Archive

Posts Tagged ‘Brother Pe’

Need help on deciding on Embroidery Software!?

January 12th, 2013 1 comment

I’m completely new to monogramming and embroidery so forgive me if this is a dumb question. I have a Brother PE 770 and bought the PE basic design software. It seems I’m not able to layer or combine designs with that package so I downloaded a trial of embird. Does Embird basically do the same as the Monogram Wizard plus? I’ve been leaning towards MWP but I want to make sure that it has the capability to combine a monogram with an applique. Also, do you have to buy their alpha packs or can you buy single fonts from other sites to use? Any help or advice is appreciated!

I filmed a video on Buzztools software they offer a free 30-day trail on all software. This is my video on buzzwords. http://apexembdesigns.com/faq .

Which embroidery softwares are compatible with the Brother PE 700 II sewing machine.?

December 7th, 2012 1 comment

Hello! I Need some help. My girlfriend’s mom has a Brother PE 700 II machine. Which of these programs like Wilcom ES, Tajima DGML or Melco Design Studio are compatible with that machine? Or, does the PE Design the only one that work ? Thanks.

You can actually use any software that you like, personally I use Fancy Works Studio. What you will need is PED-Basic. The PED-Basic will allow the designs to be put on a memory card to be used with the machine. Personally if i were going to invest in another software program it would be embird. www.embird.com you can try it before you buy it and with the add ons you can purchase seperately it is wonderful for anything you would want to do. it really depends on what your girlfriends mom wants to do with the software. if she just wants to get designs from the internet to her machine and maybe resize or change the design a little that can be done with PED-Basic. PED=Basic can be found on e-bay for about $100.00.
if you have any other questions please feel free to e-mail me.
my favorite embroidery website is <a href="http://www.designsbysick.com/amember/go.php?r=5647&i=l0">Designs by SiCK Embroidery Library</a>
they have an awesome site with great designs.

good luck,
deb

can someone tell me what the best digitizing software for machine embroidery would be?

December 5th, 2012 2 comments

there are so many brands out there and i’m really confused. I don’t need too many ‘bells and whistles’. i would like to be able to have some control over how it works though. thanks for any suggestions.

A lot of the better software have demos which allow you to test it out before buying it. It’s best to test them out, and find out which one suits your needs the best.

Whatever file format they output to, there are several free programs that can convert between all the different formats, to upload to your machine. Wilcom TrueSizer does a great job opening and converting between almost 30 different formats.

I use Brother PE Design Pro, and think it’s OK. It’s not the most full-featured digitizing software, but it was a good deal with a Brother machine, and suits the simplified work I do.

The team that does advanced embroidery digitization swear by Wings’ Modular 2 with the CorelDRAW extensions. It’s quck and easy to input vector artwork for digitization.

What is the best embroidery machine?

November 25th, 2012 5 comments

So, I have been interested in purchasing an embroidery machine and I just wanted to know if anyone could recommend the best machine for a beginner but also a sturdy enough to last long. I am interested in the cool ones that can connect up to the computer but i am not sure if those are good or even worth buying. If anyone could help me and tell me the best places (in Chicago or online) or brand and model and a reasonable price for a quality machine this would help me lots.

Thank you so much to whoever saves me from this dilemma 🙂

I bought my first from Walmart several years ago and it served me well. This was the Brother PE150.

Because it did not have USB connectivity and a limited 4 x 4 stitching area, I upgraded to a Babylock that does have both Port A and Port B connectivity as well as accepting memory cards and a larger stitching area.

When I bought the first machine, dealers did not know one end from the other and with the help of books and the Internet, I taught myself how to stabilize, hoop and embroider. http://www.amazon.com/Embroidery-Machine-Essentials-Stabilize-Decorative/dp/0873419995/ref=pd_sim_k_3

Embroidery machines have some built-in designs and fonts, but for access to millions of designs (many are free), you need to download from the Internet (it is also the least expensive method).

Port A USB accepts a flash drive/stick/memory drive/thumb drive – they go by many names and I have several brands – all accepted by the Babylock.

Port B USB is a cable that comes with the embroidery machine. You need to have the PC (MAC is not compatible without purchasing additional hardware/software so it can read Windows) within approx 4′ of the embroidery machine to send designs from the PC to the embroidery machine. The cable does not have to be left connected once the designs are transferred.

Brother is the leader in embroidery machines and Babylock is of the same family, only a little more expensive.

The Brother PE 770 would be ideal – larger hoop and flash stick. http://www.google.com/products/catalog?rlz=1T4TSHB_enUS260US260&q=brother+embroidery+machines&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=10345458999759000893&ei=npU4TNP3GoP9nAfSvMWFBA&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CDoQ8wIwAg#

If you also want to do sewing as well as embroidery, shop for a combo. They are a little more expensive than an embroidery only machine.

