I'm so sorry I didn't answer you, I JUST saw this! Here's the pattern for the magnolia quilt for my niece.
http://www.quilterscache.com/B/BrasstownStarBlock.html

Thank you Divokittysmom for your response about embroidery needles. The info is a great help to me. Have a super day.

Hi- an excellent idea to keep it attached, however my other machines are in another location. I only have my embroidery machine in my home. I actually have a studio that I rent where my mid arm and my Janome reside.

Great pattern - thanks for sharing!

I use some of the Coats and Clark, and Gutterman Dekor and have great success with both as well as with Sulky.

I never take mine off either. I just sew with it on. I like it that way. It gives me a larger bed to sew on

Karen,
When I bought my first embroidery machine, it was a dual sewing-embroidery. I have a couple of rolling plastic drawers under my desk so it went in one ... but eventually I realized that I never take it off for long. Keeping that in mind, my next machine was embroidery only. I have three sewing only machines, but mostly use one as well as my serger and the two embroidery machines are in constant use.

I was having trouble with some types of thread shredding but since Quilty-Louise sent me some 90/14s no more problems. Now I use them for everything.

I always use a size 12 needle except for metallics, then I use a metallic needle.

I have the Singer Futura XL 400. Am interested in learning how to use it. Have made "some" designs, but want to learn more about using it for labels, quilt blocks, etc. Am still trying to learn how to download designs that STAY. Have a computer designated strickly for the machine.

I too just found this thread and have been reading it for 2 days! Lots of helpful info. Here are some of my answers to questions.

1. I think this needs to be a separate thread. This one was started a few YEARS ago and still has interest.
2. I have a Pfaff Creative Vision 5.0 with the 4-D Embroidery Software program.
3. I have done lots of things. Childrens clothes, bibs, t-shirts, tote bags, purses, etc. I have also done custom logos on shirts (I had the design digitized first).
4. Some of the web sites I like and use are: www.planetapplique.com; designsbyjuju.com; designsbysick.com; emblibrary.com; embroiderydesigns.com; fivestarfonts.com; buystitch.com
5. When I first got my machine, I ordered thread from designsbysick.com. I recieved very nice thread for about $1.00 a spool. This is the 1000 meter spool. They have on sale right now 50 spools of thread for 37.49 or 61 colors for 45.75. I haven't had any problems with their thread and will order more when I run out. I have also ordered stabilizers from them and have been pleased with the quality and price.
5. I store my embroidery unit in it's carrying case that fits perfectly behind the door of my fabric closet. But alot of the time I just leave it on the machine when I am sewing.
Love this thread and thanks for all the useful information.

[QUOTE=Karenowc;5307346]I have a question on how all of you "store" the embroidery module for your machines when you are not using them.

I have a Ruby and it allows me to park it and I don't have to store it. I did just buy the bag for it though for when I got to embroidery club with it and that I hang over the closet door on a hook and could put the arm in it if needed. I agree they are large and expensive so you want to be careful. This is why I decided for the cost of what it would cost to replace or repair it was worth getting the bag to protect it.

I have the Bernina Artista 630...........I bought all the "stuff" to do embroidery with, but so far, I have not done a single thing.........which is really dumb that I havent..........but I am not at all sure about how to do it and have been fearful that I would somehow hurt the machine, since I dont think I would know what I am doing........I guess I really need to go back and retake that part of the classes they have for you, after you puchase the machine.......its been about 3 years, so I am sure I dont remember how to do it................

There's a lot to learn. But I was wondering if anyone uses regular sewing needles to embroider with or must it be embroidery needles? I'm also not sure about which stablizers to use on different fabrics.
Thanks for any help you may be able to provide.[/QUOTE]

I have a Viking Ruby and I don't always use embroidery needles. For FSL I found sharps work better and sometimes I use a larger one than normal depending on the thread. I have embroidery needles and if you look around you can get good deals on them. I'm lucky because here at Fabric Hut they have a really good brand that if you buy 2 packs you get the 3rd pack for free and you can mix them. So I can get emb, sharps, topstich, etc and get 3 packs for around $8 and they last really well. You just really need to look around. You do need a good sharp needle though which is why I like the sharps. If you check out Kenny's Corner on Emblibrary.com he has a part on needles that helps a lot. He also has alot of stabliziers too, including their test. Floriani is also another good site to learn about this stuff for and also Viking. I go to Viking every month and download my free design and check out what's new for us. Do you have a dealer close that can help you out when you have a question?

