questions on embroidery machines
 

Am looking to buy an embroidery only machine. Iwant at least 5x7 size, PES format and to be able to add more designs
going forward. Any suggestions?

I would look at what dealers are in your area and which have techs for any repairs that might be needed and also for periodic maintenance on the machine and pick one from there. A number of different brands can use PES. My Bernina can read PES files and so can my Viking. I think Brother and babylock also do. Do you have a lot of PES designs? Just make sure you find out what the machine you pick can read as that can change with the age and model of the specific brand of machine you pick. also would be helpful to know what price range you are looking for as there is a huge range of prices.

Look at the Brother and Babylock brands, reliable and easy to service. Go to a dealer if possible, you might be able to get a great deal on a used one that was traded in. Test drive the ones you’re interested in and ask about free lessons, and if any thread, bobbins, stabilizers and hoops can be thrown in the deal. Yes, you can download designs from the internet onto a USB stick, just make sure you buy the PES format. There are tons of sites online selling designs, some are not legal, like Disney designs, they are copyrighted.

Look at Brother or Baby Lock, they are really good machines. My sewing friends and I have over 10 Brother/Baby Lock machines and none of us have had any problems. You may watch for estate sales in your area. You could pick up an excellent machine for about 1/4 the price of a new one. See if your dealer has any classes and attend one, you may find someone wanting to trade up and get a 2 to 3 year old machine a lot cheaper. I wouldn't go for the bottom of the line as they won't stand up. The machine is only the beginning for the cost. You will need thread, stabilizer, designs, etc. So budget for all of that.

I only have Brother Machines. I do have one which is embroidery only but haven't used it much. I think it is a Brother
770

I have had my Elna Expressive 830 for two years. Great machine. Found it new for a lower price than similar machines. I add designs off the internet via a flash drive. So go out there and try different brands.

And don’t forget that there is free software for changing the design format from whatever to "pes". Sometimes you will love a design that is not offered in pes, but you can change it.

The world leader in the production of industrial and domestic embroidery machines is the Japanese company Janome. Using the most advanced technology, a wide range of models, the highest quality and reliability of sewing equipment Janome make the products of this brand one of the most popular on the market.

No less popular with consumers are embroidery machines Brother. The brand is also of Japanese origin, although its production subsidiaries are located in many countries around the world. Conquering the highest technological heights, Brother Company took a course on the cheapening of its products with the maintenance of its impeccable quality and wide functionality.

You may find it a bit tricky to find a new embroidery only machine that takes a 5x7 hoop. The newer machines are mostly combo (embroidery and sewing). You may have to look for an older used machine if you want embroidery only. Don't shy away from those used machines, they can be a great deal, just be sure if you find one that it accepts multiple formats, or at least the one you want (I use PES), and is not locked into the brand name format only. My single needle machines are Bernina Deco 600's but the largest hoop they will take is 4x4.

Bernette B79
 

Please help!!!
I just got Bernette B79. I tried my first embroidery and everything went fine. then started another and it went absolutely wrong. the lower thread came on the surface and the upper thread was on the back of the fabric. Then machine went crazy, I could stop it only turning it off. My embroidery stuck as the main thread were in the needle plate. I cleaned bobbin compartment, changed needle, was trying different tensions for the upper thread, but unsuccessful. Please help me to solve this problem.

IS the shop you got it from nearby? I think I would try calling them. Does it stitch ok when not embroidering?

I purchased online. And no, I did not tried to sew yet just embroidering.

When my machine (which is a Viking/Husqvarna Sewing/embroidery machine) did what yours did, I had put the bobbin in upside down.

In looking for an embroidery machine figure out what do you want to make? Check out a lot of the embroidery websites and check out the sizes of the pattern you like. I know there are programs out there that will divide a design into sections but you may just want to get a machine with a larger hoop. My friend has the Brother 770 which the largest hoop is 5x7 and she loves it. She wanted the stand alone embroidery machine. I have the Viking Topaz 20 which the largest hoop is 200mm x 260 mm, roughly 8 x 11. My machine will use the magnetic hoops - which are nice for fabric you don't want to hoop. I use a lot of Accuquilt applique designs that need an 8 x 8, hoop. My friend uses my machine when she need something larger. My machine is a sewing/embroidery machine. I take it with me to my friend's home in AZ. I have used it to sew and embroider. But my main sewing machine at home is the Janome MC6600P. it"s now 10 years old and the man that services it said it should last another 10 at least. Hopefully you live where there are dealers you can go test drive a few machines before making a decision. I highly recommend taking lessons on the machine you buy. There are so many details to learn and the classes are do beneficial.

