Luna’s Adventures with AccuQuilt & Embroidery Machines!
Confession time: Hand-cutting fabric, especially into intricate designs, isn’t my cup of tea. And while sewing machine appliques are great, they’re not my top favorite. But oh boy, my embroidery machine and AccuQuilt Go!… they’re game changers! Discovering that many AccuQuilt dies come with complementary machine embroidery designs was the highlight of my week!
After experimenting with five AccuQuilt applique dies, I’ve become quite the fan. These dies create impeccable applique shapes, eliminating the need for manual trimming. That said, some of AccuQuilt’s embroidery designs demand a tad more editing before stitching. Interested in combining your AccuQuilt and embroidery machine skills? Keep reading for some handy pointers! ✨
Discovering AccuQuilt’s Embroidery Designs
Newer AccuQuilt dies often come with a bonus machine embroidery design. There are even multiple design variations available for some dies. You can find the matching free embroidery designs for your dies on the AccuQuilt site. The cool part? Even if you don’t have a specific die, you can download its design for free. I personally love the versatility; you can embroider these designs directly or use your software to tweak them before stitching.
Editing and Customizing AccuQuilt Embroidery Designs
Not all AccuQuilt Go! embroidery designs are complete images. Some are segmented. For instance, the free file for the AccuQuilt owl applique die provides individual applique parts. This is fantastic for those who love customization. However, it does mean you might need to spend some time arranging or editing these segments in your software to get your desired look. I’ve spent a few minutes crafting my own owl design, and it was a fun creative process! But be warned, some designs may need additional adjustments, especially if they have denser borders that can cause puckering.
Is There An AccuQuilt Embroidery Software?
AccuQuilt doesn’t offer its own embroidery software, but they do have a partnership with Embrilliance, a leading embroidery software provider. While you don’t necessarily need Embrilliance, I personally use and adore Hatch Digitizer. For those on tighter budgets, consider SewWhat-Pro. But, if you want a comprehensive list of software options, I’ve got one ready for you on my blog!
Mastering the Art of Cutting AccuQuilt Applique Fabric
Once you’ve gotten the hang of the embroidery designs, the next step is to master fabric cutting. I have my own method when using AccuQuilt:
- Start by backing your cotton applique fabrics, especially if they’ll be laundered. Products like Heatnbond Lite and Wonder Under are my go-tos. I often leave the paper backing on during the cutting phase. Just keep the paper’s thickness in mind when using your AccuQuilt.
- Position your backed fabric on the applique die, align, place the cutting mat, and pass it through your machine. The result? Beautifully cut appliques every single time!
Embroidering with AccuQuilt Applique Designs
Now, onto the fun part! Embroidering with your AccuQuilt designs:
- Start by preparing your base fabric. Depending on its quality and type, you might need to add backing or stiffen it. My preferred products for this are Pellon SF101 interfacing and Terial Magic.
- Select the right stabilizer. For simpler appliques, Tear ‘N Wash stabilizer is my favorite. For denser designs, consider a cut-away stabilizer.
- Decide whether to hoop your fabric. I always recommend hooping when possible. But if you need to conserve fabric, consider floating your embroidery fabric.
- Follow the embroidery sequence. Your machine will first stitch a placement line, followed by tacking stitches or the applique border.
Key Takeaways |
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AccuQuilt applique dies often come with free machine embroidery designs. |
Some designs are segmented, offering customization opportunities. |
AccuQuilt doesn’t have proprietary software but is compatible with popular embroidery software. |
Prepare and back your fabric appropriately before embroidering. |
Choose the right stabilizer based on your design and fabric type. |