What are your thoughts on using machine embroidery for quilting on a very piecy busy, lots of seams scrappy quilt? I've been thinking of just outlining and SITD quilting. I've combined finished blocks into approx 2'x2' units and plan to QAYG with the top and batting only and add the backing and complete the quilting by following secondary diagonal patterns across the quilt. I have a Babylock Ellisimo so embroidery could work but I don't think the pattern would show much and I'm concerned about all the seams. Some places are very bulky; don't want to tax my machine. The pattern is Orca Bay by Bonnie Hunter. Your comments would be appreciated. Thanks as always!

I use a decorative vs.the stitch in the ditch. I dont stay in the ditch .
Sandy

Ok...I am making some progress by now.... i got the digitizer EXjr with the machine and two hoops..... But no classes at all....( the dealer is more than three hours away)..... By now I am capable to embroider some of the built it design that comes with the machine......I also got a Janome USB with 500 designs in it....I can see the designs on the coputer with the degitizer program on but not sure how to transfer them to the machine??? Or better say I am not sure if to copy one design to another USB or ...how to make it to get to the machine....?. ....????? Thanks again....

Im not sure which Janome you have however if you're using horizon link there should be a box along the top of the page which says 'send' 'receive' if your connected to your sewing machine a quick click on the send icon should work. Sorry if this is teaching granny to suck eggs (not literally of course)

...Thank you....I. Have the Janome 350E..... The top menu gives two options one is " send to machine " and the other is " write to card".... So I will use your suggestion and use the write to card ( only using a new USB ) I hope it will work.....Thanks

I will sure be waiting to see the final project pics !! Good luck!!

Yes...same question here...I also love this border....

I was also playing with the idea of buying a top line machine and finally bought myself the Janome350 E..... It seems to be working great by now and no magic box needed..... And of course it cost so much less.... I hated the idea of spending a lot of money on a machine that may be won,t fulfill my dreams, and this one seems to be so perfect for me......but I think it really depends on how much you want to work with it and what are you planning on doing....there is the spece limit.....mine came with two hoops....I had read bad reviews about using the mega hoop with my machine...?.... Well, good luck on whatever you decide and let us know how it works...

May be its because I am using Ipad? Not sure....I swear I didn,t drink anything so far, only my morning coffee.....

no worries. I bought a 12000 last week, my first sojourn into embroidery so am still exploring to find out the machines capabilities (far greater than mine for sure!). If your designs don't transfer to the USB stick or you can't access USB stick in the machine you can send directly to machine. That's how I do it. My USB stick I think needs formatting because I can access the contents when it's in my laptop but not when its in the machine.

its only the 15000 that has wifi connection for using the iPad. It was tempting but would've cost another couple of thousand - eek! I've still not told my other half how much my machine cost. He did ask but all I replied was nevermind that just be chuffed I saved a grand!

Nine years ago I purchased the Husqvarna-Viking Scandinavia 300 embroidery machine with a 4" (100mmx100mm) hoop. Also purchased the Plus hoop (100mmx170mm). My only thoughtful use for an embroidery machine at the time, was to make quilt labels!!!! Oh, my.......I have done so very much more since that first thought. I started with the 3D Embroidery Extra software and upgraded to the 4D & 5D, but couldn't see any reason to upgrade to the 6D (gets expensive to keep upgrading). If my pocketbook could afford a machine with larger hoops, I would go there, but I would NOT trade my Scandinavia 300 as I like the way it sews and it treats me good. As for thread, I started with the Sulky and like the 40 rayon, but do have Anton-Robinson and a couple other brands when I had to buy in a pinch (& the store didn't carry Sulky). I really do like the Sulky sheen.

Just found this site. I have a Husqvarna Viking SE . Would like to learn how to make 3 layer quilt blocks on it. Can someone help me. The back doesn't look good . what am I doing wrong. Thanks

Birds nest
 

At one time, it seemed like just about everything I did turned into another birds nest. After lots of posts on this site and getting help (thank you all for your suggestions) it seems that my problem was the manner of filling the bobbins.
Even so, I still get a nest from time to time and it generally happens on the final block of series and very close to the end of the stitching! I got a one piece knife kind of thing that is flat and supposed to slide under the hoop to cut the threads. Don't get one! They don't work. Too short and more dull than my kitchen knives! I generally end up cutting holes in the embroidery and basically ruining any chance of finishing the block.
Last week, on a website that I can't remember the name to give credit, I saw a tip. To get rid of the birds nest without ruining the embroidery, remove the pressure foot. Duh! Obviously I never thought to do that. When it happens again, and I know it will, I'll give it a try and let you know if it helps.

There has been times when I not only removed the pressure foot but also the needle plate. This allows me to cut the thread from under the plate and eliminating more of a chance to cut the fabric in the process. I have also at times sprayed some temp adhesive spray onto WS and put it over the area that messed up and continued to finish my piece.

How many back up files do you have for all your embroidery designs?

When I get new designs I immediately download them to my external
hard drive. I mainly do this for 2 reasons, one because when we go to
the cabin, MIL or FIL homes for weekend trips I always take my laptop
with me. Quite often I will be awake long before anyone else so during
those quiet times I work on sorting/renaming my designs.

My second reason for saving to my external drive is because of computer
crashes have caused me to lose many design in the past and I was thankful
for having a backup.

But I have my computer setup with automatic file backups for certain
files on my computer, and this will also include backing up my embroidery
design to my secondary internal hard drive in my computer.

Than lets not forget about the jump drives (from 1 to 64 gig) not all of them
are backups, but most of them does have at least 1 design to which i plan
on formatting to clean the drive.


How do you insure never to lose your designs?


How about you?

Louise I've been fortunate so far that my puter works. I keep my designs on a usb drive and keep the categories by date that I purchased. It is daunting for me at this point to name folders and put the designs in them.

