Floral Monogrammed Fleece

My 5 year old granddaughter, Laurel,  keeps asking when it will be summer again. It is so cold here in central Florida that all we can think about is warmth, where to get it and how to keep it. Polar fleece is the first thing that comes to my mind.

Since this miracle fabric was first introduced to  consumers, I’ve made a lot of fleece projects, including this throw for my daughter. It’s really pretty ordinary and ho-hum but I can share some tips about such projects and how to improve this one, which I will do when Rebecca brings this home to be remodeled.

The 3-thread wide serged edge will be replaced with my favorite edging, the wave stitch on my Babylock Evolve (see earlier post Polar Fleece Monogrammed Throwin serger category) That will be more in keeping with the pretty monogram and elevate this throw from “utility” to “decorator” status. Now it reminds me of an heirloom sewn dress with pinking sheared hem.

Since serging this edge, I have learned that the differential feed needs to be adjusted separately for the crosswise and lengthwise stretch. In the photo you can see the rippled edge that  resulted because that had not been done. I usually round the corners. The 4 corner scraps are used for stitch rehearsal to get just the right settings for stitch length, width, and differential feed.

When Brother came out with this floral monogram on the 8500 series many years ago, I thought it was reason enough to buy the machine. The huge (at the time) 7  inch “B” (for Brother) was shown in the hoop in all the color ads. It is so popular that I think it has since been included on every Brother embroidery machine with at least a 5 x 7 hoop. In addition to the upper case letters, coordinating floral designs are included.

One of the great things about this alphabet is that you stitch the letter without the floral design—the letter is complete with no stitches removed under the flowers. Big and bold, stitched plain it is great for the guys.

Another great feature is that the later models have included the lower case letters. It has become trendy to use lower case letters for monograms. The article I read said that today’s confidant young women don’t need a CAPITAL to make their name important, that they feel a lower case letter does not scream “Look at me!”  All I can say to that is hummmmph……whatever suits you or them is fine with me. 

When embroidering a medium density design on fleece, I like to hoop a heavy water soluble stabilizer and baste the fleece to it with a layer of regular water soluble stabilizer on top. 

 I use the automatically generated basting frame in BuzzEdit2, which is always a square or rectangle, then I add more stitches diagonally, vertically and horizontally.  A very secure baste frame helps to prevent the distortion of the design on the stretchy fleece.  After the embroidery is completed, as much stabilizer as possible is cut or torn away before the remainder is removed by soaking. 

Do you have any tips to share about sewing or serging with fleece?  I love tips about using this great fabric.

Speaking of fleece, tomorrow when Laurel comes for homeschooling,  the “fun” project of the day will be sewing up a fleece hat to match the scarf she made last week.  It will still be cold.