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The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
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From: homemaker9
Date: 01-10-2007, 12:38 PM (1 of 12)
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I bought a H-Viking D-1 yesterday. I am very excited about it. I'm new to machine emb. and new to this forum. I have a lot to learn and sure I will learn a lot here. First I need to know the best and cheapest to buy thread & stablizer.  Fran Fran
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User: homemaker9
Member since: 01-06-2007 Total posts: 18 |
From: LegalDealer
Date: 01-10-2007, 02:02 PM (2 of 12)
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Hello! Congrats on your new purchase. I have found that Allstich.net for stabilizers and Threadart.com for embroidery thread are the least expensive. They are also great at sending your order fast and correctly. Bonny |
User: LegalDealer
Member since: 10-19-2006 Total posts: 27 
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From: paroper
Date: 01-10-2007, 02:34 PM (3 of 12)
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Not everyone can use the threadart thread. Brothers' mall has great prices on poly madera. These are the large cones and they are well-priced. http://www.brothermall2.com/PASindex.asp?mscssid=BM20711013295503428677 At $1.65 a spool you are getting a great price and a great thread. Be sure and ask for the spool caps when you order (they are free if you do). The thread I use the most is Isacord (Madera second). It is polyester but I get a discount and purchase through my dealer. I don't have a good online source for it. Regular price on Isacord is between about $6.00 a cone. 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: homemaker9
Date: 01-10-2007, 04:05 PM (4 of 12)
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Thanks for the info. I have ordered and can't wait to get started. I'm a little nervous. Fran Fran
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User: homemaker9
Member since: 01-06-2007 Total posts: 18 |
From: craftedbylouise
Date: 01-10-2007, 09:37 PM (5 of 12)
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Hi Fran, I am also new to machine embroidery (since 12-15-06). I purchased a Brother NV1000 and so far I am very pleased with my machine, and fear that I will be outgrowing this machine within a year at the rate I am going. In the 3-1/2 weeks I have had my machine I have managed to put OVER 225,000 stitches on it. I have not purchased any supplies and such yet except from my local JoAnns store, but sometime next week I will be ordering my thread set from ThreadArt, I will let you know how I like the thread. Also welcome to the world of machine embroidery and to this forum (I just found this forum a couple weeks ago myself). Louise
Brother nv1000 since 12-15-06 http://craftedbylouise.hobby-site.com |
User: craftedbylouise
Member since: 12-25-2006 Total posts: 19 |
From: FranW
Date: 01-10-2007, 10:04 PM (6 of 12)
 Hi. I was wondering if anyone could give me info on purchasing an embroidery machine. I have a bit of a dilemma. I started sewing just over a year ago and my DH kindly purchased me a Janome 6500. He bought it from a dealer in our area (the only Janome dealer within 60 miles). I had read online that the Janome 6500 was an excellent machine for quilting and I have not been disappointed at all. The thing is, I have found out that the dealer's husband passed away shortly before my husband purchased the machine - and he was actually the one that worked with the machines. I inquired about an instruction video or any kind of classes for the 6500, but the widow (who is very sweet) didn't seem to know about any of that. I ended up teaching myself everything I know so far and hope to start some quilting classes at a quilt shop I discovered last month. Should I look for a different place to buy the embroidery machine? The Janome quality is excellent, but after reading some of these posts, it sounds like some machines come with classes or videos to help a beginner learn how to operate the machine. What would be a good machine? Or, is there a video or class online to learn how to use an embroidery machine - or the 6500? Sorry about the long post. Thank you all very much for your help. Fran
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User: FranW
Member since: 11-20-2006 Total posts: 9 |
From: paroper
Date: 01-10-2007, 11:27 PM (7 of 12)
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Most dealers offer basic usage classes on the machines they sell. They often also offer additional classes at extra cost on specialty projects, quilting, etc. I'm sorry that you fell into a crack when you purchased your machine. I do not know that Janome requires that of their dealers, but many brands of machines do. Of course, Janome machines are sold under a variety of "flags" (Bernina uses their embroidery only macihne, Sears sells them and so do some Joanne stores, I think). Although the big box stores like Sears do not often offer training, usually it is accepted that the dealer will. It is always to the dealers' benefit to give the classes...a satisfied customer who sews will want to upgrade at some point. Also, many dealers make a large portion of their living selling threads, notions, designs, repair, etc (not to mention extra classes). You might check around your area to see if anyone sells Janome and gives classes, but beyond that, you might just look and see if there are any misc quilting guilds or even dealers who have quilting classes or clubs in your area that you could join. Many times quilting groups also do embroidery in their quilts. You may also find the reinforcement you need for embroidery there too.
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: FranW
Date: 01-10-2007, 11:49 PM (8 of 12)
Thank you so much for your reply! I recently found a quilting shop that isn't too far from me and I start a quilting class in February. Hopefully, those ladies won't mind some (a lot!) of questions! thanks, Fran
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User: FranW
Member since: 11-20-2006 Total posts: 9 |
From: Tom Land
Date: 01-11-2007, 12:19 AM (9 of 12)
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I would not buy anywhere that couldn't provide me with all the instruction and service I might need. Unless you go with the very basic embroidery machine you will need help. Before buying from a "Big Box" store I would check with the local dealer about his policy. Whereas some us reason that eventhough we lost the profit on the sale we can try to make something on the accessories if we help. Most dealers are more realistic and since you decided his services weren't worth paying for (thats why you bought somewhere else) and you will probably order your thread and notions on-line the charges for classes and service will be high if he will provide them at all. On the other hand if you find that the local dealer sends the machines off to be repaired and he doesn't offer classes there is not much reason to buy from him. Have fun or don't do it, Tom
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User: Tom Land
Member since: 09-21-2005 Total posts: 514 |
From: mamadus
Date: 01-11-2007, 07:28 PM (10 of 12)
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Louise... many people have problems with the ThreadArt thread... so before you order a whole lot of it, you might want to check Marathon and Melcomart for thread... Marathon has various sites, just do a google search. MelcoMart carries ARC thread and has some great prices on their kits... Both of these companies have very reasonable prices.. and I'm sure others will be able to suggest other thread brands that are as reasonably priced as Marathon and ARC... for those folks who are able to run ThreadArt thread with no problem, that's wonderful, but many have problems with it, so if you can avoid the hassle and still get a decent price, it's probably worth looking around... 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: craftedbylouise
Date: 01-12-2007, 10:10 PM (11 of 12)
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mamadus, Thanks for the tip, but hubby already bought the ThreadArt 177 poly spool set. Cost is a #1 deciding factor, BUT after an extensive background research on ThreadArt I see that they keep an average of 99-100% feed back rating. But at any rate if I have problems I will return it. That is one thing I asked them in an email I sent to them. Thanks again. Louise
Brother nv1000 since 12-15-06 http://craftedbylouise.hobby-site.com |
User: craftedbylouise
Member since: 12-25-2006 Total posts: 19 |
From: paroper
Date: 01-13-2007, 09:44 AM (12 of 12)
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From what I understand that high rating is because they are very good about working with the customer and accepting returns, not because the thread is any good. I don't know how many times I have read reports of people returning their thread 3-4 times just trying to get it to work. If it doesn't work the first time, It probably won't work. Not only are thread breaks frusterating, you've got to wonder how well the project will stand up to multiple washings if it breaks just being stitched. However, if your machine is a slower machine and your tension is just right, maybe it will work for you. It does for some and machine speed seems to be a big player. 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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