Quilty-Louise I didn't know I could get the other two. I have the larger one so I downloaded the small and medium ones! Now to get hooping, dern, your're way ahead of me though they do look beautiful!

I bought a used Pfaff 2170 from my great dealer in Tucson 3 or 4 years ago. I wanted it mainly to quilt embroidery designs on quilts. It's a nice machine, but the throat limits the size of the designs you can use. I took all the machine and embroidery classes the dealer offers and learned a LOT. Last year, I upgraded to a Pfaff Creative Sensation, and I love it. It comes with 3 hoops, and I bought the giant 240 X 300 hoop that requires splitting designs (I haven't used it yet!). I spent the 4 months of my winter in Tucson trying to make every mistake possible (I learn best by making mistakes). The gals at the store were great teachers, and when I took my CS to CT, I was feeling pretty confident. I only had on
e problem, and they were able to talk me through it on the phone.

It's really important to understand how stabilizers work with different fabrics. Most of the time I use a medium weight tear-away, but there are reasons for having others - especially the iron-on, sticky, mesh (for knits) and dissolvable. You don't need stabilizers when you use the embroidery machine to quilt designs on a quilt.

The CS resizes any embroidery design easily. This is a great feature, and it's idiot-proof!

I have 5D software, and I use it for editing designs before transferring them to the machine. I can also create my own designs with it. I've taken lessons offered by my dealer AND by Mr. Patience - Tim Frost. He has a web site, and he wrote the lesson books for learning how to use 4D and 5D software.

My favorite ready-made embroidery designs are Anita Goodesign and John Deer. I go to their classes when my dealer brings them to Tucson - usually every winter. The classes are fun, and I always learn something at them. They both have beautful embroidery designs. They have samples of every design displayed, and it's hard to resist buying every single one!

Thanks for the information. What other sites on the web do you follow or have used?? I'm just learning machine embroidery and can't seem to get enough info to satisfy my curiosity about this awesome craft I have gotten into!!

Quilty Louise, I saw this yesterday on one of the Yahoo groups I'm in. I've never done FSL but thought this would be my impetus to try.

Just curious, what type of material are you using? Embroidery Library recommends Ultra Solvy or Vilene. Just curious.

Thanks.

When I make FSL designs I prefer to use either the Floriani Wet n Gone
or the Pellon Wash N Gone. Both of these are more like a "fabric" that
dissolves in water.

I have tried Solvy, and other brands but I personally do NOT like how
they make my designs turn out.

For best results in MY personal experience, I use a MINIMUM of 2 layers
of stabilizer, if the design has more density to it I will use 3-5 layers, but
that depends on just HOW dense the design is.

I use a thread net on ALL spools of thread but find it is more important
to use the thread net on metallic thread.

Run the machine at the SLOWEST speed possible (for machines that is 350spm).

Use a LARGE EYE (90/14) SHARP needle or a "TOPSTITCH" SHARP 90/14 needle.

Many thanks Quilty - will give it a try on Friday. Thanks!

embroidery snowflakes
 

Hence the reason why I call you the Embroidery Goddess~ You are a wealth of information on this topic and I do appreciate it!. I do agree with the stabilizer. for the snowflake pic I posted I used 3 layers of Avalon (its all I had) and it worked wonderful however I do say that once the stabilizer was removed (warm water) it felt a bit stiff so I put it in warm water again for another 5 mins. after the first 15 mins and it came out well. I too have the machine on the slowest speed, 350spm and use a sharp needle 90/14. It makes the fsl's come out better. Thanks Quilty-Louise, here are mine:

Tried to upload pic and its failing :( I'll keep trying

Let's try again...AND VOILA!

I always try to put as many designs as will fill the hoop when I embroidery. Will this work with FSL or should I reduce the number of designs I stitch?

I do too but on this evening I was too tired to move the design hence I would've had room for two more but yes you can with FSL as long as the size of the hoop can accomodate them without crowding it. :)

A lot depends on just how big a hoops and how dense the FSL is. I have a multi needle machine with a 12x12 hoop. I once tried to fill it up with well over 100,000 stitches and found I have registration problems with the last few designs. The two layers of high quality, fabric-like WSS just couldn't support that many stitches. It was definitely a duh moment for me! The only type of stabilizer that can support that many stitches would be a heavy cut away. These days I generally cut a long piece of WSS and hoop one end of it, embroider with the smallest hoop needed, then rehoop the next design as close to the first as possible. I still save on stabilizer but I have no problems with registration of the design.

Pam
(a frequent lurker and embroiderer for many years who loves FSL)

I love them and would like to make something like this. Is there a pattern somewhere for this??

I tried the FSL yesterday and was pretty pleased with the results. I used two layers of Sulky Solvy and a size 12 microtex needle. This provided better support than one layer. I used the size 12 needle since Embroidery Library recommended an 11 but I only had a 10 or 12. I think I'll try it again with Quilty Louise's suggestion of a 14 and one layer.

