mpeters1200

It sounds as if the quilting fairies have been listening to the wishes of my heart. I believe it's very possible I will be getting an embroidery machine in the next few days.

I've wanted one for several years, but too many things are in the way. It sounds like my FIL is sending me my late MIL's embroidery machine. I remember seeing it once, I helped her with something. Once it's here I'll take a pic of it and post it so I can post more specific questions...and I'll have to google the owner's manual.

I know that embroidery thread has to be used. And some type of software. FIL keeps talking about Chips that go in it.

Are there any basic rules of thumb that apply to all embroidery? Is there software out there so I can make quilt labels or do I have to try to do everything from scratch. I'm very intimidated. I have such a hard time with computers. When I got my sewing machine, I insisted on one that "couldn't think on it's own".

I know that there's a no magnet rule about computers. No food or drink is ever allowed outside of the dining room so I don't have to worry about knocking my coffee onto it. Do i have to use special fabric?

I just need help with the basics. Once I know what kind it is, I can get more specific....and I want to show you my new toy when it gets here!

quiltwoman

OH, how wonderful! I think once you get the machine, post the model/brand and you'll get some great help. I have a Bernina and my dealer has been most helpful with all my questions.

Can't wait to see your new toy :wink:

sewjoyce

Oh most definitely post pictures when you get the machine!! One of us out here probably has the same model and can tell you all about how to use it!!

You do need special "embroidery" thread as well as special bobbin thread, stabilizers, etc. But don't panic. There are some really good books that will lead you from hooping all the way through taking it out of the hoop!!

Congratulations and just RELAX!!

fabricluvr

i'm fairly new to embroidery by machine (white 3300 i got for $120). i just bought Machine Embroider with Confidence by Nancy Zieman. i got it from the library and didn't want to return it. then i found it at jo-anns and finally got to use a 50% coupon on it. it has most everything you need to know.

special bobbin thread (i use coats and clark), not really special embroidery thread (i've used gutterman, coats and clark, and sulky) as long as it's rayon or polyester. get your stabilizers when jo-anns has 50% off their notions wall (if you have a jo-anns or hancock fabrics).

by a chip, he may mean a card. my white (made by brother) takes a card for designs other than what are in the machine. i had to get a card writer to be able to save embroidery designs from the internet to the card to put into my embroidery machine. if i continue to be as interested in it as i am today, i hope to get a machine with UBS port and larger embroidery field.

when you know what machine it is, google embroidery designs and start looking for the many free downloads that are available (and some also really cheap).

a few of my favorite sites are

http://www.emblibrary.com/EL/default.aspx
http://www.embroiderydesigns.com/
and
http://www.oregonpatchworks.com/

this one has a nice message board (with tough restrictions on posting embroidery designs)

http://www.embroidables.com/

no special fabric. i've been using my quilting fabric. made some potholders and towels for Christmas gifts (the towels are tricky if they have the loops, but you can use water soluble stabilizer on the top).





can't wait to see which machine you're getting!

Elizabeth A.

Another website for free embroidery is http://www.annthegran.com but it will really depend on what software you'll be getting with your machine how it will read the data and where it can come from. You'll need to know what format your machine reads, but that will be in your manual.

My machine has a bobbin sensor and the coats and clark makes it malfunction, but do spring for a box of speciality threads. The best deal I found was a box of 20 Madeira spools from Joanns.com http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog.j...RODID=prd15360 It's $20 so the up front cost isn't bad unlike other big thread groupings, and you'll have all the colors you'd like to start out. With the $20 box you can add Sulky or other brands and see what your machine sews best with.

Also http://www.Allstitch.com has refill spools that are 1100 yards or some such for $2.45, with your first order they will send you a booklet of a whole bunch of different stabilizer samples so you can see what they are and which ones you'd like.

Hopefully your new machine will come with at least one font that way you can just put in the info you want on your quilt labels and voila!

Pam S

How exciting! Definately let us know what it is when you get it. We all might have different machines but basically they're all the same. When your FIL says "chip" he probably does mean card and that means computer software with a reader/writer box. When you find out which brand it is, you can make a decision on which software program is best. Or maybe she had a box and he'll send that along with it!

twistedstitcher

It all seems really confusing and overwhelming at first but there's enough machine embroiderers here that can help you with all the questions you're going to have. There are some excellent websites with lots of good information as well. Here's a link to one of my favorites.

http://www.secretsof.com/embroiderytips/

Someone mentioned http://www.emblibrary.com
as well. It's my favorite site for purchasing designs. Their designs stitch out beautifully and they have great sales!

Please post a pic of your new toy when you get it! And ask all the questions you need to...have fun!

Jim's Gem

I'm interested in watching this thread as well. I have a Bernina 630 e with the Embroidery Unit and so far all I have done is use it to make labels with. I need to learn how to use the software I got with the machine, as well as the Explorations software I got for Christmas. I have downloaded a boatload of free designs but have not been able to find the time or brains to work them around in the software and get them to my machine. I am confused a little as my software that came with the machine, the Bernina Editor lite v 4, uses ART format but my machine uses EXP. When I download EXP format, the designs don't do well on my software, but...... I am so confused. I will be watching to see what everyone has to say. I feel so stupid when it comes to this embroidery stuff! I need one of you to come to my home and show me what to do!!!!

mpeters1200

Thanks! I'll go to the library to request that book by Nancy. My first quilt ever was one of her beginner patterns. By stabilizer....is it specific to embroider or would interfacing stuff work?

I was afraid once I posted about it, I would either jinx myself or raise more questions....I wish UPS would hurry up and bring it!!

Butterfli19

I have a Babylock Esante. It sews and embroiders, although I have not yet used the embroidery to its capacity and I've had it 6 years!

I use Sulky thread for embroidering. Try 'Atlanta Thread Supply' - they have some great deals on sewing supplies and threads. They carry Metrosene Plus which is my favorite. I think 'Nancy's Notions' also carries Metrosene. 'Clotilde' is another one and 'Home Sew'. JoAnn's carries Guttermann but it is very linty, but I do buy it if it's on sale, I just vacuum my machine out more. And you can always find a variety at a quilt shop.

You're gonna love it!