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The Sew What’s New Archive
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From: MartySews
Date: 01-30-2006, 11:17 AM (1 of 17)
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This month I had the opportunity to teach a basic "Intro to Machine Embroidery" class at one of the local Hancock Fabric stores. I used (with publisher permission) Jeanne Twiggs' book "Embroidery Machine Essentials". It was great. I was surprised at how many people had invested lots of $$$ for an embroidery machine and then were intimidated by it. One of my students had a lovely Janome 10,000 sewing/embroidery machine but bought one of the Brother machines (270D) to practice learning embroidery. Another student was 79 years old and blind in one eye. Her son had given her a machine for Christmas 2 years ago but it had not been out of the box. She was thrilled over her first project in which she embroidered a design on a sweatshirt. Said that she didn't know that it was so easy to do. It was a great class and I've been asked to repeat it. The key to good embroidery is knowing the correct needle size, thread weight, and stabilizer for the chosen fabric. I'll be happy to answer anyone's questions. Happy Stitching! Marty 
It takes one moment to change a life.
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User: MartySews
Member since: 02-23-2003 Total posts: 504 
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From: Military_Mom
Date: 02-02-2006, 10:05 PM (2 of 17)
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Glad to hear your class was a success! Also happy to hear that you're willing to answer questions. I ususally have a lot of them once I get going on a project. I've had my machine for about a year now and I'm still in the learning stage so I'm always happy when someone is willing to answer questions. Right now I'm not doing any embroidery projects but I'll be starting up again soon so you'll probably hear from me!! ~Becky |
User: Military_Mom
Member since: 01-10-2005 Total posts: 109 
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From: MotherInLaw
Date: 02-02-2006, 10:57 PM (3 of 17)
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Hey Marty, How's all going? Glad to see you are out and about now. You know most people are intimidated by their machines at first. I think a few classes by someone like you would help give anyone a boost in confidence once they see there's nothing to it. Good to see you again.
I'm regressing back into my youth, I just have to figure out how I'm going to convience my body to come along with me.
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User: MotherInLaw
Member since: 06-25-2005 Total posts: 1118 
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From: MartySews
Date: 02-03-2006, 11:52 AM (4 of 17)
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Glad to hear from you too. I wondered what had happened to you during Katrina. Hopefully, yesterday's tornadoes missed you. All of my family in LA survived ok and are getting their homes repaired. With the use of a wheelchair and new meds, I'm able to get out and about more these days. Happy Stitching! Marty 
It takes one moment to change a life.
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User: MartySews
Member since: 02-23-2003 Total posts: 504
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From: stitcheasy2003
Date: 02-04-2006, 06:47 AM (5 of 17)
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Hello Here is a question for you. What kind of stabilizer would you use for a T-shirt cotton knit to put on a embroidery design.thank you. |
User: stitcheasy2003
Member since: 01-28-2006 Total posts: 20 |
From: MartySews
Date: 02-04-2006, 09:45 AM (6 of 17)
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A light to medium weight cutaway. Check out the book Embroidery Machine Essentials by Jeanne Twigg - a Kraus publication. No affiliation - just found the book to be very helpful and I used it for teaching my class with publisher permission. Happy Stitching! Marty 
It takes one moment to change a life.
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User: MartySews
Member since: 02-23-2003 Total posts: 504
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From: Happy Sewer
Date: 02-09-2006, 10:21 AM (7 of 17)
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Marty, you are right about the Emb. Machine Essentials book. I have all of them in the series and have found them to be very helpful...plus, they all come with a design CD with instructions and ideas for using them. I've been machine embroidering for 6 years now and the first thing I tell a new machine owner is to subscribe to or buy one of the embroidery magazines. They cover everything from machine to supplies as well as providing ideas for using embroidery for clothing and home dec. I found discussions on stabilizers, needles, toppings "push-pull" effects, underlayment and a list of other topics to be overwhelming! The magazines and books helped me to sort it all out! MB |
User: Happy Sewer
Member since: 02-09-2006 Total posts: 3 |
From: LauraM62
Date: 02-11-2006, 07:53 AM (8 of 17)
I will say I second or third the book Embroidery Essentials by Twigg! I got my 1st embroidery machine last year for Christmas, someone suggested her book for me to get started. I still pull the book out everytime I start an embroidery project to check needle size, stablizer, etc! With the guidance in the book I haven't failed yet on an embroidery project  I just worked on some all-over embroidery using her techniques in this book, it came out very nice!
