Luvmygarden

Thanks
That is what I don't understand. When or how I should say, does digitalizing(sp) happen. So I might download something and it is not digitalized. Will I know after
it is in my machine and I do a practice piece?
As you can tell I am a very..... newby at this.
I am learning so many tips just reading this forum
amazing.

eparys

OK I hope this is what you are asking . . .

My machine is a Pfaff 2170 and will "read" several different files/formats. Digitizing takes place when a image (either a .bmp or .jpeg file) is converted into machine stitches. Most digitizing software can also take a particular stitch file (such as a .vip , .pes or other file) and convert it into another file format such as .exp or .jes. Some simple programs are available that will allow you to view the stitch file and convert it to other formats. Each embroidery machine manufacturer has a proprietary format but many of the newer machines will "read" and stitch out several different formats.

My guess is that you will download a file that has been already digitized. All the sites that UpNorth gave you are good sites and all the files you find there or at the sites that I posted are digitized already. The question is really whether you machine can read the file and stitch it. What machine do you have and or what format does it take??

Luvmygarden

You have answered my question thanks. I have a SE270D
Embroidery /sewing machine and after reading about downloading patterns it really sounds like fun. It has a card not usb. I just need to get a card it didn't come with the machine. I am really happy with this machine so far.

kacy 49

I have a Janome 350E and an MB4. Been embroidering for about 4 years. Love Artisticthreadworks. Been a member for the past 3 or 4 years. I have learned so much there. There is a group of us who make charity quilts and quilts for the veterns. We also make the troups stockings at Christmas. This year there were over 4000 stockings sent. It is a lot of fun and adds to our quilts. Kacy 49

eparys

The Brother card requires special software/hardware. You can use PED, Amazing Box or Ultimate Box (there may be others). Some of these read write devices come with a blank cards.

SassySewer53

Hi, Margie! I just got a new Ellegante that I will get in another week. I also sew with a Bernina Activa computerized machine. I really like to sew heirloom and vintage projects. Also costume antique reproduction dolls.

You have a good assortment of sewing machines! It is easy to get alot of them in a stache!

SassySewer53

SassySewer53

Diane, the difference between Brother and Baby Lock is in Disney embroidery designs. Brother has a contract with Disney, so their machines are preloaded with a host of designs from Disney. Babylock has some Nancy Zieman designs loaded on their higher end machines.

I think you will be happier to get an embroidery machine with larger sewing field capability. Seems like the smaller machines do not have enough designs to offer out there. Babylock has the Esante' that is mid range but very good quality work for around 2500. Brother Innovis 2500D is also a good machine that is midrange but has enough bells and whistles to intrique your creativity that falls in the same price range.

You also want to make sure there is USB capability. This is for design transport, and to also keep machine firmware current in technology applications. If you look online at SewsItsforsale.com or sewingbuys.com at the Brother links, you should be able to get a good used machine with more capability at much less cost. Usually, these are tradeins or machines that the owner wants to rid of in order to downsize a sewing studio, or to raise funds to buy the TOL version of a brand.

I have seen Brother machines used for around 2500 to 3500, depending on age, size of machine, etc. Often with older models that use converter box, those will run right at 1000 to 1500. Again, perfectly fine machines, but older ones that the owner sells in order to upgrade or downsize sewing space.

Sharon M

Thanks craftybear (Karen) for starting this thread.
I have a Brother 1500 and am loving it. I have gotten several patterns from Embroidery Library that I love and have also gotten several freebies from sewforum
http://www.sewforum.com/ . In fact just sewed one of the free designs from there tonight and like how it turned out.
But like others has said before, you should always sew out a practice piece just to check out how it will look.

cutebuns

Some times that is the best way to adjust the colors as well, I recommend choosing a similar color to stitch out on as the back ground fabric can make a difference in the all around look, they will adjust colors but you don't need to stick to them, infact the odds are that you won't have all the colors or the brand that they suggest and if they did it out in white or off white (which most of the samples that I have seen are just so) it will need a change probably if you stitch it on a dark, I have about 400 colors and there are times that I can't find the color that I would like, you can also match fabrics that you are using if you are putting it in a quilt or other project that has more than the one that you are working on,

If there are any new to embroidery users reading this, I like to also practice on tea towels and things like that, if they work out (you can do some of your practice runs on them as well) then they make good gifts, if not then you can use them yourself in the kitchen or as rags,

craftybear

Thanks Sharon, wow the t shirt is so cute. I will need to buy me a tshirt for this summer and come to your house and pay you to monogram it for me.

Awesome!

Remember quilt guild meeting is Thursday morning!

Karen