Creating an embroidered panel by Dianne Nixon
An automatic embroidery machine can help take your bag making skills to the next level.
Here are Dianne’s step-by-step instructions on how to create a beautiful, embroidered panel using JANOME embroidery software Artistic. This software is available in two levels, FULL and JR.
If you have never made a bag before and are inspired to have a go, visit
In Part One of this blog, you will find lots of useful tips and links to resources that will help guide you through the process of creating beautiful bags.
Note: This guide walks you through using Janome Artistic Digitizer software: https://www.janome.co.uk/software
If you don’t have this software and you would still like to create an embroidered panel, simply browse through the embroidery designs that are available on your Janome Embroidery machine. Pick a design you wish to use and then edit the design to the size and layout that you require, whether it’s for the bag design as illustrated above an embroidered panel/pocket on a Tote bag.
Look out for the next JANOME Artistic Free Trial! www.janome.co.uk
The guide also takes you through using an Embroidery design selected from an online stockiest. The design Dianne has used was purchased (size 6.85” x 4.25”) from:
The bag design in this example is beginner friendly and the embroidery pattern has been used as the fabric for the front pocket Pattern available from:
Note : The step-by-step instructions below assume you are making the illustrated bag using Artistic Digitizer: Urban Threads Magnolia Border design download, and the Knotted Threads Rosie bag pattern. If you have chosen alternatives you will have to edit your design to suit your project. READ all instructions carefully.
Basic Requirements:
Janome Embroidery Sewing Machine https://www.janome.co.uk/sewing-machines
Artistic Digitizer (see note above)
Embroidery thread
Iron on Stabilizer Backing
Janome Sewing Needles; Blue Tip or Purple Tip
Software design (see note above)
Bag pattern (see note above)
Step One: Preparation
Locate and download the digital design, save it to a file on your device.
Locate and print (A4 Actual size) pdf bag pattern.
Locate the Pattern piece for the Front Panel of the bag.
Select an embroidery hoop – preferably one that allows plenty of room to accommodate the finished size of the paper pattern. e.g. Dianne used her MC15000 with the GR Hoop/and template. There will be some fabric wastage using this hoop, but if this is your first attempt at using the software and making an embroidered panel, it’s the safer option.
Select your fabric – large enough to comfortably accommodate the chosen hoop.
TIP if using a fine cotton give it a light spray of starch and iron it. Further stabilise the area being embroidered with a layer of Janome iron stabiliser.
Select your thread colours – the design requires three and these will be displayed on the screen
TIP It’s a good idea to stitch the design on a piece of spare fabric e.g. calico, so you know how it is going to be stitched, store in a folder for future reference.
Step 2: Editing the Design
Open Artistic Digitizer and select NEW design from the Menu.
On the bottom right of the screen select 100% (screen resolution).
From the Menu down the left-hand side select Machine/hoop, then select your machine icon displayed in the menu bar and select Change then select the required hoop.
Select the embroidery file from the folder you saved it to. Open the file (or if you left it on your desktop, drag and drop the file onto the grid displayed.
Select Selection from the menu bar on the left-hand side panel click and drag the box to select all of the design: a Co-ordinates box will appear.
Change Rotate to 90; Y axis to -40; using your keyboard press the right arrow a couple of times to move the design into the centre. The design should appear as shown in the image above.
NB Making these changes ensures perfect placement on the pocket front and this image can be used with the plastic template that is part of the GR frame to indicate exactly how the design will be stitched e.g. Centred with a gap of 2.45” from the bottom the frame.
Step 3
Insert your chosen piece of fabric (ready prepared for embroidery with iron on interfacing).
Select your machine from the menu bar at the top of the screen and select your chosen method to transfer the image from your Device to the file as per the instructions in the Instruction Book for your sewing machine.
Important Note: It’s best practice to keep an eye on what the machine is doing whilst stitching.
a) for catching ‘thread flow issues’ etc and
b) for building an understanding of the stitching sequence and what/how the machine is working!
Step 4
Remove frame from machine – BEFORE you remove your embroidered piece of work from the frame, take the plastic grid template and place it over the top. Then take your paper pattern piece and lay it over the top, matching the centres of the pattern piece with the centre markers on the template frame. The bottom of the design should be just above the markers for the dart placements and the paper pattern piece should be FACE up on top of the design. Carefully pin the paper patter in place and remove from the frame. Don’t forget to save the design file on your sewing machine.
Important note: Breathe! Take it slowly and double check the co-ordinates.
Double check the placement on your fabric with the pattern piece Before cutting.
For the construction of the bag using your embroidered pattern piece (for the front panel) follow the instructions as per the pattern from Knotted threads. You will note that the purchase of the pattern also includes a link to a step-by-step video (which is excellent).
Please share a photo of your finished creation on the Janome Instagram page https://www.instagram.com/janomeuk/ and take a moment to congratulate yourself on what you have achieved.
Using Artistic Digitizer Software is a ‘time’ investment. In taking the time to make use of the resources available within the software you will ‘learn as you use’ how to make the most of your creative side – even if you think you can’t draw!
Also check out the Artistic tutorials and ideas on the Janome website www.janome.co.uk
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