For the next 31 days I will am writing All About Machine Embroidery. My reason for choosing this subject came about when a reader had a few questions on this topic. It reminded me about my “in the dark” experience purchasing my first sewing/embroidery machine. If you are like me and have no clue what questions to ask, then I hope I am able to answer a few of these questions before you plunk down your cash on a machine you don’t understand.
I want to first say that there is A LOT to learn about machine embroidery and I am going to attempt to remove any confusion and help you better navigate through a sea of terms that would baffle any seasoned sewist.
So, exactly what kind of machine am I talking about?
It’s a sewing machine that has embroidery capabilities. That means that the machine can sew straight and decorative stitches, make buttonholes, etc. AND it can do this:
It has a built in computer that takes digitized (I will later explain this term) designs and converts them into embroidery designs.
Once these designs are loaded into the machine, they can be stitched out.
Of course, the devil is in the details and throughout the month of October, I hope to make you a better informed shopper and save you from buying either not-enough machine(like me) or too-much machine(like my sister).
Today, I want you to know what it is (a sewing machine that can also embroider) and many of the details that must be understood before you purchase one.
Feel free to use this to spread the word.
Tomorrow’s subject is software; can’t wait to see you there!
Click here for a link to all of the posts in this series. Posts are also linked up with the button on the right.
You are exactly what I’ve been looking for! I bought a machine, have studied the handbook, and there are SO many questions it never answers! Hurray for you!:)
I am just beginning to look at embroidery machines. The more I look, the more questions I have. I am so excited that I found this series. Thank you for taking the time to put it together.
HI, I have a embroidery machine and I am still some what unsure of it after a year. I have to say I haven’t had time to do as much as I would like. Life seems to always get in the way but I hope to have more time to learn it inside and out. This looks like it will help me out. Thanks Joyce
Glad I can help. Don’t be afraid of embroidery. Do a few practice pieces and you will be fine.
I have bought a brother innovis 750e machine. I am using good quality thread but still the top thread keeps on breaking. I am carefully following all instructions for threading etc. Somebody plz guide me what to do.
When in doubt, always rethread the machine. Also, check you manual to see if you have the bobbin inserted correctly. I used to own a similar machine and I had damaged the bobbin case and it needed replacing. I would suggest that you contact your local Brother dealer. They should be able to help you resolve the problem. It’s probably very simple.
try a new needle, I find if I am breaking thread, my needle has gotten dull. I save these needles on my regular sewing machine. Sometimes I also end up changing bobbin thread.
Thank you so much for writing this for new enthusiasts. I am currently researching machines and really have no idea which one is best. I have no experience with machine embroidery and don’t want to put too much into one without knowing what I am doing. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
I’ve been embroidering for quite a while, and was incredibly fortunate to be able to purchase a Janome Horizon 15000 last year. It’s an amazing machine that I absolutely adore. However, it’s using the software and editing etc that I have all my trouble with.
I use 5D for Viking/Husqvarna because I traded my Husqvarna Topaz for the Janome and I bought 5D when I bought the Topaz about 7 years ago. The tutorials are OK to an extent, but now I have to convert every .hus file I have to a .jef before I can use it, and even using the .hus files is a problem for me. I have never had lessons and now that 6D has been released, 5D is “old hat”.
I guess I’ll just struggle on regardless.
Leslie, what’s your opinion about the Singer quintet?
Does anyone have an option on the Babylock Alliance? I have a few different sewing machines, and want an embroidery machine only.