Free Embroidery Designs

I am interested in purchasing lettering software for my embroidery machine and wondered if anyone had any recommendations? I do not want to spend a lot of money.

I highly recommend Embird. You can buy it in portions. They not only have Font Engine which will auto digitize all true type fonts but also sell nice alphabets for 10-15.00 each in your machine format You would just need to get Embird Basic and the alphabets of your choice..- haven’t ck’d price lately but that is prob in ball park. If you are doing a lot of lettering and want a variety of fonts to work with though Font Engine would save you money over time..
Also have you thought of just going to some of the embroidery groups on Yahoo – like Hooked on Embroidery – there are many good digitizers on there that give away free sample designs and sell excellent designs for not much money. You can get alphabets there too.
Good Luck! Jill

Hi, my dad, a fishaholic for sure, died yesterday at age 94 and I want to sew out some kids’ shirts and am looking for designs about 4×4" or close that show any kid, bear, child type picture of fishing. I would like to find at least one applique one to use with machine embroidery, Thanks.

Dear Wendy
I am so sorry for your loss. My dad too was a fishaholic.So are my hubby , sons and grandson. You should try Embroidery Library ie :http://www.emblibrary.com . Just type in Fishing in their search space. They have some really nice ones.
God Bless
Vickiann

Say for instance you wanted to sew a pattern or logo, and you had a photo of the pattern on the computer.. Do they make sewing machines that will sew that pattern into the clothing automatically?

Anyone can help me?

These are called embroidery machines and can cost just under $500 to several thousand dollars.

You can download designs from the Internet, or create your own with digitizing software for machine embroidery. With this software you can use your own designs (you start with an art program – I use Windows Paint) use clip art, or photos. Software is an extra expense. However, Universal Stitch Era is one that is "free" – there is a small fee for shipping – look for free download.

Some embroidery machines also have a program installed or that can be downloaded so you can create simple designs right on the LCD screen. These embroidery machines cost a few thousand dollars.

I am new at sewing…how should i start? i want ot make one of those square patch work ones – should i sew it by hand or with a machine? how do i start etc?

when I started making quilts I did a nine patch lap quilt. It measured 54 in/54 in. You cut a strip(now they call them jelly rolls) 2 1/2 in by 2 1/2 in.You will need at least three (can be different colors or two strips the same and one a different color.You can use solid material ,small prints, crazy prints, bold colors,etc. I always buy the fat quarters for this and I buy one main color for the backing and the borders,4 colors that I can use to make the squares, I have use 6 different colors.I sew the strips together. Then go back with my rotary cutter and ruler cut the strips to 2 1/2 inches. Line them up to make a square that has nine total 2 in squares in it (when you have sewn them together the little square will measure 2 inches). I did 6 of those squares across and down (total of 36 finished squares) in three rows. then I took a contrasting color for the sashing(if you want to separate them).You can just sew them all together. Then use a color from the square to make a 2 or 3 inch border. The strips for the border to frame in the squares is measured for the length of the quilt sides,then top and bottom. Sew the strips on the sides first then come back to the top and then the bottom. then measure your quilt top, if you want to make it still bigger go and take the contrasting color and make a 6 inch border to sew on the smaller border. It should now measure at least 54 x 54 or larger. Your material for the backing should be the same length maybe even 6 ot 8 inches more all around. Now you are ready to make the quilt. I use a color from the quilt top for the backing, batting for a twin size to cut the right size. I would recommend warm and natural or warm and white.Here’s the part that is up to you- it is very easy to quilt on a machine if you have the attachment and some decorative stitches or you can hand quilt . I would recommend that you sew all of the squares on the machine and then hand quilt your first quilt. If you do not work it should take you a week to do the top and then quilting about 4 hours a day by hand about two to three weeks to finish. When sewing on the machine I would also recommend that you get an embroidery needle or an in-between. These needles will not poke holes in your material. I also use cotton material. Then look for quilting thread-machine or hand quilting thread. Be bold and use color thread if you are making decorative stitches or just use a thread that will match the main color in the quilt top. You can buy stencils to draw on the top to follow if you like or you can free hand the design.When you have finished the quilting you can either take binding tape and sew around the quilt to finish the edge or turn the rough edges under and sew them together. If you want to see some simple blocks go to quilterscache.com you can see the blocks and get instructions on how to make it down to how much material you will need plus the pattern for free. Good luck

Are there any sites where I can print a decent variety of monogram designs/fonts to hand embroider? Obviously this is for the purpose of making a pattern. I am looking for free of course if possible but all info is appreciated.

