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The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
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From: ckmom002
Date: 10-15-2006, 11:12 AM (1 of 28)
| i was thinking about looking at some but i dont want ot get my hopes up how much is a embrodery machine that i can do like names with and other little things |
User: ckmom002
Member since: 06-11-2006 Total posts: 105 |
From: lizzybugsmommy
Date: 10-15-2006, 11:55 AM (2 of 28)
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May I suggest the 270d from Brother. It is user friendly and great for beginers. You can also purchase the ped basic with it and write your own cards. there are 1000000000 of free designs out there. It has a 4x4 stitch field. You can purcgase a lager hoop for splitting designs but you still onlyhave a 4x4 stitch field. I love my machin. I also have the simplicity se3 and I hate it. I recieved it from a friend and I think it was abused quiet a bit. On the 270d you also have built in Disney and can purchase more disney cards for it. My understanding is that you can only use disney in a disney machine. But you cannot sell the items using disney designs. They are for personal use only. Also the design format is PES. I think the machine is around $400 or $500 at walmart and the pedbasic is $140 This is a great beginer machine and if you have any questions I will try and help.
Catherine
http://www.photoworks.com/share/shareSignin.jsp?shareCode=A0E42A2C202&cp=ems_shr_a lb_pml&cb=PW Husbands gone fishing..... I've gone fabric shopping |
User: lizzybugsmommy
Member since: 05-20-2006 Total posts: 207 |
From: Pudge99
Date: 10-15-2006, 01:31 PM (3 of 28)
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I absolutely love my CE100. $499 at Walmart. It has two hoop sizes (not sure of the exact measurements). It attaches to your computer so you don't have to deal with the tiny little screens on other embroidery machines. You are not limited to Singer designs (it reads most major formats). You do not need to by boxes or other stuff I see people writing about. There is other software available that you can add on as you feel you need it. Check out the Futura website (http://www.futura-support.com/).
Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
From: ckmom002
Date: 10-15-2006, 04:08 PM (4 of 28)
| zizzy now this might be stupid but if i go buy that disney sewing machine and the ped basic, how do i download that stuff off the internet and use it. is it easy to use and figure out the only things i want to do is like put my names on things and maybe some little pics |
User: ckmom002
Member since: 06-11-2006 Total posts: 105 |
From: paroper
Date: 10-15-2006, 05:35 PM (5 of 28)
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I hate to be the spoiler here but you'll need a machine. The cost of the machine is not the most expensive part of embroidery game. Along with the machine you MAY need a box. I would urge you NOT to get one that needs a box. I think they are a pain. There are machines out there that either embroidery directly on the computer with computer link up (these are a little cheaper for the number of features because putting a computer of any size in a machine is expensive.) There are some like the Janome 300 that uses and inexpensive flash card. There are some that use flash drive. All of these features in the long run are less trouble and less expensive than the box (in my opinion). You will need stabilizer...several rolls, it is expensive and unless your hoop is very small you don't get all that many hoopings out of a few yards... The type of stabilzer you will need will depend on the type(s) of embroidery you do. This is not the same thing as interfacing. You will need many colors of thread. I think the thread is the most expensive part. You don't replace it often if you get large spools but it is expensive to buy and it can be shocking how many colors you may use to finish just one project. Many times I will use more than 25-30 spools. I think the largest project I have done called for 54 different colors. THere are places to buy quantities of thread for a set price and there are good threads out there. Marathon and Madiera both make and sell large scale thread amounts for a "reasonable" price. In the long run this is a great way to get "set up". There are often "hidden" colors in embroidery because it is much like painting a picture. You'll find many things are shaded. Also there are tones of color. I think in the beginning it is a good idea if you are going to buy a little at a time you buy to match designs that you plan to do in the near future and find designs with similar colors. Bobbin thread is a specialty thread. It is cheap! I buy a spool of polyester bobbin thread for about $12 and can get about 5 million stitches out of it. I don't think there is anything a whole lot cheaper. I just keep a stash of rolled bobbins ready to go in when I am working. My machine allows me to wind while I am doing embroidery but I prefer