The provided source materials detail a freebies program offered through the websites cmemag.com and sewdaily.com, associated with the publications Creative Machine Embroidery (CME) and Sew News. These platforms provide consumers with access to a variety of digital embroidery designs and sewing patterns at no cost. The program operates on a time-limited basis, where specific designs are available for free download for a set period, typically following the release of a new magazine issue. After this free period expires, the designs are often moved to a paid model available for purchase through partner retail sites such as shopsewitall.com and picklepiedesigns.com.
The free content is categorized into three main types: CME Designs, Sew News Patterns, and Free eBooks. CME Designs are released corresponding to new magazine issues and remain free for a limited time. Sew News Patterns are offered as "web extras" with new issues of that publication. Free eBooks represent special collections of patterns released over the years. The source materials highlight specific examples of available projects, including an apron with gardening pockets, a magnetic in-the-hoop photo frame, a retro place mat and napkin set, and an in-the-hoop tissue holder. These projects often require specific materials, such as various fabrics, stabilizers, and embroidery designs, and utilize specific hoop sizes.
Access to these free offers is managed through the cmemag.com/freebies and sewdaily.com/freebies web pages. The documentation indicates that users can download designs and patterns from these locations. For example, a specific design released in the May/June 2015 issue of Creative Machine Embroidery was available for free download until June 30, 2015. Following that date, the design was slated to become available for purchase at shopsewitall.com. Similarly, a tissue holder design was available for free until June 30, 2015, after which it would be sold at picklepiedesigns.com. The Nov/Dec issue of Sew News also offered specific free items, including a snowflake design and patterns for oven mitts.
The source data provides detailed instructions for several of these projects, outlining the necessary materials and preparation steps. For the "Gardening Apron" project, materials included coordinating woven fabrics, cotton fabric, fusible knit interfacing, tear-away stabilizer, and specific embroidery designs (fruit and vegetable). The preparation involved downloading the pattern and design from cmemag.com/freebies, prewashing fabric, and cutting specific pieces from fabrics A, B, and C. The "Magnetic Frame" project required marine vinyl, tear-away stabilizer, specific embroidery needles, and scissors. This project was designed to stitch up in the hoop and was sized for 4x4, 5x7, or 10x10 hoops. The "Diner Delights" kit, available for purchase at shopsewitall.com, included materials for place mats and napkins, such as solid grey and grey gingham fabric, jumbo rickrack, and place-mat forms. The "ITH Tissue Holder" required specific folding and taping techniques to assemble the project in the hoop.
The Sew News Nov/Dec issue freebies included an "in-the-hoop cosmetic bag" design and a blog post by author Diane Carter regarding the use of Angelina film and fibers for making beads. The source materials also reference a "cute air freshener cover" and "sock monkey ornaments" as part of the free offerings available at cmemag.com/freebies. The availability of these items is strictly limited by time, with the May/June 2015 designs expiring on June 30, 2015. The documentation emphasizes that after the expiration date, the designs transition to a paid status on specific retail websites, such as shopsewitall.com for the "Tasty: CME, Diner Delights" collection and picklepiedesigns.com for the tissue holder design.
Free Design Availability and Expiration
The freebies program is characterized by its cyclical nature, tied directly to magazine publication schedules. According to the source data, "After a new issue comes out, you’ll find designs available for free for a limited time." This suggests a recurring opportunity for consumers to access new content without cost, provided they act within the specified window. The May/June 2015 issue of Creative Machine Embroidery provides concrete examples of these time constraints.
- Gardening Apron and Mushroom Design: Available for free download from cmemag.com/freebies until June 30, 2015.
- Magnetic Photo Frame (ITH): Available for free download from cmemag.com/freebies until June 30, 2015.
- ITH Tissue Holder: Available for free download from cmemag.com/freebies until June 30, 2015.
Following the expiration of these free periods, the designs transition to paid status. The documentation explicitly states regarding the tissue holder: "The design will be available for purchase at picklepiedesigns.com after the expiration date." Similarly, the gardening apron design was noted to be "available for purchase at shopsewitall.com after the expiration date." This transition model is a key aspect of the offer structure, allowing users a window of no-cost access before the designs become commercial products.
Categories of Free Content
The source materials identify three distinct categories of free content available through the associated websites:
- CME Designs: These are specific embroidery designs released in conjunction with new issues of Creative Machine Embroidery magazine. They are available for free for a limited time after the issue's release.
