Sew What’s Up Presents
The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was
retired in August 2007. It is being provided by
“Sew What’s Up,”
which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: Ria
Date: 02-13-2005, 02:26 PM (1 of 32)
|
Hi everyone, I am new here. I am in the process of purchasing the brother 6500 and my question is first does anyone here have this machine? Are you happy with it? and do I have to have the digitilizing software right away or can I buy the machine and use it without the software and buy the software later? Thanks for any info you can give me. Ria Ria
"Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them" (Oliver Wendell Holmes) Brother 6500.....Brother 8060......PED Basic... Embird...... |
User: Ria
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 121 |
From: mamadus
Date: 02-13-2005, 02:48 PM (2 of 32)
|
Ria.. you don't need digitizing software right away.. infact, you don't need it at all... some people like to digitize, others are perfectly content to just buy their designs... what you do need with the 6500 is a way to get your designs to the machine... the 6500 and the 8500 take a card... that means you need a reader-writer box... there are lots of good choices out there, some more expensive than others... my first embroidery machine, th pe 150 used a card... I bought the Ultimate box from Allbrands... at the time I think it cost me about $160 for the box and one blank card... other alternatives are PEBasic (comes with the box and card), the Amazing box, the Mini Amazing. the Pes2card3, check them all out and see what you think fits your situation.. if you're pretty sure you're going to stay with the Brother/Babylock machine line if you ever decide to upgrade, then PEBasic or the Ultimate box are good choices and also very reasonably priced.. the Amazing Box tends to be more expensive... you will also probably want to get some kind of conversion software and editing software... my suggestion there would be, once you get your machine, download the trial version of Embird...Its good for 30 days or 100 uses, whichever comes first.. You can download from a number of sites... I usually do my downloads from www.embird.com If you decide to buy it (register it) my suggestion would be to do that through www.secretsof.com as they seem to have the best prices... Embird Basic will give you the capability to convert and do basic editing (resizing, changing colors, changing stitch patterns, etc) Then later on, if you choose, you can add the digitizing tools, the photo stitch tools (Sfumato) and the cross stitch tools. oh.. you might also want to consider adding the Iconizer plug-in should you decide to get Embird.. The iconizer plug-in lets you see a little picture of your design files in Windows explorer so you don't have to try to remember what each design looks like just by its name... well worth the $17 it costs in my opinion... whatever you decide, have fun... machine embroidery can be very addicting but also very relaxing... just my 2 cents... MO life is too short, not to explore
|
User: mamadus
Member since: 12-31-2004 Total posts: 492 
|
From: Ria
Date: 02-13-2005, 05:41 PM (3 of 32)
|
This was extremely helpful to me Mo...thank you so much for your extensive and quick reply. Buying an embroidery machine can be quite confusing  Ria
Ria
"Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them" (Oliver Wendell Holmes) Brother 6500.....Brother 8060......PED Basic... Embird...... |
User: Ria
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 121 |
From: mamadus
Date: 02-13-2005, 08:11 PM (4 of 32)
|
Ria, if you get stuck just holler, I'll be happy to help as much as I am able... MO life is too short, not to explore
|
User: mamadus
Member since: 12-31-2004 Total posts: 492
|
From: beaglesews
Date: 02-13-2005, 09:15 PM (5 of 32)
I have had a PC6500 for a little over a year. Bought it at a dealer. Learned to use it there. I love it. I've made lots of baby quilts, towels, and other items on it. I use it mostly for embroidery. I only have the PED basic writer box & card. I've never bought anything other than a couple of designs from embroidery library. I have downloaded TONS of free designs. Sometime, I'd like to buy a digitizing software, but then I 'd have to learn it! 
