Digitizer Pro and embroidered in the four corners. MC11000 built in font Jupiter was used for the lettering.

Quilting

1. Sandwich the batting between the backing and pieced top. Baste all the layers together.
2. Attach the "S" Ditch Stitch Foot; thread the needle and bobbin thread to coordinate with the colors. Select the Auto Lock Stitch (MC11K #04); adjust the stitch length to 3mm. Stitch in the ditch to quilt the wall hanging touching the reverse button at the end of the seams the machine will take a few stitches in place and automatically stop.
3. Square up the wallhanging. Sew the binding strips together to make one continuous piece. Fold the strip in half lengthwise and press.
4. Sew the binding to the wall hanging back lining up the raw edges and mitering the corners.
5. Fold the binding to the front. Thread the machine with transparent thread, select the Blanket Stitch (MC11K #Q18) and use the mirror image key to reverse the direction of this stitch. Sew the binding in place. This will give the binding an invisible hand stitched look.
6. Cut three 24" pieces of ribbon or cord. Fold the ribbon in half and sew a small loop at the top of the wall hanging in the center and at each end. Tie a bow with the long ends. Place a decorative rod through the loops and hang.