Free Embroidery Designs

I was watching this video on youtube where a woman is using a sewing machine and it is connect to her laptop and she is able to design her cloth with her computer. The one thing that I would like to know is what kind of software does she use to design her work. Can somebody please help?

What she is using in Wilcom and it is very expensive.

Here is another brand that has the basics and is free – http://www.swfeast.com/en/free_digiziting_software.asp

If you find this is what you want to do, you can upgrade to more expensive products.

I bought the USB flash drive and when I download files off the internet, it says it can’t work (or something.) Is there a step I’m missing in order to get my machine to recognize the files?

what is the extension on the file? most embroidery designs are in zip format when you download them. the file format you need is either sew or jef, i’m not sure because i haven’t worked with a janome machine for awhile. you need to unzip the file before you use it. here are a few embroidery groups i belong to. the people on them are great and you will get so much information from them.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ClassicEmbroideries/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EmbracingMachineEmbroidery/
http://au.groups.yahoo.com/group/AmericanEmbroideryConference/?yguid=102878935

here is my favorite site for embroidery designs. they give away 49 free designs a day and are running a sale on their site right now.
http://www.designsbysick.com/amember/go.php?r=5647&i=l0">Designs by SiCK Embroidery Library

feel free to e-mail me if you need a futher explaination of how to un-zip files or if you have any other questions.

have fun.

I am looking to buy a embroidery and sewing machine and i am not sure which one to get as there are many out there. I have never worked on a sewing machine and really don’t do that much sewing however i would like to be able to make a quilt also. I do the hand embroidery and cross stitches and while i love it i would like to be able to do different patterns of like my pictures and things like that without it takeing me two years to finish a project. Does anyone have any suggestions?

This is akin to asking for a car, when you really want is a Bat-mobile that can travel on the air, road and water. Nevertheless, there are a few things you could look for to make your dream come true.

There are many reviews and buying guides on the web:
Embroidery machines: http://www.galttech.com/research/household-DIY-tools/best-embroidery-machine.php
Sewing Machines and Patterns Review: http://sewing.patternreview.com/news

Whichever machine you select, get the machine’s manual. There is a common assumption that machines are all the same, but it’s not true. Used machines can be wonderful, if they’ve been well cared for. But it does you no good to assume all machines need oil (not true), or to miss out on the machine full creative ability.
Sewing Machine Manuals: http://www.mastersewusa.com/

You can make Couture-level garments on a straight-sew machine, but most modern sewing machines offer more than one stitch. It’s creative use of these that make them powerful. I’m speaking of ordinary sewing machines that adjust stitch length, have a Zigzag or other cover stitches, plus whatever geometric or floral designs. For truly giving these options a workout on ordinary sewing machines, I suggest the public library. Seek out books on Decorative Machine Stitching
Fine Machine Stitching http://www.amazon.com/Fine-Machine-Sewing-Revised-Embellishing/dp/1561585866/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1257164512&sr=8-2

And consider Bobbin Work. Many an artist has used a simple machine to create amazing works. If the thread, fiber, or ribbon is too thick to go through the needle, why not run it through the bobbin?
Bobbin work: http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/5025/bobbin-work-when-threads-are-too-thick-for-the-needle

On any machine you’re considering, ask if the Feed Dogs can be lowered. Fabric is advanced under the sewing machine’s foot by way of a moving metal assembly that pulls the fabric through in one direction only. If you can lower the feed dogs, you can move in any direction opening an entire world of creativity. Seek out web articles and books on Free-Motion Embroidery or Free-Motion Quilting it’s a world of hoops and stabilizers – but the work can be done on ordinary sewing machines that have the option of lowering the feed dogs.
Anatomy of a sewing machine: http://www.a1sewingmachine.com/image/basic%20sewing%20machine%20parts.jpg
Watch a video on free motion technique: http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/3833/video-manuels-free-motion-embroidery-technique
Be advised: Manuel is working on an extraordinarily FAST manual machine. But it you note the hoop, the rotation of it, the turning of the work, it will make other Free Motion Embroidery directions make sense.
How to do free-motion embroidery http://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_c/C-213.pdf

Machine quilting can be done on any straight sew machine. Some are just better at it than others because they have greater torque, or a larger arm. And these are great when you want to throw money at it. But artists can get a lot out of simple machinery if you learn the concepts of what you want to do. You do not need thousands of dollars to start.

Embroidery machines are quite amazing and you’ll be deciding between a bunch of Disney or the ability to digitize your own designs. Give some thought about the size of your work, what parts you need done for you, what magic you expect of the machine – and I greatly encourage researching what other artists have done with machine embroidery. You might just find they use a less expensive model (than what the dealer is telling you) to achieve their work.

The Art isn’t just in the machine, it’s in you.

