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The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
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From: Hippiegirl
Date: 04-04-2005, 01:22 AM (1 of 16)
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Hello. I wanted to ask about the entry level embroidery machines that start around 600.00. On Allbrands is says some of them have 60 stitches. Is that my limit? If the machine is digital, shouldn't I be able to add designs to any machine that is compatible? I was thinking of the Singer Futura as a starter. Let me know if I will be seriously limited....  Thanks! |
User: Hippiegirl
Member since: 03-21-2005 Total posts: 77 |
From: Chrysantha
Date: 04-04-2005, 02:57 PM (2 of 16)
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60 stitches on the machine is whats ALREADY in the machine, ie, straight, zig-zag, decorative, etc. The designs have NOTHING to do with whats already in the machine. The machine 'may' have designs built-in, embroidery patterns, they are digitized, NOT included in the 'stitches' on the machine. All embroidery machines have their own format and will only take THAT format. You can buy that format in almost any site, or design software. If you want something that isn't in your format, you need software to CONVERT to your format. If you want to digitize for your machine, you will also need software for that. Some machines require a 'box' (with some kind of card) to transfer designs to the machine. (some machines will take the 'cards', download directly or use flash cards, like a digital camera) No matter what machine you decide on, make sure you know what the format is, get the right software, get the right 'box/cards' for that machine. Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: mamadus
Date: 04-06-2005, 01:53 AM (3 of 16)
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hippiegirl.. go to your local dealer and check out a couple different machines... most entry level machines are going to require that you use a reader/writer box... make sure that you ask a lot of questions about the machines.. a word to the wise... some machines require that you also have specific software even to be able to transfer designs to the machine or even to use the machine... There are lots of great embroidery machines out there... I would venture to say that the Brother machines are probably among the most user friendly if you're just starting out... just my 2 cents... 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: my2girlies
Date: 04-06-2005, 10:00 AM (4 of 16)
| Hippiegirl - I bought the Futura - it is my first sewing and embroidery machine. If you thread it correctly it is a breeze to use. You do not need any boxes or card readers or extra software unless you plan to do your own digitizing. I bought the one that comes with the digitizing software and the 100+ stitches. I've had it about 2 months now and have not even loaded the digitizing software. I do something with it almost every day. I have had great success using it - the only 2 problems I have had so far have both been user error. I have had great support from Singer. I bought mine from a dealer on line and only paid $625 for the 200. Like I said I am teaching myself to sew and embroider as I go and I cannot imagine anything being any easier. The only draw back is that you need your machine hooked to your computer to embroider. This worked out well for me since mine would be in the same room anyway, but it is something to consider. There is a yahoo group for futura owners that is wonderful!! The stitches on the machine are just for regular sewing - not associated with embroidery what so ever. Lots of them are extra quilting stitches - or so I was told. The machine accepts any format of emb. designs so you can download off the internet to your hearts content. Hope this helps!!! I really like my machine and would recommend checking out the yahoo group before you buy anything to see if it is what you want. Good luck!! |
User: my2girlies
Member since: 03-25-2005 Total posts: 154 |
From: Hippiegirl
Date: 04-06-2005, 11:41 AM (5 of 16)
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My2Girlies, Thank you so much for this information. I know I won't be embroidering everything (that I know of...) so this is a good thing to know. I'm used to buying machines in the Pfaff line, but the embroidery machines in that line are just tooooo expensive. I'm so glad the futura will take anything basically. I will get this machine probably after I get my serger Thanks for the advice. I will also check out the brothers too and see what they offer...... HG |
User: Hippiegirl
Member since: 03-21-2005 Total posts: 77 |
From: plrlegal
Date: 04-06-2005, 01:17 PM (6 of 16)
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my2girlies are you located in Norman, Oklahoma? If so, there is a great Singer dealer in Norman. The same dealer that I bought my CE 100 from except at their main store in Del City. I love my machine (although I use it for embroidery only as I have a Pfaff 2044 and a Singer Quantum 3400) and have had no problems with it. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: my2girlies
Date: 04-07-2005, 12:34 PM (7 of 16)
plrlegal - yes I am in Norman - GO SOONERS!! I have been to the dealer here and really, really like them. I get my accessories from them, they just could not touch the price I got from the Alabama dealer. By the time I added taxes there would have been right at $200 difference. That was alot for a first machine, especially not knowing if I would ever master either end of it -sewing or embroidery. But they have still been very nice and helpful. Are you the same patsy that digitized - dare I say it - Pistol Pete?  All kidding aside you did a wonderful job on that. I still have not gotten brave enough to open Auto punch, maybe I'll post and beg for help whenever I do for the first time. I am still trying to get up the guts to attempt applique for the first time.