I was open to other stabilizers but - even though Joann's showed the Pellon in the store - they only had the Sulky.

Will keep experimenting.

Quiltnut, yours came out great.

A previous post mentioned how important it is to learn all about stabilizers. I've been quilting for a lifetime but am pretty new to machine embroidery. My lQS is offering a class on ME and the first class is heavy on stabilizers. I'm thinking I will sign up for it. Definitely not expensive, and lots to learn. I've done every utube thing I can find on them, but I have a feeling the class will sink in a bit better.

On the FSL, I tried to do some while experimenting. I did some on mylar which I like, but the density of the stitching makes them very fragile, so I tried some on toile (I think that's what it is. super fine netting which is clear but with a little shimmer) and really like that. Especially since they were snowflakes. Did some just on WSS as well, but I kind of like the little shimmer in the flakes.

Needle information, please keep it coming. Thank all of you for contributing.

I think it's so confusing until you start using them regularly. I have found that my foundering is less and less with every project. The classes usually let you touch and feel so you can get a sense of how they work and the result you get. That helps. The more you hear the message, the more it sinks in. But I still feel like such a stabilizer newbie and rally appreciate the input of our compadres.

I have been embroidering 3 years now and I know I am still a newby compared to others. Sometimes I go forever and everything is fine, then something I am doing has a pucker or even several puckers -especially when it is done on satin - and dang it! it has to go into the trash! I find that this embroidering is an expensive hobby. Getting it to look professional is very HARD to do.

I use a MINIMUM of 2 layers, and have been known to use UP TO
5 layers depending on how dense the designs are.

As for the Pellon Wash N Gone is comes on the bolt, I just purchased
4 more yards it is normally $4.29 per yard (it has gone WAY up in price).
I used a 40% off coupon to get a better price for the stabilizer.
Last time I bought the Wash N Gone (before this last purchase) it was
a regular price of $1.99 and I caught it on sale for 50% off making the
cost .99 per yard.

At that rate I find spending $130 (regular cost) of the Floriani Wet n Gone
to be cheaper to buy for the 100 yard roll. It comes out to being about $1.30
per yard. Now if/when I can catch it while on sale I can sometimes get about
20-40% off that bringing the price down even further.

Not to mention a 100 foot roll (and is 15 inches wide) will last me a LONG time.




Here are a couple links to the Floriani information that I use in case anyone is
interested in tips and help about stabilizers.

Hope some of this information will be as helpful to you as it has been to me.
Even after 6+ years of embroidery I STILL go to this info for help.

I WILL admit that my LEAST favorite stabilizer to work with is ANYTHING that
is like the "Wet n Stick" I have made the mistake several times of trying to us
that on stuff like terry cloth and all I want to say on that is that it was NOT a
pretty sight to get it off. LOL

There is other info on the first link also.




Stabilizing Solutions

Stabilizing Workbook

I use a size 11 for everything. The holes don't show as bad on cottons.

In general the size of a needle should correspond to the size of thread, not the type of design. I use a size 11 for just about everything since I generally use a 40 weight thrad. I also have some size 10s that I used for an heirloom 50 wt thread on fine batiste. The pro machines have different needles than the home machines that last much longer (a few hundred thousand stitches), and I still go through a LOT of needles. I buy in bulk and just buy the 11s. I even use a 11 on thick quilted fabrics. For metallics, I use Yenmet and I have no troubles with it and an 11 either. Some metallics are more fragile though and might need a bigger eye.

Pam

this is true the size of the needle and the type of needle is determined more by the thread than the size of design. Most will tell you to use a sharp when doing FSL because you'll have fewer issues. I tried a reqular emb needle at first when doing FSL and had lots of problems with the thread breaking; I finally went up in size of needle and used a sharp and had no problems. At first I thought it was because my thread was old so I bought new thread of the same kind and still had issues. I was using the cone serger thread because I didn't want to use my expensive thread on what I was making. As soon as I changed the needle size and type I had no problems, even when I went back to using my older thread. The size of design can affect how many layers of stablizer you need though. What I'll do is hoop at least one layer and then take my left over pieces from other projects and using spray basting attach these peices to the hooped layer giving me 2 or more layers. It works great and it cuts down on the cost. Make sure to let it dry before you start embroidering. I'll also buy the WS on the bolt from Joanns and even if its using tearaway as the main one I'll hoop the first layer with the cheaper WS to give extra support. This really is helpful when your stabilizer is a little to short in width for your hoop. You get the extra support and width to support it without spending a fortune.

Such a smart lady!! Thanks for posting this. :)

I have never purchased any designs from DesignsBySICK. I am wondering what others think of their designs. Any feedback??

I have never seen any that I liked or either any that met my need at the time.

I have purchased the membership from Designs By Sick.

Have not tried to stitch any of them out yet though.

Wow! Thank you, this is awesome. Just reading the solutions one is fantastic, so I've downloaded the workbook for future reference.
Great information. Thank you.