If someone asked me for something I have no problem sharing and that wasn't what this was about. I don't go back and re-read over old post as my time doesn't allow that. I work full time, full time mom, grand mom and quilt, sew and embroidery. I'll share anything anyone wants or needs it's when you try to help and you are made to feel like no one even read your thread like its not important but then there are others have responses to all of theirs. I have gotten responses including pms so I'm not alone on how I feel so I know it's not just me. We are all equal on here. Some have more knowledge than others but everyone has more they can learn; for that I'm sure. I know that I do. That's why I read and I share and I respond.

K,

I am sooooo happy to know that those needles helped solve your
problem with the thread issues.

Those needles were purchased from AllStitch.net and at a DECENT
price also. I want to try the titanium large eye sharps next, but those
are a little more costly than I can afford right now.

Something else I almost positive that will help when embroidering is
to use thread nets on ALL your threads. I was only using the nets on
metallic thread, but started using them on ANY spool of embroidery
thread and have found that I have even fewer issues.

So to sum things up this is what I use for ALL embroidery:

Top Stitch (or large eye) SHARP needle (usually 90/14)
Thread nets ("soft" kind)
Slowest embroidery speed possible (350 spm)
For FSL I use 2 layers of Floriani Wet n Gone stabilizer
For embroidery on other materials I use what works best for that time of fabric.
One layer of Floriani Heat n Gone floated on top of deep pile fabrics or terry towels.

Sometimes lots of naughty words when things don't want to go MY way LOL.

I just purchased a brother PE-770, and have no clue what I'm doing yet, and am a little apprehensive about starting anything. I've read alot of the posts here, until I got a little googly eyed, but am learning lots of info. I, too, wish this thread had its own forum; it would be alot easier to sort through stuff. Anyway, am looking forward to reading and learning more--maybe even enough to play with my machine :)

I have a brother very similar to yours and I to was afraid to use it. Just put some stabalizer in the hoop and thread the needle, attach the hoop to the machine, choose a pattern, put down the presser foot and push the green light. Trust me it will let you know if you do something wrong. Don't be afraid of it enjoy it. See if you can find someone else that has an embroidery machine to help you with getting started. Come to Iowa and I will help you. Good luck!

Thanks for the great sites. Some I've heard about and then forgotten about. Others I hadn't heard about; I'll check them out. I just bought some Maximum thread at the quilt show in Raleigh; it was a great price so hopefully it'll do great. So far my Viking hasn't cared what thread or needles I've used in it and always does a great job; I'm hoping for the best with this thread. I'll let you all know. I just couldn't beat the price not to try a few spools.

Just thought I'd post my first embroidery project. Rushed to get it done for my son's girlfriend's birthday so I'm tired!! Birthday is tomorrow!

Here's a link to the picture.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...t191629-3.html

Edited to add source of designs - all from Emblibrary.com - Asian section. Fabrics are batiks except for the white I used for the embroidery.

Can't do that with Brother ULT ..wish it were possible--I'd never have bought the 2nd one! Hah! Betcha I would have...haha. I'm such an addict... when I really like something, I want more. A big fault of mine is worry that mine will "die" and there won't be a replacement! For so many things.

You did a great job on your quilt.

Started out on a Pfaff 2144...went to a Bernina 730 which I found miserable to work with. Purchased a Pfaff 2134 and used that for quite awhile until I purchased my Brother PR650...now also have a Pfaff Creative Sensation. Nearly everything I make or every quilt has embroidery on it! I love embroidering!

I have the same machine and love it. It is so easy to use. Just plunge in!

For those who are still "new" and learning embroidery and
need help with some tips and techniques try HERE this is
where I went to get some "help" when I first started.


Hope this will help you also.

When saving embroidery files to my computer, I know I only need the PES file to transfer to my PE 770. Was wondering about personal choices here.do you save only the PES file (with emb software you can see what it looks like) or do you save the jpg and text with it too?

It depends on how good the jpg looks I have seen some that
was NOT worth saving, as for the text files I ONLY save those
if there are certain "details" about the design such as 3D FSL
and the "assembly" of the different pieces.

Otherwise I ONLY keep the .PES files but when there are other
file formats (for the other brands of machines) I put ALL the
original zip files (after I save a copy of the pes) and other formats
into a separate folder that I named "EXTRACTED ZIP FILES" this
way I ALWAYS have the complete file if I ever need it, but is "out"
of my way and I know that if it is in that folder than I have done
everything that I needed with it (extracting only my pes copy).

