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Posts Tagged ‘Stitches’

What is the best computerized sewing machine for a real beginner.?

February 3rd, 2013 2 comments

I am just starting out, although I took a class years ago, I was not very good – especially in adjusting tension and all those little things. I am getting a sewing machine now that I am retired – what would be the best? I’m thinking of a Brother XR 7700

What features do you want? Are you on a budget? Most machines will sew just fine with the upper tension set on 4 and left there. IMHO, it’s easier to teach you what a balanced stitch
looks like than try to fight through the screens of some programs to adjust something that the computer is doing "wrong".

My personal experience with Brother machines has not been good, but ymmv. I’d strongly urge you to consider trying out a number of machines at local sewing machine dealers if at all possible, and finding the machine(s) that will work for you.

My minimal criteria (I do a lot of garment making, some quilting, no machine embroidery other than freemotion): Very good straight stitch, at least a pretty good zigzag, non-jamming bobbin case, buttonhole that doesn’t drive you nuts, adjustable presser foot presser, at least a fair range of presser feet made for the machine. For my own use, I also want stretch and regular blindhem, a couple of stitches I can use for fagoting, a couple of hemstitches, and some stitches that are good for faking blanket stitches for applique. My primary machine is a 10 year old Viking electronic, middle of the line.

Because I sew so many garments, I also have a serger and a coverstitch machine — personally, I’d sooner have a good serger and a so-so sewing machine than a fancy sewing machine, but again, that’s personal preference.

Some help:
http://www.cet.com/~pennys/faq/smfaq.htm
http://www.taunton.com/threads/pages/tvt046.asp
http://www.taunton.com/threads/pages/t00130.asp
I also urge you to read the first and last chapters of Carol Ahles’ book Fine Machine Sewing (available from most libraries).

I am learning embroidery, can any please suggest a list good embroidery software’s. thank you?

January 10th, 2013 1 comment

Well, Initially I would like to learn it on computer, I know hand embroidery, now I want to design new embroids and implement it practically on various cloths with differential patterns

are you looking for free patterns, instructions on various stitches, any particular stitch, ….
what do you mean by software – are you learning computerized embroidery or hand embroidery?
if you add some details, i can give you a specific answer. i have quite a few sites on hand & machine embroidery.
meanwhile, you can try google, youtube, expertvillage, about.com, ehow.com, etc.

will wait for you to update …
all the best

okay, here’s a list i’ve compiled for machine embroidery – most have free patterns, but if you browse through them, i’m sure you’ll find a lot more & further links too.
hope you find what you are looking for & more :-))

first, though :
www.embroiderytop.com/index.html — list of top embroidery sites !! and they update this regularly.

www.embroiderydesigns.com/freeembroiderydesigns.aspx
www.abc-free-machine-embroidery-designs.com/archive/
www.annthegran.com/FreeDesigns.aspx
www.s-embroidery.com/free-machine-embroidery-designs.html
www.swfeast.com/en/FREE_embroidery_Machine_Designs.asp
www.embroiderthis.com/downloads1.html
www.dekatzenembroidery.co.za
www.stitchpatch.co.za
www.hatchedinafrica.com
www.emblibrary.com
www.embroidery-free.com
www.embroidery-freebies.com
www.embroideryfree.us
www.embroideryhorizons.com/
www.oriental-embroidery.com/
http://www.bunnycup.com/
and if you want free designs, you can join to this group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/orientalto…

hope this helped

What is the best instruction book on how to get started with embroidery?

December 7th, 2012 3 comments

I am interested in learning the basics, and how, so wondered if any of you may have book suggestions on to learn what it entails, what materials are neccessary, ectera. Any suggys?

As well as the library, (which I was also going to suggest), you could also try doing some ‘research’ on Amazon. Look up a few titles there and read the customer reviews. Also have a look at your local bookstore’s craft section and see what type of thing looks right to you. Take you time in choosing though, do more than a quick flick through. There’s nothing worse than spending a mint on a book that really doesn’t work for you!! That’s why libraries can be great – you can make book-choosing mistakes for free.=)

Country Bumpkin’s A-Z books are lovely (although maybe not that suitable for beginners – good eye candy though) and I also have the Anchor Beginners Guide to Freestyle Embroidery by Christina Marsh, which intros simple stitches in groups and has samplers and designs you can use for practise. Of course, there’s also a lot of info on materials, techniques and so on as well. Here it is on Amazon UK:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Beginners-Guide-Freestyle-Embroidery-Crafts/dp/0715314823/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1242897802&sr=1-1

Does anyone have any experience with a Husqvarna Viking Designer 1 Sewing machine?

December 3rd, 2012 3 comments

I’m wanting to buy a husqvarna Viking Designer 1 and I’ve heard really good things and a few bad things. I was wondering if there was anyone that has one and could give me some honest feedback?