not to do that. Many people prefer pre-wound bobbins. A lot of machine mfgs do not recommend them for the machines and they may void the warranty. Still, others do and some people swear by them. You should be able to buy a gross of prewound bobbins for about 35-40 dollars. I'm not sure how many stitches that is. Designs! They're expensive. You can get freebies from many sites. Always ONLY download from reputable sites. It will take you a while and a bit of reading but over time you'll catch on. A site that sells designs that are for cartoon characters or other registered trade marks should be considered off limits until you check them out. These are only available in limited quanties and not all things are available legally ANYWHERE. Most of the cartoon characters you want will be sold by places like OESD (EMbroideryonline) or its Bernina affiliates who are selling Casper and Rocky and Bulwinkle and have sold Precious Moments and Winnie the Pooh, Brother, which sells many Disney designs for their Disney machines ONLY, Viking or Pfaff (sorry not sure which) have Hummels. These are also expensive purchases. BEWARE OF E-BAY!!!! When looking there beware that it is highly unlikely you'll be able to get several hundred (even 100) good designs from a reputable site for 10-15 dollars...don't be lured into that. Many of these people are selling pirated designs and the buyers are getting STUNG big time and threatened with court action...don't even think about it until you get a good idea about which sellers are good. When downloading designs to your computer, be sure that you make a note of where you got the design and if the design can be used on items to sell...you'll be amazed the number of times people will ask you to make something for them...only a few designs can be sold, whether you bought them or not. Start out early keeping track of these..you can code the names of your files or patterns, whatever it takes. DO NOT allow friends to give you designs. Even if they are free, you need to download them from the site directly. Sharing designs, even free ones is a violation of copywrite. It only makes sense because these people are giving you a reason to visit their site and sample their work. These are promos. It's free enjoy it, just be sure you get it yourself. The other thing you'll almost certainly need is some sort of software. About the best out there for the money is Embird. It allows you to get started cheaply and you can add modules as you decide you need them. There is a font module that can be added or you can add individual fonts. I'm pretty big on fonts so I would tell you to purchase the base Embird and the font pkg early if it were me...but that is just me. I use a pretty expensive software and really enjoy it. If you happen to have a couple thousand laying around.... Embird can be purchased (I think) for around $100. I don't know what the font plug in runs. The software will allow you to do some editing of your design and it will convert other formats. It will also prepare and sent the designs to your machine. You'll buy a lot more needles when doing embroidery as you change them a lot more often. If you can swing a bigger stitch field I would highly recommend it. People who get 4x4 stitch fields more often than not find themselves wishing for more...fast. You can split designs in Embird but it is a whole lot more fun if you can swing a design field of at least 5X7. I would highly recommend that you consider a Janome 300. You should be able to get it for about a thousand dollars. There is a new model coming out (I've heard). If that is true, you may be able to get the 300 a little cheaper if you play it just right. THere is also a Brother embroidery only machine that is out. I don't know if it takes cards. If it does not, I'd lean toward the Janome for sure. The Brother format (PES) is more common and that is a large point in its favor. (Each sewing machine line has one or two formats that are theirs only...Brother makes Baby Lock so they share formats). Janome takes JEF (I think). I've heard that you can use Wilcom True sizer (free) to convert to JEF if you need to do so. I haven't tried it. You'd have to look at it to see if it will allow simple editing...if it does you may be able to use it for a while in place of purchased software. There are many points in favor of NOT buying online. If you do a search on this you'll find information on this site about that..in a word things bought online are not warranted by the mfg...the only warranty you get, if any is from the seller. This is a VERY important point. Although Brother machines bought at Wal Mart do have a warranty, sometimes local dealers will not honor it. If you decide to buy at a big box store, check with local dealers to see if they'll make repairs and adjustments to your machine under warranty before you buy. I don't intend to be a spoiler but there is a lot involved in buying a machine. Buying with your eyes wide open and with a plan is just so much better!!!! Have fun and do a lot of research to start. 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: 10-15-2006, 09:48 PM (6 of 28)
