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Posts Tagged ‘Embroidery Machine’

where can i find free digitizing software for embroidery machines?

November 9th, 2012 2 comments

my mother have a embroidery machine and i want to find the software for her. please help me.

Here is a completely free software program that is new:

http://www.sophiesew.com/SSDLP/Gallery.php

This is completely free font building software:

http://www.embroiderydesigns.com/productdetails/Internet+Stitch/Softwares/1/EFP.aspx

Here are some sites for free trials:

http://www.embird.com/

http://www.embroiderytw.com/downloadeng.htm

http://www.buzztools.com/demo_menu.asp

In my opinion, BuzzTools and Embird are the easiest and not too expensive. Your mother could try it out before she bought it to see if it’s something she really wanted to do.

If she just needs to change thread colors and convert formats, this is a good free program for that:

http://www.eos3.com/index.php?en

Where on the internet can I find info and instruction on embroidery digitizing?

November 9th, 2012 3 comments

I have just purchased a Brother sewing/embroidery machine, Disney SE-2700 series. I keep reading about digitizing. If I understand it right it is creating your own embroidery patterns. Where on the internet can I find what I need to know about digitizing, and can I digitize with my machine? I appreciate all the help I can get. Nana

Digitizing is the creation of design files to use on your embroidery machine. There are several digitizing programs available and most will create files in many formats. ART is the only format that is not as popular and which only comes with specific digitizing software. PES which you use on your Brother machine is very common and most digitizing programs create this format.

I personally use a couple of programs to digitize. The one I like the best is Embird. You can have the option of creating most of the design automatically and then reworking it until you like what you get, or creating the whole design from scratch (this is called manual punching). The Secrets of Embroidery website offers tutorials as well as a free 30-day trial download of Embird so you can try before you buy. There are also Yahoo Groups which are dedicated to each type of software program to digitize and the members help each other with their problems.

What format does a Janome Memory Craft 200E embroidery machine read?

November 9th, 2012 3 comments

I have a Janome Memory Craft 200E. I have never used an embroidery machine before, so this is all greek to me! What format do the designs I purchase/download need to be in?

If this is your machine – http://www.allbrands.com/products/abp13701-0160.html

You need the jef format.

If you find designs that you like, but they are not jef, you can convert them by using Pulse Ambassador. This is a free software download used by many machine embroiderers.

http://www.pulsemicro.com/ambassadordownload

Before you download designs, create a folder on the PC’s hard drive and name it Embroidery or something you can easily recognize.

When you download a design, select SAVE and the folder you created.

The design file may be compressed or zipped – you will have to open this before sending to the embroidery machine.

Highlight the design file and select open or extract. You will now have two files; the zipped file and the open file. You can delete the zipped file.

If the file has to be converted to jef, open Pulse Ambassador and find the design file. Open and then SAVE AS using the jef format.

Make sure the designs you download are within the limitations of the embroidery machine – this is usually signified by the size of the hoop.

Back up your embroidery folder to flash drive or cd every time you add or make a change. This will ensure the saftey of the folder should the PC go wonky and loose you hard work.

It is also a good idea to have a catalog program so you can see the designs – Windows cannot read machine embroidery designs.

You can check Embird, Buzz Tools or Ann The Gran for this software. ATG has a demo you can download and try for a limited period of time.

Embroidery Library has several free tutorials, videos, tips & techniques that are very helpful.

http://www.emblibrary.com/el/elprojects/holder.aspx?page=techniques

What is the preferred file type for embroidery designs on the Viking H Class 500E?

November 9th, 2012 2 comments

I am looking at getting a lower end embroidery machine, and this Viking seems to be winning, but I can’t find anywhere that says what is the preferred file type for the designs, I think it can read a few, I know some must be better than others, and I don’t know which it does and does not read.

I don’t think I would want an embroidery machine that has to be connected to a PC. http://www.husqvarnaviking.com/us/18210_18224.htm

The format for Viking is usually.hus. But since this model looks like the Singer Futura, it may also use .sew format. See this discussion – http://artisanssquare.com/sg/index.php?topic=8992.0

The dealer can give you this information.

You can convert any machine embroidery design (except Bernina’s .art format) to the format required by using conversion software,

Pulse Ambassador is a free conversion download used by many, including me.

When selecting designs, be sure the size of the design is within the stitching (embroidery) limitations of the embroidery machine.

Most have the standard 4 x 4 stitching area and some embroidery machines have larger stitching areas for embroidery designs.

Can you embroider Disney characters on any machine?

November 9th, 2012 2 comments

I’m wanting to get my wife a sewing / embroidery machine for Christmas. I know Brother sells their ‘Disney’ versions, but what if I don’t want a Brother machine. If I buy say a Singer, or Husqvarna, or Janome machine, will she still be able to embroider Disney characters? (I know legally you’d need copyright licensing to sell it, but I’m talking about just on a T-shirt or pillow case for our kids). Anyone know a good website where you can buy embroidery designs like this?