LauraM
SW Indiana If everyone cared and nobody cried; If everyone loved and nobody lied; If everyone shared and swallowed their pride; Then we'd see the day when nobody died --'If Everyone Cared' by Nickelback |
User: LauraM62
Member since: 08-10-2003 Total posts: 246 
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From: Marti
Date: 02-28-2006, 04:26 PM (9 of 17)
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Hey Marty, ummm This is Marti..lol...I havent emorideried at all, but I bought me a Janome That does it all. The first time I monogrammed, it worked perfect...went back later, now im having problems...I used a stabllizer, but the top stitch looks awful, yet the bottom stitches look great. I have set the tension to all setting...and still cant get good results....I need help fast..thanks
Marti Eldridge
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User: Marti
Member since: 02-21-2006 Total posts: 31 
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From: Chrysantha
Date: 02-28-2006, 06:23 PM (10 of 17)
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Are you using the correct stabilizer for your fabric ??? (Sticky for t-shirts/knits, hard to hold items like towels), float more if you need it underneath...then on top a solvy of some kind to keep nap's down. You also have to keep your top knob to 3 for embroidery. Support your hoop, if it's not already supported, make sure the dial on the front (looks like a big screw) is set to the middle mark and make sure when you thread your machine the NEEDLE and the FOOT are UP. Make sure you have the thread in ALL the tension discs and the bobbin in counter clockwise. Kath (owner of 5 Janomes..10000, 11000, 6500, 300E and Compulock) Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: Marti
Date: 03-01-2006, 09:06 PM (11 of 17)
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like i said..im new to all this....someone told me to try a different size needle...that seemed to fix it....thanks for all the advise.
Marti Eldridge
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User: Marti
Member since: 02-21-2006 Total posts: 31
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From: Varvie
Date: 03-04-2006, 11:13 PM (12 of 17)
| I am very new to all of this and had a question regarding the book by Ms. Twigg - "Embroidery Machine Essentials." I looked this book up online and find there are several different books - which one in particular was the one referenced for use in the class? I need a good reference or two or three! My husband bought me a brand new Futura CE200 for my anniversary and I want to learn more! Thanks so much for any help! |
User: Varvie
Member since: 03-03-2006 Total posts: 2 |
From: MotherInLaw
Date: 03-05-2006, 12:42 AM (13 of 17)
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Hi Varvie, Welcome to Sew What's New. I have Machine Embroidery Essential it's not marked 1, 2, or three so it might be the first one but it has the placements on towels and things in this one and a few other project ideas in it so I like it myself. I've been embroidering for two years now by machine and I still refer to it for different things. Hope I helped.
I'm regressing back into my youth, I just have to figure out how I'm going to convience my body to come along with me.
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User: MotherInLaw
Member since: 06-25-2005 Total posts: 1118
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From: Varvie
Date: 03-05-2006, 10:47 AM (14 of 17)
| Thanks! I will go to Barnes and Nobles and flip through them...I am sure I will see which one you are referring to! I have a really elementary question - WHAT do you use in your bobbins - the same color thread or white or the color of your fabric? I couldnt find anything that tells you something this simple. |
User: Varvie
Member since: 03-03-2006 Total posts: 2 |
From: MartySews
Date: 03-05-2006, 11:24 AM (15 of 17)
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Hi! The book that I used in the class is Embroidery Machine Essentials - How to Hoop, Stabilize and Stitch Decorative Designs. This is the one for starting embroidery projects. I use Bobbin-fil thread by YLI (not affiliated) for almost all of my embroidery and sewing. It comes in black, white and cream colors. That way, I don't have to constantly check if I have enough thread to complete a project. It's great for machine embroidery. Happy Stitching! Marty 
It takes one moment to change a life.
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User: MartySews
Member since: 02-23-2003 Total posts: 504
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From: kyla_1_max
Date: 03-11-2006, 02:08 PM (16 of 17)
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Hi!!! I am also new to embroidery. My husband gave me a Singer Futura CE100 embroidery machine for Christmas this year. I have been teaching myself up to now. I have done names on backpacks,shirts,pillow cases,scull caps, for my grand kids,and they turned out great. Now i want to make towel body wraps with names on them, as a gift to a few of my friends at our Spa. I done a practice towel with stabalizer on back and the letters didn't turn out as good as they did on backpack and all. Can you tell me what i done wrong? It's about to drive me crazy!!!  THANKS!!!
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User: kyla_1_max
Member since: 03-11-2006 Total posts: 4 
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From: plrlegal
Date: 03-11-2006, 05:11 PM (17 of 17)
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You also need a top layer of water soluble stabilizer. And, on towels, try a piece of nylon tulle (the stuff that bridal veils are made of) under the top layer of stabilizer. The stabilizer and the tulle keep the threads from sinking into the terry cloth of the towel. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
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