So glad that the info will work for you.

I resort to this info when I am not sure about what
kind of stabilizer to use for a certain type of fabric.

MOST of my info that I share with you all comes from
trial and error on my part. If/when I find something that
does or does not work I make notes on this so that I can
pass along to others who might have the same kind of is
sue that I had.

Sometimes my hints/tips works for others sometimes they
don't. But if I have an issue and find a tip that might work
I at least try it, because you never know when you find the
one that just makes everything "click" into place.

I am kinda new to the QB and am in the market for an embroidery machine. I have been looking at the Janome 350E. A dealer I have worked with before has it for what seems to be a great price. This would be my first emb. machine. I really want a stand-alone rather than a combo machine. My question is, does anyone here on the QB own this machine? And if so, what do you like/not like about it? (If there is a thread where this has already been discussed, please point me to it. I tried two or three different searches, but came up with very little. I've also been to patternreview.com but only found two reviews of this particular machine.) Thanks.

Right here at QB is a page of reviews. I found it when I googled "Janome 350E...got pages of reviews. Hope you find answers you're looking for.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...e-t178956.html

I got a new toy yesterday....a Brother DreamMaker V2200 embroidery only machine. I already have a Janome sewing/embroidery combo, but this one has a larger embroidery field and many more bells and whistles.

Just recently purchased a Designer SE from a friend who had used it less than 100 hours. Learning has been fun. Made pillowcases for all the grandchildren with their names monogrammed on the cuff. Used the pillowcase pattern than has all seams enclosed. Lots of fun and "ooohs"

Here are two of the pillow cases that I did for the [ATTACH=CONFIG]386268[/ATTACH]GKs with my Husqvarna Desiner SE.

My cousin is interested in purchasing a new quilting / embroidery machine. I think that sewing and quilting will be the primary function, but she also wants to be able to do embroidery. Of course, she would also need software to use with it. She asked me to give her some advice as to what to purchase and we need to find her something that is under $1000 complete with software. I have an older Pfaff (a 7570) with Pfaff software and also use Embird for design work, and haven't looked at any of the new machines out there is several years, so I am at a loss as to advice.

I am looking to my QB friends for suggestions for a quilting/embroidery machine including software for under $1000? Can any of you make some suggestions or lead me to a site that can help? Thanks!

Maybe she'll be lucky enough to find a used machine with software. Does she want to digitize her own designs? Because there is all sorts of free software for resizing, converting format, etc. If she gets a machine with a USB port, (most of today's machines now have them) she can d/l designs from the internet and take them to the machine on a flash drive.

If the machine is going to be used primarily for sewing and quilting, prioritize the features for those activities. Then consider the embroidery features such as hoop size. I would want a machine with a larger bed for quilting. I did not realize that I should have thought of that until after i purchased my machine..but that was almost 7 years ago and models have evolved.

Did you also mention to her the $$$ she will spend for thread and stabilzer?? Machine Embroidery is not cheap. I would advise her to start saving for the machine she wants. 1000$ is about the starting point for a decent machine PLUS the cost of software. She should start looking for machines that have been traded in and serviced by a dealer. But she should do her homework on which machine(s) she is interested in buying. My 2 cents.

It is one thing to ask for machine recommendations but ultimately she needs to research machines, test drive them etc.
Sandy

Agree with above..It's an expensive hobby. She may also want to wait for "Open Box" sales at her local shops. That's how I bought my Designer SE which normally went for 7500 but I lucked out with Open Box machine that had very little time on it and only used at shows. So it ended up being 4500 but by the time I got out of there with threads, stablizer, snip scissors etc...Might as well said it cost me full price...
Also really be sure as to how much your going to use it. I decided to buy a cheap machine first to see if I liked it and would use it...Well the cheapest Viking sold a few yrs back was 800 with the ability of only using a 4x4 hoop...4 mths later I upgraded to the SE.
I still use the cheap...HA HA machine but if I'd done my homework and really put some thought into it I'd never would have it.
Another thing is make sure whatever machine she buys it can be upgraded to other computer models...My cheap machine will only operate thru XP so if my old computer which houses the software to run that machine ever goes Bye Bye so does the emb machine...it will not run off all the new computer upgrades...Who Knew...Things you find out after the fact...Now I know the questions to ask.

hobbycat..does not Viking do patches for the newer Windows operating systems? I know that Brother does. Have you done a viking site search? As you do, I use XP for my Brother software--but I know they have patches for older software so that it will run with Vista, 7, and maybe the newest "windows". Anyhow, I love the features of XP, and if it ever becomes extinct (ie..no support) I will just take it off line and continue with my embroidery programs.

I have ck with Viking Store and they told me no updates for this model which I'm thinking was discontinued...But now that you've said that I might send off an email to Husq directly and see if store was incorrect...Thanks..

I have a Viking SE and 4D Embroidery software. It's smarter than I am. I just can't seem to get my head around machine embroidery! So, I'll be interested in hearing about any hints everyone has.