If you are determined to have Disney designs will need the Brother brand and for the best PC connectivity, a model with the USB stick for sending downloads to the embroidery machine.

Otherwise, my first choice is Baby Lock, then Brother.

This Brother program will work with several Brother models – http://www.ibroidery.com/default.aspx?campaign=ClickOut Models are listed at the side bar. The iBroidery designs will be in the .pen format and only certain Brother models can read this format.

Before iBroidery was available only Brother D (model numbers ended with D) machines had or could stitch out Disney designs.

If you select another brand of embroidery machine, the machine’s required format may be different than the usual Brother and Baby Lock of .pes.

Most formats can be converted as required by your embroidery machine. With the exception of the .pen format used by iBroidery designs and .art used by older models of Bernina.

You can embroider copyrighted designs to your heart’s content as long as they are not represented as a liscenced product (such as an authentic MM sweatshirt).

In addition to the embroidery machine, a minimal embroidery machine software program will be needed.

Embird is the most economical and most popular with the home machine embroiderer.

Embird requires the base program and then as the embroiderer progresses more can be added, or not. http://www.secretsof.com/content/1798

In addition to the Embird software, it would be a good ideal to have this book – http://books.google.com/books/about/Embroidery_Machine_Essentials.html?id=j6e847_n3MUC

This site – http://www.annaboveembroidery.com/embroidery-tips.html will show how to do many things including downloading from the Internet and saving to the PC. There are many free designs available for downloading (avoid those from foreign countries as many are counterfeit).

Flash drives/flash sticks/thumb drives can be used for backing up the design files just in case the PC has a break down. These can be purchase for very little money almost anywhere (office supply stores, electronic stores, drug stores). They are about the size of a Pez dispenser. I have several and keep them in a storage container so they are not misplaced.

More tips and techniques – http://www.emblibrary.com/el/elprojects/holder.aspx?page=techniques

Another tip – most machine embroidery thread will be rayon. Use polyester machine embroidery thread on items that will be washed a lot or come in contact with chlorine.

What is the best embroidery machine for a beginner?

November 5th, 2012 3 comments

I have never used an embroidery machine and would like one. I have a very old Bernina sewing machine which I love, but would it make more sense to buy a combo machine?

Combos are usually a little more expensive, but it is always a good option to have a second sewing machine.

Brother is the leader and first to offer home embroidery machines.

I purchased a Brother embroidery only machine from Walmart and used it for several years and then upgraded to a Babylock (same family) that is a combo, has a larger embroidery field and USB connectivity.

The standard embroidery area (based on the largest size hoop that comes with the machine) is 4 x 4, which limits the size of the design that can be stitched without using editing software for machine embroidery to split the design into smaller segments (2 or more).

USB connectivity makes it easy to send designs to the embroidery machine from the PC (or flash drive) as this is where downloads will be stored.

Most of the new models have either a cable (USB Port B) that connects to the PC (after sending the designs to the embroidery machine, it no longer has to be connected to the embroidery machine and PC).

Or, flash drive (USB Port A ) which comes up on the PC screen as a removable drive. This product is good to have as storage as well as a method of providing designs for the embroidery machine once it is plugged into the machine.

Without USB connectivity you will need to purchase a reader/writer/memory card unit for machine embroidery that is compatible with the format of the embroidery machine.

Brother and Babylock use the pes format. Example roses.pes.

Bernina makes great machines, but they are too expensive and so are the accessories. The format is not that compatible for conversion (formats can be converted if you find a design you like in a format different than what is required by the machine).

Pulse Ambassador is a free software download for conversion. I have used it with success, with exception of the art format (as in roses.art) which is one used by Bernina.

With these basics in hand, shop the sewing machine dealers and see what is available.

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

How can i download free fonts for singer futura 150?

November 5th, 2012 1 comment

Im trying to find a website to download free fonts for singer futura 150. Anyone know some sites.

Not many fonts are free, but there are many designs available for downloading that may have a few and other for sale.

You need to know the format of your embroidery machine. If the designs do not come in the format you need, there is a free software program where you can convert to the format needed.

Set up a folder on the hard drive of your PC and name it embroidery downloads.

Select the designs you want to download – these are usually referred to as files.

Save to your embroidery folder.

Most downloads are zipped it will look like a file with a zipper. To unzip, mouse over the design file to highlight.

A mini screen will come onto the screen. Select open, unzip or extract.

This is the file you will be working with and the zipped file can be deleted.

If you need to convert the format, download Pulse Ambassador.

Open the file in PA and save in the format you need.

