With the holidays behind us now it's time to look ahead to the things we wish to accomplish in the new year. Whether it be starting new projects, catching up with unfinished projects, or both, now is the perfect time to begin formulating your plans. Each month brings new challenges and gift giving opportunities for holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, reunions, you name it.

We have been so busy through the holidays that we haven't been able to get caught up. But, we can see the light at the end of the tunnel and should have several new designs ready for release soon. We have several new sets in progress and many more planned throughout the coming year. Be sure to keep a watchful eye on each issue of Thread Times for announcements and special promotions.

A question recently asked by a member of an online focus group was "Can I make $25,000 per year doing embroidery?" The question got me to thinking and I decided to take a closer look at how easy or hard it might be to acheive this goal.

There are so many things to consider before getting into any new venture. If you have kicked around the idea of opening your own embroidery business this article may help get you off to a good start.

Read on...

Get ready for summer now! This adorable set consists of 7 unique designs for the 4 x 4 hoop. Also included are two bonus line art ants that you can use to make ant trails up and down sleeves, pant legs, table clothes or what ever. A total of 9 designs in all.

Follow the ant trail here...

We hear this question quite often. The term "manual punching" may be somewhat confusing, but it really is an accurate description of how designs were created in the old days.

Before the advent of modern day computers and software, digitizers manually punched holes in paper tape to create their designs. The completed designs were then sewn out on a mechanical embroidery machine controlled by the holes in the paper tape. With this older method of digitizing there was no room for error. One mistake would mean the entire process had to be started over.

Wilcom introduced the first embroidery design software for the mini-computer in 1980. With this new invention digitizers could now create designs on a computer in a similar fashion to manually punching paper tape, but with one big advantage - the ability to make corrections.

The term is still in use today, but generally refers to manually creating designs using modern day digitizing software. The digitizer places each stitch, or group of stitches, manually with a mouse or pen tool. Some digitizing software does offer auto digitizing features, but quite often the results are less then desirable.

Most professional digitizers prefer to manually create their designs. Doing so offers far greater control over stitch properties and other design elements. It also gives digitizers the opportunity to add personal expression to their designs. Everyone interprets things differently and most digitizers usually develop their own special techniques and methods for creating designs.

This great set of designs is perfect for denim shirts, jackets, jean and bags. Included are designs for both the 4 x 4 and 5 x 7 hoops. A total of 20 designs in all.

Details here...

Our thanks to Kate T. for submitting this helpful embroidery tip:

I buy the cast covers made out of stockinette. Then I cut them down to cover my embroidery threads so they don't unspool during storage.

Editor's Note: If you are unsure what Kate is talking about, click here to see an example.

Want to win FREE designs? Submit your tip or trick to us. If we publish your tip you will win your choice of any design or design set we offer for sale on our web site.

The first Imprinted Sportswear Show for 2007 will be in Long Beach, California January 19-21, 2007 at the Long Beach Convention Center. The show will then move to Orlando, Florida in February. Event dates in Orlando are February 16-18, 2007 at the Orange County Convention Center.

These events are among the biggest and best each year. There will be hundreds of exibitors, embroidery classes, digitizing classses and many speaker presentations throughout the event. If you live in or plan to visit either of these areas around the show dates, be sure to attend.

Details here...

Two designs from a set of "Stained Glass Ovals" we are currently working on for a future release. Both sew in the 4 x 4 hoop. DST, HUS, JEF and PES formats included. Please enjoy them with our compliments!