|
User: beaglesews
Member since: 12-16-2004 Total posts: 25 
|
From: Ria
Date: 02-14-2005, 07:54 PM (6 of 32)
|
Beagle what number bobbin does the 6500 take....155 or 156? I have the brother CS8060 and it takes 156...just wonder if when I order my machine I should get more bobbins. I heard that the prewound ones were bad for the embroidery machines. Ria Ria
"Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them" (Oliver Wendell Holmes) Brother 6500.....Brother 8060......PED Basic... Embird...... |
User: Ria
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 121 |
From: soverysewey
Date: 02-14-2005, 09:54 PM (7 of 32)
| The L size plastic sided prewounds work perfectly in my PC6500 and they hold a lot more bobbin thread than the factory bobbins do!!!Love them! The PC6500 comes with four bobbins and takes the SA155 bobbins.You can usually buy just one at your dealers to try. |
User: soverysewey
Member since: 12-19-2003 Total posts: 56 |
From: Ria
Date: 02-15-2005, 10:03 AM (8 of 32)
|
Thank you so much for your reply sovery, I am ordering my 6500 today and getting 100 bobbins that I will wind myself. I have heard that it is better to just do it yourself and that the pre-wound ones can ruin the machine. Thanks agian. Ria
Ria
"Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them" (Oliver Wendell Holmes) Brother 6500.....Brother 8060......PED Basic... Embird...... |
User: Ria
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 121 |
From: soverysewey
Date: 02-15-2005, 02:40 PM (9 of 32)
|
Where did you hear that prewound ruied your machine? I use them al lthe time and so do a lot of other people and I have never heard of them ruining a machine. Some machines don't like them and you end up having to wind them yourself anyway but that is why you would only buy one to try.Everyone I have ever read about that has a PC6500 [and has tried them]can use the L plastic sided prewounds.I would not use the cardboard sided or the no sided ones but that is just my preference. You ought to try one.Much easier than winding your own . |
User: soverysewey
Member since: 12-19-2003 Total posts: 56 |
From: Ria
Date: 02-15-2005, 03:36 PM (10 of 32)
|
I was on sewinginusa.com and I was viewing their empty bobbins and there is a note below that states that you should never use prewound bobbins as they could damage your machine. Hmmmmmm.....too bad I didnt ask you first. I would have loved the prewound ones. It is tedious to wind them all......I also heard it on another forum but now I cannot remember which one it was....Ria HERE IS THE LINK...I got it for you.... http://www.sewinginusa.com/products.asp?cat=54&id=1952&gcat=1 Ria
"Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them" (Oliver Wendell Holmes) Brother 6500.....Brother 8060......PED Basic... Embird...... |
User: Ria
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 121 |
From: soverysewey
Date: 02-15-2005, 10:55 PM (11 of 32)
|
Thanks for the link. That is about on par with them telling you you can only use Brother thread because any other will ruin your machine. It absolves them of guilt if you ever do have a problem and you tell them you were using other thread or NEBs. You just never tell them if you have to send it in for service.I have never heard of anyone having a problem with their machine being ruined by using the NEBs. Some have had some trouble with one variety of them or another in their particular machine,as in the machine did not like the cardboard sided ones or something, but the PC6500 is sturdy and I have never seen anyone have a problem with the plastic sided L size NEBs. Just get one and try it. |
User: soverysewey
Member since: 12-19-2003 Total posts: 56 |
From: Kylnne2
Date: 02-16-2005, 03:22 AM (12 of 32)
| I have a Brother made stand alone embroid. machine. All I have ever used in the bobbin is white ..Basting and Bobbin thread. I have never had a bad stitchout and I have embroidered on everything from plastic coated canvas to fine knit. I don't change the color from white to other colors even when doing embroidery on dark fabric..it has never shown through. Yes, I do wind my own bobbins a couple at a time..in case I need an extra. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: beaglesews
Date: 02-16-2005, 08:15 AM (13 of 32)
| I have only wound my own bobbins. I purchased a pack of 20 in addition to what came with my machine. I also have the CS8072 which takes the same bobbins. I too, have only used white. It's never shown thru. I do tend to get my thread caught under the cutter & have to take off the plate occasionally to clean. I LOVE that CS8072. I just bought it a couple of months ago from Walmart! It takes the same feet as my 6500. I use the 6500 mostly for embroidery & the 8072 for sewing. I ordered a few extra feet for them both. Has anyone ever used the 6500 for emb. leather? I did a jacket for a friend & it was a very soft leather. I took the lining apart & did the back with a design. Now, she wants me to do another. It took a LONG time to do the 1st one, just because of the jacket being large & the positioning of the design. What does anyone think of doing the 2nd one... should I, or do you think it may hurt my machine? |
User: beaglesews
Member since: 12-16-2004 Total posts: 25
|
From: Ria
Date: 02-19-2005, 12:51 PM (14 of 32)
|