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The only thing Pam forgot was Needles...you need a new needle for every -4- designs or LESS if the designs are dense....and then you need different needles for all the threads. (metalic thread takes metalic needles, denim takes denim) and you HAVE to buy the thread and needles that FIT your machine. You can't just go to Wally World and expect to buy any thread and needles to use. Cheap is NOT a word to use for Embroidery machines. Cheap is bad..it's also NOT realistic. Home/Pro Embroidery is EXPENSIVE and it gets MORE expensive the long you use it...because you always want MORE and BETTER. (unless you're lucky like a few of 'us' and have TOL machines and money to spend all the time for thread, needles, stabilizer, designs, software, new computers. (if you aren't using XP the new machines and software may not work on your computer). Embroidery machines are THE most sophisticated 'sewing' machines on earth...(it doesn't mean they ALL sew...some only embroider.) Little and small aren't words to use for embroidery either. 4x4 designs will only get you so far and then you want MORE. (cheap machines will usually only do 4x4 designs. and that doesn't mean they're really 4x4. It means they're about 3,3/4x3,3/4. The designs have to FIT inside the hoops. Each machine manufacturer has a different format. Even among Janome's if you have a 9500 and below (8000 etc) the format is .sew. 10000 and 11000's use .jef. Formats cannot be interchanged. They CAN be changed with software. So think really hard about what you want and need before you start, because it's going to cost you MUCH MORE than you think.... www.embroideryonline.com www.secretsof.com www.oregonpatchworks.com www.embroidery.com will give you some idea of the costs involved...and don't forget fabric...you can't use cheap fabric to embroider on...it will fall apart... Kath sorry Pam...I see you included needles...forgive me... also...www.emblibrary.com they have 'classes' in their site... Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: mamadus
Date: 10-16-2006, 01:17 AM (7 of 28)
chrysantha and Pam are both right.... this is not an inexpensive hobby.... and realistically, most folks with a 4x4 machine will very quickly want a bigger stitch field.... but if that's just not in the cards, and you really want to get into machine embroidery.... then look around, check out all your local dealers, check Walmart and the Brother 270 and see what, if anything fits.... the reality is,,, you're going to spend probably $800 to a thousand to get started in this hobby. That would give you the machine, some basic software, some thread, stabilizer, and maybe a reader/writer box if need be... So if you're thinking of getting into the hobby for under $500... its probably not gonna happen... but if you can swing it... its definitely a lot of fun... in fact, it becomes a real addiction!!! keep us posted as to what you decide...  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: mommydionne
Date: 10-16-2006, 08:21 AM (8 of 28)
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I would also recommend buying from a dealer, a few reasons here... lessons, very helpful, embroidery is NOT sewing, a different world, plus they often will throw in some neat stuff that you cannot get at walmart, ie when I bought my brother 180d 5-6 years ago (it's still going strong) my dealler threw in a "beginner embroidery kit" it had a giant spool of bobbin thread, 505 spray, 10+ different types of stabilizer including Aquafilm topper, and a roll of cutaway, this was a great deal, he also gave me 30 spools of isacord (the big ones) for $30 with a case, these spools are often $4-5 each! Plus a free lesson on the machine and a free lesson on the software. And they fielded freaked out phone calls a few times!  I'm different in that I'm very happy with my BOL machine, as I don't embroider much, just names and designs for the kids, ie Dora, Pooh etc. I buy only brother cards from brother, I do digitize a bit but it's time comsuming and I'm a lousy artist. I like my machine 'cause I can sew in one corner while it embroiders in another, but it you were really going to get into embroidery I would go much larger 5x7 hoop at least and a machine you could directly attach to the computer or insert CDs into. ps my machine takes standart schmetz embroidery needles, Jeanette
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User: mommydionne
Member since: 01-08-2004 Total posts: 838 
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From: ckmom002
Date: 10-16-2006, 08:40 AM (9 of 28)
| so i guess i would be better off to just find someone to do it for me LOL |
User: ckmom002
Member since: 06-11-2006 Total posts: 105 |
From: paroper
Date: 10-16-2006, 09:51 AM (10 of 28)
