If that one doesn't try this free one. It does alot. It's free unless you want it on CD then it's 14.99.

http://www.freesierrasoftware.com/

If you want a double-sided design, you'll need to change bobbin color every time you change the top thread color, but it works out fine. Use a water-soluble stabilizer (provided your scarf is washable).

I have a Brother 4000, and a Brother Quattro 6000, love them both. I make lots of embroidered quilts.

I have a Janome 12000 and have made two quilts on it. I embrodiered designs on the quilts just to see what it could do, and what are the limitations. My pictures are posted in earlier posts under "pictures". I had a Babylock Quest b/4 getting the Janome; and still have it. I've compared the two machines .
I like the Babylock for winding bobbins, you can wind the bobbin while you are quilting. I also think it makes a better bobbin. The Babylock is a quieter machine; and I like the needle plates better on the Babylock. The Babylock bobbin is a vertical mount, and the Janome is a horizontal mount; I prefer the Janome.
The Janome has a cloth guide that attaches to the embrodiery arm can adjust your seam allowance. Janome has a 1/4" foot, two dual feed feet, two zipper feet ( haven't used them yet). It has so many different stitches, over 400, includes videos on the machine to instruct how to do various functions. Lets you know when the bobbin is low; if something is wrong with the machine like a thread break, wrong foot, wrong needle plate, etc.

Which do I prefer; I honestly can't say. I am going to sell my Babylock to help pay for the Janome, even though I would like to keep both of them.

Wow what a great thread. I have been reading for hours now. hehehe I have learned so much. I have Brother SE400, have only done a few things on it. I love doing FSL I guess I am not motivated to play much because it is such a small emb. area. I really would love to get a machine with bigger embroidery area. I see several of you have purchased used machines. Do you go through your local dealer or private? If private what is a good way to make sure you are getting a good machine? With the expense I am kind of scared to go with a private seller. Thank you for this thread. It is a big help.

My Viking #1 (the one that I'm selling to help pay for a new one) I got from eBay only because I got a 2yr warranty for it. I am really thankful for that. I had issues trying to get it to sew right and sent it back to them. They were great to work with. I bought my Viking Ruby also used but it only had 7 hrs on it; I new the previous owner, she is a teacher at the LQS where I bought it. I got a warranty, instructional classes and monthly free embroidery classes. I agree, especially with the last machine and the expense I wouldn't have been able to feel comfortable buying from an individual. I got a great deal on it from the LQS adn 7hrs isn't bad; the previous owner just decided right away she wanted the latest model. I knew I wanted the largest hoop area that I could get. Next I'm getting the endless hoop and taking the class to be able to use it to it's fullest capabillity.

If you get it privately I would sit down with the owner and have her show you how it works. You should be able to see her take it through the paces, including taking designs from the computer and uploading to the machine. But machines do have troubles from time to time, so for the minor amount you'd save buying privately, I would opt for a dealer. You will pay a little more, but they will have checked it out completely before selling it to you.

Did I mess up yesterday when I tried to help out. It is Wilcom. Type in Yahoo or Google Wilcom true sizer and you'll see a couple of places to download for free. After you download and you want to open a file, it probably will tel you that it is not compatable, but say o.k. to that. I guess it is because of the freebie. If you have any questions, after you download, please e-mail me and I will help you.

QUOTE=labug;5140674]Freddier what is wilson true sizer?[/QUOTE]

I have almost the same exact machines as you, only my general use machine is the 6000 MC. I agree on the multi-tasking too. It works GREAT!

I have almost the same machines as you, except that my general machine is the Memory Craft 6000 (Janome ) I agree about the multi-tasking too.

A couple of weeks ago I got an email from Anna Bove embroidery about a stabilizer sale. The price looked great - 24 inches by 100 yard for $26.82 -- and I bought some. I have to say it works fabulously. The best light weight tear away I've used. Anyway, the sale is only on for one more day ... so take a peek http://www.annaboveembroidery.com/te...abilizers.html

I was going to order some, but I thought the shipping was way out of line. With the price of gas I enjoy ordering on-line, but not when the shipping is $19 on a $26 item! I was very interested until I saw that.

