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12 
Member since 5/9/05
Posts: 1471
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Posted on: 11/20/08 5:03 PM ET
I will be getting a Babylock Ellure Plus next week. Since I'm a total novice at machine embroidery I would like to have all basic neccessary supplies on hand when I pick up the machine. Can't wait to get started

I found this company recommended on another thread but this particular item was not mentioned. I'd like your opinions of it as well as alternate suggestions if you have them.

My Webpage

I sure don't want to sit around waiting on a delivery truck with a new machine in the stable waiting for it's first ride!

Thanks for your help!
Chyrl
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She looks for wool and flax And works with her hands in delight. Proverbs 31:13 NAS
  
Member since 12/3/06
Posts: 10072
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Posted on: 11/20/08 5:32 PM ET
In reply to my horse
Congratulations on your new machine.

I have never seen a starter kit. I cannot open your link, so I do not know which site you are referring to.

To put together such a kit, you need a variety of stabilizers and threads, including bobbin thread which is a different weight than the top thread.

You should receive a spool of bobbin thread and possibly a sample pack of stabilizer along with a few other notions with your new machine.

This site - Embroidery Library has a lot of good information on what stabilizers to use according to your project.

Buy a few basic colors of embroidery thread when Jo-Ann has thread on sale. Usually every other month.

Avoid Sulky and C&C black embroidery thread as it is weaker than other brands due to their dying process. This may change, but for now I am basing this on my personal experience.

Dealers usually have very good brands, but they are expensive. I would buy black from them and other colors where I could get them on sale - again my preference may not be for everyone.

Good magazines for reference, techniques and projects are Design In Machine Embroidery and Creative Machine Embroidery.

For learning machine embroidery - the Machine Embroidery Essentials group of books are very helpful. Here is an overview of the books along with tips and hints (see bottom of their screen). Machine Embroidery Essentials
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OLD CHINESE PROVERB: I HEAR & I FORGET; I SEE & I REMEMBER; I DO & I UNDERSTAND.
  
Member since 5/9/05
Posts: 1471
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Posted on: 11/20/08 7:37 PM ET
Thanks for the good references info. I would prefer to purchase locally but have no JoAnns and my only Hancocks doesn't even carry wooly nylon. Very limited with the embroidery thread selection as well. I can get it all at close to full retail at MaryJo's but I have a gene that won't let me pay full list for anything 'luxury' ;>)

I'll post the link this way until I can figure out how to do it correctly. Marathon America Starter Kit www.marathonamerica.com/starter.html
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She looks for wool and flax And works with her hands in delight. Proverbs 31:13 NAS
  
Member since 8/17/05
Posts: 641
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Posted on: 11/20/08 9:17 PM ET
In reply to my horse
I noticed that the stabilizer included in the starter pack is 6.5" x 6.5" square. Both of the hoops that come with the Ellure plus are larger (5x7 & 5x12), so the stabilizer is not going to be of any use. I've never used their thread, so cannot comment on the thread. I will suggest poly thread, because IMO it's less prone to breakage.

I think Baby Lock sells a sampler packet of their different stabilizers. Your machine may come with a roll of tear away. My Ellageo did when I bought it years ago. HTH.

Alathia
  
Member since 8/24/02
Posts: 6374
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Posted on: 11/20/08 9:48 PM ET
In reply to my horse
I bought a sample pack from Marathon Canada when I got my machine in Sept.

The stabilizer samples are not designed for use in a hoop but for reference, so you know what you are getting. You will also get one each of their threads and a colour chart. I requested both the poly and rayon charts.

Marathon has thread kits with quite a variety of colours, I have not bought one yet, so I cannot comment on them.

I am lucky to have access locally to Sulky and gutterman emboidery threads, but I will probably order a box of threads are some point in the new year.

My dealer also had a sample pack of stabilizers that I bought when I picked up my machine.
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Living life to the fullest.

Who knew being a Granny was the best thing ever?
  
Member since 12/3/06
Posts: 10072
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Posted on: 11/21/08 0:09 AM ET
In reply to my horse
Marathon Starter Kit

Personally, I would pass on this.

For $129 + S&H you can buy what you want, when you want.

I have purchased embroidery thread at Hancock also. Mettler brand, I believe and the black worked out very well.

Check these sites for price comparison: Allbrands ShoppersRule (choose your price on most items), Allstitch.net and sewphisticated stitcher.
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OLD CHINESE PROVERB: I HEAR & I FORGET; I SEE & I REMEMBER; I DO & I UNDERSTAND.
  
Member since 4/25/05
Posts: 224
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Posted on: 11/22/08 10:23 PM ET
In reply to my horse
While I do not know about the starter kit so cannot guide you on that, I will tell you that I use Marathon Thread and simply LOVE it. I have close to 300 spools of it (if not more), with many of them being the huge 5000M spools. I have both the Poly and the Rayon, and in all honesty I can not tell the difference between the two when they are stitched out.

I have never heard of a single person having issues with this thread.

Before investing in a starter kit like this, make sure that your machine can use the prewound bobbins that comes in the kit.

I hope that you enjoy your new machine.
  
Member since 5/9/05
Posts: 1471
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Posted on: 11/23/08 4:52 PM ET
Thanks again for your input everyone. I do now think that the starter kit is heavy on items I don't need.

I also appreciate the website suggestions and MrsKeds favorable report about Marathon Thread.

I'm getting VERY excited about getting this machine :>)
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She looks for wool and flax And works with her hands in delight. Proverbs 31:13 NAS
  
Member since 1/31/05
Posts: 89
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Posted on: 11/24/08 2:16 PM ET
Chyrl--Congrats on your machine!! You will love it. I have the BL Emore which was recently retired by Babylock. It is the Ellure Plus minus the sewing machine. I was totally new to embroidery when I got mine this summer. Experiment--as I found some things my Emore likes and some it detests!! It doesn't like Sulky thread at all. I found that out after I bought several spools and had already thrown the receipt away. I have no problem with Madeira. Coats and Clark, Brother's, Gutterman threads though. Stablizers--so far I have used mostly Sulky stablizers as they the most readily available in my area and they have worked fine. You will want a good cutaway stablizer for sure and maybe a tearaway to start off with to play with maybe? Then as you get into certain projects and fabrics will need to look at the other types.

There are some great designs built into your machine so you will certainly have fun trying everything out.
  
Member since 1/22/06
Posts: 1183
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Posted on: 11/24/08 3:06 PM ET
There are two places I buy most of my supplies from.
For blank garments and stabilizer by the bolt I use Shopper's Rule.
For thread I get most of mine from The Thread Exchange, the link for their embroidery products is here.
NAYY, but both places have good prices, and you can sign up for email for special sales, with even better bargains.
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Formerly sew*itch
  
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