- Sew News Patterns: These are sewing pattern downloads provided as "web extras" with new issues of Sew News magazine. Like CME designs, they are available for a limited time.
- Free eBooks: These are collections of patterns released by the publications over the years. The source material states there are "18 Free eBooks" containing "dozens of free patterns."
The Nov/Dec issue of Sew News is cited as having a variety of free content, including an in-the-hoop cosmetic bag design, a snowflake design, oven mitt patterns, an air freshener cover, and sock monkey ornaments.
Specific Project Examples and Requirements
The source data provides detailed information regarding specific projects that were offered as part of the freebies program. These examples illustrate the types of projects available and the materials required to complete them.
Gardening Apron
This project, featured in the May/June 2015 issue of CME, involves creating a sturdy apron with multiple pockets for gardening tools. * Materials: 1.5 yards of coordinating medium-to-heavyweight woven fabrics (denim), 1 yard of medium-weight cotton or cotton/polyester fabric, 1 yard of 20-inch wide fusible knit interfacing, tear-away stabilizer, all-purpose and embroidery thread, hand sewing needle, two 1-inch diameter buttons, removable fabric marker, and a 5x7 hoop. * Designs: Fruit (approx. 3.5x5 inches) and vegetable (approx. 4x6 inches) embroidery designs. * Availability: Free download from cmemag.com/freebies until June 30, 2015.
Magnetic Photo Frame (In-the-Hoop)
This project allows for the creation of a magnetic frame to showcase a family snapshot. * Materials: Marine vinyl (dimensions based on hoop size), medium-weight tear-away stabilizer, embroidery thread, size 75/11 embroidery needle, 5-inch curved scissors, thread snips, rotary cutting system, fabric glue stick or pen, low-temp glue gun and glue sticks. * Hoop Sizes: Designs are sized for 4x4, 5x7, or 10x10 hoops. * Availability: Free download from cmemag.com/freebies until June 30, 2015.
Diner Delights Place Mat and Napkin Set
This project focuses on adding retro charm to dining decor. The full "Diner Delights" kit, which includes the embroidery designs, is available for purchase at shopsewitall.com. * Materials (for four sets): 2 yards each of solid grey and grey gingham fabric, 4 packages or 6 yards of white jumbo rickrack, all-purpose and embroidery thread, medium-weight tear-away stabilizer, place-mat forms, removable fabric marker, temporary spray adhesive. * Availability: The specific designs mentioned (Café design) are downloaded from cmemag.com/freebies. The full kit is a paid product.
ITH Tissue Holder
This in-the-hoop project creates a tissue holder with an overlap opening. * Materials: Fabric rectangles, tear-away stabilizer. * Availability: Free download from cmemag.com/freebies until June 30, 2015. After expiration, available for purchase at picklepiedesigns.com.
Nov/Dec Sew News Projects
- In-the-Hoop Cosmetic Bag: A free design available for download.
- Oven Mitts: Patterns for two different types available.
- Angelina Film/ Fibers: A blog post by Diane Carter on making beads.
- Other Items: Air freshener cover, sock monkey ornaments.
Access and Redemption Process
Consumers access these free offers by visiting the designated web pages: cmemag.com/freebies and sewdaily.com/freebies. The process involves locating the current or past freebies and initiating a download. The source material does not detail a sign-up or registration process, implying the downloads are directly accessible from the web pages.
The source data includes a note regarding the "Diner Delights" collection, stating: "Get the Diner Delights kit; which includes everything you need to make a set of four place mats and napkins, plus the entire Diner Delights embroidery design collection. Find it at shopsewitall.com." This indicates a distinction between the free individual designs offered via the magazine freebies page and the complete, paid kits available through the retail partner.
Conclusion
The freebies program provided by Creative Machine Embroidery and Sew News offers a valuable resource for consumers interested in embroidery and sewing. By offering time-limited free downloads of embroidery designs and sewing patterns, the program drives engagement with the magazines and their associated websites. The offers are clearly defined by expiration dates, after which the content becomes available for purchase through specific retail partners. The projects range from practical items like aprons and tissue holders to decorative pieces like photo frames and place mats, requiring specific materials and hoop sizes. Consumers seeking these free offers must monitor the cmemag.com/freebies and sewdaily.com/freebies pages to take advantage of the downloads before they expire.