I was really unsure where to start this topic since there are at least 2 other categories where this has been discussed.
There are at least 3 of us who are digitizing Hugs & Kisses for in-the-hoop construction. Maybe there are others who would like to try it or are in interested in how we are going about it. I thought that a separate topic would allow us to compare notes, techniques, raise questions, and answer questions.
I'll go first. I started with Bernina Designer Plus V5 and have now installed V6. I am digitizing for the Bernina Jumbo hoop on the 830. I have not yet committed to fabrics or the final look I want to achieve. I am not using Advanced Applique to digitize nor Multiphooping to split the design into two. I digitize the sequence to follow the same sequence in Sue's directions. To minimize the number of times needed to remove and reattach the hoop, I group all the placements, then the tackdowns, then the appliques (for example, all the stems, then the outer petals, then the inner flower, etc. )
I am using a medium weight tear away stabilizer. I am not cutting out templates nor fusing the pieces of fabric to the main fabric. I use dots of Glue Baste It to tack down the fabric pieces before the tack down is stitched. Then I cutaway the excess following the stitching outline and reattach the hoop for the applique.
I find that the tighter the weave of the appliqued fabric, the less the frayed edges peek through the applique stitch. Some people recommend using batiks, but I just starch the daylights out of my fabrics.
Can't think of anything else to include at this time. My Jan. & Feb. blocks are in BOM Show & Tell.
