Applique is easy--just watch those fingers!!!

While at the Atlanta Gift Market recently I had the chance to talk to other industry professionals regarding different tips and techniques for machine embroidery. There are a bunch of creative people out there and I draw a lot of inspiration from them, especially when doing applique work on seersucker items from the Mint line.

When I first bought my Babylock EMP6, there were certain buttons on the LED screen that I chose to ignore--mainly the odd orange applique buttons. But a couple of years ago I took the plunge and started playing around, making some 4th of July and other holiday tees for the Homemaker children. Through my own version of "play" grew a fondness for applique work. Last summer at Market, I got to see closeup the applique handiwork of Amy Fitzgerald from The Flossy Fitzy and was blown away by her use of applique on all of the different styles of bags from Mint.

I returned home armed with plenty of new ideas and couldn't wait to play around with some designs. Amy graciously shared a couple of her favorite sources for applique frames and patches--Applique Cafe and Planet Applique--and I plunked down a handsome hunk of change on dozens of designs.

I never received any formal instruction on how to do applique (I am ADD-leaning), tho I did try to follow a couple of tutorials; however, the main technique I observed involved stitching the applique fabric to the item and then trimming the fabric after it was sewn onto the item. An arm wrestling injury (LONG story, but true) has rendered my right arm somewhat useless, causing my hand to shake--and that's not good when using applique scissors. Rather than risk ruining items, I fumbled my way through and happened upon a technique through trial and error that works for me.

First of all, select a darling canvas for your work! For this example, I chose Mint navy seersucker boxer shorts. Next, choose your design in your embroidery software. (I use the Husqvarna Viking 4D Embroidery Suite. Have not been able to swallow the cost of the upgrade yet.) I selected a small, square patch applique and inserted the single initial "R" into the design, then loaded it on to a USB stick for my machine.

Once loaded on the machine I set the different applique buttons that correspond to the thread order on the design--applique material, applique position, applique. Depending on what item I am hooping, I then determine whether to use an actual hoop or Fast Frames. Since the boxers are small, I use a combination of the two.

I hoop some lightweight sticky stabilizer (I prefer Eco-Stick from American Embroidery Supply) and score it with a pin, then gently peel away the white coated layer to reveal the sticky stabilizer.

Then I adhere the applique fabric to the stabilizer.



Load the hoop onto the machine and press the start button.



Once the outline is stitched, the machine will stop. Remove the hoop from the machine and unhoop the stabilizer and fabric patch. Flip the fabric over and trim close to the stitch line.



Set the patch aside and prepare your item for applique placement. Since the boxer shorts are so small, I switch to my Fast Frames system and use the 3 x 4 frame. I adhere sticky stabilizer to the frame, flip the boxers so the leg opening is facing the back of the frame (and ultimately the back of the embroidery machine, slip on the frame and press onto stabilizer. I always secure the item with pins. Then I mark a center point where I want the patch to be located on the boxers and load onto the machine.



Then reload the design on to your screen setting applique material, applique position and applique stops once again. This is important when switching from hoop to Fast Frames. Once the design is loaded, rotate it 180 degrees on your edit screen, then move the needle position over your center point (see yellow mark on picture above). Go to your sewing screen and skip the first thread color (applique material), then push the start button and your machine will stitch the applique position then stop.


You can either remove the frame from the machine or leave attached. I usually leave it attached. I spray the back of my applique patch with 606 Spray and Fix and line up with position on the applique item then press in place.




Hit the start button and let 'er fly!


I some times will hold the patch in place while sewing the tack down stitches just to be sure the patch does not shift, but be careful if you do this--I actually was distracted while sewing these shorts and the needle stitched through my thumb--ouch! I'll spare you the picture of that, but for those interested, I did post on Facebook ;-). When the initial is stitched, remove the frame from the machine and gently pull the item off of the stabilizer.


Clip all jump threads, turn shorts inside out and adhere Dream Weave Fusible mesh to the back of the patch to cover stitching and protect baby's delicate skin.


I paired the appliqued shorts with a contrasting red seersucker stitched with a name (at top) for an adorable gift for a precious baby boy!