There have been a number of machines called "Designer 1", "Designer 1+", "Designer 1 USB", so you might want to clarify what machine you’re thinking about. The current model is the Designer 1 USB.

Many of the people I know who do computerized embroidery have wound up preferring to have a second machine for stitching, so they can keep sewing while the embroidery machine is stitching out a design. That might be something you want to think about. I don’t do computerized embroidery (just hand or freehand machine embroidery), so I can’t really advise you much on this, except to suggest you might want to hop over to http://www.patternreview.com and read some machine reviews for yourself. You may need to join to read older reviews, but the basic membership is free and they don’t spam you.

My main machine is a 12+ year old Viking electronic, 30 stitches. I make almost all my famiy’s clothing, and it has performed nearly flawlessly over the years — and those flaws were my fault, not the machine’s.

How can I turn an illustration into a digital image?

November 21st, 2012 3 comments

I want to turn an illustration into a digital image in order to get it embroidered onto something. I asked about it at Lids and they have a service where they digitize the image for $50. I would like to find something free or cheaper. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

once you have drawing on paper done, use scanner to import to image editor or use camera to upload image , then touch up or re-edit image to inaccurate copy of design you want,

PhotoPlus
http://www.freeserifsoftware.com/software/PhotoPlus/
Artweaver Free
http://www.artweaver.de/products-en/artweaver-free/
Gimp ~image editor,
http://gimp-win.sourceforge.net/stable.html

then place in embroidery program or sewing knitting tools the set blocks for stitches,

Embroidery Reader

Embroidery Reader

Scheme Maker
http://schememaker.sourceforge.net/

Stitch –
http://people.dsv.su.se/~henrikbe/stitch/screenshots.shtml

KG-Chart for Cross Stitch
http://www.iktsoft.net/kgchart-en/kgchart/

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

Stitch buddy (mac)
http://www.stitchbuddy.de/

http://sewhelp.com/
..

Does any one have any experience with the new Singer CE-350 embroidery sewing machine?

November 19th, 2012 1 comment

If so how easy is it to thread, adjust, understand. Do you like the machine and is the embroidery that it does sufficient?

The Singer CE-350 is not available yet and honestly there is not enough difference between the CE-350 and CE-250. The only difference is the color the faceplate and the software it comes with. The machine itself is the same as the Ce-250 it just comes with editing software which is not a necessity, because the CE-250 already comes with AutoPunch. The Editing Software can be purchase separately right now so you can have basically a Ce-350 it is just green. As for the machine itself, I feel it is a great machine for any beginner or inexperienced embroiderer. I have the Brother Innovis 4000D so I know there are a lot of difference when there is a huge price difference. The Singer CE-150, CE-250 and CE-350 are twice as fast as the CE-100 and CE-200. You used to be able to count the stitches now you can not. They improved the software and gave the machine a sleeker look. They did a nice job. As for threading, It is a little tricky at first because you have to make sure you floss it in the tension assembly but aside from that it is fairly straight forward. The embroidery that comes out of the machine is pretty good I think.. Of course the Brother Innovis 4000D is going to have better stitch quality and go faster but the CE machines do a surprisingly nice job. The best deal I saw for the Singer CE-250 is Mr. Vac and Mrs. Sew. That is where I got mine because they have a wonderful add on package you can get with it (I think it retail for like $500 or Something) for only $99. They had a nice fast delivery and a charged No Tax (Because I am in NJ) and Free Shipping. I hope all this information helps. Here is a link to the Singer CE-250:

http://www.mrvacandmrssew.com/go/product/id/955?PHPSESSID=a37664687ba4764b351decb89ce6da31

Embroidery material? Where do I get it and what is it called?

November 19th, 2012 2 comments

Okay….so I have a stupid question. I really want to try cross stitching/embroidery but I have no idea what that material is called or where to get it. Not aida cloth, but that plain white fabric you always see people use in embroidery hoops.

Any ideas?

Take a look at this fabric… it’s plain old muslin, and you can get it at any fabric store, or even the Walmarts that haven’t thrown every bolt of fabric out.
Probably in the range of $2-5/yard for 45" wide fabric.
http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/21784677
That’s about a 10" wide piece shown there… here’s what the fabric looks like up close:
http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/22521551
the machine stitches here are 3 mm long.

This is what I typically give to beginners for surface embroidery, or for doing stamped cross stitch. It’s cheap, easy to work with and holds up well.