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Not necessarily. There is a lot in satisfaction from doing the embroidery. I had dreamed of a machine that would do embroidery for more than 15 years before I bought one. I knew a little of the expense but didn't think it through when I bought my machine. I had a pretty nice little inheritance but I bought my machine on impulse...more or less....I had looked at machines off and on over many years...but not REALLY. So...I laid down the $7000 for my machine plus a little more for 2-3 rolls of stabilizer and about 15 spools of random thread (no planning) and some assorted feet and other supplies (my dealer gave a 20% discount on "extras") and I merrily took my new, fresh out of the box, freshly adjusted sewing/embroidery machine. Well, first thing I walked into the bedroom to put it down on the sewing table but I decided that I didn't want to use it for sewing, after all I bought it for embroidery. So...I needed a new sewing table....sooooo next morning back to the dealer....where I laid down another $650 for a quilting cabinet to put it on (after already spending about $8500 with taxes for machine and accessories). While I am deciding upon a new sewing cabinet, my husband checks out the machine AND the software...and I come home with an order for a new sewing cabinet and $2000 in software (plus taxes). So, having not had the machine demo'd I don't realize that I'll need designs. THe machine is so complicated, I can barely turn it on and haven't a CLUE how to sew on it...this is with a college degree in home ec! My dealer doesn't have time for a class for another 4 weeks...for 4 weeks I look and the machine and it looks at me! I start taking my classes over a period of 2 weeks and discover....I NEED THREAD and designs!!!! OK, so now I am buying design packs at $119 a piece! I bring the design packs home to do them....and NONE OF MY THREAD IS RIGHT FOR ANY of them! So...at $5 a pop I start buying thread...30-40 at a time. Ok, so time has passed. I keep a stock and back stock of every kind and size of stabilzier you can imagine. I still use my Isacord thread (the best, I think). Yes, I do have all 351 colors in numberical order and I have 2 of some of the threads that are getting low. I keep them in boxes by number so that I can pull them easily. With that kind of investment, you do what you can to protect them...so they are in a cabinet, out of sunlight and dust....in special boxes. I also have a case assortment of Madiera Rayon that I sometimes use..and I have several of their special effects threads. I also have a large assortment of Sulky and some others that, again I use for special effects. I have a good size assortment of Yenment Metalics...at around $10 a pop. I have ordered from some reputable companies online for designs and I have a few freebie that I have stored away in the computer along with several packs from OESD, OESD Take Out, and OESD download, a few from Hatched in AFrica, Embroidery LIbrary, etc. I keep about 100 needles of various types and sizes, titanium, ball, sharps, etc on hand for changing needles. I've purchased a Giant Hoop it All...after all, you can't have too big a hoop (that was 360 with the support table)..I have an extra Mega Hoop for my machine ($139) and and extra medium hoop, I'd like to have an extra large hoop too so that I can hoop while I am working...a large assortment of special scisssors to use while doing the embroidery (can't have too many). A back stock of "blanks", towels, dish towels, table cloths, t-shirts, sweat shirts in assorted colors and sizes so that I can work without "hunting"...you get those when they are available or on sale. Of course, I had to add a corner table for my laptop and printer. The table matches my sewing center......and there is more... If I had it all to do over again, I probably would. The one thing I would do differently? I'd look at a crossover machine like the Happy or the PR600. The thing I did right? I started at the top and I didn't HAVE to have a bunch of boxes to convert old cards/designs. I can cable straight in to my machine, use a CD drive, flash drive, cards, etc. You won't buy everything at once. It is a matter of planning. I just really want people to much more informed than I was and you need to have a plan when you start THAT is the number one place I went wrong. You can save yourself a lot of money in start up if you plan ahead. 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: Claire B.
Date: 10-16-2006, 10:29 AM (11 of 28)
| When I first started out 3 years ago, I got myself an inexpensive embroidery machine, the Brother PE-150, and I bought an alphabet card. I knew it would be a while before I could get into downloading from the internet, and having this card worked out great since I could at least put names on items. Doing it this way was easier on my pocketbook, and I wasn't so overwhelmed with trying to learn everything at once. You may want to consider going this route also. Within a few months, I was definitely ready to move on to downloading designs from the internet, and even after that, I still used that card until I bought Embird software and alphabets. |
User: Claire B.