Yikes! I paid way less than that, but I guess it's because I'm much closer to her.

I am trying to figure out if I want to do embroidery, to invest in a machine, etc. I have a couple questions: Can a person set an embroidery pattern up, and use the stitching in such a way that instead of embroidery, it will quilt my project? Is that practical?

Will my initial investment in a machine continue on and on with special thread, and other things that I will need? Finances are a concern.

Yes, you can quilt with an embroidery machine. There are additional expenses in the form of thread and stabilizer for certain projects, but you can always find bargains on both. If you decide to take the plunge I would advise getting an embroidery only machine with at least a 5x7 hoop. I made the mistake of getting a machine that does both and only had a 4x4 as my first machine. I loved it, but was so limited.

i had this same problem last week. I took out the bobbin, put it back in the machine, rethreaded the thread and it fixed it. joan

A lot of people quilt with their embroidery machines. I have a baby quilt for my granddaughter; a 3D pinwheel that I've stitched in the ditch with and now I'm going to embroidery some designs on just to give it some added interest plus help make sure its more durable. A lot of web sites sell quilting designs and some people make their own. I'm just getting into it but you can do so much. My best advice is to check out several ones (I love my Viking Ruby) before you decide. I got mine slightly used (only 7hrs, your machine keeps track) from a dealer and get lots of support and monthly lessons. We've done coin purses with a zipper and key holder on it; all in the hoop, I learned how to make greeting cards for Christmas and ornaments and wall hangings. This month we are making the market baskets. We are taking the rectangled type baskets with double metal handles on them and embroidering designs and or our names on the sides. I'm excited how that will work out. Next month she's doing a special class for making a table runner using the cutwork needles. There is just so much to do. If you check out some emboridery sites; like emblibary.com and look under the project and the stitchers showcase to see some of the things that can be done it's really cool. Good luck on your descision. I'm really happy that I got mine. Even if you decide to get a used one you can still take the classes; I know that our LQS only charges 40 a yr and the monthly cost for supplies.

amen!!
Joan

Has anyone asked PatriceJ?

When I had this issue.. it was because the tension was not right. I never touched the tension on the machine at all, but I had to wind the bobbins differently. The little tension thingy on top of your machine, wind the thread around that two or three times, before you wind your bobbin. Wow was I amazed at the difference in how my embroidery looks. Even designs I thought looked excellent... look even better. I also noticed by how many stiches I can get out of a bobbin now compared to before. I was having to change bobbins so much before..but not now. The bobbins hold much more thread now. Here are the same exact design.. the only thing I did different between the two was the bobbin winding.

[QUOTE=Love angels;5144363]Wow what a great thread. I have been reading for hours now. hehehe I have learned so much. I have Brother SE400, have only done a few things on it. I love doing FSL I guess I am not motivated to play much because it is such a small emb. area. I really would love to get a machine with bigger embroidery area. I see several of you have purchased used machines. Do you go through your local dealer or private? If private what is a good way to make sure you are getting a good machine? With the expense I a
m kind of scared to go with a private seller. Thank you for this thread. It is a big help.[/QUOTE

I have the same machine and do not plan to go bigger. I bought mine on amazon for 310 dollars and it does a good job. the designs are big enough for me and a person can do continuos designs and a lot of different ideas for making a design look larger. i am not one to complain, but this machine does not have speed control button for embroidery but it does for regular sewing. no biggie i guess.

jjmmhh
joan

Okay I have been following this thread and I am very confused as what machine is best. I want to invest in an embroidery machine but don't know where to start. Any sugguestions?? I don't was to to go over $500.

I have a brother InvosD. I love the Disney aspect of it. I have not used it for a quilt, but find most of the embroidery goes to enhance children cloths and bedding.

Wow, what a difference!

Here's a question I have. A week or so ago my Brother PE-770 needle threader stopped working. I've done everything recommended. Needle up, foot down, but no luck. Got any ideas? She's not due for a tune up for a while, so I don't want to bring her in quite yet.

