I think it is time to do a project that requires embroidery design software. Many people use purchased embroidery designs, and can change the finished results by omitting or repeating certain stitch-out parts of the design as instructed in an earlier blog. But, there are limits to the modifications you can make during the stitch-out process.

The instructions in this project are specific to Floriani Total Control Pro software. Basic familiarity with Floriani TCP is necessary to supplement these instructions.

Supplies:
Floriani Total Control Pro Software
Red and White felt
White embroidery thread
Floriani Tear-away stabilizer
Floriani Water soluble stabilizer
Pinking shears

Instructions:
1. Turn on Grid and set size to .50 inches.
2. Click on Appliquè Shapes.

3. Select Heart shape and click OK to Select.
4. In the Properties box, change Appliquè width to 4.5mm.
5. Click on Apply.

6. Click on Copy icon.
7. Open New workspace.
8. Click on Paste icon.

9. Click on  Shape Tool.
10. Place cursor about 1 and 1/2” down from the top of the Heart on the left side, right click to bring up menu and left click on  Split Line.
11. Repeat above step on the right side of the Heart.
12. In the Sequence View, you will see two appliquè shapes instead of one.
13. Select the top half of the Heart and Delete.
14. You should only have the lower half of the heart left.
15. Highlight the lower half of the Heart and right click to display pop-up menu and click on Convert To and select Run.

16. Copy and Paste the lower half of the Heart.
17. To create a color stop, change one of the lower halves to another color.
18. You should have two shapes that look like the letter V in the Sequence View.
19. Select the Text Tool and left click on the workspace.
20. In the Properties Box type in XOXO.
21. Select Curlyq font and set the height to .40 inches, click on Apply.
22. Position XOXO on lower half of heart where you want it.
23. Open the appliquè heart design workspace and Copy the Heart design.
24. Return to the lower half heart workspace page and Paste the appliquè heart design. (If the Paste icon is grayed out you are likely still in Text mode. To exit Text mode left click on the Select arrow.)
25.  If the designs do not line up, move one of them so the bottoms of the hearts line up.
26. Save the design as heart pocket.c2s and Save again in the format for your machine.

At the Embroidery Machine:

1. Hoop the tear-away stabilizer in the 130mm x 180mm hoop, or a hoop size available for your machine.
2. Place the hoop on the machine.
3. Thread machine with white embroidery thread on top and in bobbin.
4. Sew the placement line (shown in red above) for the lower heart.
5. Place red felt over stitching line and sew the tack-down line.
6. Sew text.
7. Remove hoop from machine and stabilizer from hoop.
8. Use pinking shears to finish the top edge.
9. Cut felt close to the outer stitching line on the two sides. Set aside.
10. Hoop water soluble stabilizer in the 130mm x 180mm hoop, or a hoop size available for your machine.
11. Attach hoop to embroidery machine.
12. Sew the placement line for the whole heart design.
13. Place white felt over placement line and sew the tack down line.
14. Remove hoop from machine, DO NOT remove stabilizer from hoop.
15. Trim white felt close to stitching line.
16. Place the lower half heart on top of the whole heart with the bottom edges aligned.
17.  Use clear or painter’s tape to hold lower half in place. Place tape at each top edge corner and the lower point.
18. Attach hoop to embroidery machine.
19. Sew the last color.
20. Remove hoop from machine and stabilizer from hoop. Remove tape.
21. Trim away excess water soluble stabilizer.
22. Use a wet sponge to remove remaining stabilizer from outside edge.
23. Your heart pocket is now ready to fill with a special message or gift.