I have a Brother made stand alone embroid. machine. All I have ever used in the bobbin is white ..Basting and Bobbin thread. I have never had a bad stitchout and I have embroidered on everything from plastic coated canvas to fine knit. I don't change the color from white to other colors even when doing embroidery on dark fabric..it has never shown through. Yes, I do wind my own bobbins a couple at a time..in case I need an extra. Kylnne, I just set up my brother 6500 and am learning it by reading the manual before I even try it. The manual is telling me to wind embroidery thread on the bobbin, if I understand you correctly you don't do that, you just use regular white thread in the bobbin for embroidery? Is that what I am understanding you to say? And it also says to thread #60 embroidery thread in the upper thread and I only have #40 for now. Can I use that? they also say to use embroidery #60 in the bobbin. and needle 75/11 ( I have to see if that is what is on the machine now. thanks for any help on this. I will have to go to the other forum and ask there too. Many ladies have the same machine that I have. I am not really sure what you have. thanks, Ria Ria
"Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them" (Oliver Wendell Holmes) Brother 6500.....Brother 8060......PED Basic... Embird...... |
User: Ria
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 121 |
From: Kylnne2
Date: 02-19-2005, 05:55 PM (15 of 32)
| Ria, yes all I use is cheap Coats Basting and Bobbin thread in my bobbin. When I first got my machine I used the same thread in the bobbin as I did in the top but then found that I didn't need to do that. My cheap little White 3300E that I paid only $349 for at my dealers is a Brother made machine.It is like the Simplicity and one of the Babylocks and one older Bernina in design. Some of their cards can interchange if you use the cards. I don't recall the manual stating anything about using certain threads and I use just the thread on hand to match the colors of the designs I do. I have used many different threads mostly all purpose poly but have gotten several embroidery threads to match the colors I need. The machine is not at all thread fussy. It rather amazes me at times on some of the fabrics that I monogram like the plastic canvas and heavy towels then doing fine fabrics with pretty designs..I love the many types of butterflies.I have done many horses on denim for the grandkids too. Our machines might take a different size bobbin but the bobbin on my machine has the Brother design like the sewing machine where you bring the thread to the outside and it has that little cutter. I suggest to do what your instruction book suggests in regards to the thread etc. I hope you have fun with your new machine. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: Kylnne2
Date: 02-19-2005, 06:07 PM (16 of 32)
Beaglesews, you are lucky to have your CS8072 from Walmart. That is the machine I chose to buy (over 1 yr. ago) and it was out of stock. I waited months then I was told they could no longer get them. They were out of stock on line also at the Walmart site. The machine went up in price with all the Brother changes. My Walmart said they cannot get them after I inquired many times and they still do not stock them. I of course did buy other machines and am happy with them but it was a long trial beacause I encountered a few lemons in the process which I won't go into. Whenever I see the 8072 which is now available on line at different dealers..I grit my teeth. I still would like to at least give that machine a try after all I went though in searching out other machines..in fact..LOL I haven't stopped. I found a craze in searching out new machines..even though I love the ones I have now. It is interesting seeing the posts of many with the likes and dislikes of certain models. This has become a new hobby for me..besides sewing. 
|
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: Ria
Date: 02-20-2005, 10:24 AM (17 of 32)
|
Kylnne thank you very much. This is kind of what the ladies on the other forum told me. They have the 6500 as I have. So maybe today I will try it out for the first time. I wanted to read the manual through first. You know I almost got the white machine that you have, It was one of my choices and I heard a lot of great things about it.You got a great price on it. Ria Ria
"Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them" (Oliver Wendell Holmes) Brother 6500.....Brother 8060......PED Basic... Embird...... |
User: Ria
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 121 |
From: Kylnne2
Date: 02-21-2005, 06:24 AM (18 of 32)
| Ria you have yourself a really fine machine and you are going to enjoy it so much. It does quite a bit more than my little stand alone embroid. machine. I got mine mainly for doing things for the grandkids and I am not much into embroidery as some are but I do enjoy it. I recently bought other new machines and sort of went overboard getting a good serger/coverhem too. I enjoy my new machines so much and I hope you enjoy yours also. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: beaglesews
Date: 02-21-2005, 10:40 AM (19 of 32)
