I've spent this afternoon turning some of mine into pincushions. I will soon have a basketful to sell at our church Quilt show in May. Much better than collecting fluff in my sewing room.

Those of you who are members of bfc-creations yahoo group know of Sylvia Gonzales and her angel ministry. Many of the groups purses and wall hanging projects are done on some of the satin she sells. Her group collects any bits and pieces of quilting -materials, batting, stitch outs, and make quilts that are then given out to those in need.
If there is nothing local to gift your extras with, here is a good cause.

Hi! I keep most of mine for future reference or do as others suggest if they come out good I use for gifts.

Saving some for quilt blocks. All the stitchouts suitable for little girls I give to my neighbor for her daughter. She has appliqued some of them on sweatshirts, etc. for her 5 year old. I enjoy seeing her wear them.

Marcelle
http://embroideryavenue.com/
http://embroidery.gotop100.com/

Here is a picture of a quilt our group made for a friend who's husband has cancer.It is made of heart blocks with a label made from a test embroidery.We asked each lady to make so blocks,in greens, (Pam's favorite colour)
We aslo made a quilt for her husband.

1 images:[1]

4 comments

by marisabizz 31 Mar 2011

Bellissimo!!!!!

by juanitadenney 31 Mar 2011

I am saving mine until I get enough to make a quilt. When I buy from a reputable company I trust that they will be good and don't test them.

by aussiequilter 01 Apr 2011

sometimes even if I have used the designs before and know they embroider well,I,it may be that I just want to test out the colours.I have been very happy with the designs I have downloaded from here.

by aussiequilter 01 Apr 2011

sometimes even if I have used the designs before and know they embroider well,I,it may be that I just want to test out the colours.I have been very happy with the designs I have downloaded from here.

I usually make towel toppers out of mine .

Thanks for all your interesting answers! I don't always test stitch but when I do, I use fabric like I would use in a finished product rather than the same fabric every time. If I'm uninspired, but have some time to embroider, I try out a design that I really like, but can't think how to use. Sometimes testing it gives me the inspiration I need, sometimes it doesn't!
I like katydid's comment - I have often wished I had test stitched a design and had to make the best of a bad job.

I make rarely teststitchout. Possibly, if the fabric or the cloth is very precious, to test colour or size. I have very few of them and I give them to my grandaughter for quilt.

Well then I am doing something wrong(or not)I just feel if I buy from a reputable digitizer there should be NO need to test stitch a design. Please advise on this

1 comment

by mpo14011 30 Mar 2011

Marthie, read my article on my blog, about designs not turning out right and why you need to test stitch designs, even from reputable digitisers.
http://mpo14011.bravejournal.com/

I am afraid that I only 'test' stitch when I am making for others. When I test stitch I usually use calico - then I cut round and overlock the edges, so all my 'tests' are same size. I keep them in a box and hopefully one day will find a use for them.

I donate my sample block tobe cut into blocks and used in community quilts they are given given to nursing homes and hospitals in our area.I do them on what we call calico or homespun.Or make them into quilt labels.

monika

1 comment

by airyfairy 30 Mar 2011

That is a super idea.

I donate my sample block tobe cut into blocks and used in community quilts they are given given to nursing homes and hospitals in our area.I do them on what we call calico or homespun.Or make them into quilt labels.

monika

I do my test stitching on those inexpensive cotton dishtowels. I use all four corners. Now, instead of reaching for paper towels to clean up spills, i grab them. They aren't perfect, but they're pretty! When I'm digitizing and testing my own designs it's kind of fun to see the progression of the design on the towel. They are kind of like "This is your life" only in towel form. I think I may start making some pin cushions though - I keep needing some and that could be lots of fun - thanks for all the great ideas!

1 comment

by littlelambs 30 Mar 2011

great idea! so far, all of my stitching that has not gone right, has been on towels. I "accidentally" do the same thing. I figure why not use them :) A lot of the time we are probably the only one who knows they are not perfect! lol

My instructer said there are those who stitch out a sample and those who wished they had. Lately, I have fallen into the second catagory a few times.

I use the same background fabric for each category and use all one color most of the time and they can be made into larger projects and sometimes gift bags using them as applique in a circle or another shape. Even if I use colors they become gift bags and or greeting cards for special people.

1 comment

by spendlove 30 Mar 2011

Nice suggestions!

I just keep most of mine to show samples. If the design is made for a private party, I have a print out of the design, and if it's small, I just staple it to the print out so I know that it's good if I have to do it again in a few months or a year. It also shows the colors that I used when I stitch it out next time.

Mostly they turn out so poor that I pitch them out. If they're good enough to save, I do something contructive with them for sure.

Mine are waiting to become quilts or parts of totes.
I like the pincushion idea, too, and I was wondering if you make them into square cushions with a button in the middle, do they have a little hanging loop from one corner, are they turned into fancy shapes like Biscornus.
AlmaG.

1 comment

by spendlove 30 Mar 2011

Mostly square - I did consider biscornu but that is a lot more work!

If they are not too bad,I use to make bookcovers and give away or sell at the market.

if they turn out ok, I use them in projects like quilt, pot holders, bags and kid projects.

Everyone is so good with their stitch outs. Me, I do alot of embroidery on quilts. I've had great luck with the designs so I don't do tests. I know I should, but I don't usually have the time. If I were to work on a different fabric or do something for someone else, I'd do a test stitch out. All the ideas are great. I do have a couple and will keep these wonderful ideas in mind. Clever Cuties you are!

I have been donating mine to local chapters of quilt quilds for years. I do like the idea of pin cushions for sale, however - that is clever.

Child like blocks get made into baby quilts that are donated to our local Children's Hospital. More Adult guy & gal blocks are for lap quilts which are then taken to area nursing homes. Makes me feel good to be able to do something for others.

I have them all on a clip. If anyone wants to see samples of my work I show some of these.

Hi Sue,
I use the test stitch to go with the item I am making. The last lot of Baby Cars that I did, I'm making a door hanger, just add more wording to it. (Beep Beep Beep Baby sleeping)
Test stitch of Logo's I file,so if the customer wants more at a later stage,I have it, and I mark which colour (Numbers) I used in the design.
Hugs Yvonne

I am saving all of mine to refer back to as to colors. One day, I will pick out those of a similar
theme and make pillows or a quilt. Some of my friends like to browse and see designs that my machine has stitched. Occasionally, they say, I would like one just like THAT!! I maybe should hide them! LOL
Angel

Nice idea. I have a box filled to the top and I intend to make quilts, but there will be enough left for pincushions, especially the ones done on a heavier cotton (twill).

1 comment

by mops 30 Mar 2011

I made pincushion in the past, just went through my collection - had forgotten all about them. And also found pan holders made from tests.

Good idea. They could be included for quilts.

1 comment

by spendlove 29 Mar 2011

Mine are a bit diverse for a quilt! Good idea though.