Member since: 10-17-2005 Total posts: 5 |
From: my2girlies
Date: 10-16-2006, 12:06 PM (12 of 28)
| I have the Singer CE-200 and absolutely love it!! it is the same as the 100 but with a few more built in quilting style stitches and comes with its own digitzing software. The only thing I would possibly do different is buy the ce-100 and embird. (The extra stitches are nice but I now know that I am not a quilter) I have used the digitizing software some - but not that much. There are sooo many free designs out there that I have not had the need. I usually just use it to digitze fonts from the paint program. You can buy a font add in module but for me digitizing my own has been just fine. From what I have heard embird is more user friendly. I have yet to want to do anything that my little machine cannot do. I use it for both sewing and embroidery. I think it depends on what you want to do with your machine. How much and what type of embroidery. I did not buy mine from Wal-Mart. I went to a dealer and really, really suggest that. Their knowledge and support is invaluable. Even though it is an expensive hobby - the results are sooo worth it!! |
User: my2girlies
Member since: 03-25-2005 Total posts: 154 |
From: chris b
Date: 10-16-2006, 02:20 PM (13 of 28)
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Cost depends upon what you want. The more features a machine has the more it costs. If you can get away with an embroidery only and don't want the sewing part Janome makes a machine that is in the $1000 range with a 5 x 7 hoop. I bought my first emboidery machine in 1998. It was/is a Pfaff 7570. I love that machine. She is an excellent sewing machine and still embroiders wonderfully. I wanted a bigger hoop so last Christmas I bought a Pfaff 2170. She wasn't cheap. By the time I added the extras I wanted I spent about $6400. The machine is about 1/2 of your cost. The supplies, designs and software can be equally as expensive! Pfaff 2170,Pfaff 7570,Elna 945
Singer 301A,Singer Redeye,Singer 15 HC Simplicity 2/3/4 Pfaff Creative 3-D digitizing,3-D Fabric Decorator Pfaff PCDMac2.2 StitchBunnyPro,FlutterWhumper Embird,Studio,cross stitch, EQ5....and adding all the time! |
User: chris b
Member since: 01-10-2001 Total posts: 109 |
From: Chrysantha
Date: 10-18-2006, 12:35 AM (14 of 28)
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I did it the easy way....I went TOL first Janome 10000 sewing 46 yrs I can handle anything...) I went to my dealer and said I want this machine, $5000. Ok...got some perks (350 spools of R-A thread) got a cabinet.(more perks, more thread, needles, scissors..) bought a TON of stabilizer. Next few mnths bought more and more fabric, thread and stabilizer. (not ONE thing at a time $100, or more.) Then I needed a serger (or so I thought...)$1500. TOL. ( bought 10 colors of thread 5 cones each.)...Then there was a deal...Buy a 6500QP and get the 300E 1/2 price. Couldn't pass that up. My 300 and 10000 use the same hoops, yeah...then I got Digitizer, extra hoops, more thread, more fabric...I got BuzzXplore to catalog, flash cards to plug into my machines. Got a set of fabric pens...NEW scissors and more stabilizer. Last yr came the 11000 ($7000). Well had to have that...and more, different hoops...for 4000 Stitchitze designs with that...more thread....more fabric. Had to ge a new cabinet, the arm needs a LOT of space. Had to upgrade DidiPro and BuzzXplore... Now I'm addicted to buying designs online. 2-3 times a week I buy designs. I also buy blanks (shirts, -t-shirts), towels, sheets etc.) So I have 5 TOL Janomes..fabric, thread, needles, stabilizer and projects all over the place. Had to buy a backup for my designs. (just in case my new computer goes down. The old computer wouldn't/couldn't handle my machines...USB direct, USB thumb drives, flashcards....) I have close to, if not in reality...10,000 designs. (probaby more...) This is a hobby for me...I give everything I make away. (unless -I- wear it...) I belong to a dozen embroidery sites...freebies, BOGO, coupons, etc... This is my 'drug' of choice...it's expensive, but you can't get arrested, land in the hospital (unless your back goes out from trying to carry the machines...they weigh a ton), and it doesn't do damage to others.... Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414
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From: paroper
Date: 10-18-2006, 09:34 AM (15 of 28)
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..and your family never has to wonder about where you are!