I want to learn how to monogram. What kind of machine do I need? I have heard you can just get a software to hook up with your sewing machine. Is that true? I don’t have a huge budget so a low cost solution would be great.

If you already have a sewing machine you can learn to do this, but it takes time to learn as most will be free motion (you guide the fabric as the needle goes up and down).

http://www.coatsandclark.com/Crafts/Machine+Embroidery/Howtos/Free-Motion+Embroidery+Basics.htm

Otherwise, you will need to spend at least $600 just to get started.

There are combo (sewing & embroidery) machines that can give you more for the money or you can buy an embroidery only machine.

The embroidery machines have a limited amount of designs, letters, numbers and punctuation already built in.

To add more you can download from the Internet. Some designs are free and some you have to pay for.

You add the designs by sending them to a folder on the hard drive of the computer, a cd or flash drive.

You then select the design you want to send to the embroidery machine and send it via a direct cable hook-up that comes with the embroidery machine.

If the machine does not have this option, you have to purchase a reader/writer unit specifically for an embroidery machine and a rewritable memory card for the specific format of the embroidery machines. These start at about $100 for Brother PED brand (on line) and go up.

The Brother sold at Walmart, plus the software you would be spending around $600 and then you have to have machine embroidery thread, bobbin thread and stabilizer for another $50 or so. The machine will come with extra needles and bobbin spools…which can be resupplied where sewing notions are sold.

This one is a good price – http://www.sewvacdirect.com/brother-se350-combo.html
It includes the reader software and the shipping is free.

Check with local sewing machine dealers. They may have a good price on an embroidery machine that the owner traded in on a more expensive model.

what are good websites with free embroidery patterns?

Machine Embroidery:
http://www.annthegran.com/FreeDesignsAgreement.aspx
http://www.brother-usa.com/Homesewing/DesignStudio/Projects/Designs.aspx
http://www.embroiderydesigns.com/free_embroidery_machine_design.aspx

Hand Embroidery:
http://search.aol.com/aol/image?q=free+hand+embroidery+designs&v_t=tb50-ie-aol-newtab-en-us

I have a Janome 6600P can someone please help as to how I download the designs.
Thank you.,
Sorry everyone I should have said that I have a Janome 350E embroidery machine as well as 6600P.
I shall just put it down as a "Senior Moment"
Thanks
Marie

I cannot find any information on the 6600P being an embroidery machine.

A computer’s operating system does not recognize embroidery machine formats.

You can save the download to a folder, but cannot open it without machine embroidery software.

If you want to see the design, you can download this free software http://www.pulsemicro.com/ambassadordownload

It is not what you need, but at least you can view the design.

Embroidery machines use (1) a direct cable hook-up to the computer, that comes with the machine, or (2) a flash drive, or (3) a memory card, or (4) a cd.

Which of the above methods does your machine use?

Only # 3 requires additional software – a machine embroidery reader/writer unit and card compatible with your machine.

All I want to do is embroider my granddaughters names on sweatshirts etc. When I read the specs on these machines they all have programmed disks. Can I choose letters and create their names with the Brother SE-270D? Is there a better machine? I know very little about embroidery but I do sew. I need a new machine but I’m confused as to what these embroidery machines do or don’t do. How exactly would I achieve what I want to do – what are the steps to create the name Elizabeth for instance?

The Brother SE-270D uses a cartridge system which is very annoying, doesn’t work all of the time and if anything is just a little out of whack you can’t thread the needle. It is only a 3/4 machine (very small) and it does have a big embroidery field. For a beginner I would Highly reccomend either the Janome 9500. The Janome 9500 is a wonderful machine that both sews and embroiders wonderfully. The Janome 9500 has 3 built-in alphabet fonts so you can embroider the name Elizabeth with ease. Elizabeth could be done in one step with the 9500. All you have to do is choose the letters you want and it will group them together to make the word. Then you just have to set it to where you want, thread you needle and press the go button. Nice and easy. Embroidery machines allow to embroider full size designs like say you wanted a dog on your shirt, the machine can embroider it (provided the design is digitized, in a format where the stitches are layed out so the machine knows what to do). It is a wonderful sewing machine too. It has also has a full touchscreen which is nice and fun to use. But trust me the SE-270D is a joke. The best deal for the Janome 9500 is from Mr. Vac and Mrs. Sew. They have it for only $1599 with free shipping and no tax (if you are outside New Tork State)and it comes with so many extras. It comes with:

Stabilizer – This stabilizer is great for it’s uniqueness in that after you wash your item the stabilizer totally washes away – (Retail Value – $50.00)

Magic Box Plus Elite – Gives you the freedom to put up to 30 designs on your blank embroidery card from CD’s, other manufacturers cards and even the internet. – (Retail Value – $399.00)

Polystar Thread – Superior Strength, Shine, and Vibrant colors – (Retail Value – $305.00)