I think the one you are referring to as being connected to a PC is one of the Singer models. Some love this and some have a lot of issues with the software and updates.

I am not sure the the Singer model that came with digitizing software is any longer available or supported by Singer.

Visit sewing machine dealers and ask for demos. Take notes. And then review those notes at home. Purchase where you were the most comfortable with the staff, or take a plunge and buy online or at Walmart.

Remember – a dealer may not be real happy to service a machine that is under warranty if it was not purchased from them.

Does anyone know about a brother pe700 or a singer futura embroidery machines? Are they good?

November 5th, 2012 3 comments

I would like to monogram more than anything else. Does one of these machines work better than another. I would like to stay under $1000. Do I need special software to get new fonts? It’s confusing as to what extra things you need to buy in order to get more designs. Can anyone help?

Here’s a lengthy reply to your question. It’s going to be long and detailed since I was doing the same research on machines myself a few months ago…here is what I’ve discovered….
I have a Brother PE-700 II, which is the same as the PE-700 except that it has a built in USB interface to download designs directly from the computer/internet. This little extra isn’t on the regular PE-700, but other than that I understand from Brother they are the same machine. I LOVE this machine & have been using mine almost daily for 3 months. Because the PE-700 II has the USB capability, I don’t have to buy additional hardware/software to add new designs such as monograms, and can now download (or buy) countless designs from the seemingly limitless supply available on the web. Even better, — it cost LESS with this nifty hsn-exclusive extra than the regular PE-700. It is a special configuration put together by Brother exclusively for HSN (hsn.com). I did a huge amount of research before purchase– even spoke to Brother on the phone a few times before purchasing it from HSN. The HSN cost is only 799.00, when they have it in stock — it’s usually offered with a flex pay option of 5x 159.00 monthly payments. Even better –this is less than the usual price for the regular PE-700 that doesn’t have the USB built in. It has a memory for downloading an additional 6 designs into it’s memory at a time, and designs can be stored in tne memory or on your computer for later use. Lastly — Brother’s customer service is very helpful and accessible so aside from HSN’s terrific 30-day no hassle return policy you have the Brother’s usual warranty coverage and customer support. The machine uses plastic class 15 bobbins –easily found, requires no oiling, keeps a record of stitches sewn for your "service count" before maintainance reminder for cleaning,accepts PES design cards, has ton’s of designs built in and 3 built in alphabets with some built in sizing capabilities (S.M.L) for the fonts, an additional larger monogram font built in, nice bright light, hard case, easy threading like a dream, adjustable tension, on-screen sizing/placement/design flip, rotate etc, design stitch totals, estimated stitching time for design,auto bobbin and upper thread cutting, adjustable thread color options, option of viewing measurements in inches or milimeters, helpful on-screen reminders, adjustable screen brightness, lanquage selection, thread tension setting, beeps for broken threads, built in on-screen animated help with directions, and the larger 5 (wide) x 7(high) stitching area. I use mine to monogram purses, and the availability of free and low priced fonts/designs on the internet is endless. It sews out my complex lace designs like a dream with perfect stitch tension…just remember to lower tension number & stitch speed when using metallic threads as you would do on any embroidery machine. I find most of my designs/monograms on the web (search under machine embroidery designs), and either download the many free samples or make a purchase. Save it into your computer’s "shared document" files with a folder name for east access, and then turn on the machine with the USB cable plugged into your computer’s usb port and copy or save the design to drive "k" which is the emb. machine’s active folder. The "k" drive only comes up on the computer when the embroidery machine’s usb cable is attached and machine is turned on.)The included directions that come with the machine are very, very simple. The machine will read the file and download it into it’s temp memory OR you can choose to save it for use later. Most downloaded designs are also resizable to some extent on the Brother PE-700 without needing additional software. HSN sells out of these (PE-700 II) fairly quickly, but is due to have more in stock very soon according to there craft/sewing host. If you’ll check their website after midnite late THIS Wednesday evening (when it’s actually 12:00 am eastern time Thursday morning)..they are supposed to be offering some sort of embroidery machine as the Today’s Special with a terrific special price. It may or may not be the Brother PE-700II. Their program guide can be found on the website at hsn.com ….then go to Program Guide on the top bar to see when "sewing or crafts" will be airing on television and the internet. If you see the name Darelene Cayhill or the show "It’s SewEasy", or Brother or Singer listed…there’s a good chance a Brother embroidery machine will also be featured. It can also be watched online. (Check hsn tv.) I never was into any kind of home shopping until I got this machine…but my neighborhood authorized Brother dealer/repair tells me it’s a peach of a deal with the built-in usb port and was such a sweetheart in telling me I could get it from HSN. com at a better price than he could offer — especially since the regular PE-700 has no built in USB port…He said these machines use the same parts as the Babylock version — just a lower priced brand name by the same maker. Anyway, I LOVE mine! And best of all — I really loved the special price, the extra’s, & the easy low monthly payments using my check card. Now I have hundreds of designs at my fingertips stored on my computer and cd’s. So yes — the PE-700 rocks — but is even better if you can get the PE-700 II with built in USB rather than having to pay more for USB converter hardware/software like PE-Design Box. Good luck! (P.S. I don’t know for sure when hsn.com will have more of the machine in –but I am told more ARE due in very soon, so keep checking the website with a search for the Brother Embroidery machines. It’s likely to be featured all day this Thursday or until it sells out again.They usually have several brands & models–the Singer Futura embroidery machine has had less positive customer reviews on hsn’s website — some difficulties reported with Singer’s software compatibilty with the new Windows version and requiring too many updates before being able to use.(I use XP with my Brother—no problems at all. The Brother PE-700 II has had nothing but stellar feedback on on HSN feedback pages as well as other websites such as embroidery web–rings. Personally, I was advised to select the Brother brand over the Singer because Singer’s are said to be more prone to tension problem issues, require more "singer-only" parts such as bobbins, etc, need for software updates and patches, are said to change county-of-origin contracted manufacturing sources more frequently- hence less uniform control in the manifacturing process, more complicated software issues, higher priced Singer specific parts, and is a less consumer-popular name as Brother. Because Brother also uses the same quality parts in the embroidery machines as are used in the higher end Babyloc brand name machines — component quality is not an issue.) I’m not against Singer products, but this is what I’ve personally learned after reading many websites, customer reviews on both brands, talking to the manufacturers technical support people, taking sewing/embroidery classes and attending embroidery conferences (my last embroidery machine was a Brother too) and most importanty, talking to other user’s and visiting several local authorized Singer and Brother repair shops for input prior to each purchase.) Once again –good luck and happy stitchin!