Ode to a lunch box

It's hard to believe that summer is almost over. I remember as a child counting how many days were left of vacation. It was right around the beginning of August the nerves and excitement surrounding back-to-school season started and Mom started stocking up on the myriad items my brother, sister and I needed for the first day of classes. From clothing, to shoes, to notebooks and pencils, perhaps nothing was quite as exciting as getting a new lunch box!!

Of course, when I was a kid, those metal, lead-laden lunch boxes (it's amazing we lived to tell about it) depicting images from television shows were all the rage. My favorite had to be the Partridge Family box with the picture of the colorful bus and cameos of the show's stars--David Cassidy was just so hot!!! (I realize I'm showing my age....)

Now that I have school-aged children of my own, I'm tickled to see them get excited about the prospect of a new lunch box! And since I am Suzi Homemaker, I just happen to have the most wonderful array of lunch boxes at my fingertips just waiting to be personalized!

My favorite line of products is by far frommint. Not only are they well-made (all products are 100% guaranteed: if anything breaks due to materials or craftsmanship within a year of purchase, they'll replace it) and lead- and pthalate-free, but they also are just the cutest things around. Check out the new navy apple lunch box above and you will see what I am talking about!

I happen to stash a mint. lunch box filled with snacks and juice boxes in my car so I have plenty of nourishment for the kids and myself while on lengthy car trips.

The first cousin to the mint. lunch box is the super-cute snack square, pictured here in the chocolate orange style. Don't let its compact size fool you, this surprisingly roomy bag is big enough to hold an ice pack, a sandwich, a juice box, a piece of fruit, bag of chips and a love note from Mom! Snack squares fit easily into my kids' backpacks (oh yeah, mint. makes matching backpacks, too, but more about that in a later post!).

"But, Suzi," I can hear you ask, "what about the television characters?"

Suzi Homemaker's got you covered with the Super Snack Square--mint.'s little cutie, made even cuter with super-cute designs! Give me a canvas (or in this case, a well-made nylon bag), and I will paint you the world!

Stay tuned for more posts on the latest and greatest in personalized items for back-to-school!

Review and giveaway: Family Dollar introduces affordable, adorable Kidgets line

Suzi Homemaker knows how expensive it can be to clothe three rapidly-growing children (because I have three rapidly-growing children!). Hand-me-downs are a God-send for my youngest; however, every once in a while it's nice to purchase something new for the littlest Homemaker. Family Dollar has made that possible and affordable with the launch of its $10-and-under private label Kidgets clothing and accessories line for newborns through toddlers--$10-and-under for two- and three-piece outfits!

Family Dollar was gracious enough to send me this darling dragonfly applique shirt and skirt outfit for Carly (pictured here, McDonald's Shrek Donkey watch not included!). Since I am Suzi Homemaker, I do know a thing or two about applique and embroidery, and I must confess the stitching on the shirt adheres to my highly-discriminatory standards. The applique fabric on the wings of the dragonfly matches the belted, plaid skirt and the little green satin ribbons on the sleeves tie the outfit together perfectly. A soft backing is fused on the inside of the shirt to prevent the stitching from irritating the skin. Carly was so excited to receive such a stylin' little outfit! I had to quickly snap her picture as I knew the garment would be soiled in no time. True to form, Carly proceeded to spill chocolate milk on the pristine shirt shortly after our brief photo session. (A little Wash Away by Whink easily removed the stain and the outfit came through the wash just fine!).

In addition to clothing, the Kidgets line also features must-have accessories, including sandals (priced at $4), sneakers ($5), blankets and even value-priced jumbo diaper packs ($6.50 for 23-50 diapers). Print a $1 off coupon (good through July 7) for even more savings. Each product is backed by Family Dollar's money back guarantee!

Now for the really fun part! Enter to win a $50 gift card from Family Dollar that you can use to purchase six to eight complete outfits from the Kidgets line or anything else from your neighborhood Family Dollar store! Just leave a comment about Family Dollar or the Kidgets line here for a chance to win! Be sure to leave your email address, too, so I can contact you if you win. Receive extra entries by:

1. Following my blog (then enter a comment that you have done so).

2. "Liking" Suzi Homemaker on Facebook (and leave a comment here. If you already "Like" Suzi Homemaker on Facebook, just mention that in a comment to receive your extra entry).

3. "Liking" Family Dollar on Facebook (tell them Suzi Homemaker sent you! and then leave a comment here).