Yes there are. If you click up in the search bar at the top of the page and type in "monogram embroidery patterns free" you’ll find a bunch. And you can do that just as easily as I can.

I want to make them like the old Vogart embroidery transfers not using the paper which seems to be the only option I can find–when you buy them they are done on copy paper with black ink and you just iron on the outline and then can embroider on tea towels or muslin. Does anyone know how to do this without drawing with a transfer pen or pencil????

Couldn’t you just print the outline(s) of the images you want onto transfer paper, then transfer only that to the fabric/etc?
You could get the outlines by tracing over an image just using outlines, then scan that into your computer to print out as transfers.
Or you could use some of the "cartoonizers"** and other special effects filters available online or in various photo-editing software to create simplified lines from your image (some will automatically remove any color, or turn them into bw in a separate step).

Or often you can just iron (use heat and pressure) to transfer *toner* based inks from photocopiers or laser printers, bw or color, onto fabrics or other paper though they won’t be as dark a line as using a better transfer method. You could go over the lines though with a pigment pen if you wanted the dark lines separating your colors.

You could also just trace the main lines of something yourself directly onto fabric by placing the original image on a lightbox or window-during-daylight, then placing the fabric on top and tracing the lines you should be able to see.

You can also print directly onto fabric by taping the leading edge of a small piece of the fabric onto a sheet of paper or cardstock, then running through your printer… or you can buy special materials at fabric or quilt stores to do that (with instructions).

**Some of the free "sketch" or "cartoonize" functions online are at places like these:

BeFunky-fy Your Blog With BeFunky Free Graphics!

Photobucket allows you to do similar and even more things with your images (use the Edit function), and Flickr probably has something similar.

https://www.photoshop.com

HTH,

Diane B.

I’m just looking for the simple templates to print from right off the computer for my son and granddaughter, I’ve seen some copies in my docs. office and thought I would copy some off to keep around the house for the kids. I’d also like to get some that go along with the upcoming holidays!! Thanks! :):)

I came across a great site the other day while searching for embroidery and applique patterns. I showed my kids and they loved it. The site has a lot of Disney movie characters and scenes. There’s lots to choose from. Most are for free and there is another optional section for tonnes more that you can download.Hope you and the kids like it.Here’s the link:
http://www.colouringbookpages.co.uk/index.php

I would say that I am an advanced sewer, however I have never done any embroidery on a sewing machine. I just got laid off this past June from my marketing job and have enjoyed just bouncing around not doing anything, however, I am now looking for a new creative job, something I could do with the skills I have an sell –perhaps on line, and the personalization of products seems really interesting. Your opinion would be gratefully received. TKS

Brother or Babylock are the most user friendly brands.

I have both and would buy none other.

Bernina for example makes a wonderful product, but they are very expensive and proprietary when it comes to software and accessories.

The other brands – I read too many problems – may be the machine and it may be the operator.

Stand alone models are less expensive than the combos.

Hoop size indicates how large a design you can stitch out without the aid of editing software. You want nothing smaller than 5 x7.

Connectivity. There will be designs and fonts already built into the embroidery machine. However, there are thousand on the Internet to download – some are free and some you will have to purchase.

To get those downloads to the embroidery machine you need an embroidery machine with USB ports for direct connect to the PC or to use a flash drive.

Supplies – medium weight cut away and medium weight tear away stabilizer.

Thread – rayon or polyester machine embroidery thread and machine embroidery bobbin thread.

Embroidery machine needles – a small supply comes with the machines.