It doesn't matter which side you put bobbin in. I checked the bobbin case for scratches - nothing, changed the bobbin. Changer tension on the lower thread nothing.

it matters how the thread comes off the bobbin there is correct way

When you put the bobbin in, and pull on the thread, does the bobbin rotate clockwise or counterclockwise? Check your manual to see what way it is supposed to rotate. It really does make a difference. Mine will not sew and knots up if the bobbin is rotating the wrong way. I would take the manual, remove all the threading, and follow the manual step by step to rethread it. I also would just try doing some sewing first. As you have changed the tension settings, you may need to readjust them. Look for some you tubes on how to adjust tension on your machine. Bernette.com also has tutorials that are very helpful

I set up machine for sewing and it is sewing perfectly. So it's something to do with bobin case, I think. Ilook for the scratches on it but could not see anything. I do not have a clue what else could be.

Is it a different bobbin case for the embroidery? What thread and bobbin thread are you using? What kind of needle? There were some videos out there on how to set up your Bernina 79 for embroidery. There is a learning curve for a new machine and embroidery. Do you have any friends nearby that do embroidery? I don't have a bernette but I do have a Bernina.

Yes there is a different bobbin case for embroidery. When I started at first to embroider I set up the machine as required and it was embroidering perfect. But when I started the next embroidery it start messing up. So maby it damaged the bobbin case. I do not have anyone who does embroidery that I could ask for advice.

I just like my Janome 550e. I do. It's basic but it gets the job done. I am looking at purchasing embroidery software. I'm leaning towards Embrillance Essentials offered by Amazon because there are just a few things software can do to enhance basic embroidery, It isn't necessary at all. However, the shop I purchased my machine at really wanted me to sign on with a very expensive company. That price was a bit out of my league and I passed on it but Embrillance is something I think I will end up purchasing.

I don't know what to suggest other than to do call online where you got it from, or do searches on the internet, or check out all the info on Bernette.com There is a dealer locator on that site and also contact info.

Are you still having these problems? First thing that comes to mind, since you've embroidered 1 project successfully, you might need to replace the needle, and open bobbin area--remove lint & dust. If you're using the exact same thread (same spool) but wound a new bobbin, is it wound properly? it should be even & smooth on the bobbin, no lumpy areas, and also--not too full. If you're using different thread--you should always make a sample when using different thread. Fabric & stabilizer choice--- are you using different fabric & stabilizer?
These are same basic questions & issues to resolve as for regular sewing. The embroidery machine worked well for you the first time-- so it is very likely that the needle, thread choice, fabric/stabilizer choice, bobbin are the cause of your issues. I didn't get into tension since I don't know the Bernette machine, but that also could be the issue.
To top it off, it might not just be 1 thing causing the issue, but several things. So, keep a little notebook and whatever you change, write it down. Pretty soon (there are only about 6 or 8 variables) you will hit on the right combination for your machine, thread/needle/fabric/stabilizer/tension etc. If you had a notebook already and written down the successful combo from your 1st design, the machine should produce similar results (assuming threaded correctly, and perhaps no little fingers came along and messed with the settings). Keep playing detective---and in the process you will learn a lot about how the variables affect the outcome.

Delphinandrina, did you try re-threading your machine? I have 2 Brother embroidery machines. One is a PE800 that is a dedicated embroidery machine with a 5" x 7" hoop area, and the other is a PE400. The PE400 sews and also embroiders a 4" x 4" area. When I first starting using it, I had trouble with the thread going crazy. After some troubleshooting, I discovered that the thread wasn't seated in the tension disc correctly. As I was threading it, I put a little pressure on the thread as I was running it through the tension discs until I heard/felt a gentle pop. After that it sewed beautifully. I have been using sewing machines since I was a teenager and have used so many different brands and models of machines. I had never had a problem with threading before. Also, bobbin thread needs to be going in a certain direction to be threaded correctly.