The giveaway will close Wednesday, June 30, 2010, at 6 p.m. EST. A winner will be selected using random.org and will be notified by email. Good luck!

Suzi Homemaker to donate 10% of 'pink' sales toward Avon 2-Day!!

Now through the end of February, Suzi Homemaker is donating 10 percent of website sales of anything pink or stitched with pink thread toward the Avon 2-Day Walk for Breast Cancer.

I registered to do this walk because I know seven women who have battled this disease and I also had a scare this past Fall. Thankfully, I am fine, but I want to help find a cure so that the next generation of women (my daughters included) will no longer live in fear of this disease.

Just go to my retail site, and order your personalized pink snack square, lunch box, market tote, duffel bag, what have you, and not only will you receive a special gift, but you also will help a great cause!

In it to end it, Baby. In it to end it!!!!

Gotta get a Snack Square!!!!

I don't believe there ever has been a product more perfect than the Snack Square from my friends at mint. sweet little things. In fact, the Snack Square was one of the first embroidery blanks I ever purchased. Its utter cuteness won me over almost instantaneously and set in motion the formation of SuziHomemaker.net, but I digress...the reason I am waxing nostalgic is because I just sent the Homemaker children back-to-school with their brand new personalized Snack Squares and I, once again, was reminded how versatile these little bags truly are.
Don't let their compact appearance fool you, these bags are roomy enough to hold an ice pack, a sandwich or Lunchable, juice box, piece of fruit, two packages of crackers (my kids get hungry at school--gotta feed those HUGE Homemaker brains!), utensils and a love note from Mom! (I kid you not! The proof is in the picture above!) A zip top makes them easy to stuff and two adorable handles makes them easy to carry. Snack Squares fit perfectly into your child's backpack. I am pleased to report that just about every Kindergartner and Second Grader (this year we conquer Smart Start!) at the Country Day School has one of these in their possession--they make excellent gifts!

Not only are they great for packing lunches and snacks, but they also serve a multitude of other purposes. Snack Squares can be used to store CDs or DVDs to keep them cool while in the car. They can be used to carry portable game systems and games. Stuff them with small wine boxes and give them as a housewarming gift. Fill them with toys, balloons and noisemakers for the ultimate goodie bag or stuff them with hot, moist washcloths to use at your next Mary Kay party. Max has one he carries his Matchbox cars in and one for his Thomas trains. The girls use them to store hair bows and Polly Pockets. I have a local preschool that purchases Snack Squares for each new student because they stack so nicely in the refrigerator at school! They also can be used to store breast milk bottles.

Have I convinced you yet? You gotta get a Snack Square! What will you put in yours?

500th Internet Sale is close! BIG prizes for winning purchaser!

I'm so EXCITED I can't hardly stand it! Earlier in the summer I alluded to the fact that I was honing in on my 500th internet sale. I had predicted it would come in July, and I am just a few sales off! Could it happen today?

In celebration of this momentous occasion, I am going to honor my 500th sale purchaser with a monogrammed market tote, a Suzi Homemaker tee shirt, embroidered tea towels and anything else I might feel like tossing in the box! Prizes will be valued at more than $100. No purchase is too big, nor too small! Lots of back-to-school items from which to choose, so if you were planning on making a purchase soon, now's the time to do it! Good luck!

Suzi Homemaker to hold 500th Sale Giveaway!

This past March marked the Second Anniversary of SuziHomemaker.net. I am thrilled with the success I have had with my website and my little embroidery business! I have met some awesome people through various social and business networks and I am lucky to have developed a devoted clientele that keep coming back for more personalized gifts! I also am thankful for the community in which we live. Charles Town, WV, opened its arms to the Crowder Crew nearly four years ago and we have been delighted to call this city home ever since!

Amazingly enough, Suzi Homemaker can see her 500th internet sale on the horizon. What better way to celebrate than to give something away? What will it be? Something BIG--an EMBROIDERED Car? Nah--that's already been done...I'm going to have to give this some serious thought...Who will the lucky winner be? My devoted customer in Cali or the one in Texas? My neighbor? One of the moms from school? My mom? Now come on--you know I don't charge my mother for gifts...at least not full retail price! It could be anyone. Only time will tell...