You can get started for around $1,000. The models with the smaller hoop that uses a memory card is less money and with supplies about $700.

There is a series of books by Jeannine Twigg that are helpful when learning to use the embroidery machine. I started with this one – http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0873419995/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_2?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=087349847X&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=13BBF9W6FA3WQB253K4T

Supplies, you can purchase when on sale.

Allbrands, Allstitch & ShoppersRule are a few of many, many sites that sell machine embroidery supplies.

http://www.allbrands.com

http://allstitchembroiderysupplies.com/

http://www.shoppersrule.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=SFNT&Store_Code=sr

Now that you are "loaded" with info – hit the sewing machine stores and let them show you what they have to offer.

Buy the machine you like best from the dealer you like best.

I’ve noticed that companies charge $10 and up just to put a name with a mega phone and pom-poms on a jacket front. I’d like to buy my own and embroider them myself. What type would be helpful. I don’t want to go over $800.
I only want to embroider names on the front of jackets at most 4 inches long, and logo’s that won’t be more than 4 x 4 inches.

You can do this with the Brother 350 sold at Walmart and it is less than $400.

You also need Ped Basic. More info below at Allbrands.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Brother-Se350-Sewing-Embroidery-Machine/8033273

So there you have it. For around $500 you can have a combination sewing/embroidery machine and the software for downloading.

You can use the remaining budget to purchase thread and stabilizer and still have money left over – that’s always a good thing!

Eight years ago, I started with the first Brother embroidery machine that Walmart sold, but at that time the additional software (like Ped Basic) needed for accessing designs from the Internet sold for $200 – $300.

Later, I purchased a Babylock with a larger hoop and sold the Brother on Ebay for about 80% of my original expense.

The embroidery machine will come with a few tools for maintenance (cleaning), needles, bobbins, thread nets (keeps thread from feeding too fast from the spool – it may, or may not be needed) and a small pair of scissors.

If you use polyester thread for machine embroidery, it will withstand chlorine bleach. If there is no chance the item will come in contact with chlorine bleach you can use rayon.

Be sure to use machine embroidery bobbin thread – this comes in white and black. I use NEB prewound bobbins as they hold more thread.

You can find good prices on stabilizer at Allbrands or JoAnn Fabrics when they are on special. Start with a medium weight cut away and a medium weight tear away. You should also include a tricot iron-on to cover the back of the embroidery if the garment is going to be worn next to the skin.

Rayon and Polyester machine embroidery thread can be purchased online as well, but you may want to buy a few of the basic colors at a fabric shop – JoAnn Fabric has thread on sale from time to time at 40% off. Thread that comes in kits sometimes leave you will colors you may not use.

If you embroidery a design that has lots of black or other dark color – buy Madeira brand as Coats & Clark and Sulky tend to fray as the machine stitches. This is due to the dying process used by the manufacturer.

Embroidery Library has a great section that provides tips and techniques as well as sales on designs. This is worth downloading or a least flagging it as a favorite site.

Embroidery Designs is another site that has a variety of designs for cheer leading as well as access to other vendors of machine embroidery designs. Download freebies and use them for practice, if nothing else. The embroidery machine will have some designs and fonts built-in.

When you get your embroidery machine home – open the manual and lay it right next to the machine. Then read and follow each step of each feature of the machine – this is the easiest and quickest way to learn how to use the machine.

Be sure to use the right stabilizer (see embroidery library); practice on old shirts or fabric scraps and in no time you will be expert at this.

JoAnn does not have any specials on embroidery supplies right now, but you can sign up for notices – http://printable-coupons.blogspot.com/2005/12/jo-ann-coupons.html

http://www.allbrands.com/products/abp01060-0145.html – check your PC’s operating system for compatibility.

http://www.emblibrary.com/EL/elprojects/holder.aspx?page=techniques – be sure to check the charts for placement and stabilizer recommendations.

http://www.embroiderydesigns.com/DesignSearchResults.aspx?SearchText=cheer%20leading&ddsearchid=Stock%20Designs – downloads, check the vendors on the side bar for more possibilities.