Looking for embroidery machine?

November 24th, 2011 2 comments

i am new to this whole embroidery machine thing so i dont know anything yet. i am looking to buy a machine so i can add designs to my own creations that i started for my kids. i want to monogram but also do those cute little designs for cheering, fairies and trucks and cars, things like applique. im not doing quilting and i already have a serger and a sewing machine. so this would be all it is used for. will make several items but dont want to buy a $1000 machine until i get into making my money back.

can you give me a run down on what i need to look for.
i dont like the cards that you have to buy for certain designs. i would like to find clip art or free designs online and send them to my machine through usb port or something. also handmade designs maybe that i can design myself. is there accessories i would add to do all these things or would a certain machine have it all.

also what about the thread. i would like it to have multicolor on one design but i think only the large industrial machines do that.

In order to get a machine that will transfers via an USB port, and create your own designs or even use clip art you will end up spending $1,000 or more.

The Brother PE II has the USB option. http://www.allbrands.com/products/abp15438-0068.html

To create your own designs is another heap of money.

You cannot just download clip art and sent it to the machine. It has to be digitized in a machine embroidery format.

To do this you have to purchase digitizing software. This can cost $300 and up.

Forget the cards, they are practically obsolete – almost every designer has the option to download directly from their site.

Embird is a popular software that many people use for digitizing. http://www.secretsof.com/content/1869

You start with Basic Embird, and then add plug-ins (digitizing it one) as you learn and want to expand your talents.

You can do just as well with the $500 dollar Brother at Walmart or Costco and use an reader/writer unit and rewritable memory card, which you can get for just over $100. http://www.allbrands.com/products/abp01060-0165.html With Embird, that is still around $1,000.

There are many free embroidery designs you can download from machine embroidery sites without digitizing your own. You would still need the USB or a reader/writer and card.

Thread – There are stops already in most designs and this is where you change colors – you can use any color you want.

Editing software (Embird Basic) can be used to add stops where you want them for color changes.

About the only thing the industrial or professional models can do is work faster, using multi needles and multi spools of thread – the design colors stitch out the same on the home version or or pro version.

Recommend Embroidery Software?

November 21st, 2011 1 comment

I just bought a Brother PE-770 and I am looking for some basic software that will allow me to add text to designs, as well as merge two designs into one for a custom effect. Can anyone recommend a program? Free would be amazing, but I’m willing to pay as well (though not over $200).

You should consider Embird which I highly recommend. Not only is this a very low costing but it is also such a user friendly product, I am using it for years now and I am also so greatfull to have purchased it by the right person who at all times are always ready and willing to give a support service.
Here is the link for you to see if this is what you want.
I will recommend the editor manager part for you as a beginning, and should you want to start creating more than what this part allows you, you can always upgrade.

http://talkembird.com/?page_id=213