Identical blankets for identical twins

Perhaps one of my favorite things to create is a custom embroidered minky blanket. I have been told by several recipients that my minky blankets have "magical" qualities that set out to soothe cranky little ones with their cuddliness. For those of you that don't know what minky is, it is perhaps the softest fabric on the planet. I have heard its texture compared to dipping your hand into a bowl of flour. It comes in many varieties (Babycapes are made using several different varieties of minky including cuddle, marshmallow and sherpa suede) and I have used most of them at one time or another while making blankets for treasured babies.

Recently, I was contacted by a customer who wanted me to create two blankets for identical twin girls. After perusing my photo gallery for ideas, and discussing fabric choices, we set about picking the fabrics. The mother of the twins dresses one girl in pink and one in lavender, so we settled on chocolate brown and pink and chocolate brown and lavender minky polka dot with pink and lavender rosebud backing.

Then we discussed design choices and decided that since the fabric was so luxurious we would use a simple, elegant monogram with each girl's name embroidered on top with a single butterfly (see photo above). I created the designs using my embroidery software, then began constructing the blankets. I cut the fabric and serged the edges, then embroidered the designs on the blanket tops. Then I set about assembling the blankets and stitching them together. Minky fabric is very stretchy, making it difficult to sew. The fabric curls and stretches so much, it's hard to keep to a particular measurement. I have found that by adhering lightweight, tearaway stabilizer to the backs of the minky prior to sewing cuts down on the stretch considerably. I also use my walking foot on my sewing machine in order to feed both layers of fabric through my sewing machine more evenly and easily. After sewing the layers together right sides facing each other, leaving a small hole on the side, I remove the stablizer, then turn the fabric right side out. I use a bamboo stiletto to make sharp points in the four corners and then topstitch the blankets using a small zigzag stitch to allow for stretch. The final step is to slipstitch the opening closed by hand.

Once I finished both blankets, I placed them one on top of the other, and, miracle of miracles, the blankets were the exact same size. The finished products are pictured below. Hopefully, these blankets will soothe and comfort Avery and Kinsleigh for many years to come!

Enter to win personalized market tote from Suzi Homemaker, Mom Made That

It's time for a GIVEAWAY! I am so excited about these shallow market totes that I had to give one away! Just visit my retail site and select which color market tote you want to win then head on over to Mom Made That, leave a comment and you will be entered to win. Additional entries are given for blogging or tweeting about the giveaway and subscribing to Mom Made That. Contest ends at 6 p.m. CST on March 31! Now git!

Suzi Homemaker reviews/giveaways on Buy By Mom and Barefoot Mommies

Enough of all of this serious CPSIA stuff--let's get back to some fun, free stuff! There are a couple of Suzi Homemaker reviews/giveaways going on at the moment. The first is for a $30 Suzi Homemaker Virtual Gift Certificate at Barefoot Mommies--usual rules apply, visit my retail site, then go back to Barefoot Mommies and leave a comment on what you would use your gift certificate toward. There are all kinds of chances for extra entries, so be sure to read the rules so you get a good shot at winning. This giveaway ends on Jan. 17.

The second review/giveaway is for a $25 Suzi Homemaker Virtual Gift Certificate at my dear friend Angie's newest blog--Buy By Mom. Angie started a new website called Buy By Mom to promote and support Mom Made and Mom Owned businesses. If you make and sell your own products or run your own business, be sure to check the site out. There are free listings available, as well as reasonable paid advertising and sponsorship opportunities. She also has an accompanying blog where she will conduct reviews and giveaways. Angie wrote the sweetest review, and, once again, all you have to do is visit my retail site and then go back to the Buy By Mom Blog and post a comment about what is your favorite Suzi Homemaker product. Angie also offers a gazillion other chances for extra entries by blogging about the contest, subscribing to the feed, and adding the fabulous button (pictured above) to your website. If you meet all of those requirements, you are eligible for UNLIMITED EXTRA ENTRIES merely by writing a sentence about Suzi Homemaker (be nice, please, I'm sensitive!). Angie's contest ends on Jan. 23.

Additionally, don't forget about the chance to win a personalized overnight bag at Mom Made That, another wonderful site that was formed to promote Mom Made and Mom Owned businesses and products. Details of that giveaway are available in a separate post below.

