Thanks Mermaid, I'll try the meto and desgns by sick site.

I have a babylock ellegante 2. I love it and hope to upgrade to a newer model next year. I have made quilts, and tote bags so far. I was not sure how to attach a picture.

Denise85, Start a new thread or just click reply. Above the reply box are symbols, and the 3rd from the right is a block with a tree inside. Hover w/your mouse & it will say insert image. Click it and a window opens letting you browse your folder of pix. Choose the pix and 'upload'. Remember to read about resizing your photos on the main page (Sticky-resizing photos). I was hesitant to try, but got it first time. Let us see your pretty projects...we love looking at other's quilts, etc.

Anyone trying the new craftsy class for embroidery machines? Sounds interesting!

I purchased a 5D embroidery extra. I have registured everything down loaded the driver needed. My lap top is new and it checked out its working fine. I can not down load the up dates. Has anyone else had this problem . I have n appoitmenr with the dealer this morning.

We are getting the WILCOM full version to do digitizing of embroidery designs. I'm really excited to be able to complete my own designs and be able to work it into our business.

Does it say that you need the updates? I bought the 5D Pro last yr and didn't have a problem. A site that might help learning things about the software is mrpatience.com. He has lots of info on 4D and some on 5D but they are both the same. I just got the new Stitch Editor Plus; love the features and haven't even scraped the surface as to what all is in it. The dealer should be able to help; love mine and the classes for the machine and the 5D

The dealer had to call Viking and in 10 mins. they had my 5D embroidery problem fixed. It was one box checked that shouldn't of been. They have ordered a CD for the updates and will install it next week. Much happier now. Thankyou

Embroidery class on Craftsy
 

I have done it, the one by Eileen Roche. Awesome class!
I also purchased her book and am working on one of the quilts now. Also got the snap hoop. I got the large one and am thinking I will be getting the 5X7 now as well. Love the one I have.
I have a Brother machine but she has the hoops for a whole variety of machines.

5D software Pro vs the editing one
 

I have a Brother machine and have been looking at their PE-Design software. However, I have been hearing lots about the 5D and the local JoAnn's has a store within their store. If I get the 5D there are lots of classes at the store so it wouldn't become "shelf-ware". The shop that has the PE-Design has classes as well, but it is one day-all day and I am not sure of the website support for the software.

I am having difficulties choosing the package I want. I know that I want to be able to design some of my own motifs at some point in time, and I am understanding that I would need the 5D Pro to do that.
It is a lot of money and am wondering what others think. Is it worth it?
Would you do it again?

I am looking forward to all your wisdom.
Jane

Jane

I just upgraded to the 5D pro and I love it. I know it a lot of money but if you want to be able to resize the proper way and edit designs and do anything you want then you need the pro. I have the basic before and besides embroidering and resizing a bit I couldn't do much.

I have P E Design v4, and v5...I've had v5 for 9 yrs and it will do most anything you will need to do--digitize your own designs, I don't even know what the later softwares do,,,,but I think it's just ''lipstick on the pig'', cause even v4 is all you ever need..said Loes van der Heijden (isn't this the person who created the software originally?) I have the ''mastering v4 teaching video" that makes it easy to understand and learn. But I've heard a lot about the 5Dpro, tho I've never experienced it. Why don't you download the free software from
http://www.wingsxp.com/index.php/my_editor/ and play around with it. It will let you do a lot with your designs--format, resize, change colors, split/copy/paste, save in new format--much more. I use it as much because there's no dongle necessary to access it. I've just learned of another free software -Bernina Artlink6 from Bernina

[1] direct link to softwarewww.bernina.com[
2] link to home page
www.bernina.com I think it is good idea to test several options before buying. Embird gets good marks from people who have it, but I could not figure it out. Too dumb, maybe.

http://www.wingsxp.com/index.php/my_editor/

OESD (isacord & mettler), Floriani, metro. I don't like the metro, it shreads on me, but others like it. I highly recommend the Isacord, mettler (same as Isacord) or the floriani.

There are MANY brands of Polyester thread for embroidery.

My #1 favorite is Floriani, but it costs more, but I find that
I have fewer breaks with it not to mention is LOOKS good
(nice sheen in projects).

When I first started machine embroidery I started with "ThreadArt"
poly it was cheaper which was nice when I was beginning my craft
of embroidery, but I think it also provided me with a lot of frustration
because I had nothing but breaking issues so I got to where I wouldn't
use my machine as much.

I have the FES (Floriani Embroidery Suite Pro), of course I am
still trying to learn how to use it.

But to be totally fair (or honest is more like it) I haven't spent to
much time trying to learn either. There are about 10 webinar videos
to help me if I would just slow down and take the time to watch them.

I have to agree. Just being able to go in and get rid of those pesky jump stitches and the other "additional" stitches that aren't needed makes my life so much easier. I could do that in the 5D organizier that came with my machine but the new editor plus does it so much better and I'm not having to save it in different folders and the move it. There is a website that features 4D and 5D and the latest upgrade of the editor plus. My teacher recommends his books and he has lots of free info on his website along with some classes that you can pay to take. His site is mrpatience.com.

Have you guys seen Susan Stewarts Radiance quilt? If not go to You Tube and check it out. The most beautiful embroidered quilt I've ever seen. Hugs

Your not dumb!! I would be more than glad to help you with Embird. I have been using it since 1996. Let me know and I will PM my number. Hugs

Quilty-Louise,
I went to my lqs on my birthday this week and bought 3 colors of Floriani thread. I must say they have beautiful colors! I got each spool for 30% off each which isn't bad at regular price of $4.19 each. I'm going to try them this weekend on my new embroidery machine, can't wait!

I was dead set against buying the "higher priced" thread for a long
time.