| Yes, I love that 8072. I got it in Nov., from WalMart. We have about 7 WalMarts within about 20 mi. of me. I called & called till I found one that had it. The store I bought it from was the only one that had one left! I know it was popular in late '03. I was surprised that I found it! I paid $288. I now want more hoops for my 6500. I have posted a couple hoop ??? on other boards. I've also read about others who have the 6500 that have bobbin problems. I have only used the RA lingere & bobbin thread on my emb. bobbins. That's what the dealer told me to use. |
User: beaglesews
Member since: 12-16-2004 Total posts: 25
|
From: Ria
Date: 02-21-2005, 12:19 PM (20 of 32)
|
Kylnne, I am really enjoying this machine. I was a bit afraid of it at first LOL....The white thread in the bobbin is working great for me. You cannot even see any white on the top stitching. I just have to learn to use the LCD display. A needle broke on me because the to thread came out of place and I changed it fine and fixed the thread but I could not ( did not know how to ) get back to the place where I left off. I used the back button but I was kind of nervous and it didnt work. This is a fine machine and does nice work. thanks for all your input. Ria Ria
"Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them" (Oliver Wendell Holmes) Brother 6500.....Brother 8060......PED Basic... Embird...... |
User: Ria
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 121 |
From: Ria
Date: 02-21-2005, 12:23 PM (21 of 32)
|
Beagle I got my CS 8060 from Walmart online as they did not have it in the store. I love that machine too. Let me ask you. What is the size of the hoop that we got with the 6500? And which size would I want to get next? I cant imagine that there is one larger than this one. It is truly a great machine. I have to become more familiar with it. I think I will try something today. I got a pack of square cut stabilizer with the machine and absolutely no directions or even a label telling me what it is. I can tell which ones are the thin and which are the thicker. I don't know if they are iron ons and if not then how in the heck do I use them. Do I baste them on. I looked for a shiny side to see if they are iron ons but they do not have a shiny side. Would you know? Thanks for any input you can give me. Ria PS sorry there was a label that said OESD..but that is all it said... Ria
"Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them" (Oliver Wendell Holmes) Brother 6500.....Brother 8060......PED Basic... Embird...... |
User: Ria
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 121 |
From: soverysewey
Date: 02-21-2005, 07:54 PM (22 of 32)
|
Most likey tear away stabilzer is what you have. Your machine came with the 5x7 hoop. There is a 4x4 hoop and a smaller one..I think about 2 1/2 x 2 1/2 also you can get the larger multi-position hoop.Can't remember how big that one is.Four hoop sizes available for the PC6500. Hope you are loving your machine! |
User: soverysewey
Member since: 12-19-2003 Total posts: 56 |
From: beaglesews
Date: 02-21-2005, 10:44 PM (23 of 32)
| Yes, that's what I understand... hoop sizes. I have the 4 x 4 & the 5 x 7. I am wanting to get the multi-postion hoops. I have some tear away stabilizer. I use the spray adhesive on it. I usually hoop the stabilizer & NEVER spray your fabric.. always the stabilizer! Then I lay the fabric on it. Or, I hoop the fabric & cut a small piece of the stabilizer & spray the STABILIZER & place under the fabric. The first few times I did towels, I could not understand why they didn't look better, then I discovered you had to use water sol. stabil. on the top! Fleece, too! Ria... did you say you purchased a digitizing program? & did you get the PED? |
User: beaglesews
Member since: 12-16-2004 Total posts: 25
|
From: Ria
Date: 02-22-2005, 10:54 AM (24 of 32)
|
Kylnne and Sovery, thanks so very much for all your input. I do truly appreciate it. Ria Beagle, no I did not yet get any software. I want to learn the machine thoroughly first and then I will be on the forums for advice as to what is the best one to buy. I do digital art and so I am very familiar with many art programs. I have Paint Shop Pro 7 and a few others that I work with..they take jpg. giff, tiff and many others. When I am ready I will get the software. That will be another learning experience. By the way does the cable to hook up the machine to the PC come with the software or is it sold seperately? I think I will be ordering the 4x4 frame. I dont think I have use for the tiny one. Thanks for all the help. I do appreciate it. Ria Ria
"Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them" (Oliver Wendell Holmes) Brother 6500.....Brother 8060......PED Basic... Embird...... |
User: Ria
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 121 |
From: beaglesews
Date: 02-22-2005, 11:12 AM (25 of 32)
|
My cable is attached to the PED-Basic box & a USB on the other side. I'm not very computer literate... my hubby does that. What did you get, the 5 x7 hoop? I usually only use the 5 x 7. I ocassionally use the 4 x4, only if I have to hoop the stabilizer for a smaller design. If I'm hooping the fabric & cut a piece of stabilizer for the backing, I use the 5 x 7. But, the 4 x 4 is worth having, too. I want that Jumbo one, so I don't have to re-hoop designs. I seem to do a lot of lettering & have to re-hoop & then I get off the line & the lettering is crooked As I think I have said, I just have that PED basic & have downloaded hundreds of free designs to use. I would like to have some digitizing software some day, but I just need to become more familiar with the computer.
