When I bought my Viking my dealer told me that it would not talk to my Mac, that if I wanted that program it would cost $2800.00 and he never bothered to tell me about the additional software that I needed. My DH had an HP so I tried to load it and the new software didn't like my DH's computer, which turned out to be okay since it was too far away from my machine. So I ended up buying a new laptop from Costco since it was way less than $2800.00 that would take the new program. Even though it has cost me a lot more that originally anticipated I am still happy I got the embroidery machine.

Oh my gosh I can so relate to being forced to buy software, just so I could look at the designs! And having to use my computer to download designs and all that learning scared me to pieces. I agree that we do get somewhat blind sided when we don't know anything about how it all works. I was in tears the first year. And spent way more than I was wanting to spend. Now I look at it as maybe a blessing in disguise because I now have what I need. If I had known what I was getting into I may of not bought anything with an embroidery feature. Now it is one of my most cherished parts of sewing and quilting and gifting. Who would of thunk??!!!

Actually, I did not purchase either the embroidery software or a PC to run it on. I was so angry that the larger picture had never been mentioned, let alone explained, that I left in disgust ... and resolved to make do with the regular hoop sizes and multiple hooping.

Another thing worth mentioning: Last Christmas season, I purchased an in-the-hoop design I was excited about. But when I loaded it onto my jump drive and plugged it into my sewing machine, the sewing machine told me I needed to use a mega-hoop. That's why I bought one, and that's why it never dawned on me that I couldn't just attach it and get right down to business.

I'm mostly glad that y'all thought I had gone through with the additional purchases because your positive statements about having bitten the $ bullet and now being glad you did ... well, I'm rethinking my first decision. We'll see how well the re-hooping goes on those Christmas stockings!

If I didn't mention this before, I did learn that embroidering on Minky using a polymesh stabilizer under the fabric and water soluble stabilizer on top - as several of you suggested - worked beautifully. During our long trials and errors, the teacher ended up floating a cut-away stabilizer where the polymesh had begun to tear, and that worked perfectly too! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Mermaid.... I just wanted to tell you that I did spend some time yesterday playing with the Wings my Editor.....I like the way it changes the colors and cut parts of designs.....Thank you for recomending it....
....generally I am now finally getting to the point of not being so intimidated by degitizing softwars.....after all they are all using more less the same terms........the more you use it the easier it gets...the problem is that we want more and more...and the more options thay have, the more expensive they gets....LOL...
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As for Sushi.......Go for it.... ..... ...... You will be crying a lot on the way but it is so rewording........ And yes, it,s really bad they didn,t tell you before that you will need another software and anothe computer.... ...this is the most ennoying part......... ...... ......good luck
Happy quilting and happy embroidery to all.... Don,t let this thread die....

Thank you Ania, for updating about the software--I'm glad you were not intimidated and jumped right in. You can resize by clicking the little square that stretches, but remember to change the density of stitches afterwards. You can also merge designs or parts thereof. There's a free conversion table you can print off at www.chantells-creations.com. It is really handy to have this chart when you resize.

Thank you mermaid....thank you again and again....only now I also realize that it will be so helpfull to have some quick software on my Toshiba laptop....and the best of all is that it is free......I will defenetlly play with it...I still have to learn how to use it with all the posibilities in there....Thank you so much for the tip about the density of the stitches....for newbee like me, its an eye opening .....
.........hugs...

Brother or Singer Futura
 

I have been looking at embroidery machines and can't decide on brother 770 or Futura.Does anyone have thoughts on these machines? I have a Janome 6600 that I love so I don't need sewing machine. Am not very good with computer things so it has to be pretty easy! Thanks for any help Dee

Hi Dee...did you check the Janome 350e ??.... I am happy with mine...Only wish it has bigger hoops.... but mine came with two hoops and I can still do many things with them... the screen is also not the best...but again...you get what you paid for....it allows you to use a USB so you can easily transfer designs from your computer to the USB and to the machine.... ....Good luck

I would choose a Brother over a Singer any day. That being said, I love, love, love my Janome embroidery machines. I own the 200e, 350e, and the 500e. Janome also has a 400e, which is basically the 500e with a few less features and quite a bit less expensive. Since you love your Janome sewing machine, look into the Janome embroidery machines.

Cari

I agree with Cari-in-Oly...the Singer brand has not had a very good reputation for a while. The machines by Brother are very user friendly..I have 5 of them , but since that is the only brand I have owned (well, one is a Babylock but it is basically a Brother), I cannot express opinions on others.