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140717
by spendlove 29 Mar 2011 ( edited Apr 01'11 17:35 )
+42

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.

Any other ideas?

Comments (27)
62461
by clawton 29 Mar 2011
+10
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.
145305
by mops 29 Mar 2011
+9
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.
12500
by anangel 29 Mar 2011
+10
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
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by castelyn 29 Mar 2011
+10
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
51302
by designgirl 29 Mar 2011
+10
I have them all on a clip. If anyone wants to see samples of my work I show some of these.
20661
by kttyhwk4 29 Mar 2011
+9
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.
211079
by shirlener88 29 Mar 2011
+9
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.
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by ramona 29 Mar 2011
+7
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!
10084
by lani02 29 Mar 2011
+9
if they turn out ok, I use them in projects like quilt, pot holders, bags and kid projects.
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by bibi 29 Mar 2011
+8
If they are not too bad,I use to make bookcovers and give away or sell at the market.
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by almag 29 Mar 2011
+9
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!
22300
by mysugarfootswife 29 Mar 2011
+9
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.
17488
by mnladyus 30 Mar 2011
+7
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.
1572
by orangetiger 30 Mar 2011
+6
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!
85867
by katydid 30 Mar 2011
+6
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.
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by hightechgrammy 30 Mar 2011
+5
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
23581
by aussiequilter 30 Mar 2011
+4
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
23581
by aussiequilter 30 Mar 2011
+4
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.
255054
by airyfairy 30 Mar 2011
+4
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.
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by marthie 30 Mar 2011
+4
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/
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by claudenicolas 30 Mar 2011
+3
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.
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by spendlove 30 Mar 2011
+3
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.
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by doretta 30 Mar 2011
+2
I usually make towel toppers out of mine .
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by aussiequilter 31 Mar 2011
+2
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.
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.
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by marcellelewis 31 Mar 2011
+2
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/
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by eteaff 31 Mar 2011
+2
Hi! I keep most of mine for future reference or do as others suggest if they come out good I use for gifts.
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by jofrog2000 01 Apr 2011
+2
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.
1 links:
[1] http://angelcoverministrysa.com/index.html
angelcoverministrysa.com