I also save my designs to an external hard drive, & then save them in certain folders by type of design. I only use a USB to transfer a design to my machine.

Hi, I have a Bernina 830 and have not attempted embroidery yet although I'm going to see a friend of a friend in a few days that is going to show me the basics , like what stabiliser and thread also how to put fabric into the hoop and the hoop onto the unit! I am a complete nubie to embroidery. Do any help is gratefully received.

Stella, the first "hurdle" is getting to know your machine and how to set it up for embroidery. It is a learning curve and always evolving in how you want to use the machine. Read everything you can "online". Mfgr. Sites, Design sites, etc. Be patient and take this one project at a time. Don't get discouraged. There is a lot to learn! Have fun and post your projects.

sandy

Thanks to all of you....Now I am facing a new problem...when I try to rewind...( yes, I do move the stick to the right ) the needle is jumping up and down and of course I know its not normal..... .....I am crying mu heart out....the dealer is soooooo far away...... Any suggestions? ??????

On my machine I have to reset the tension -- when embroidering the thread is pulled to the back, when quilting you want it to meet in the middle.

Ania,
Which machine do you have again? Do you mean wind the bobbin or go back a few stitches in embroidery?

That is so beautiful !,

Grandma...Thanks I have the janome 350E and I mean when I want to bobbin snd not stitching.... The post about the besutiful design that I answered to, was supposed to appear in another place...I am not sure what happens.......
Thanks again for trying to help

Grandma, I mean wind the bobbin......thanks

Chamby....go to the www.Emblibrary. They have awesome designs and you get free designs as well without having to pay for membership......you may embroider on your pillows ( with same color scheme too ..its i teresting and quite ....) you can make pot holders, table runners and wall hangers....you can also embroider certain blocks on some of the blocks no matter if its for a baby or adult baby....( flowers, birds and so much more ) good luck !!!

My experience is that "embroidery" stitching on my machine is never pretty on the back. I have come to conclusion that it is the BACK and to not fret. It is what it is.

Sandy

No need to be crying your heart off! Read your manual. Unplug the foot pedal from the Janome (i have 3 of them) and the machine will not "stitch" during the winding of bobbins. Once you push the bobbin post into winding position, all should be well.

A word of advice...well meaning word, i never relied on my machine dealer to help me learn machine embroidery, etc all of these years. He did not have anyone on staff working when I needed help or it was a Sunday or after hours, etc. I re-read the manuals, I do as you are doing, ask the Board! Even with my latest purchase in November, the owners manual lacks in some technical "tips" or info so asking for help, sharing advice. Here and on other forums is most helpful. Janome has a forum on their website. Go there too, join and ask away!

Enjoy your machine...after 8 years of machine embroidery, I learn something new every day.

i also don't feel "limited" with my 5 X 7 hoop. I love to personalize my polo shirts with cute designs, sayings, etc. I admit to never using my Giga hoop for my Janome 9700. Embroidery takes a lot of time to do and hooping, re hooping, positioning, etc takes even more time and expertise. I have always been very happy with the hoops I have. Maybe I am too lazy to learn! lol! Pick your poison.

have FUN,

sandy

That's funny, Lyn. I'm still in the staring stage.

Thank you sandy girl....... My machine comes without a pedal...I did take it finally yestreday to a qualified repair shop and they were so wonderful.....they worked on it 6 hours yesterday...yes 6 hours while I was standing and waiting.....the machine had at least 3 problems that they had fixed and they did exchange the bobbin case ( the black upper part ).... ..... Lets hope it won,t cause problems anymore...... I know things like this happens I only hate when it happens to me...... Thanks to all of you..... One more thing, they recomend me to use another stabilizer ( cut in stabilizer ).......

ania755: Do you mean 'cutaway' stabilizer? The only trouble with using ONLY cut away is that it CANNOT be torn away and there are some embroideries that you don't want the stabilizer to remain when you are done. I use tear away and water soluble stabilizers a lot. 15 months ago I had to have the feed dogs replaced. I knew I embroidered a lot but never heard of having to replace feed dogs until then and having done garment and quilt sewing most of my life, that was a surprise. Good luck and have fun with your embroideries.

I was wondering about that..... But they did tell me that the tear away stabilizer is too thin, do they come in different weigh??? I wonder...... With your replaced feed dogs and the replaced bobbin case on my machine we could get a new machine...LOL.....I did try to sew garmets but I lack the talent...he he.... Good luck to you yoo....

The do come in different weights along with also coming in sticky. I use tear away, cut away (use it the least) and I use water soluable alot.

Although I posted these pictures in another thread I thought posting
them here (in the embroidery thread) would be a good place to share.

This is a bird should cape I made for bird owners. I plan to take pre-orders
at the bird expo coming up the weekend of Mother's Day.

Front of cape

[ATTACH=CONFIG]473387[/ATTACH]


Back of cape


[ATTACH=CONFIG]473388[/ATTACH]


Close up embroidery design on back

[ATTACH=CONFIG]473391[/ATTACH]


Same design different color of pocket on front.


[ATTACH=CONFIG]473392[/ATTACH]

Thank you.....I didn,t know that......I still have a lot to learn....hugs

I have 2 embroidery machines: a Pfaff 7570 (last one made in Germany) and a Bernina Artista 200. Have only been embroidering for a few mos., but made a couple of purses. Plan to incorporate blocks into a quilt someday. Tried my luck at several T-shirts for the grandkids, and a couple of towels.

Quilty-Louise, I love your bird capes. Sure could have used one when we had birds!

Louise those are lovely capes. Love the designs!

I have a Husqvarnia Platinum 950..love mine. This was a quilt I made my son and his wife for their wedding gift.