Good luck everyone!

Suzi Homemaker giveaway on Mom Made That

Amy from Mom Spark has been working hard (while everyone else has been partying!) creating a brand new site called Mom Made That which is designed to promote Mom-owned businesses, especially ones where the moms make the products themselves! What a noble cause, huh?

I was lucky enough to get in on the very first giveaway for a monogrammed overnight bag from none other than moi! All you have to do is visit my retail site, look at all of the hip, fashionable and highly-personalizable stuff, then cruise over to Mom Made That, and leave a comment about what items you like on the site and you will be entered to win an overnight bag of your choosing. Extra entires also are available by tweeting about the giveaway, following Mom Made That, and signing over your first-born child (kidding, of course, but there are plenty of chances to win). Contest ends January 11 and the winner will be announced on January 12. I will be in Atlanta on those dates (shopping the latest trends at the Atlanta Gift market!), but I promise I will get your prize stitched up and on its way to you once I get back!

Good luck!

Suzi Homemaker logo now is officially trademarked!!!!

The other day I received a Certified Letter from my attorney's office (always a scary thing even though I hired him to file my trademark paperwork--had to think whether or not I had paid my bill recently!). The envelope contained a Certificate of Registration from the United States Patent and Trademark Office--my Suzi Homemaker logo is now a recognized Trademark!!!

I filed for the trademark in March 2007 after the girls at Eden Design Co. finalized the design. Now, almost two years later, it's official!

What's next? Well, my big dream is to start a franchise for SAHMs or WAHMs who have transitioned from the corporate world to stay at home and raise their families. That's a ways down the road (after I win the Lottery!), but for now, I'm content knowing that I have left my mark in this world!!!

Suzi Homemaker recommends trendy teacher gifts

'Tis the season to recognize all that your little ones' teachers have done for them thus far this school year and Suzi Homemaker has some great recommendations for teacher gifts at reasonable prices. Check out this darling collapsible market tote! These market totes will let your teachers get to class in style with plenty of room for all of their teacherly supplies. And when they're not schlepping all of their stuff to and fro school, they can use it to go green at the grocery store. I just stitched out about 30 of these for a couple of friends--this is their go-to gift this season. Limited quantities of each color are in stock, so do hurry to place your order. Did I mention they are a bargain at just $22.50 including embroidery?
Another option is the gorgeous Diva Tote, pictured here in a lime green damask print with brown embroidery in the Classic Curlz font. What teacher wouldn't love to take home their papers for grading in this trendy little number? They come in three colors: lime green (I seem to be on a lime green kick today), hot pink and black--all classy and all just $18 including embroidery.
Some other ideas for teachers include: cosmo bags for pencils and pens; travelers or mini dopp kits with a big fat initial on them; trifold makeup bags; and train cases--all embroidered and all completely special. Remember, nothing is more special than a personalized gift and it is my mission to provide such gifts at reasonable prices.
Well, it's back to the embroidery machine here at Suzi Homemaker HQ. Hope you had a fabulous turkey day!!

Suzi Homemaker's sure-fire stain remover

Recently my sister, Vicki Homemaker, came to the Sew DoJo with a problem all of us have encountered at one time or another--a stain on one of her favorite shirts. Vicki lamented over the fact that this particular shirt was an expensive knit from Chico's in a very complementary shade of blue and that she had only worn it a couple of times before she spilled something on it, rendering it only suitable for what we call "makeup-free, not-for-public-consumption chore days."

Well, Vicki had come to the right place.

We went through several of my design catalogs searching for the perfect "stain remover," and settled on "Fashion Lady," as pictured here. I just embroidered the image over the stain and now Vicki can wear her shirt--with makeup--out in public again.

So the next time you get a stain on one of your favorite shirts, just send a shout to Suzi Homemaker and she'll make the old new again!

Suzi Homemaker Review and Giveaway on My Life With Little Girls

It's time for another product review and chance to win $25 toward merchandise from none other than moi!

I know I had said I was going to slow down on the giveaways, but Regina from My Life With Little Girls was so sweet in her request that I thought I would help her out. She is a relatively new blogger and this is her first review and giveaway so you better scoot over there and get while the gettin's good!

