Newbie Here
 

I have a brand new Brother INNOV-IS NQ1600E machine. And I can tell I'm in big trouble because I don't even understand the questions/topics y'all ask. Someone asked about their bobbin and I don't even know if my machine has a bobbin. It has 4 thread spool pins. I took the shop's introduction class and forgot everything. Here's my question. I am going to embroidery a design in an 6 or 7 x 10 hoop. Then I want to finish it suitable to give as a gift to a friend but that's all I know. I'm a experienced quilter so I understand about batting, backing, binding, etc. I just don't know how to start with this piece of embroidery that I remove from the hoop. I have my design already loaded into my machine. All advice is much appreciated.
I see my profile needs changed. I now live in Las Vegas, NV. Any Machine Embroiderers in N LV who would like to have a friend? I'm 79yo and nice.

Go out to Youtube and google the different things you want to know and "read" your manual. With all my sewing machines, the manual is my lifeline. And....take any classes that your sewing machine center offers for your machine. These lessons are priceless!
Here's are a couple of videos on your particular machine. Hope you get some pointers here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MusjQ9MJctM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-s0S67ghSX8

This machine looks very much like yours so this video should help, I think names etc for machines are changed for the Aussie market. Gary is a very good thorough instructor who goes over every part of a machine.

Brother nv880e machine

Welcome to the quilting board. I hope you enjoy it here.

I don't know anything about embroidery machines but decided to take a look at the link that Barb posted. WOW! That's a great looking machine & the lady that demonstrated it was very good at explaining things. I was very impressed with the machine. I don't know what the 4 thread spool pins are for but will keep searching to find out.

Can't wait to see your first project finished!

Just realized that your "newbie" post meant that you were new to the machine that you just purchased.....not new to the board. I had a "senior" moment so let me just say I'm glad you are still here. :)

I can't find where there is a picture of one of the machines with 4 spools of thread loaded. I suspect the four pins are to put 4 different colors of thread on. You only load one color through the tension discs and the needle at a time. it's just convenience.

I have a separate thread holder for 8 or 10 spools of thread that I use. It just keeps everything handy. Also, I use a lot of large cones and they won't fit in the smaller side thread holder.
This is the thread holder I use. https://www.brother-usa.com/products/sa503 I bought it about 10 years ago and the price has doubled. Looks a little bit nicer than mine, but I am happy with what I have.

Did you get a manual with your embroidery machine It usually will have all the info even with pictures. I have to get my manual out about every time I want to do a project.

This site has free instructions, etc. that you can download.

https://support.brother.com/g/b/manu...inovnq1600eeus

Rvsfan, I wish I was close to help you. I don’t have your particular machine but it looks like a wonderful embroidery machine. I love these and when I got my first one I was so intimidated I let it in the box two days before opening it. That was over 10 years ago. Don’t let it intimidate you. I met a lady on a group trip once . She had just purchased a 10 needle from another lady, for half the selling price. I think it was $15,000 and she got it for $7,500 with about 200 T shirts and lots of threads. Lady #1 was too ‘overwhelmed’ and just wanted to get rid of it. Great opportunity for lady #2. While talking to her on the trip, we found out we lived about an hour apart. She asked me to come spend a weekend with her when we got back and show her how to use it since she had no guidance at all. We live in the country so no access to any lessons close. I told ‘Pearlie’ that I only had a single needle machine but I would go online and figure it out, then come help her. I only spent one night but we had a great time. I was more nervous bc of the cost of the machine-lol- I showed her how to load the designs, how to hoop her tee shirt and position the design centered after it was in the machine. However, we still laugh about this.
I told you I was nervous about using someone’s machine. Well , when I hooped the tee and it loaded upside down and I forgot to rotate the design!😩 It was her name. She tried the shirt on and said when she looked down at it , the name was readable to her-lol- she said don’t worry about it she would wear it for yard work. I told her if someone passed by while she was in the yard to just stand on her head so they wouldn’t notice her name was upside down. She said IF she could stand on her head, she didn’t think they would even notice the embroidery. I said well there you go!!-lol
Just relax, don’t get overwhelmed and watch a lot of you tube videos. You can do it!
By the way, I don’t think there has ever been a machine that doesn’t use a bobbin. Look at the diagram for winding on the inside lid of the machine. Then insert your full bobbin under the needle. It should have a cover over the bobbin to pop off by sliding with your thumb usually to the right if it’s a drop in bobbin. It’s just like your normal sewing machine you piece your quilt blocks on. Good luck and if you need any help just private message me. If I can help you, I will. Enjoy your machine! -Toogie

The bobbin area is under the embroidery foot. Lift off the small plastic cover to access the area. When you load the bobbin always remember.

p is for perfect. You want the tail of the bobbin to be on your left side as it winds down like the letter "p".

How many stitches is the design? What size do you want the finished piece?

You can either cut the background fabric larger or you can add borders to it to make the size you want.

Here is the Guide that I use for embroidery projects.

https://rnk-floriani.com/workbooks-guides.php

and a link to the "learning center" in case you need more help.

https://rnk-floriani.com/products.php#

Are you using batting in the embroidery block?