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The Sew What’s New Archive
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From: moni
Date: 03-16-2005, 07:05 AM (1 of 7)
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Hi, I've been lurking ...and learning alot. But would like to ask a few questions. I have been toying with getting an embroidery machine, and have read ALL the previous posts regarding machines, I KNOW I will want bigger,but I couldn't wait , so I am waiting for my new machine to arrive. I decided on the white 3300, mainly because it was within my immediate budget. I have NEVER used an embroidery machine and cant wait to learn but want to make sure that I am well equipped when it arrives, please could someone give me the specific items to have on hand, ie: what kind of stabilizer and how many spools of thread to begin to play, I dont know what I will embroider, I can only think of the monogramming aspect, I make tiny clothes for my baby girl (she's a 3.5 lb. yorkie). I appreciate all your help and look forward to your replies. Monica |
User: moni
Member since: 01-05-2005 Total posts: 8 |
From: smith972
Date: 03-16-2005, 07:26 AM (2 of 7)
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All i can tell you is what they told me when i got my babylock....when buying thread buy at 3 in the same color family that way you can always shade...if sewing in baby clothes you will need mid-wt tear away and maybe some water soly for doing towels...you may also use interfacing as stabilzer but experiment experiment experiment....i use the prewound bobbins as they have twice as much thread and are wound better than hand wound bobbins.....but i am sure the ladies will be here in just a moment to give you pleanty of advice... Jada Enjoy your new machine.... |
User: smith972
Member since: 09-10-2004 Total posts: 241 
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From: Chrysantha
Date: 03-16-2005, 04:05 PM (3 of 7)
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Buy GOOD thread (stay away from Coats and Clark..it's cheap and will fill your machine with fuzz...fuzz is death to the new machines, especially if they have a lot of plastic in them). Robinson-Anton, Mettler, Madiera, Guttermann, Sulky (although I don't care for Sulky in my machines it tends to shred). The stronger the fabric the less stabilizer is needed. (ie, denim needs less than a t-shirt). For stretchy fabric use a sticky and STICK it to your hoop, don't hoop the fabric. (it'll leave marks) Float something underneath, like med cutaway...too much stabilizer is better than too little. For towels and fabric that has a nap, use a water soluble on top. To keep the embroidery from sinking into the fabric. I buy thread in 'sets'....lots of colors in a package. (Mettler does this a lot) and on sale at my dealers. Get a variety..I have metallic, plain, and varigated(shaded one color and multi colors) Buy stabilizer in rolls if you can (it saves money that way and you get more). Have lots of needles on hand. 4 embroideries to 1 needle is about the standard. (unless the embroideries are REALLY big..then I'd change more often). Get some GOOD embroidery scissors. Small, sharp, pointed and slightly curved. It's hard to think without a brain you know...I own 2 embroidery machines and my quilting machine also does some small embroidery. ( like edging and monograms). So I buy things on sale, in bulk, with coupons. (and I was really lucky...when I bought my machines and sewing cabinet, it came with sooooo much thread, I have a ton...that and I'm addicted to buying thread...I LOVE color) So if I left something out, I'm sure someone will pick up the slack.... Oh and don't forget....your machine will ONLY use the format for that machine. So if you buy embroideries off the internet (and we all do) make sure you get the format for your machine. (unless you're going to buy softeware to convert). Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: Chey
Date: 03-18-2005, 02:18 AM (4 of 7)
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When I started out, I got red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and a purple, as well as black and white. That gave me somewhere to start building from. I've now started in the "shoppers rule" thread club with Robison Anton, it's cheaper than I can get anywhere else, especially by the time I pay gas. You will need a minimum of tearaway, water soluble, and cutaway stabilizer to give you the widest avenue of options for embroidering to start out. Mostly you will likely use the tearaway, depending on what you do. I got addicted to free standing lace, which requires water soluble. However, I use my joannes coupons for stabilizer and spray adhesive. As I quickly learned, embroidery is not a cheap hobby, and on a limited budget can be very frustrating, but at the same time very rewarding! I would suggest you invest in a good digitizing program so you can digitize your own designs, or at least download and resize designs from the internet. You can literally not purchase a single design and have thousands of designs, including sets to stitch out. Check yahoo for machine embroidery groups and join some of them, there are thousands of free designs there. You do need to have a way to get them from your computer to the machine tho, that's where your program comes in, it should have a reader/writer box as well as a blank card with it. Start slow, don't forget the designs that come with your machine. Maybe decide that each month with the coupon you are going to get one kind of stabilizer, or that you are going to budget so much for thread, and gradually build up. I also highly recommend a good pair of scissors, with super sharp tips, as you will have to tear something out and redo it, also look for a blade, like a scalpel on a handle, at joannes, for ripping out, it's invaluable! I have a pair of the expensive stork scissors and wouldn't trade them for the world! I also highly recommend having paper tape handy when you use the adhesive spray, put it on the exposed portion of your hoop before you spray the adhesive on it, to keep it from getting the overspray on it. Enjoy your new machine! Collecting designs is addictive, be forewarned! Chey |
User: Chey
Member since: 03-18-2005 Total posts: 2 |
From: joannequilts
Date: 03-18-2005, 03:03 AM (5 of 7)
| Hi Chey, welcome to Sew Whats New. How long have you been doing machine embroidery? |
User: joannequilts
Member since: 12-22-2000 Total posts: 3070 
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From: mamadus
Date: 03-18-2005, 03:58 AM (6 of 7)
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MOni... are you getting all this??? I'm laughing because when I first saw your user name I almost fell off my chair... most of my family and childhood friends call me MONI.. but I've never known anybody else who has that same nickname... in any event... some very good advice has been posted here, so I will add only a little... when you're looking at a reader/writer box ask specifically if they are windows compatible... some are not... If you have the white 3300, I would recomend the Ultimate Box by Vikant... last I knew it was running about $160-$170.... you can check www.allbrands.com they often have some pretty good prices... most importantly have fun with this hobby... I'd love to see some of your patterns for your little yorkie... I have a 2 pound chi who I would love to make some stuff for, but she's so little, she never ever leaves the house, so It would just be playing dress-up.... keep us posted how you do with the machine embroidery... MO life is too short, not to explore
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User: mamadus
Member since: 12-31-2004 Total posts: 492 
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From: moni
Date: 03-18-2005, 09:08 AM (7 of 7)
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I knew you would all have great suggestions, I can't wait for my machine, I had better get the supplies I need to start. I already can see myself sitting in front of this machine with all I need to get started , only to find myself just sitting there wondering "what should I embroider?" then look out, I will probably stich on anything that stays still long enough.. LOL Thanks so much and I will most definately be posting when "she" gets here. Monica |
User: moni
Member since: 01-05-2005 Total posts: 8 |
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