One of may sites – http://apexembdesigns.com/

You have to join this site (free) and then choose Download Designs from the tool bar. All the designs that have a download icon are free to everyone. All are free to those who are members of Ann’s Club. The designs are .pes format and may have to be converted to the format used by your embroidery machine. http://www.annthegran.com/

To search and review the thousands that are available, put free machine embroidery designs in the web search box at Yahoo or google.

What is the best embroidery/sewing machine you can buy reasonably priced?

November 5th, 2012 2 comments

I am looking to sew together outfits, blankets, etc. I am also wanting to be able to embroider letters, names, and small characters (like disney, nickelodeon, etc.) I want to make my daughters clothes, and possibly open up a small business. What is one that is a reasonable price and somewhat easy to learn on? Thank you, serious answers only please!
As I stated on here, I was wanting to make my daughters clothes. I know that the disney and whatnot would have restrictions, and I could not resell them.

The best bargain is the Brother SE400 and just under $400. It is a combo (sewing or embroidery).

The Disney, Warner Brothers, Nickelodeon and select designers can be downloaded and used with this model.

The information will be with the machine. In fact, iBroidery is advertised on the side of the box the machine comes in. iBroidery at the Brother website is where you will find the downloads. There will also be a list of Brother models that accept the format .pen for Disney, etc.

All other designs for Brother embroidery machines will be the .pes format.

You will not be able to view downloaded designs on your PC without machine embroidery software.

Embird is the most economical program currently on the market – http://www.secretsof.com/content/1853

Before downloading (the Brother website also has many free, non-licensed designs you can download):

(1) Create a new folder on your PC and name it so you can easily find it.
(2) Choose the design you want to download and SAVE it to the folder.
(3) Most downloads are zipped (compressed for faster download time).
(4) Unzip/Open/Extract (depends on the wording of the Windows version being used) the design file.
(5) After testing the extracted file, rename if necessary for easy access and then delete the zipped file.

As far as selling items with copyright fabrics or designs – this can be done as long as the items are clearly advertised as "Not a licensed product". You do not want to sell, but when the garments you make are outgrown, you may want to put them in a yard sale.

Please feel free to email me if you have any questions.

How do you digitize embroidery?

November 5th, 2012 6 comments

I have a Brothers embroidery machine, and im trying to figure out how to digitize images. I have no idea where to start, which program do i need? where do i get it from? Is there a easy to read manual for digitizing? im not experienced, any help will be great!

digitizing takes alot of work to learn. there are many yahoo groups devoted to machine embroidery. embird is a very good program and many people use it. they do give you a 30 free trial period so you can try it before you buy it. the site is www.embird.com
i have the pe-design version 4 which is the software specifically for the brother machine. it is expensive but will do alot. i also have fancyworks studio by pantograms. i really wish i would have upgraded my embird instead of purchasing fancyworks.
i would sugest joining some yahoo groups about machine embroidery and reading there before you purchase the software.
do you have a way to transfer embroidery designs from the internet to your machine? the ped-basic is an inexpensive program that will let you use designs you purchase or get free from the internet.

i wanted to share a couple of my favorite sites with you.
http://www.astitchahalf.com/index.html
http://www.designsbysick.com/amember/go.php?r=5647&i=l0">Designs by SiCK Embroidery Library

good luck and have fun.

If you do machine embroidery could you suggest what brand is the best to accept other discs?

November 5th, 2012 2 comments

I want to use some of Clotilde’s embroidery patterns, and Jo-Anns is having a decent sale on Singer. But what about Brother? Help?

I prefer Brother or Babylock and I would suggest buying from a dealer if you have never used a sewing machine – the embroidery machine has some similarities.

If you do not buy from a sewing machine dealer, try the Singer – it should connect via cable to your PC and this is where you will store designs and then send to the embroidery machine.

You choose designs by the format of the embroidery machine and the the hoop size. Watch this when downloading.

An embroidery machine that has a maximum embroidery area of 4 x 4 will not stitch a design that is larger.

The least expensive method to obtain designs is downloading from the Internet to the computer, then send to the embroidery machine as you want to stitch out a design.

Methods for sending designs to an embroidery machine:

Memory card only (you will need a reader box and card compatible with the brand/model of the machine.
Memory card and USB cable (connects directly to the PC)
Memory card, USB cable and USB flash drive.

The more options, the more expensive the embroidery machine.

Clotilde does not sell machine embroidery designs.

Each of the two books listed in her catalog has a CD with free designs, which you upload to your PC. You cannot just stick these CDs into an embroidery machine and start stitching.

You have to have a method (reader box/card, cable or flash drive) of getting the designs from the PC to the embroidery machine.

The designs at Nancy’s Notions are her choices, but they are Amazing Designs products.

http://www.amazingdesigns.com/en/products/

There are many Internet sites that have free designs you can download to your PC.

Once you get an embroidery machine, you may find this site helpful – http://www.annaboveembroidery.com/embroidery-tips.html