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From: bridesmom
Date: 12-02-2005, 10:50 AM (1 of 6)
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Stilll learning lots about embroidery and I know that my machine is older and uses the little cards, so I know I can't do this - but what exactly is it?? I'm thinking some day I will want to upgrade and I'd like to be able to understand some of the jargon with these babies. Thanks!
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: paroper
Date: 12-02-2005, 01:00 PM (2 of 6)
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Digitizing is creating your own design in software and then turning it into a stitchable pattern. Some softwares will autodigitize. That is when you scan a picture or design into the software and then have the software convert it to a stitchable design. This works well with some softwares...with others it is more trouble that it is worth and of course, some won't do it at all. The age and capactiy of your machine would only limit the size of the stitch field. With proper software, you would be able to do this. When the time comes to purchase software, make sure that it not only converts to something that you can use in your machine (either directly or by conversion) but it will also convert to any machine formats that you might want to purchase later. The software is too expensive to throw away if you purchase a machine later, so you want to leave your options open. Each software has limitations about which formats it will read and which formats it will write and they will not necessarily be the same. pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: Chrysantha
Date: 12-02-2005, 09:29 PM (3 of 6)
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You also have to be able to spend a lot of money for the machines and the software.....a GOOD TOL Machine will START about $3000. and they go up to $10,000. The software runs from $500 for basic stuff to $3000 for TOL. Not to mention the extras. You have to have a CURRENT computer. (one still running Windows 98-2000 will not work with the new software) You also need one that has a lot of memory. You need to be able to burn CD's, use Memory Sticks. If you Digitize for just yourself. You only need to use that format. If you wish to SELL stuff online, you HAVE to sell to all formats. (there are about a dozen now, with the home and industrial machines). Digitizing with FEW or NO jump stitches (stitches between segments) is preferable. UNDERLAYMENT (the stitches that lay under the satin or whatever stitch you're using) have to be perfect. Tension compensation for stitching, fabric and stabilizer has to be considered. Also COPYRIGHTED work. You CAN'T use major logos, toons, etc in your work. $50,000 and UP fines if you are caught. You may find it's easier to buy online than it is to Digitize. (yes I do own Digitizing Software...and it's soon to be updated for my new machine. Have I ever used it...NO not in 3 yrs, never touched it. But I have it, in case I WANT something I can't find. So far that hasn't happened, with all the GOOD embroidery sites and Digitizers out there, from all over the world.) Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: cricket36580
Date: 12-03-2005, 01:30 PM (4 of 6)
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Chris is right. It's a very expensive hobby that unless you are going to be doing lots of it, isn't worth the investment. If you want something to pull designs off the internet then get an Amazing Box or Ultimate box that writes to a card and then you use it in your machine.
If I can't be a good example, I'll just have to be horrible warning!
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User: cricket36580
Member since: 11-28-2005 Total posts: 10 |
From: paroper
Date: 12-03-2005, 04:57 PM (5 of 6)
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Well, it depends on your system. I you can use a flash card, flash drive, download directly from your computer, etc., you may not need a box. You need to find out the specifics of your program. I was so green to machine embroidery and I had no idea what I needed. I purchased a box for about $350 and it has never been used. One thing for sure is that you can spend a horrible amount of money. The machine is just the beginning. Stabilizers, thread, converter box, additonal hoops. Then you start with the software. If you don't purchase the right/enough software off the bat, you'll keep adding software to your collection. You can download (free) designs but you'll need a way to convert them, which you may or may not have in free software with your machine. You many not be able to get the designs you want for free so you may need to purchase packs, individual designs, etc. Then, you still need something to embroider upon. After you get all set up with that? You'll soon discover that you need a bigger stitch field. It can be a real monster. I had dreamed for years of owning my own embroidery or combo machine. In 1992 I had bought a 1475 so that I could do a little of that, but the home embroidery "thing" was in its infancy. When I bought my new machine in 2003 (without a demo) I pictured the whole thing being pretty much self-contained. I soon found that the 15 or so spools of embroidery thread and the couple rolls of stabiler plus the machine were not enough to even begin. (Ouch). The next day, my husband went back with me (he is the computer person in the family) and we came home with lots more stabilzer, a few designs, several more spools of thread (still not enough to do a whole design) and a $2000 software package...none of which I had the faintest how to use. It was another 3 weeks until I could attend the classes at my store and another 3 after that until I knew a little about how to use the embroidery software and unit. At that point, I spent considerably more just to be able to stitch out one card. That is why I tell people to start with one brand of thread and a design in mind (or two or even 3) and buy thread for that design. You can start to build your families of colors and complete some things without having to substitute or buy more...and the colors blend well that way. pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: bridesmom
Date: 12-05-2005, 05:14 PM (6 of 6)
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Thanks for all the great info gals! Can always depend on you for getting good info back that is easy to understand! I was really lucky with this machine I have, my MIL had a bunch of embroidery thread that she bought and tried to use on her regular sewing machine and didn't like it, so I got all of it, plus my sister gave me a bunch of stabilizer, bobbin thread, and large spools of Christmas colors for my birthday. I finally got Nancy Zieman's 'Machine Embroidery with Confidence' and have almost read it half of it, its been a real help too. I think this little machine will be good for a while, until I get good at embroidering, but I can already see things that I'd like to have on a machine. I knew about the copyright stuff from my sister already, but I had heard about digitizing here and there and really wasn't sure exactly what it was, now I know!
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
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