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: txdoodah
Date: 10-18-2006, 01:08 PM (16 of 28)
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I hope this group doesn't allow husbands of members to join...mine would faint if he read all of your comments about how expensive this hobby is. I guess it is a good thing his hobby is buying DVDs or the latest and greatest electronics...that way he won't be concerned when I say I'm buying some more thread! LOL! I'm looking forward to getting started...I know it will take some time to learn it all but it will be fun once I get into it. Thanks for all of the great advice! Embroidery...my soon to be new hobby! -- Donna
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User: txdoodah
Member since: 10-16-2006 Total posts: 5 |
From: Pudge99
Date: 10-18-2006, 01:23 PM (17 of 28)
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Yes this hobby can be expensive but there are ways to cut corners. Used dryer sheets make pretty good stabilizer for small hoops and 100% cotton fabrics and has the bonus of making your sewing room smell good. You can use Glad Press and Seal for the sticky method. You can also hold out for half price sales on your thread or buy one spool at a time with your various 40% off coupons. Sign up for Fabric store e-mails and they will send your coupons that you can print out. Then you can print out several and stop by the store everyday on your way past. Needles can also be stocked up on when they run the 50% off sales. Now granted I probably don't save any money because I tend to just buy twice as much as I would if it was never half price. 
Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
From: paroper
Date: 10-18-2006, 05:25 PM (18 of 28)
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Press and seal is very dangerous for your machine. Not only is it like cling wrap that can in small doses become lodged and attached to various innards of your machine, it also has a glue that is very bad for your machine. It also does not dissolve in the washer/dryer but can become stiff and cause problems. Anything but recognized stabilizers and sewing products can VOID your warranty if they should damage your machine, and many can and do cause serious damage. As those plastics, esp. become attached to your machine they can coat and melt to the machine parts and the cost of repair can be quite expensive. Most of us have way too much invested to run the risk of damaging our machines and it is a really good idea to rethink this idea. I had a problem with three boards in my machine...my machine was in the shop almost 7 weeks under warranty. I saw the price tag on just one of the boards...without labor the charges...the dealer's cost was $1029. If I had to replace that board without the warranty, I might be without my machine for a long time....and there were two more boards...I just got a little green when I saw that amount. I don't know what the others cost. 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: Pudge99
Date: 10-18-2006, 07:11 PM (19 of 28)
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Pam, Honestly, I never even thought about the warranty. I have probably voided mine 100 times over already. I have been inside it tinkering around a few times. Oiling places that were squeeky, adjusting foot hight, and generally just seeing what makes it tick. So I will change my advice. If you are concerned about your warranty or the possibility of the plastic adhering to mother boards then by all means do not use things that are not intended for embroidery machines. If you are like me though and don't really care, Press and Seal does a wonderful job. Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
From: paroper
Date: 10-19-2006, 12:36 AM (20 of 28)
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A word of warning. When my dealer works on machines, he wears a special bracelet that grounds him. THese machines are like TV's in that they have parts that retain charge...you can fry your little flippers if you're not careful!
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: moon
Date: 10-19-2006, 02:07 AM (21 of 28)
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I am pretty new to machine embroidery.I had my heart set on a particular brand. I am very happy with the machine ..I just did not realize how expensive this hobby would become. The machine led to wanting the newest softwear,then I wanted a laptop for my machine and a printer. I was pretty suprised about the cost of the thread,stabalizers,designs,needles. And the fabric.I am happy with my choice but I have to admit when I totaled up what I have spent so far I was shocked! So I now have a good supply of all my materials,I just have to figure out how to use it all! I think if I were doing this again I might shop around a bit more. I have had to stay out of the dealers shop...I always come home with more feet,designs thread.Of course my dealer loves to see me come through the door! Good luck in your search! Bernina730 artista,version 5 softwear |
User: moon
Member since: 07-10-2006 Total posts: 16 |
From: weezyrider
Date: 10-19-2006, 10:41 AM (22 of 28)
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I've had a couple of machines. HV Rose and 1+, Brother 6500, and now a Pfaff 2170. One thing that the 1+ and the Pfaff 2170 do that the Brother, (and I assume Babylock) won't - is let you embroider by using the foot pedal only. This means that with some metallic threads or dense designs, you can sew really slow and avoid a lot of the hassles of thread breakage. Do any other machines have this feature? Weezy |
User: weezyrider
Member since: 08-19-2003 Total posts: 218 
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From: paroper
Date: 10-19-2006, 12:38 PM (23 of 28)
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No, Bernina does not. They divide the speeds in fouths. You can slow the design down to 25% of the speed.
