by toogie 26 Nov 2017

Now don't laugh about my question. You should all know I don't understand computer 'language', so I will never understand how someone digitizes.

My question is, when someone does wording designs, for instance personal info like husbands name, wife name, marriage date, etc do you just type what you want and the software program you have turns it into design? or is it more complicated than that?
I want to make a quilt for our 50th anniversary next October and can not decide what to do. I thought of putting names, birthdates, etc on blocks with some kind of design to frame it up. I really need to get started soon after Christmas.
Does anyone have any great ideas for a 50th quilt? I know there are lots of nice quilters on Cute so I appreciate any input you give.

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by meganne 30 Nov 2017

A lot of programs, yes, you just type in the words you want, setting them into sentences and telling the program which font to use (dependant on the True Type Fonts that are installed in your computer. Then you choose the fill stitch, underlay, and pull compensation you want and this creates some really lovely text designs.
There is a program, Embroidery Fonts Plus:
https://www.embroiderydesigns.com...
It is free and easy to use so you could install that and have a play with it, it lets you create whole alphabets too.

Toogie, if you find creating the text too daunting just email me and I'll create whatever you need.

Unlike most digitisers I actually digitise each letter myself, the old fashioned way. It's called manual punching and it allows me to create any font I like, any size I want with total control over every aspect.
I also use Font Engine in Embird, but often there will be some letters in a font set that I just don't like, (letters such as S - T - J & I are often not nicely done) so manual punching allows me to change anything I don't like.

Anyway, if you need any help at all, with anything, just holler. I love digitising as it keeps my mind active and I do it simply for the love of it.
Huge hugs, xxx

2 comments
toogie by toogie 01 Dec 2017

Oh Meg, you don't know what you offering but I appreciate your willingness to help. There are about 20 of us more or less!-lol That's only going back to hubby and me.
Your first sentence sounded good, the second one scared me to death....pull compensation, etc

meganne by meganne 02 Dec 2017

Toogie, once I create a whole alphabet, it is simply a matter of merging the individual letters into names, etc.. So if you want uniformity this is the way I would do it.

If you want names in different fonts and different sizes, I would create each name individually, wouldn't matter how many there are, I could still create them far quicker than you, being as you would be trying to learn how to do them, if you understand what I mean.
Offer is open, just don't leave it to the last minute.

Just reading your tree idea below, you could make a tree trunk, with branches then embroider the names on green fabric that you cut into leaves to applique onto the branches. Sorry, I'm not very imaginative.
I could make the names to suit a leaf shape, Christian name along the top of the leaf, Surname along the bottom, birth-date across the middle.
Possibilities are only limited by your imagination. :-)

Maybe each Cutie, who has offered to help, could each create some names for you, that way you wouldn't feel as though you were imposing, after all, we have OFFERED to help. :-) HUGE SMILEY GRIN. xxx

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by jrob Moderator 30 Nov 2017

I don't have one good idea to add to what has been written already. You'll know and feel the special things to your marriage when you see them, if you use designs. Photos are great, too.
You might want to do a family tree (on the quilt) going back as far as you wanted to or knew the names, but I'm sure whatever you do will be treasured.

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toogie by toogie 01 Dec 2017

I can't go back any further than my husband and me...if we did his siblings I wouldn't have a family 'tree', I'd have a family 'forest'!-lol
I can't draw but I did try my hand at drawing a tree to fit the bed top. I thought I could emb it on somehow and attach leaves that had our children and grands names on. I could do the leaves in different shades of green and do a colorful border or else make the leaves colorful/whimsy. I like color-lol

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by jenne 30 Nov 2017

Toogie, I have made a lot of quilts,some mine and some others, I helped with since I teach quilting to at our Senior Center, I think a medallion quilt would look good with you Name, Hubby information etc, in the center then you could put what every you liked around it . It could be pieced or Applique or embroidery designs the choice is endless. This one set on point with names in the center would be real nice perhaps in some pretty color. go to Pinterest for lot of example.

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toogie by toogie 01 Dec 2017

Oh I like the woven frame or border..like our lives are all interwoven. Is this what you are calling a Medallion Quilt? I'm not sure how you mean to do the center. Is this the whole quilt or tiny blocks? I am fairly new to quilting. Have only made 2 queens before and neither for us.

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by asterixsew Moderator 30 Nov 2017

No ideas about quilts but love your plans. You can put whatever you like on a quilt label

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toogie by toogie 01 Dec 2017

Thanks

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by airyfairy 30 Nov 2017

Sent you a PM.

1 comment
toogie by toogie 01 Dec 2017

Got it.

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by pennifold 30 Nov 2017

Hi Toogie, I just use my lettering tab in my 5D programme and you can do all sorts of shapes with it. I hope you can get to do it. Love Chris

1 comment
toogie by toogie 01 Dec 2017

I hope so too..with this wrist IDK but its to DECIDE and Start.

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by mops Moderator 30 Nov 2017

The answer to the first question is: the software does it for you. If you can type with no more than one finger, you can do it. If you need help or a design just send me a PM.

I made a 60th quilt for my parents back in 1996. I posted it here in 2008 - see link - and described what I did. It was on the wall of my parents' bedroom till my dad died, and luckily my siblings decided that I should have it. I gave them 6 weeks to make/illustrate a block and it took me a fortnight to assemble and quilt by hand. I only had a Brother with a 4x4 sewing field, so there is not a lot of ME, just dates etc. My block is the child's drawing, thread cones and the lady in the hat.
I also made a wedding/reception quilt for my youngest daughter in 2000. The quest signed the blocks, I printed the wedding photo (and forgot to mirror it as required) and quilted by machine - a much faster method.

2 comments
mops by mops 30 Nov 2017

You don't need special fabric for printing, you can buy iron sheets - you print on those (mirrored!) and then cut out what you need and iron it on the fabric in the colour of your choice.

toogie by toogie 01 Dec 2017

They are beautiful mops! Both equally pretty and great sentiments.

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by awesome1 27 Nov 2017

Toogie, I'm sending PM..maybe some help

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toogie by toogie 27 Nov 2017

ok thanks

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by spendlove Moderator 27 Nov 2017

You can use a program called Embroidery Fonts Plus (free download) to do lettering. It is basically like a word processor so you just type in what you want to say and set the size.
The Embird Font Engine is more sophisticated and versatile but not fre

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toogie by toogie 27 Nov 2017

Thanks Sue.....sorry about Dennis, I know you were closer to him than most of us.

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by dollygk 27 Nov 2017

Hi toogie, for my son's 25th wedding anniversary I did a normal block quilt but added solid sides to which I added flower blocks done on Organza and it was really good looking. You might do the names and dates on organza to add separately...... good luck!!!

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lilylady by lilylady 27 Nov 2017

Dolly, What an undertaking, this is beautiful.

toogie by toogie 27 Nov 2017

Yes, it is beautiful and made with much love. Thanks dollygk

dragonflyer by dragonflyer 28 Nov 2017

Beautiful quilt, Dolly...love the organza touches!

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by crafter2243 Moderator edited 26 Nov 2017

I do not know anything about digitizing fonts. I usually use the ones in my machine. My daughter asked me the other day if I could make a quilt with the pictures of the family.That may be a thought. The pictures can be printed on special pieces of cotton material. Maybe you could do that from memorable events of your marriage

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toogie by toogie 27 Nov 2017

That's another good suggestion, to think about.Thanks Angie

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