|
User: beaglesews
Member since: 12-16-2004 Total posts: 25
|
From: Ria
Date: 02-22-2005, 11:59 AM (26 of 32)
|
Beagle...when I am ready....I was thinking of this... What do you think of this software? http://www.sewinginusa.com/products.asp?id=2239&cat= Thanks Ria I got the 5x7 hoop with my machine and I do think I will get the 4x4 for smaller designs and then later get the biggest one. I would love to do the quilt stitches. Ria
"Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them" (Oliver Wendell Holmes) Brother 6500.....Brother 8060......PED Basic... Embird...... |
User: Ria
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 121 |
From: beaglesews
Date: 02-22-2005, 02:00 PM (27 of 32)
| Ria, as I understand it, the Ultimate box is just like the PED Basic box & card I have. It's is not actually software. It's just a reader/writer box to get designs off the computer. You have to have Embrid/PE Design or some others to actually "digitize". I haven't used any of the quilting stitches, even though I make the memory quilts. I like the frames to embroidery. I've used those & I LOVE the decorate heirloom stitch that looks like a row of stars. That is beautiful. I bought the new 1/4 in quilt foot that has a guide on it & a fringe foot & a walking foot for mine, since I can use them on my 8072 also |
User: beaglesews
Member since: 12-16-2004 Total posts: 25
|
From: Kylnne2
Date: 02-22-2005, 09:40 PM (28 of 32)
| My little machine came with 3 hoops. I rarely use the huge hoop that is something like 13'' unless I have several designs in the hoop. I mainly use just the middle size hoop and rarely the small one. I know that some have very fine ways of using their stabilizer and some don't hoop their fabric. I mostly just hoop both fabric and stabilizer with the stabilizer on the bottom. It has always worked well it seems no matter what fabric..thick or thin, plastic or fine. I just do not adjust the hoop tight on some of the fabrics. I have never used any of the sprays etc. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: Ria
Date: 02-22-2005, 11:23 PM (29 of 32)
|
Beagle,I would love to do the quilting...I will have to look into Embird too. This is an expensive hobby. I got my thread today from Marathon and I love it. It was a great sale. I also need to get the walking foot. Ria Kylnne, I cannot imagine doing embroidery without hooping. I thought that was a must. So then do they guide the material with their hands? Does it work? I thought one had to use the hoop. I did see some hoopless stablilizer and wondered what that was. I am learning, learning , learning LOL.. Ria Ria
"Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them" (Oliver Wendell Holmes) Brother 6500.....Brother 8060......PED Basic... Embird...... |
User: Ria
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 121 |
From: Kylnne2
Date: 02-23-2005, 01:28 AM (30 of 32)
| Ria, I have not done it hoopless but I have seen posts where people have. Also, depending on the type of fabric used some lay the fabric or stabilizers over the hoop. I am not the one to tell of this because I have only seen postings about it and also on sewing shows on tv. I have not had any problems just hooping it the way I said. I have used a few different stabilizers depending on the materials. I don't embroider as much as some do. I seem to be serging more lately than sewing while making so many baby things. Soon I will be getting out my embroidery machine and I will be using it all day to finish some of the baby items. I don't use it as often as my serger and sewing machine..but when I do..it is an all day affair. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: Ria
Date: 02-23-2005, 10:23 AM (31 of 32)
|
Thanks much Kylnne....I think I would rather just use the hoop and keep it simple. Good luck with your all day embroidery venture. I never seem to have enough time to do all that I want to do. Ria 
Ria
"Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them" (Oliver Wendell Holmes) Brother 6500.....Brother 8060......PED Basic... Embird...... |
User: Ria
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 121 |
From: BrokenNeedle
Date: 03-06-2005, 10:14 AM (32 of 32)
|
Just a quick note. In 2001, Brother told me not to use prewound bobbins in my ULT2001 embroidery machine. I was told that it is cheap (I don't mean less expensive) thread. That is how they can get so much on the bobbin. it would be best to contact Brother and ask if it's okay to use prewound in the 6500. Brother's standard answers are: "Ask your dealer." or they will refer you to a page on their site which does not contain the answer to your question. So, it's best to start your question to Brother with, "Please don't tell me to ask my dealer." That way you may get a good answer. Superior Thread makes an wonderful bobbin thread which they named The Bottom Line. It is a number 60 wt. and comes in great colors, if you want them. Pam Pamela in NC
Bernina 630, BabyLock evolve, Brother 1500s, Brother ULT2001, Pfaff 2054/56 |
User: BrokenNeedle
Member since: 02-09-2005 Total posts: 5 |
Visit Sew What’s Up for the latest sewing and quilting tips and discussions.
This page was originally located on Sew What’s New (www.sew-whats-new.com) at http://www.sew-whats-new.com/vb/archive/index.php/t-15040.html
Sew What’s Up is hosted by ZenSoft