Alright so my friend went out and got the Embroidery kit for her 440QE. I got it all setup for her and we did a few of the included patterns in black to test it out.

She plans on using this to embroider images, etc on the quilt for her granddaugthter. My question is this...Should the bobbin thread be the same as the color your embroidering? We had white bobbin thread in, and of course you could see it in the finsihed product.

I was expecting a nice large manual to come with it, instead there is a CD with the beginning basic images, etc.

Any tips would be great I can't get into the class for this until 2 weeks. So any help before then is greatly appriciated.

you can use the 60 weight bobbin thread which i have only found in black n white or you can use your 40 weight poly or rayon which you are using on the top also in your bobbin.
hope this helps.
Gale

I use pre-wound bobbins in my embroidery machine (Babylock). They come with white/clear, very thin thread and are made for embroidery machines. I think I bought them on ebay and the seller was helpful with chosing the right bobbins for my machine. The pre-wounds hold way more thread than bobbins I wound on my machine and they weren't expensive.

I always use the same thread (I almost 100% of the time use Isacord for embroidery), but if you're doing a dense design, you might get a lot of build up on the back, then you can use the bobbin embroidery thread, which is finer, but you may need to adjust your tension. Good luck!!!

If the bobbin thread is showing on the top that means that the tension isn't set correctly for the thread being used, So you need to balance it out so that if anything the top thread is showing just a hair on the back,

Generally bobbin thread is used in embroidery, it is thinner and you can fit more onto the bobbin requiring less bobbin changes, the prewound ones are nice as they have just that little more as well. and when doing embroidery you will use up more bobbin thread than you are used to as there is usually a lot of stitched unless you are using line designs like redwork,

Any specific questions feel free to PM me, I have been using an embroidery machine for more than 16 years,

I use "Bottom Line" in my bobbin. As cutebuns said, if the bobbin thread is showing on top your tension is off.
Did you thread your bobbin thread through the little "arm" on the bobbin case? I have a 630 and have to go through the little hole on the "arm"

I sometimes use paper tear away stabilizer. I buy pre-wounded bobbins in black and white. I try to use white when using lite colors and black for dark colors. On the other hand, if I use Ricky Tims stable Stuff stabilizer, nothing shows up. This is cut away stabilizer and can be left on. When it is wet it feels like polyesther. I have done projects embroidering on silk and I then fill my own bobbins with the same color as the top.

Superior thread sells several colors of pre-wound bobbins. I have had great success wqith them in my Brother. I'm sure they would help you find the right bobbins for your machine.

I had a 440QE and loved it, upgraded to the 730E. Embroidery is just awesome! I use black or white bobbin thread in the bobbin most of the time (got large cones of each), but sometimes (especially with free standing lace) I use the same thread on top and bottom. Haven't tried yet with the 730, but it did require some fussing with the bobbin tension. However, I remember being told in class to lower the upper tension, sometimes to around 2.

Good luck, once your friend gets all the basics figured out, a grand time will be had!!! I made a ton of free standing lace snowflakes for friends and coworkers this Christmas.

I agree I use bottom weight on the bottom but if the thread is showing on the top adjust the tension, took me a while to figure it out, but works perfectly now. I never touched the bobbin tension it is all in the top. mine is set at 4