What is an "ABC Simplet"
and How Do I Finish One?

Remember the traditional band samplers that were so popular during your grandmother's generation?
Each band was a "stand-alone" design,
but when stitched along with several other bands
it created a long beautiful sampler!
Such heirloom pieces usually contained a beautiful stitched picture at the top and was followed by floral and geometric designs, an alphabet, and a poem or sentiment.

We have taken this basic band sampler idea
and made it work for machine embroidery!
Instead of spending months (or years!) creating a family heirloom,
you can do it in a fraction of the time with the same spendid results!

Our new "ABC Simplets" were created especially for your 4x4 hoop.
Or you can use a 5x7 hoop and reduce your hoopings!

Each "ABC Simplet" features designs based on one letter
of the alphabet, and stitched in several different hoopings,
yet there are no designs to worry about matching up!

In addition to the design files, each "ABC Simplet" set contains a text file with complete easy-to-follow instructions that tell you how to turn a yard of fabric into a wallhanging of heirloom quality.


FINISHING YOUR SIMPLET

I have found that if I put a piece of white fabric
behind the stitched Simplet,
it gives a very nice presentation no matter how I finish it off.

Our ABC Simplets have an average finished design size of 4" x 27".
Since Simplets are not sized to fit ready-made frames,
and because custom framing can be quite expensive,
here are two suggestions for finishing them.

To make a quilted wallhanging:
Trim your stitched Simplet to desired size,
leaving adequate seam allowances around edges.
Stitch strips of fabric along sides, top,
and bottom of Simplet -- log cabin style piecing.
This creates your "quilt top".
Stack white fabric behind quilt top.
Stack batting behind white fabric.
Stack backing fabric behind batting.
Now you have your sandwich stacked and ready to trim the edges.
Trim edges.
Bind edges.
If desired, use "stitch-in-the-ditch" method to secure all the layers.
Add two fabric tabs at top to hang your new quilted wallhanging.

To make a tapestry wallhanging:
Trim your stitched Simplet to desired size, leaving adequate seam allowances with extra fabric at both top and bottom to make casings.
Stack white fabric on top of trimmed Simplet.
Stitch side seams, leaving top and bottom open.
Turn right side out.
Make casing at top and bottom.
Slide a dowel through each casing.
Hang your new tapestry wallhanging
with a decorative cord and tassles.