Polystar Prewound Bobbins – Get thread, thread and more bobbin thread, with the same quality and strength expected from the Polystar name – (Retail Value – $100.00)

Embroidery Magic II Embroidery Software – A Full lettering, editing, and digitizing embroidery software – (Retail Value – $399.00)

Pantostock – Filled with over 3900 Beautiful Quality Professionally Digitized Embroidery Machine Designs – (Retail Value – $100.00)

Cap Hoop – Allows you the unique ability to embroider on the uncommon medium of a typical baseball style cap – (Retail Value – $50.00)

Sock Hoop – Easy and simple sock embroidery – (Retail Value – $50.00)

With all of the stuff you get you are completely set to embroider whatever you want. The Magic Box allows you to transfer designs you like from the internet to your machine. The Thread is beautiful and shiny and it comes in a box of 61 colors with 1000 meters on each spool. It also has 144 prewound bobbins for embroidery (you only need white thread in the bobbin when embroidering) which I reuse for sewing because they are true plastic strong bobbins. It comes with 3900 extra designs all of which are incredible. A big roll of stabilizer (you need this for everytime you embroider it stabilizes your shirts etc.). Software that allows you to edit designs and make your own designs and do lettering as well. Also a cap hoop and sock hoop so you can embroider on caps and socks. I purchase all my things from Mr. Vac and Mrs. Sew they are such a nice company to deal with. They are kind and always make my shopping experience a pleasant one. Here is a link to the product and their number (you can order it on the phone or through the internet).

1-800-640-8227

http://www.mrvacandmrssew.com/go/product/id/717

I think ordering over the phone is better though because they will answer any further questions you have.

Tell Lisa and Joe Kevin told you about it:)

On the Brother BM-2600 sewing machine, can the feed dog drop for free-hand machine embroidery?
On the Brother BM-2600 sewing machine, can the feed dog drop for free-hand machine embroidery?

Yes u can do free motion embroidery but you will need a darning
foot which is sold seperatly for about $15 from brother but u will need the code which is in the your manual so u know you have the right 1

also u will need a hand embroidery hoop ,stabilizer and a design that u want 2 stitch out like a car or a Disney character.

the darning foot is a screw on. and cover feed dog with ur darning plate

would like to know what machine would allow me to do free motion work: a quilting machine or embroidery machine? and what make model and year is the easiest to use with the most space also sews different directions besides forward and reverse.
i see that a singer 15-91 can be used for freemotion work?
has anyone used this machine for that or embroidery?
is there a machine that will do both ?

A Bernina 730E … Sews in 16 different directions. Includes the BSR (stitch regulator) for even stitches (straight or zig zag) when doing free motion. Beautiful embroidery and applique. Huge variety of built-in stitches, up to 9mm wide. Truly, a Dream Machine! Wish I could afford one … I have a 440 QEE model, it has the BSR but only straight stitch. I also have the embroidery unit (optional) but have to use it attached to my laptop. The 630, 640 and 730 have the embriodery software built in to the machine. The 440 is still wonderful to sew and quilt on. Nothing sews like a Bernina! (The only premium European brand still made in Switzerland by the original family-owned company. Viking and Pfaff are now owned by Singer and made in Asia.)

I inherited my mom’s Brother NV4000D embroidery machine and want to learn to use it. The Brother dealer wants $50/hour and I can’t afford that. Mother used to go to weekly classes and I doubt she paid that much for them but she was in Colorado so I don’t know.

Your mother may not have paid that much, because the lessons where at the dealer from which she purchased the machine. Over the past years, prices have gone up for service and lessons.

When I purchase my first embroidery machine, there wasn’t anyone selling the machines who new very much about how to use the.

I learned at my own pace from Jeanine Twigg’s books.

The manual for the machine will show you how to operated the machine – read and follow the instructions carefully.

There are many sites where you can ask questions or view "conversations" among those who do machine and embroidery and they are always very helpful when it comes to a "newbie".

Try Machine Embroidery Essentials, How to Stabilize, Hoop and Stitch as well as a few visits to http://www.sewforum.com

One important caveat – never walk away from the embroidery machine while it is operating. A jam can throw off the timing and this is around a $90 fix.

Visit Ann The Gran for free designs to download as well as Sewforum and several other sites.

Ask about lessons in San Diego at Ann The Gran. There is at least one person on the forum in CA, but I am not sure of the city.

You might also ask the same at sewforum.

Additional information –

Your machine embroidery format is pes.

According to this ad, the 4000 has been discontinued, but it does have the USB port for easy transfer of downloaded designs from the PC to the embroidery machine, but a limited embroidery area of 8" x 4". Another plus – it is a combo (sewing as well as an embroidery machine).

http://www.mrvacmrssew.com/Shop/products/Brother/Embroidery-Machines/Brother-Innovis-4000D-Sewing-and-Embroidery-Machine/index.html