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User: my2girlies
Member since: 03-25-2005 Total posts: 154 |
From: plrlegal
Date: 04-07-2005, 02:52 PM (8 of 16)
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my2girlies -- I am the one that digitized Pistol Pete. He's for a purse that I'm making but haven't finished yet. I bought the CE 100 as the only difference in the 200 and the 100 is the number of built-in emboridery stitches and buttonholes. I have a Pfaff 2044 Quilt Expression and a Singer Quantum 3400 also. Between the 3 machines now I have appoximately 700 built in embroidery stitches and my Pfaff makes gorgeous automatic buttonholes. I only wanted the Future for embroidery so didn't spend the extra for the 200. I got the CD with the 3900 designs free (that is the CD it is looking for when you open the "Embroidery Anthology" window and she sold us the Auto Punch software for $150, so we spent less than $700 for my machine and software. I don't spend a lot of time embroiderying due to the fact that I'm addicted to quilting. I also sew a lot of the clothes I wear. Glad you like the Singer store in Norman. They are such nice people. I also purchased my serger from them about 8 years ago and never had a problem with it or the 3400. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: Hippiegirl
Date: 04-09-2005, 03:30 AM (9 of 16)
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Patsy, The only difference between the 100 and 200 is the built in embroidary stitches? I have a feeling I am going to want primarily hip floral, elegant floral and east indian florals, middle east florals for the most part. Are there alot of resources available for use on the singer 100 as there are the 200? Is the 100 easy? I'm used to seeing LED screens at the dealers and none of them have a Futura to look at, so I have not experienced the button commands that the Futura seems to have. I've only experienced the touch screen Innovis 4000D and Pfaff 2144. I don't mind spending less for an embroidary machine as long as it does what I want it to. I can add the same 'boxes' or accessories to the 100 that I could get for the 200? Thanks for any additional input! HG |
User: Hippiegirl
Member since: 03-21-2005 Total posts: 77 |
From: my2girlies
Date: 04-11-2005, 09:58 AM (10 of 16)
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Hippiegirl - yes the only difference is the amount of built-in stitches. The 200 also comes with the digitizing software. But that is easily bought and added later. There is no screen on the futura because you view designs on your own computer. Your computer is hooked to the machine to embroider. The built in stitches are stitches - not embroidery designs. The decorative stitches are just running stitches. Go to the Singer website and it shows you all the decorative stitches that come with the machine. I'm not sure what you mean by resources that are available for the machine. The machines are the same on the embroidery side. They will accept any format of digitized designs. So any internet desins or design cd's will work with them - except for ones that are copyrighted to other machines. Like the Brother Disney designs. There are zillions of designs available on the internet - some free, some not. It depends on what you are looking for. As far as easy - I have never done anything like this before and had my first embroidered project done the day I got the machine. SOOO easy. There is a manual that comes on the cd that you can print tht is wonderul. It also comes with a pre-printed manual and dvd. As long as you understand how to correctly thread it, you should be fine. Search the archives of the yahoo futura group for excellent directions on making sure you thread correctly. Hope this helps. |
User: my2girlies
Member since: 03-25-2005 Total posts: 154 |
From: Hippiegirl
Date: 04-11-2005, 11:55 AM (11 of 16)
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My2girls, I wanted to get brother cards #61 and #67. Could I use brother cards besides Disney? When you mentioned it takes any all other formats, this is why I ask. Maybe I should just get a brother machine? HG |
User: Hippiegirl
Member since: 03-21-2005 Total posts: 77 |
From: Hippiegirl
Date: 04-11-2005, 12:39 PM (12 of 16)
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Does anyone know of the futura yahoo site? Is there a weblink someone can post in here? I went to yahoo and couldn't figure it out. Thanks! |
User: Hippiegirl
Member since: 03-21-2005 Total posts: 77 |
From: plrlegal
Date: 04-11-2005, 09:02 PM (13 of 16)
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You would have to be able to put the Brother cards into the 3.5 floppy drive on your computer and pull them up and save them to the Futura software and I don't think you can do that with the Brother cards since they are specifically made to fit the Brother machines. Maybe I'm wrong, I don't know. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: my2girlies
Date: 04-11-2005, 09:10 PM (14 of 16)
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http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Futuraembroidery/ This is the link to the yahoo group. I have a friend that converted a brother card to work with her Bernina but said it was not worht the week of trouble she had doing it. I have not tried to use a Brother, but I have used a Bernina CD with no problems. |
User: my2girlies
Member since: 03-25-2005 Total posts: 154 |
From: mamadus
Date: 04-11-2005, 10:54 PM (15 of 16)
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HG.. many dealers carry multiple lines of sewing/embroidery machines... my dealer for example, carries singer, janome, Brother, and a couple others I believe... go visit a dealer and ask to try the machines for yourself... personally, I like my Brother machines... like I said,, they're very easy to use... and I don't ahve to be hooked to my computer in order to embroider... but you need to try some of these machines out for yourself...so you know what you feel comfortable with... 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: Hippiegirl
Date: 04-12-2005, 02:19 AM (16 of 16)
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HG.. many dealers carry multiple lines of sewing/embroidery machines... my dealer for example, carries singer, janome, Brother, and a couple others I believe... go visit a dealer and ask to try the machines for yourself... personally, I like my Brother machines... like I said,, they're very easy to use... and I don't ahve to be hooked to my computer in order to embroider... but you need to try some of these machines out for yourself...so you know what you feel comfortable with... MO I wish I could. The problem is the only Singer dealer doesn't carry the embroidery machines, just sergers and sewers. The other dealers are specific to Viking/White, Pfaff and high end Brother Innovis 4000D and Bernina. The Bernina dealer only had a Deco 330 and that is going for 150 on ebay so I doubt it's new enough. Sears only has a digitized Kenmore for 1500.00. So, I can't really try the Futura out at all here in Orange County. It's a drag. HG |
User: Hippiegirl
Member since: 03-21-2005 Total posts: 77 |
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