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Member since 8/31/02
Posts: 93
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Posted on: 7/11/08 10:59 AM ET
Well, all the rave reviews on this embroidery machine now have my mind wondering to the Janome 350e. I have one question- how is the quality of small monograms, such as the 1/2 inch placed on shirt cuffs. I mostly embroider initials on the men's shirts. I wasn't able to get a crisp small monogram on the Janome 9500. I used the same design and stabilizer on my Brother and it came out perfect. Has anyone tried small monograms? Any thoughts?
  
Member since 4/8/02
Posts: 753
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Posted on: 7/11/08 10:13 PM ET
In reply to Brian
Hi Brian,
Sorry I can't help you with your question but may I ask which Brother machine you have? TIA.
Sue
  
Member since 2/9/04
Posts: 18027
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Posted on: 7/12/08 8:56 AM ET
In reply to Brian
Were you using the same software or downloaded design on both machines? My machine's companion software tells me how small each font can go to get a nice stitch-out.

If your lettering came from the same source and was used on both machines, my guess is the machine is the difference. If the lettering on each machine comes from different software, be sure to check how small that font can go. Some are digitized and stitch out better than others. JMHO Good luck!
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iPad's auto-correct is my enema.
  
Member since 4/8/02
Posts: 5095
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Posted on: 7/12/08 9:26 AM ET
In reply to Brian
Brian - I have a 350e but haven't done any monograms that small. You might have better luck posting on this thread:

https://sewing.patternreview.com/cgi-bin/sewingclasses/board.pl

If I have time, I'll try a small monogram today!
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www.thereisjoyadventures.blogspot.com
  
Member since 8/31/02
Posts: 93
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Posted on: 7/12/08 11:00 AM ET
In reply to Peggy L
Thanks Peggy for the link!

I have a Brother Innovis 1200 for embroidery. When I tried the design on the Janome, I converted the format and used the same embroidery thread with the Janome prewound bobbin. I usually use Monogram Wizard to design the monograms. The middle letter (the initial of the last name) is usually 1/2" and the other two letters are 3/8" On the Janome 9500, it wasn't as crisp and seemed to have trouble with letters that small- it looked more blurry on the edges.

I am fascinated with the 350e because of the hoops and the features. I make very basic, big-block quilts and the giga-hoop would be a really nice option. I've seen a few quilts with very intricate quilting embroidery designs and they were quite stunning.
  
Member since 2/2/04
Posts: 787
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Posted on: 7/12/08 11:34 AM ET
You can use the gigahoop on the 9500.
  
Member since 12/11/06
Posts: 55
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Posted on: 7/12/08 12:26 PM ET
In reply to Brian
I just purchased the Janome 350E and love it, although I'm very knew to machine embroidery. I would be very interested to doing the small monograms on men's shirts for my attorney son-in-law! Where do you place the initials? I'd love to see a picture of your work.
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Debbie
  
Member since 8/31/02
Posts: 93
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Posted on: 7/12/08 1:06 PM ET
In reply to azdeb
Yes, the 9500 can use the giga hoop but I'm interested in an embroidery machine that has a USB port. With my Innovis 1200 you have to connect the machine to the computer, which can be inconvenient.

Placement of monograms on cuffs: Embroider the monogram in the top center of the wrist of the left cuff, start 1" from the center of the cuff toward the buttonhole and 1/4" to 1/2" above cuff edge. The bottom of the letters should fall at the bottom of the cuff.

I don't use stabilizer, the interfacing in the cuff is sufficient. I hoop the cuff in the small hoop (2X2). I use a light colored erasable quilting pencil to mark my cuff placement. I use very thin bobbin thread (white) and a polyester embroidery thread on top, usually black but I have used dark purple and navy blue (depending on the shirt color). I have also used the matching embroidery thread in the bobbin. The monogram order is: First letter of the first name (3/8"), first letter of the last name (1/2") and the first letter of the middle name (3/8"). I use a very basic block font for men's shirts.

Practice on an old shirt first. I have a few cuffs that I cut off old shirt and I will check my tension before I start embroidering a shirt.

This is very mindless embroidery work once you get the hang of it- no thread color changes, low stitch count, easy. One Saturday, I finished 10 shirts in a few hours.

I need to learn how to post photos!
  
Member since 12/11/06
Posts: 55
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Posted on: 12/12/08 9:21 PM ET
In reply to Brian
Brian,
I'm ready to embroider those men's shirt cuffs with my Janome 350 E. What font would be good? You said you have done many of these and I need mine to look very professional (they are for my attorney SIL!) Thanks
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Debbie
  
Member since 4/8/02
Posts: 753
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Posted on: 12/12/08 9:52 PM ET
In reply to azdeb
I'm not Brian, but any plain block font would work, the more masculine and unfussy, the better. Check out Land's End or L.L.Bean for the styles they use on their mens shirts. Hope this helps.
Sue
  
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