I had went to the Quilting & Sewing Expo one year here in Denver
and stopped buy the booth of the store where I had purchased my
machine from. If you "voted" on the projects on display made by
their customers you got a free spool of the Floriani thread.

Well for a long time I just kept moving this one spool around, one
day I was needing a purple to make some lettering and I just didn't
aseem to have the "right" shade/hue of purple then I spotted the
Floriani spool and used it for my project.

The rest as they say is history. I am a firm die hard fan of the Floriani
thread and in fact I'm "slowly" working on purchasing ALL the colors
offered. Right now I am up to 241 colors, plus 13 spools that are
duplicates (because I use A LOT of the colors), and also 8 discontinued
"premium" spools.

Yeah I KNOW some people may think/ask "why?" because there are times
when you need just that "right" color.

I try to buy 2-6 spools per month, if possible but most the time I buy the
Floriani thread when my store is having a buy 2, get 1 free, 50% off deal
and so on.

Hope you enjoy your Floriani thread.

You are awesome to offer to help. I went ahead with the 5D Pro. In fact, I got it for about $1000 off list price which astounded me. I was totally prepared to pay it when I went in. It seems that the company is coming out with a new pro software, and upgrade to the pro and have downpriced the current model. The lady who sold it to me also teaches the classes and she said the new upgrade doesn't have anything not in the current model. Am I happy or what! To top it off, I had a 20% coupon and she took that too. Believe me, it was a great day!!!
Jane

here is the link for S. Stewarts video....amazing, thanks for suggesting it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tkITW5PBXc

Has anyone had any experience with PowerPunch emb. Software for Macs? Looks like a nice way to store files for only $12.95

Tip for FSL bobbins
 

As some of you may know I LOVE making FSL,
and as you know when making FSL to get the
BEST look you should using the same thread in
the bobbin that you use for the "top".

But then that in itself posses an issue knowing
WHAT the color number is in the bobbin at a later
date so that you can make sure to use the same color
in the top for next time.

Well I FINALLY figured out a solution that I find works
GREAT (for me at least). I purchased (from WalMart)
"Avery Color Coding Labels" in both round 3/4" & 1/2"x3/4"
also got them in white. They are "removable" stickers so
hopefully they won't leave adhesive residue on the bobbins.

But at least NOW I can mark the bobbins and have an accurate
"knowledge" of what the color is (at least from this point on).
Still not sure what to do about the bobbins that are already full.

LOL

For those of you who are machine embroidery newbies FSL means
Free Standing Lace.

Here is a picture of the labels just in case anyone wants to
see what the packaging looks like.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]381124[/ATTACH]

Help!! My sewing machine works. But when I try embroidery it will do a couple of letters, or go several inches, then stays in one spot! Any ideas?

Quilty-Louise,
don't see the picture :(

I have had this same problem with my Topaz 30. Of course it doesn't happen until I am well into an embroidery design. I thought it might be a software problem, but if I copy and paste a design, one will stitch out fine and one might stop in one spot. The only way I can get it to stop is to turn off my machine. Once I stop the machine, I can advance the thread to the spot it stopped and then continue on. I called a Viking dealer and was told to bring my machine in. At this time of year it is not an option. Would like to know also if others have had this problem.

It seems like I had that prblm before with my viking and there was a update to fix it, a while back.

hmmm I could see it just fine from all my computers
(netbook, laptop and desktop).

Lets see if you can see it here.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]381344[/ATTACH]

Avery stickers
 

Quilty-Louise,
yep see it and on my way to walmart! Thanks!

[QUOTE=romanojg;5705573 My teacher recommends his books and he has lots of free info on his website along with some classes that you can pay to take. His site is mrpatience.com.[/QUOTE]

I just signed up for his newsletter, and spent a ton of time going through his videos. Awesome!
Thank you for the recommendation.
Jane

I downloaded some designs to make holiday cards and gift tags. I absolutely love them!
As a newbie to machine embroidery, I learned a couple of things in making the cards.
1. I am now using bobbin thread in the bobbin. Makes a world of difference.
2. In the process of trying different stabilizers. The iron on tear away is pretty thin.
3. Scrapbooking scissors don't work to cut through 3 layers. Now using kitchen shears.
4. A size 14 emb needle makes a very large hole in the cards
If anyone else has tried this and has other suggestions, please chime in here.

Next project will be working with mylar and I have no clue what works best for this.

You are most welcome. I watch his video over and over. I want to sign up for his class for the new stitch editor plus. I have one of his books so far on 5D. I also watch all the videos on Vikings website for 4 and 5D. You just never know where you'll learn something new at.

Go to emblibrary.com and under projects or kenny's corner he has lots on the card and the mylar. You might also want to check out a product called Angelina. It starts out as a fiber and you can mix it to create different looks and then you iron it before putting it on the fabric. Has a similar look as mylar but a lot more versatile since you can mix the colors

Jratcliff:
I have 3 cd's from purely gates for mylar designs. I got the mylar from my lqs and michaels and even the dollar tree store. Just remember that the designs are specifically digitized for Mylar since there is more spacing in btwn the design sew-out. I have a design Im going to try this week and hopefully post it here.

So tell me someone. Why is my machine telling me it is the wrong hoop size "use larger embroidery hoop" when I have the large in which takes 5 x 7 and I was just using it on a larger design, then load another one in which is smaller and it errors with the larger hoop issue. I load a smaller design in it does the same thing but I just used the bugger with a larger design and was fine. I have turned off and reset program, computer, and emb machine. It is a Bernina 165. Just the darndest thing. I am doing the Peppermint Twist table runner. Any ideas?

I did call a dealer and told me to bring it in to be checked. Maybe it will get the update. Thanks.

Good idea, I never thought of that!