shellyp

Thought I would get the ball rolling on some my questions.....

1) I've been looking at an emboidery machine. Mostly to be used for putting BF business logo on things, sons team logo on things, and quilt lables. I'd like to find something in the $1500 or less range. I came across the Singer Futura CE-350 that seems to be able to import pics to be used. Anyone have one and know how well it works? Any other ones I should look into?

2) Anyone use the Omnigrid Double Wedding Ring templates? Or know of an EASY way to make a double wedding ring quilt?

3) What's the biggest square ruler I can get? I have a 15 1/2 x 15 1/2 but have a quilt with 16" blocks that I need to square.

tlrnhi

One thing to look at in embroidery machines is the embroidery field. Meaning the size it can go up to and down to. (smallest/largest)
I have a Kenmore Ergo3. Sews and embroiders (up to 4 1/2")
It works great for me and you can find them brand new on ebay for under $1000 and some Sears stores still carry them.
I know Janome sells a nice one as does Pfaff, Viking and others.
You should go and try them and compare.

I have a friend who used Quiltsmart interfacing for the wedding ring quilt she made. Said it was easy and fun and came out perfect!

I'm sure they sell the size ruler you need. Maybe call a quilt shop and ask if they have it or if they can order one for you

mamatobugboo

i believe rulers go up to 20 x 20, they cost about $35-$40 but would be worth it for those bigger blocks!

Moonpi

You may be better off asking a glass place to cut you some plexiglass that size.

Can't help you on embroidery machines.

Elizabeth A.

Hi Shelly, one of our members had her DH make her a set of plexiglass templates. http://www.quiltingboard.com/posts/list/8109.page Here is the link to the ones he made for her, and of course they could be made about any size.

I made 17.5" blocks and I used my good old 6.5" X 24" template. Was it easy? no. Did I enjoy myself? no but I got the job done and did it well as my sashing lined up perfectly.

You price range should be big enough to find a good quality embroidery machine. I highly recommend going to the stores in your area (or the next town over), and sit with them (the embroidery machine that is), try them out. Talk to the sales people. The more stores you visit the more you will learn about what you need, what you don't and why. And if you find a sales person knowing less than you, talk to someone else and if that means going somewhere else, do so. It's to much money to spend without having the store that you can call if you run into trouble.

sewnsewer2

About embroidery machines, I only have experience with Bernina machines, but I would definately get one with 2 hoops for the things you mentioned, because you will want to do so much more than what you originally wanted. Generally they will stitch out a design up to 5 X 7 and 4 X 4 sizes. Some machines come with larger hoops (mine does).

The Bernina Deco 340 is a nice machine. I had one for a year then upgraded. I out grew it so fast.

I also would recommend getting one that you can use a USB stick to transfer your designs from your pc to your machine. That way you avoid the extra cost of a magic box (or similar devise) to transfer and the costly design cards.

Keep in mind, you will need stabilizers (recommended espically for emb machines) and that isn't cheap! Then there's the threads...

I'm not trying to chase you away from embroidering, just wanted you to know a little about it. No one told me these things when I first got into embroidery.

retrogirl02

re: #2
I think Eleanor Burns has a set of instructions and template in her Egg Money Quilts, it might be worth calling the library for if you don't have it.

Dodie

Also Cheryl Phillips has a wonderful book out on the wedding ring quilt it is called rings that bind and is quilt as you go so when you get the size you want you are done needs no binding

ScubaK

Hi ShellyP,
I would try and get the largest emb field that I could...5x7 at least...
I would also get a machine that does both sewing and embroidery
I also keep an eye on Cragslist and Ebay...because I find alot of sewers that are getting rid of their machines to upgrade to another machine...
But as far a getting your BF and sons logo to embroider that is a whole 'nother question...
Hope this helps and PM me if you have more questions.
Kirsten

kathyd

I have used the Quiltsmart interfacing for a double wedding ring. Very easy and fun to do. Some of it can even be done as take along. My arcs were just one fabric (not pieced). I made it at a workshop someone in our guild did. It is just nine circles but it looks good and is more of a lap quilt. It isn't quilted yet (because that is my least favorite part).