Machine Embroidery Software Part II
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Welcome to day 17 of All About Machine Embroidery.
Today, I’m continuing my conversation about embroidery software. Yesterday I talked about inexpensive online software; today, I’m talking about the good stuff.
I’ve said it before, when I bought my first embroidery machine I.knew.nuthin’! And my ignorance cost me $$$$.
So, the different dealers I visited would tell me about a particular embroidery machine and then they would say, “And, you’ll need software.” I’m like, “Huh. Why would I need software?”
And then they’d whip out a box with an embroidery design on it and say that it cost $2,499.00.
I’m wanting to embroidery a baby’s name on a burp cloth and someone is telling me I need to spend $2,500 on software to do this.
Later, I found out that all of the big-named companies have similarly priced software: Bernina, Babylock/Brother, Pfaff, Husqvara, Janome, etc. It seems that $2500 is the magic number.
Why is embroidery software so expensive and who would spend that kind of money on this, anyway?
Don’t judge me. Now that I own a complete embroidery software suite, I can say that there can be some real advantages to having this software.
For one thing, the lettering capabilities are tremendous. Here’s why, I can take a Bible passage and then type it in any TrueType font and the software would create something that I could embroider. Just dream up a lettering motif and these programs can do it!
All of the high-end programs also Auto-Digitize. If I have a nice vector drawing, all I need to do is import it, upload it and hit Auto Digitize. Then it is ready to stitch out. This is huge – really huge. I promise.
Then, there is auto applique. My favorite. My software will take a regular fill design and convert it to applique.
Another perk, these programs automatically adjust density and overlapping which make your design look so professional.
Higher-priced software programs can also quilt for you. Yep, there are real quilt patterns that you hoop and then set the machine and it does the quilting. And, there are literally hundreds of these quilting designs digitized for machine embroidery.
The software can automatically break up larger designs. If your machine can only handle a 5 x 7 hoop, but you have a 20 x 20 design, expensive software will automatically configure this and then send it to the machine. It even leaves register marks for second and third hoopings. Pretty amazing.
Resizing, rearranging, and reworking designs are all possibilities.
Basically, the software makes your basic embroidery machine able to do almost anything.
Like this >>>>
That’s right, you can scan in a picture of your child, grandchild, cat, or dog and the software will digitize it for you. Personally, I think it’s kind of creepy, but if you’re an Elvis fan then it could be really handy.
All that to say, the retail cost is prohibitive for most, but every dealer will have sales where you can get it 25-40% off.
And, all of the big-named companies have a Lite version in the $500-$1,000 range. On sale, it can be a possibility {if you eliminate meat from your diet}. Get on a local dealer’s mailing list to find out when they are having a sale.
It’s still a big investment, but one worth investigating. Do your homework and ask for a demonstration of everything. For $2,500, there should be some dealer-hoop-jumping-through.
If you decide to invest in a complete embroidery software you will have the advantage of upgrading when the newer versions are released. This option keeps you up to date with the latest technology. It is one of the reasons I made the leap.
Lastly, almost all embroidery software is configured for Windows operating systems. Some manufacturers have Mac conversion options. Since I don’t own a Mac, I cannot speak to this. However, there is a software built specifically for Mac users. You may want to check it out here.
Tomorrow’s topic: Digitizing