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: mozeyrn
Date: 10-22-2006, 09:25 PM (24 of 28)
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In the beginning of this thread there was mention of not being able to sell certain items with certain designs on it. Do the machines/design cards have written somewhere that their designs (ie Brother/Disney) are copyrighted and cannot be sold (ie. on a bag or dress) with Mickey Mouse on it? My dd's first name has 9 letters (dh's company is 8 letters with 'Engineering' added on to it) and I really don't want to fool around with splitting designs. I know that I will need a field bigger than 4x4 but not sure if 5x7 will be big enough. One of my "tests" when I eventually get out to the dealers: "How do I embroider Cassandra and have it be big enough to see without a magnifier?" - Maureen.
Learning something new with every stitch!! Kenmore 16231000 |
User: mozeyrn
Member since: 11-29-2005 Total posts: 349 |
From: Chrysantha
Date: 10-22-2006, 09:35 PM (25 of 28)
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You cannot SELL liscensed designs as a BUSINESS, you MAY however USE the designs for your OWN use. (ie, family, friends, neighbors, as LONG as they are NOT sold as YOUR WORK.) Janome machines slow embroidery on screen. The foot peddle is NEVER used for embroidery on a Janome. Most machines (that have 5x7 hoops) have more than one font, more than one size in that font, plus you can buy ENDLESS fonts online..You can also curve the lettering up or down. I managed to put my name (Chrysantha) on the quilt for Suzie (MotherinLaw) in script and it didn't take up much room... Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414
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From: mozeyrn
Date: 10-22-2006, 09:47 PM (26 of 28)
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Thanks! Not that I have a machine to do any Disney stuff but it's good to know in advance.
- Maureen.
Learning something new with every stitch!! Kenmore 16231000 |
User: mozeyrn
Member since: 11-29-2005 Total posts: 349 |
From: Tom Land
Date: 10-23-2006, 12:36 AM (27 of 28)
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[QUOTE=Pudge99;168182]Pam, Honestly, I never even thought about the warranty. I have probably voided mine 100 times over already. I have been inside it tinkering around a few times. Oiling places that were squeeky, adjusting foot hight, and generally just seeing what makes it tick. QUOTE] An often misunderstood point is that working on a machine yourself does not in itself void the warranty. If you work on it and a part is damaged due to something you did the warranty will not cover that damage. However, the rest of the machine is still under warrranty. As Pam pointed out just opening an electronic machine and touching the wrong part can can do expensive damage real quickly. If a circuit board is blown and the tech can tell someone unqualified has been in the machine (and he/she can) the board may not be covered. It is really the dealers call since he is who determines warranty or not.(chocolate is always a good bribe). If there is damage to parts from improper or lack of oiling/lubrication the dealer might not have a choice but to not apply the warranty.( for instance oil on plastic or electrical parts or regular sewing machine oil being used in Pfaff machines. Damage due to these is pretty obvious when the dealer tries to return the parts for credit) . Although servicing your machine yourself does not void the manufacturers warranty (unless you damage it) it often will void dealers warranties or service bonds. I give at least a five year service bond and extended labor warranty on everything I sell but will void it if anyone goes into the machine without prior consent. This includes the manufactures service techs. Most manufacturers service centers are training grounds for new techs and once they know what they are doing they go out and get a better job. I am getting too "windy" and off subject. So I will shut up Have fun or don't do it, Tom
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User: Tom Land
Member since: 09-21-2005 Total posts: 514 |
From: paroper
Date: 10-23-2006, 08:11 AM (28 of 28)
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If you think that service is expensive, if you blow a part and void the warranty, you'll really know expense. I had 3 boards replaced in my machine because of a serious problem (under warranty). I saw the price tag for just one of those boards, not the other two so I don't know how expensive they were. The board that I saw the price tag on was $1059...that is without labor. Things that make you go GULP!
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 |
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