Never leave the machine as it is running and if it sounds like it is jamming – stop and remove the hoop and check for thread snarls in the bobbin area (maintenance section will show you how to clean). This can happen with any machine and at any experience level. All sewing and embroidery machines with a drop-in bobbin need to be cleaned after a few stitch-outs.

Take some quiet time and have fun. This is a hobby that can shortly lead to a business.

I do my answers on a person-by-person basis and if I missed something pertinent to your situation, or if you have more questions, please feel free to e-mail me.

Something random and fun please.

Some suggestions in general due to you made no mention of what you like to give any ideas for:

Do you like to be goofy, do that, skits on goofiness.
Are you the family comedian, come up with some original comedy skits.
Do you like to sing, do that or play an instrument or both, then do that.
Do you draw or paint, put the camera on and show people how to start and finish either or or both.

Do you like getting all the good gossip from friends, family or otherwise? Go around with a microphone and get it all down. Do you have an eye for what is trending in your neighborhood or beyond, what is liked about your school or school extracurricular activities, such as, how’s the cheer leading team doing, what about the football players, maybe you could video them and put it up as to the highlights and such. w

You could do interviews of people, this can cover a huge area of topics.
You might include what career someone chose, why, and so on. You could even do this on your city/town officials, such as, the fire dept., the police dept. Town/City Hall and others you can think of like the Librarian, and ask why they got into the line of work they did and what they find interesting in their daily duties and would they choose the same career again if they could do it over again. Things of that nature and whatever else you can add/come up with. You can make it serious or goofy or a little of both for any of what you decide to do.

Much of what you choose to do will depend on you and your nature, are you outgoing or are you quiet and reserved? Do you have no problem coming up with new trends, walking up to people to get the scoop, then put some up on youtube and see if it catches on.

Do you like to model, go to a local store and ask if you and friends can model some of their clothing at a local nursing home and then get the comments of the people viewing the attire all while you add some of your own along with it. The seniors get to interact, you get your video, and the store will get free advertising when you put it up on youtube.

Do make sure you check for any and all legal release papers of consent from anyone that you include in your youtube video if it is more than just you. You can find all kinds of forms online to cover this. Include name(s), address(es), how they participate and that there is no remuneration, that it is strictly for the enjoyment of the ones involved and for putting on youtube and that they agree to being on youtube. If not then they should not be in the video. Also state that the clothes and any other items they allow if they did, may not come back in the new condition they left and that you are not to be held responsible nor anyone else wearing the outfits as things can and do happen and can get out of your control. Meaning a soda from a customer spilled on an outfit, you should not be help responsible. This is not the full extent of a release, just some of the most important.

Do you like to sew, do some of your own designs from embroidery by hand or machine to making an outfit or a pocketbook that you designed. Embellishments make it stand out from the rest.

I am sure you will think of something. Usually helps to get a paper and pen and fold in half, then on one side write what you like to do and the other side what you hate. This will help to give you an idea of the liked things to expand on for doing your video. From this "like" list take a few of the likes and see what you can come up with for adding more thoughts and things to do that will make your video or whatever you do a hit.

You need to run it by your parent(s). Parents are also a great source of information for ideas of things to do, give them a try, they just might surprize you! You might want to run it by other family members, friends (only if you think they will not steal your ideas and try to beat you to the punch or you could also include them and then brainstorm for even more ideas), and see what they think is good or needs fixing or just needs to go. Do not get mad or offended when someone criticizes, take it for what it is and it is always your choice to go and make a change or leave it as it. After all it is your idea and work you are trying to get across to a worldwide audience and in the end they will be your ultimate critic/guide by how many hits you get and if what you did is liked or not. Also, they will leave comments, develope a thick skin because some people are downright mean and don’t take time to choose their words carefully so as not to hurt feelings. They just blurt whatever comes to mind. Education anyone??? LOL

I hope something here helps you and I wish you the best of luck in whatever you decide to do in your YouTube video! Have a great finish to the rest of your summer!