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Moderated by Pyrose
Posted on: 1/20/16 1:47 PM ET
I purchased a used Bernina 630 with embroidery module. I really have never been interested in embroidery but it came with the machine I wanted. Because I bought it used from the previous owner, there are no classes to help me. Most of the designs I've seen, I do not like. I much prefer the subtlety of hand embroidery. The only reason I'm considering trying it out is for my 3 grandchildren. I love sewing for them and would love to embroider very tiny touches such as a flower on a shirt collar. I've search for very small outline (redwork style) type of designs and haven't found anything. Can anyone tell me if designs like that are available? I know I can hand embroider these but for kids clothes that will be washed a lot, I thought machine work would make more sense. Thanks for any help or ideas. I may just sell all the embroidery "stuff" that came with the machine.
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Theresa
Posted on: 1/20/16 1:50 PM ET
Try emblibrary.com. She has cute things, and quite a bit of red/blue/black work.
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Brother Stellaire XJ1, 1034D, Pacesetter Cover Stitch 2340CV
Bernina 770QE Kaffe, 570QE, 435, L890QE
My blog - https://texasquiltgirl.wordpress.com/
Bernina 770QE Kaffe, 570QE, 435, L890QE
My blog - https://texasquiltgirl.wordpress.com/
Posted on: 1/20/16 4:08 PM ET
Have you seen Urban Threads? They have a lot of more unusual designs :)
Posted on: 1/20/16 7:22 PM ET
I never planned to get into machine embroidery. Then my SIL gave me her old embroidery machine.
I still haven't done a whole lot with it, but, it's kinda cool. Try a few embroidery experiments before you give up on the idea. It's actually kind of fun.
I am a bit of a hoarder, but I also think you should keep all the embroidery stuff, just in case you get a good idea later on. For me, the later-on idea was making an embroidered Christmas tree skirt. Of course I did not think of this idea until I was taking my Christmas decorations down LOL!!
I still haven't done a whole lot with it, but, it's kinda cool. Try a few embroidery experiments before you give up on the idea. It's actually kind of fun.
I am a bit of a hoarder, but I also think you should keep all the embroidery stuff, just in case you get a good idea later on. For me, the later-on idea was making an embroidered Christmas tree skirt. Of course I did not think of this idea until I was taking my Christmas decorations down LOL!!
Posted on: 1/20/16 7:26 PM ET
If you do a google search for 'free machine embroidery' you will find that most sites have several freebies to test before buying any of their designs.
Generally they have a variety of styles and I've seen quite a few Redwork at times, although these do change on a regular basis. Some designers have an email list, one that comes to mind and has my favourite designs, is Hatched in Africa Their weekly freebie is released each Friday and the email contains other handy info and new designs.
Do you think the reason you don't like the designs you've seen is due to the colours? I ask this because generally I change the colours to (what I see) as more subdued colours...sometimes even a monochromatic colour scheme. Other times I use the same thread colour as the background fabric so the embroidery design is quite subtle.
Everyone has differing tastes so this might not appeal to you, but just thought I'd mention it anyway.
Also, go to the machine manufacturers sites, they usually have a freebie or two....Brother/Singer/Pfaff/Husq/etc. However you might need software to change to your format.
Hope this helps: ;-)
Edited to add the HIA name which PR removed. ;-((
-- Edited on 1/23/16 at 1:27 AM --
Generally they have a variety of styles and I've seen quite a few Redwork at times, although these do change on a regular basis. Some designers have an email list, one that comes to mind and has my favourite designs, is Hatched in Africa Their weekly freebie is released each Friday and the email contains other handy info and new designs.
Do you think the reason you don't like the designs you've seen is due to the colours? I ask this because generally I change the colours to (what I see) as more subdued colours...sometimes even a monochromatic colour scheme. Other times I use the same thread colour as the background fabric so the embroidery design is quite subtle.
Everyone has differing tastes so this might not appeal to you, but just thought I'd mention it anyway.
Also, go to the machine manufacturers sites, they usually have a freebie or two....Brother/Singer/Pfaff/Husq/etc. However you might need software to change to your format.
Hope this helps: ;-)
Edited to add the HIA name which PR removed. ;-((
-- Edited on 1/23/16 at 1:27 AM --
Posted on: 1/20/16 10:26 PM ET
Try Embroidery Library for designs as well as free tutorials.
