Machine Embroidery

My darling asked for a folding dice tray for an in-person role-playing game they are in. I happened to have this delightful machine embroidery design by String Theory Fabric Art. So many fun and nerdy designs!

This is the largest size of the Feature Fabric Appliqué Portable Dice Tray ITH design. I used some gray marine vinyl and some fun dungeon fabric I bought from Spoonflower a couple years ago. The snaps are KAM snaps.

My favorite tools and supplies (affiliate links):

Creative Grids 4.5" x 12.5" Rectangle Quilting Ruler

Fiskars Rotary Cutter replacement blades
Fiskars Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
Fiskars 8-inch scissors

Magna-Glide bobbins (absolutely the best for my embroidery machine)

Pellon Stitch-N-Tear

Snaps: KAMsnaps kit (this is the kit I purchased, it includes a rainbow of snap colors and the tools you need to set the snaps)

Odds & Ends

We went away for the weekend so this post will have some of everything. I did some crochet in the car. this is Red Heart All in One Granny Square. This is one of those love/hate yarns. It may take some practice to get the square to come out perfectly.

We went to New Jersey and attended DexLite by Double Exposure. This gaming convention is a great way to try out new games and play old favorites with like-minded people. Everyone gets a set of dice at check-in and I picked these. 

The hotel had a pride display up in the lobby.

Before I left I used the Creative Grids Stripology XL Ruler to cut some binding. I have so many quilts to bind.

My favorite tools and supplies (affiliate links):

Creative Grids 6.5" x 24.5" Rectangle 

Creative Grids 4.5" x 12.5" Rectangle Quilting Ruler

Creative Grids Quilt Ruler 6-1/2" Square

Fiskars Rotary Cutter

Fiskars Rotary Cutter replacement blades
Fiskars Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
BLACK+DECKER Classic Steam Iron
Fiskars 8-inch scissors

Juki TL-2010Q

Grabbit Magnetic Pin Cushion

Dritz Craft Pins, 1-3/4-Inch (250-Count)

Electric Quilt

Project box: IRIS 12" x 12" Portable Plastic Storage Cases with Built-in Handle, Clear (storage)

Letter Openers

Fiskars Rotating Cutting Mat 14 inch x 14 inch

Creative Grids Stripology XL Ruler

Machine Embroidery

I've had my eye on this machine embroidery design for a while now. I have plenty of gamer friends that would use one of these fun and easy to take along dice trays. 

Two layers of durable vinyl and some fun embroidery make this a quick and durable project, perfect for gift giving. The design is from String Theory Fabric Art. Direct link.

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):
Fiskars Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
Fiskars 4-inch Curved Craft Scissors
Fiskars 8-inch scissors
Magna-Glide bobbins (absolutely the best for my embroidery machine)
KAM snaps
Pellon Stitch-N-Tear

Dragon Chow Dice Bags

I've shared my use of the Dragon Chow dice bag pattern a time or two. I'll say it again, it's a great, free pattern! With even a little bit of sewing experience you should be able to make one.

I picked up this fun fabric at the big box fabric store. It was too fun to pass up. I wasn't entirely sure what I was going to do with it when I bought it.

I also bought a yard of coordinating Kona cotton solid for the lining. Overall, this was a very satisfying project. These little bags make up quickly.

If you are interest in buying one directly from me, please contact me through my Etsy shop and I'll set up a listing for you. You can even build your custom bag with the colors and prints that suit your taste. This is not an invitation for anyone to contact me about mass production or consignment. I will not answer your messages. I don't have the time to make huge quantities of anything. 

Check out the free Dragon Chow dice bag pattern in pdf format. 

Amazon sells cord locks (affiliate link) similar to the ones I use. I buy mine directly form Strapworks.com. 

You can find paracord at most craft stores in shorter lengths (about 10 yards). Amazon also sells paracord in a rainbow of colors (affiliate link) and in a multitude of length options. Each bag uses about 24" of cord. 

Embroidery Design - D20

I've had my embroidery machine and design software (5D Embroidery). I have played with it off and on over the years but it has frustrated me because it doesn't operate like other drawing software (such as Inkscape or GIMP). I decided I wanted to design something badly enough to struggle with the software until I got it do what I wanted.

First I went to find some appropriate art. This is one of the many images available on Game Icons.net. If you're looking for some simple vector graphics to use in game design you should really check them out. Their work is offered for free under Creative Commons.

This was my first stitch out of the design. It was too big for my purpose, but I wanted to see what it would look like.

I made some tweaks and stitched it out again. I didn't see much difference between the two, but a friend pointed out that the lower numbers we're really where they should be. I admit, I put them there as a way to make them fit. In the end I made a design decision to remove the numbers from most of the faces.

The design is a little simpler, but we all know what it supposed to be, no matter how many faces have numbers.

In the end, I think less is more. A nice project, even if it did take me almost all weekend to finish. I think after some tweaks, I might make this available on Etsy for other machine embroiderers to purchase for download. I can't be the only person that wants to make these key fobs.

This design would also work great on a custom dice bag. Check out my Etsy shop to see the bags I have available or request a custom order.