Prim Machine Embroidery Stitch Along – Block 8

Block 8: Farm Girl

The Farm Girl block is a cheerful character design with a classic Prim feel, simple shapes brought to life through thoughtful fabric selection and precise appliqué placement. This block is an excellent opportunity to practice fussy cutting, refine your appliqué alignment, and pay close attention to directional prints.

While earlier blocks relied heavily on threadwork, Farm Girl brings the focus back to the fabric itself.

Fussy Cutting for Intentional Detail

Fussy cutting allows you to place specific motifs or patterns intentionally within your appliqué shapes. For this block, it will enhance the Farm Girl Dress and the Sheep.

Tips for fussy cutting:

1. Identify the visual “center” first. Before cutting, decide exactly what part of the print you want to appear in the shape.
   
2. Use a clear ruler to position your motifs or plaids, this helps you preview how it will appear once stitched.

Fussy cutting brings personality into the block, allowing each Farm Girl to feel unique depending on the prints you select.

Working With Directional Fabrics

The Farm Girl block includes vertical and horizontal sections ideal for using fabrics with plaids, or linear motifs. Directional prints can elevate the design when used intentionally.

Consider the following:

• Vertical stripes work beautifully for the skirt to create length and movement.
  
• Horizontal stripes can add charm and stability to areas.
  
• If using fabric with repeated icons or small motifs, align them carefully so shapes don’t appear tilted once stitched.
  

Before trimming your appliqué pieces, rotate your fabric on the cutting mat until the print direction complements the shape you’re about to embroider.

Appliqué Alignment

With multiple layers, hair, face, dress, apron, the Farm Girl block relies on clear, accurate placement.

To ensure clean alignment:

1. Place fabric pieces immediately after the placement stitch.
   
2. Use light embroidery tape to prevent shifting.
   
3. After tack-down stitching, trim as close as possible to the line without cutting into it. This allows the cover stitch to sit smoothly around the edges without excess bulk.

Stabilizer and Hooping Setup

This block uses Heavy Weight Tear-Away Stabilizer to support the layered appliqué areas.

Hoop the fused fabric and stabilizer together with even tension on all sides, consistent hooping helps the delicate curves stitch cleanly.

For stabilizer recommendations, see the
👉 Riley Blake Designs Stabilizer Chart
https://www.rileyblakedesigns.com/assets/images/machineembroidery/stabilizers/StabilizerChart.pdf

Trimming and Finishing

Once your block is complete, remove the stabilizer and press from the back using a warm, dry iron. Trim using Lori Holt’s Trim-It™ Rulers, centering the crosshairs on the block to keep the frame balanced around the figure.

Watch and Stitch Along

You can follow the full Block 8: Farm Girl tutorial on the Riley Blake Designs YouTube channel.

The video demonstrates fussy cutting examples, directional fabric strategies, and trimming techniques specific to this block.

Share Your Progress

Post your Farm Girl block in the RBD & M.E. Facebook Group, we’d love to see the different fabric choices and creative variations that come through in this one.
Share on social media using #RileyBlakeDesigns, #RBDandMe, and #PrimStitchAlong.

Credits:

• Prim Quilt designed by Lori Holt of Bee in My Bonnet
  
• Machine Embroidery Files by Riley Blake Designs
  

Blog and education by Jennifer Long, Machine Embroidery Manager, Riley Blake Designs