Just visit her blog, then visit my retail site (take your time, look around, make note of all of the new stuff I've added recently, make out your Christmas lists, tell all of your friends about all of the cute stuff), then go back to her blog and write a comment about what you would use the money toward should you win. The contest ends at noon CDT on Oct. 2, so scoot on over there and submit your comment. Winner will be chosen by random.org.

It is getting close to the holiday season and I do need to start earning some money to pay for presents for the fam, so I may need to slow down on the reviews for a bit and start actually selling some merchandise. I try to keep my prices reasonable, so I hope that you will keep Suzi Homemaker in mind when it comes to gift-giving this year!

WV moms combat bulky coats with innovative outerwear: Babycapes

No responsible parent would ever knowingly put their child in harm’s way while traveling in a vehicle, but this winter, many parents will do just that merely by dressing their children for cold weather.

Martinsburg, WV, mom, Elizabeth Hostler, was shocked to learn that she was putting her daughter, Andy, at risk every time she put her into her infant seat.

“You want your child to be warm and comfortable, but, most importantly, you want them to be safe,” said Hostler, who also has a seven-year-old son. “Every time I went to put Andy in her car seat during the winter it turned into a battle. She hated being confined to her seat in a heavy coat. When the car warmed up, Andy would just wail because she was so uncomfortable and helpless to do anything about it. What I didn’t realize was that she also was not safe.”

Hostler had read an article that children fastened into car seats over bulky garments could be at risk in a crash as the force of a collision could cause the coat to compress and actually eject the child from the seat.

The non-profit organization Car-Safety.org generally does not recommend a child wear a winter coat while in the car seat, since the car seat harness straps must remain tight on the child’s shoulders regardless of any clothing.

“I thought there had to be a better, safer way to travel with my children,” said Hostler.

With limited sewing skills, Hostler immediately began constructing a garment out of a fleece blanket. The goal was to provide protection from the cold, while keeping Andy comfortable and safe while strapped into her car seat or stroller.

The garment she created was much easier to put on and take off. Putting Andy in her car seat also became much easier, as Hostler could flip the garment to the side, adjust the straps and then drape the garment over the car seat. If Andy became too hot, Hostler could easily lift the garment off. Hostler also realized that Andy was more secure in her car seat since there was no bulky barrier between her and the harness straps.

Every place Hostler went with Andy and her “cape” people commented on the ingenuity of the garment, including Suzi Crowder, mother of three and owner of Suzi Homemaker Custom Embroidery, whose youngest daughter, Carly, is just a few weeks older than Andy. Crowder encouraged Hostler to obtain a patent for the garment. The two joined forces and together made several practical and innovative modifications, including a clever back opening and interior foot pocket, and that is how Babycapes began.

Babycapes are simple to put on or take off, even while holding a squirming child.

From your arms to the car, there is no need to remove Babycapes. In the car, babies can move freely. When the car warms up, Babycapes can be removed or replaced without unstrapping the child.

When you arrive at your destination, easily remove the child from her seat and place in stroller. The front cozy feature works as a bunting to cover up and protect wiggly toes. And Babycapes innovative design is great for babies in front carriers as well.

One size fits newborns to preschoolers. Babycapes are available in a variety of luxurious, machine-washable fabrics to suit all climates.

For more information email sales@BabycapesOnline.com or visit BabycapesOnline.com.

Suzi Homemaker goes to the Democratic National Convention

Kind of, sorta.

Actually, I am finishing stitching up a rush order for the Federal Aviation Administration Emergency Operations division. They wanted some shirts to take to the Democratic National Convention with their logo and "DNC '08" stitched on the right sleeve. I was more than happy to oblige.

Make sure you tell all your friends where you got your cool shirts, FAA dudes! But leave out the part that says Suzi Homemaker is a Republican!!! Kind of, sorta...

A Wrestling Addicted Mommy helped out Suzi Homemaker

I wanted to write a public acknowledgement and thank you to Gina (a.k.a. A Wrestling Addicted Mommy), who took pity on poor bloggily-challenged Suzi Homemaker and made her a fancy new banner (see above) and button (pictured at left).

Gina took time out from her own blogging duties to craft these little cuties (did you notice that rhyme?) for me so my site wouldn't look so lame. Let me know what you think!

Have a great weekend and thanks, again, Gina!