~Joanne Banko, Brother Sews Ambassador In this tutorial we’ll explore the potential of the Brother SA160 Stitch Guide Foot. This multi-purpose sewing foot has its own built-in ruler. The un-numbered set of deep, grooved lines are spaced in 2mm increments along the front and extended side of the foot. Below are some … Read More
Joanne Banko
Free Design: Baby Bear Bib
~Joanne Banko, Brother Sews Ambassador This month we’re featuring a few projects for the precious little ones in your life, starting with a cute embroidered baby bib. The Brother Free Design for this Month is an adorable bear design. It’s sized just right for most baby bibs. Read through this tutorial and you’ll learn … Read More
Accessory Spotlight: N Foot
This embroidery tutorial highlights the Brother monogramming foot, labeled with an “N.” The N foot is commonly found in the included accessories for many Brother machines. If you’re looking for a replacement, this foot would be listed as a part available from your Brother dealer. The monogramming foot is designed for decorative stitching and … Read More
Trial Feature for Lettering Along Trim
~Joanne Banko, Brother Sews Ambassador Sample towel stitched using the Brother NS1750D Sewing Machine. The Trial Key built into your Brother sewing machine is a wonderful tool for perfecting embroidery placement! Use this embroidery feature to fine tune the placement for lettering combined with trim. In this handmade fingertip towel example, I’ll show … Read More
Quick Tip – Overcasting with the Triple Zigzag Stitch
~Joanne Banko, Brother Sews Ambassador This multi-purpose stitch has been a favorite of mine for many years. It’s called an elastic zigzag stitch. While it is ideal for sewing elastic, that’s a topic for another day. Since it’s not actually in the category of overcasting stitches it often gets overlooked for this purpose. However, … Read More
Quilted Bed Caddy
~Joanne Banko, Brother Sews Ambassador Create a beautiful custom bed caddy using your Brother sewing machine and a few Brother accessories. Quilt your own fabrics for a lightly padded finish that will match your décor and unique style. This handy craft will help organize bedside items you reach for on a regular basis. Pick … Read More
Lettering Tutorial: LOVE IS SWEET
~Joanne Banko, Brother Sews Ambassador The Brother BES4 Dream Edition software program gets a lot of use in my embroidery world. The built in MY LOVE font is perfect for personalizing gifts made with love. Follow along in this tutorial, and you’ll learn tips and tricks for using this special font. Steps to … Read More
Free Design: Embroidered Snack Mat
~Joanne Banko, Brother Sews Ambassador What exactly is a snack mat, you ask? I would say that it’s a cross between a placemat and a mug rug. The 8-inch X 10-inch size is simply perfect for a little “me time” with a beverage and a snack. Use the Brother free design of the month … Read More
Snowflake Placemats
~Joanne Banko, Brother Sews Ambassador Stitching fabric snowflakes is a fun way to spend a winter’s day, no matter what climate you live in. Snowflakes seem to come to life when stitched with contrasting colors on ordinary quilt cotton. These single-color lacy snowflake designs are quick to stitch and fun to make. Embroidered snowflakes … Read More
Free Design: Monogrammed Hand Warmers
Cold hands, warm heart: you’ve probably heard that saying countless times. This project is designed to be a cure for those cold hands. Use your Brother sewing and embroidery machine and the Brother free design of the month to make monogrammed hand warmers from soft, no-fray fleece. It’s easy to make a hand warmer pattern … Read More
Stitching Multiple Lines of Built-in Lettering
It’s the time of year when thoughts turn to gift making and gift giving! What could be better than a personalized gift that includes a message made with stitches? Adding personalization to gifts is quick and easy when you use the beautiful built-in characters in your Brother machine. You’ll find these character stitches on many … Read More
Accessory Spotlight: Candlewicking Foot
Learn how to use built-in Candlewicking stitches, and see how you can create a custom Candlewicking stitch with the Brother My Custom Stitch feature. The Brother Candlewicking foot, SA193 was designed to coordinate with unique candlewicking stitches included with select Brother machine models. These prominent stitches are best sewn with a special foot. The … Read More
Free Design: Embroidered Holiday Place Cards
Pretty snowflakes and a charming heart make up the Brother Free design this month. I used this design to embellish place cards for a holiday dinner table. These cards are meant to give your guests a warm welcome into your home!. Since the design had a rustic look, I chose to add a bit of … Read More
Gold Confetti Gift Bag
Festive fabric DIY gift bags are fun to make! They can make small presents extra special. I used sheer organza and snippets of fabric, sparkling gold ribbon, and strands of embroidery thread to make this little confetti bag. Follow along as I show you this confetti technique. Once you see how easy it is, you’ll … Read More
Quick Tip: Thanksgiving Baby Bib
Need a new baby bib in time for the Thanksgiving holiday? All you need is a blank baby bib to get started! Add an adorable Brother iBroidery design, and then quickly attach a cute ribbon using the button sewing stitch and your Brother button sewing foot. This DIY baby big is fast, fun, and the … Read More
How to: M Hoop
Truly, there is a hoop for every task! Many specialty hoops are available, making embroidery faster and easier too. This quick tip shows how versatile the clam shell style “M” hoop is to use. Designed for tubular style Brother embroidery machines, clamp frame “M”, Part #PRCLPM1, mounts from the back of the machine, attaching to … Read More
Options for Sewing the Rick Rack Stitch
The rick rack stitch has always been one of my favorite decorative stitches. It’s a common stitch on many Brother machines. In reality, it’s a simple zig zag. However, because it sews twice, the thread builds up, giving the stitch noteworthy prominence. When sewn with top-stitch thread, it resembles the time-honored rick rack trim. I … Read More
Free Design: Fall Embroidered Napkin Rings
This is the first of a few projects designed to give our faithful Brother fans some ways to dress up your dining area. Our free design of the month is a beautiful border of tiny falling leaves, perfect for some quick to sew napkin rings. Are you ready? Let’s go sew! Materials and Supplies: Brother … Read More