The real secret of embroidery is that once you know what you’re doing, you can embroider on anything you can get a needle through, from the most delicate silk organza like the wings of this dragonfly: http://stitchinfingers.ning.com/photo/stumpwork-dragonfly?context=user
to heavy velvets http://www.hchc.edu/hellenic/campus_life/library/archbishop_iakovos_collection/gallery.html?pic=15 and even leather: http://natural-history.uoregon.edu/metis_textiles13

If you want to do counted cross stitch, then a fabric where you can really see the holes, like aida or evenweave linen, is easier to start with. I usually start beginners at about 10 stitches per inch.

What sewing/embroidery machine should I purchase?

November 15th, 2012 4 comments

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:)

What is the best embroidery machine to buy to start my business?

November 13th, 2012 7 comments

I want to eventually have a substantially large embroidering and altering business and need a few pointers on what to start with.

You should call Mr. Vac and Mrs. Sew and ask them about their commercial machines. I know my friend just started an embrodery business (she is doing great by the way) and she just purchased the Ricoma 12-Needle Commercial Embroidery Machine. The Ricoma is the best commercial machine available that gives you the most bang for your buck. The Ricoma is a true commercial machine. It will run at 1,000 Stitches Per Minute. The Ricoma also has twelve needles which is great for a person starting a business or is producing the same thing over and over again. I know from experience that many designs, logos etc. use more than 6 colors (say like the PR-600) and changing the thread colors constantly is gets fairly boring and eats up a lot of time. However with the Ricoma you can have up to 12 Needles and you can sew many designs and logos that have over 6 colors. The Ricoma also comes with many more extras. With the Ricoma you have an embroidery field of 13" x 19.5" THAT IS HUGE!!! The Ricoma comes with 2, that’s right , 2 cap hoops and is able to embroider on an astonishing 270 degrees of the cap. You also receive with the Ricoma 2 Shirt Front Round Hoop 9 cm (3.5"), 2 Shirt Front Round Hoop 12 cm (4.7"), 2 Shirt Front Round Hoop 15 cm (5.9"), 2 Shirt Front Round Hoop 23 cm (9"), 2 Jacket Back Square Hoop 30 x 30 cm (12" x 12"), 1 Sash Frame 56 x 38 cm (22" x 15") and of course the 2 cap hoops. But they give you 2 sets of every hoop (except the Sash Frame) which is important because if you were going to embroider say 50 bags. You can hoop one bag and embroider on that one, then hoop the other and wait until the one being embroidered on is done and put the hoop that is already hooped in the machine. This will save you a lot of time because you can always have the machine embroidering and there would be no lag time in between because you will always have a pre-hooped hoop on hand. With the Ricoma you also will receive a FREE!!! full digitizing program worth well over $2000 .This state-of-the-art software package allows you to create your own embroidery designs from scanned images, clip art, logos, and more. The Embroidery Software’s easy-to-use drawing tools make digitizing a simple task, even for beginners. This software has no limitations and grows with your business. Adding text to your designs is easily accomplished using the lettering tool, which is compatible with true type fonts as well as the pre-digitized fonts included with the software. Import bitmap or vector graphics and use the embroidery software’s One-Touch auto-digitizing feature to convert them to stitches with a few easy clicks. With this software you be easily and quickly able to transform artwork and lettering to high quality embroidery. The Ricoma also comes with a stand with wheels for easy movement FREE!!! You also receive 8,000 Stock Embroidery Designs with the machine FREE!!! You also will receive a Gunold Introductory Kit which is full of a variety of top embroidery products. It contains Sulky‚rayon spools, Gunold Poly‘ spools, bobbins, scissors, needles, touch-up pen, small can of KK-2000‘, Puffy Foam‘ pack, Perforated Solvy‚ Filmoplast‚ three types of backings, color cards, information sheets and more. This kit is great for Embroidery businesses just starting out.

And if that was not enough you will receive a FREE!! Approx. 7 hour training on how to use your machine.

Best of all my friend got the Ricoma on sale for only $9999 with free shipping and no tax because she does not live in New York.

Here is a link:

http://www.mrvacandmrssew.com/go/product/id/832

where can I find free machine embroider software?

November 11th, 2012 1 comment

I would like to re-size designs and catalog and more.

The only freebie is Pulse Ambassador and it is for format conversion.

Embrilliance Thumbnailer is around $40 and it is a catalog that you can use with Mac or Windows. No machine embroidery program is needed – http://www.britonleap.com/

As for re-sizing, you do need a software program for this that will add or subtract stitches.

Re-sizing can be done in small % with the embroidery machine, but the stitch count remains the same.

To much enlarging and you get thin/open areas in the design.

Too much reducing and you get "bulletproof" embroidery, which is stitching on top of stitching that makes the design stiff.

Embird is a very popular brand and is the least expensive machine embroidery software.

You start with the basic program for $131.00 and then add other programs as you become more proficient or have the need.

As with most machine embroidery software programs, this one can only be used with Windows – http://www.secretsof.com/content/1853