I have the PE770 too. I use the needle threader occasionally, but most of the time it seems faster to do it manually. I put a narrow piece of white cardstock behind my needle opening, so I can see the hole better. (Of course not with white thread. On my Janome sewing machine the threader gave out right away, so I had no choice in the matter. Thank goodness my eyesight is not too bad. I am sorry, that I can't help you otherwise. I have e-mailed Brother before with a question and they have been very good answering me . Did you register your machine with them when you got it? If not, let me know and maybe I can do it for you.


Here's a question I have. A week or so ago my Brother PE-770 needle threader stopped working. I've done everything recommended. Needle up, foot down, but no luck. Got any ideas? She's not due for a tune up for a while, so I don't want to bring her in quite yet.[/QUOTE]

I did register the machine, but have no clue where to ask for help.

Contact your local Brother dealer ask about warranty repairs.

As you know I have little higher end Brother model 1500D
5 weeks after bringing it home and 4 weeks after I started
using the machine my complete auto threader fell off right
in the middle of my embroidery project.

How do you ask Patrice? Might we need a bigger concensus to get this done? (Getting our own space on the board like the Antique sewing machines, etc.)

[QUOTE=jjmmhh;5150636]I need to find out how to do continuous designs. I have seen some designs done this way and they look great. I will have to take the time to google it or something. Maybe that would change my mind. I also would like to be able to right out names. to personalize gifts. Just need to spend more time playing and learning. :)

It's my understanding that the design has to be designed for continuous embroidering. I haven't found that many in the designs that I liked.

Just send her a PM

Yikes! That's crazy! I think when I have time I'll flip it over and take a peek at what's going on there.

Go to Brother USA. Click on support and then enter your machine info. You can send them an e-mail and they should answer you in a couple of days. Don't know if they can help, but it can't hurt.

Any one have the new Bernina 830? My friend wants to sell her mom's who passed away last year. I am considering but think there is a big learning curve. Any guidance would be appreciated.

Continuous designs work best in a continuous hoop. But - if you have digitizing software, add jump stitches to the end of the design going side to side and line up on those. The side to side stitches need to be at the start and finish to make sure the needle lines up on the swing. I have a Pfaff 2144 and saw how they lined up the designs I got with the hoop. I prefer Babylock's Designers Gallery, and have added the same type jump stitches on everything I have split, including the Grand Hoop. Pfaff has precise positioning, but it's no good if you can't see WHAT you are positioning on.
The Continuous Hoop for the Pfaff is 100x120? (can't remember length) So you can use any design that is less that 100mm wide. I've hooked edging with eyelets together for finishing heirloom nightgowns.

The continuous hoop releases so you can pull the fabric up in length without rehooping.

You could also mark the end stitches with an air erasable pen - just side to side as the jump stitch. People used to do whole jacket backs with a 4x4 hoop.

Ifstampr, I think there is no more learning curve than most any new machine. You won't be sorry that is for sure. If it is a good price, then go for it.

I asked Patrice about getting the Embroidery chats all in one place like the Vintage Sewing machines, but she wasn't ready to do that yet. She is a bit afraid of a "slippery slope" away from quilting and into crafts. She may consider it at a later date. I mentioned that a lot of us are using it in our quilting. She also wondered about having a way to know how many would actually like to have a separate site for these discussions. If some of the rest of you are interested in doing this, you might chime in or PM her. It would have to be done during a maintaince time of some sort.

If you think I'm way off base here, say so, and I'll shut up. No biggie...

I don't think you are way off base. They have areas for recipes, etc. This isn't crafts; we are sewing. Yes, you can decorate with it but you can do that with quilts. I love to quilt and I'm excited about bringing my embroidery into my quilting to really expand on it. When ever I see anything with embroidery on it I read it. It's not like we are doing pottery; we are at the sewing machine and alot of us are using it in our quilts which I love and I love see all of the wonderful pictures of things that are being done. It gives this newbe a lot of hope.

I have a baby lock ellissimo

Thanks for sharing.