I think the text is your color changes? It depends on your software, too. I have Catalog It! to keep track of my designs, and I can print off the color changes on it and it shows the little blobs for each change in the proper color. The text doesn't download to your machine, just the black blob. I have your machine and I'm still learning, but I love it!

I've got a quick question: A friend wants me to do a Sunbonnet Sue quilt for one of her granddaughters. How do you charge for your embroidery? I'll have to buy the design pack (one or more) to embroidery them. I hate to charge her for the whole pack(s), because I will probably use them again. I also will need to do some kind of thread charge? Since she will be paying me for making and quilting the quilt as well, I need to have some idea what to charge for the actual embroidery.

For me it depends if it is intricate or not. I save in either EXP or PES as I have machines that read those formats.

I have a Brother PE 150. I am trying to monogram but have a question. Is there anyway to stop my machine and make the middle letter larger without repositioning my material or starting point on this machine ? It seems like the machine will only sew the three letters the same size. Thank you

If you have embroidery software, I think you need to do this before going to the machine. If I am understanding your question correctly.

I think a lot of reposting is due to the length of this thread and all the topics in it. Again, it would be nice for embroidery to have its own section, so we could post separate topics. I find I miss a lot, or lose the info when I try to find it again.

Same here, Louise, except that I have a separate Library called Embroidery with all the subfolders for categories below it. My downloads are extracted in download and then I move them to a file named 1 (so it's on the top). From there I open each file, dump the other formats, text, jpgs, etc. and move to the appropriate category. If you keep them all your computer is going to get overloaded before you know it.

And here is a little help on overloading it. Embroider This has over 200 designs to download for free. She has tons of tutorials and also blanks and supplies. You have to sign up to get the designs. Have fun!

Here's one more - http://www.cross-stitch-board.com/forum/content.php This is another one that has tons of free designs for machine cross stitch. I really love the kitchen alphabet! You can only download five every 24 hours, so it takes time to collect, but I have my computer's calendar set to remind me to do it each day.

I completely agree with this. This thread is up to 96 pages. It's been going for over 2 years. Seems like it deserves a place to call home.

Wish list!

I save the orginal folder still zipped in a folder called orders_site name and then only extract the design/doc that I need. My machine and pc can see everything that I download. I take the extracted file, rename it and and put it in a folder that makes it easy to find it in the future. If there are instructions I have a folder called instructions in My Docs where I save them all because they don't always show up in the folders geared for emb files. I name them so it's easy to find them. If there are pics and if not I convert a copy to a pic and place it in a folder in my picture folder so that I can print it out. There is no way after a while that I can remember all the designs that I have with out seeing them. A picture albumn allows me to do so. I keep the orginal in an orders folder so that I know what company I ordered the design from along with the orginal name/number the design had. If I have to retrieve it from the site in the future this data will allow me to know where to go and what info to put in. This is especially helpful when sites update their sites and retire designs. You can still get them but you need to know the orginal data.

Thanks QuiltyLouise for the link to the web site for Embroidery tips. I really can use the help from there.

I'm relatively new to quilting and embroidery, but love doing both. It would be nice to have a board just for Embroidery!

Perhaps we could start a new embroidery machine thread every couple of weeks so it would not be so long.

I researched it quite a bit through the internet and locally. What I have found is that a majority of them take the stitch count and round it to the next highest 1000 (4839=5000, 7265=8000) and then charge $1/1000 stitches. For me, I ran across a great deal with Joanns (relocating and having a close-out sale) and purchased all of their stabilizer on a bolt for cheap. There was a site somewhere that said with 1000M thread it supplies 200,000 stitches. Of course you are going to have thread waste for threading and for the extra inch or so at the beginning of each thread.

My first order was for 4 tshirts, one with a large design and one with 21 names and a small design (the other 2 were simple). I charged $74 (that included some discounts) and my expense was $2 using those figures. I had the people purchase their own shirts-this way there was no "it's not quite the color I was looking for" or "well normally I wear a large in another brand". They can get the quality they want, I just reminded them that thin and really cheap would not produce good results. Everyone was thrilled and I now will be doing the shirts for that retail business. I did offer a discount because of the fact that they are all good friends there and I have been bartering with quilting/purse/diaper bag making there for years.

I will be purchasing the Brother PE 770 this evening. Found a GREAT deal for a new one for $440.00!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B002MQI2NM/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&condition=new