For items that will be washed alot, use polyester machine embroidery thread and in the bobbin, whatever machine embroidery bobbin thread weight required for your machine.
I have been doing machine embroidery for over 15 years and never took a lesson. Back then there weren't any forums for machine embroidery, so I bought books by Jeanine Twigg and learned from them.
-- Edited on 1/20/16 at 10:33 PM --
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For items that will be washed alot, use polyester machine embroidery thread and in the bobbin, whatever machine embroidery bobbin thread weight required for your machine.
I have been doing machine embroidery for over 15 years and never took a lesson. Back then there weren't any forums for machine embroidery, so I bought books by Jeanine Twigg and learned from them.
-- Edited on 1/20/16 at 10:33 PM --
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OLD CHINESE PROVERB: I HEAR & I FORGET; I SEE & I REMEMBER; I DO & I UNDERSTAND.
Posted on: 1/21/16 0:11 AM ET
In reply to cornut
Have you looked at the designs already on your machine? There may be small motifs that are suitable for children. My Pfaff has some little flowers, fruit, insects, animals and so on that would nice touches on garments for grand children.
I second looking at Embroidery Library and they have a sale on right now. They have tons of redwork and vintage if you like that for your grandchildren. You might like a small applique for them too.
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I second looking at Embroidery Library and they have a sale on right now. They have tons of redwork and vintage if you like that for your grandchildren. You might like a small applique for them too.
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Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them. Andy Rooney
Pfonzie- my honey Pfaff Creative Performance and Pfaff Passport, Bernina 930 and 830, Evolution and Enlighten sergers
Pfonzie- my honey Pfaff Creative Performance and Pfaff Passport, Bernina 930 and 830, Evolution and Enlighten sergers
Posted on: 1/21/16 1:06 AM ET
I second Wendy's suggestion, about checking with your machine, and the
Embroidery Library. There are always sales. Check the tabs at the top for Home, as to what is New This Week, and what is on Sale. Every month they have a few Free designs, and they always have tutorials for how to do different projects or methods.
It is an employee owned business, and I like supporting them. In addition, you can add up to 500 designs to your wish list. If you enter in your machine parameters (ie, largest hoop size, format used, etc), it will remind you if you try to choose something your machine cannot handle. They have a Redwork and Vintage section as well, and you can find it in the menu on the far left on their home page.
I love using my embroidery part of my machine, and I feel that I use it almost as much as I use the sewing machine part of it. Just keep in mind that Disney patterns are to be kept to Brother machines per copy write law.
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Embroidery Library. There are always sales. Check the tabs at the top for Home, as to what is New This Week, and what is on Sale. Every month they have a few Free designs, and they always have tutorials for how to do different projects or methods.
It is an employee owned business, and I like supporting them. In addition, you can add up to 500 designs to your wish list. If you enter in your machine parameters (ie, largest hoop size, format used, etc), it will remind you if you try to choose something your machine cannot handle. They have a Redwork and Vintage section as well, and you can find it in the menu on the far left on their home page.
I love using my embroidery part of my machine, and I feel that I use it almost as much as I use the sewing machine part of it. Just keep in mind that Disney patterns are to be kept to Brother machines per copy write law.
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Heidi
I love, love, love, love, love sewing! :-D
I love, love, love, love, love sewing! :-D
Posted on: 1/21/16 8:48 AM ET
I have a lot of designs from Emblibrary, you will want to check out the Dollar Designs, not much outlay and you will see how the designs sew out. It is a big site, you could spend hours there.
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Nancy B.
I sew with 4 Brothers and a Featherweight
Babylock Serger
DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS
Don't mess with Texas
I sew with 4 Brothers and a Featherweight
Babylock Serger
DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS
Don't mess with Texas
Posted on: 1/21/16 12:27 PM ET
I think the most important thing for machine embroidery is the stabilizer, both under the fabric and on top. I would read a book on machine embroidery and check out a store where embroidery machines are sold. Ask for advice on the stabilizers they sell and buy a few to try. I used to embroider t-shirts and sweatshirts with cute animals, flowers, etc for my grandchildren when they were young. You need different stabilizers for knits than woven. On a knit you need a sticky type of stabilizer to hold the fabric to keep it from stretching. Also thread. You need the right kind of lightweight bobbin thread for your machine and rayon or polyester embroidery thread. Good luck and have fun.
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