Embroidery Gifts

Embroidery Gift Ideas

by Susanne Myers

Embroidered items make great gifts. Not only do they have that handmade feel to them, but you can personalize almost anything with some simple embroidery and make it special. Here are a few ideas for gifts you can make if you love to embroider.

Baby Blanket

Embroidered baby blankets make a wonderful, personalized gift that will be treasured for years to come. You can either go with a general embroidered motive like a duck, alphabet blocks or a rattle, personalize it for a boy or girl, or even embroider the baby’s initials in the blanket.

Napkins

Embroidered napkins make a wonderful gift for both a wedding and a housewarming. You can give them by themselves or with a coordinating tablecloth. Embroidery designs can range from flowers to symbols and of course initials. You can buy pre-made napkins and just add the embroidery, or you can sew your own out of cotton, linen or even silk.

To read the full article:

http://www.learncraftsonline.com/embroider-this.shtml

Selecting Stabilizers

Machine embroidery needs a good quality stabilizer, the right backing has a big impact on how your embroidery will turn out. The backing is used to stabilize the design. The right backing will see that the stitches are formed evenly giving them a sharp finish.Many times people have sent me projects they have done that did not work out quite how they had wanted, on many of these occasions they have used the wrong backing.

Tearaway's

This product is used for woven fabrics (no stretch), used for items such as shirts, dresses, hats and the backing of towels. It tears easily from the embroidered design, for quick clean up.The type of fabric you use determines which weight you use.

ALL TEARAWAY

100cm Wide

Light $1.30/mtr $1.43/mtr INC GST
Medium $1.60/mtr $1.76/mtr INC GST
Heavy $1.82/mtr $2.00/mtr INC GST

It is important to remember when purchasing your Tearaway's that you buy quality.

There are many Tearaway's on the market that are made to a price not a standard. Cheap Tearaway's with diagonal stretch will give designs a cheap finish look. These Tearaway's are best used as tracing paper as that is what they are best used for. All Tearaway's sold through this site are woven.Remember perfect results can be achieved by anyone when using quality accessories.

Non Tearaway's - also known as Cutaway

This product is used mainly for stretch knit fabrics and is great for polo shirts, jumpers, t-shirts or any other type of knit. If you fabric does not stretch you can use Tearaway. The more stitches a designs has the more backing you need, use you judgement sometimes multiply layers of backing is better than the heavy, the medium weight is ideal for most applications. Please note this backing has to be cut with scissors.

To read the full article:

http://www.stirlingembroidery.com/stabilizers.htm

Some Tips to Successful Embroidery

EMBROIDERY TIPS

Lace Making
Hooping Tips

Hoopless Embroidery

LACE MAKING

l love making lace because it involves my head and hands when itcomesto making lace don't thing there are rules but just people experimenting what works for them. Making lace is a learning process that each and everyone one of us most work through. Anyone doing lace or been in my lace classes will know l love disposable bobbins andlove using them in lace making. If l had to wind my bobbins l would never get my lace done. I never have to touch my tension with them, they work like a dream in my Brother machines. Alot of bobbin thread on a big spool can sometimes be made very fast when winded which gives us many knots and can cause upper thread breaks and stopping and starting. This is frustrating when you look at the time one puts in for lace making. I love my spun polyester bobbins Nebs they are knotless and I get no dust on my rotary hook which many know dust can shorten the life of your machine. I love to use water soluble vilene for my lace making but the hooping of it is very important. I hoop it taut so there are no wrinkles usually just one layer. It is made for high stitch counts it will not stretch in any direction is not a film so it disolves quickly in hot or cold water. Water soluble vilene is as strong as a cut away ideal for my customers to use for there lace making. With my lace no one really looks at the bottom only the top so sometimes if it is a metallic I might match top and bottom just for looks. A very dence lace design l find needs 2 layers of water soluble vilene.

To read the full article:

http://www.stirlingembroidery.com/tips.htm

Do You See Your Favorite Style?

Different Embroidery Types: Which One is Yours?

by Robbie Darmona

Ever since the invention of needle and thread, man has started designing beautiful artwork by stitching on cloths. Embroidery, as it is called, is the way sheer sewing is transferred into something beautiful and creative. Decorative stitching reveals man’s desire to embody the spiritual and unique part of his psyche into his daily work. Embroidery is thought to date back to 3000 BC. There are different embroidery types in different cultures.

Each one of them is unique as it represents the given culture’s specificity. The ancient Egyptians for example used the so-called white embroidery. That is, namely, the stitching of white thread on white canvas.

The style is so sophisticated and the motifs so difficult that even the modern technologically- based embroidery machines can’t reach the quality of the originals. The Chinese developed the famous two-sided embroidery- a stunning example of intricate art. The decoration is so refined that it takes years for the devoted embroiderer to accomplish. In Western Europe another type of embroidery is famous: the crewel technique. It involves the stitching of woolen two-ply thread on a linen cloth, called twill. It is still used today for producing of many home decorations- counterpanes, different hangings and coverings.

To read the full article:

http://www.freecraftunlimited.com/articles/different-embroidery-types.html

Select Your Designs with Care!

Embroidery Sewing Quality of Machine Embroidery Designs

Many new to embroidery have experienced numerous problems because of the inferior quality of free embroidery design files that they downloaded over the internet. One of the biggest mistakes that many new seamstresses make is using free designs patterns that have problems built in. Even if you are lucky enough to do everything else right and use inferior designs, results will probably not be good. Many of the free embroidery designs files that one can download are the first efforts of someone that has just begun to digitize and thus are not very well made. Many new to this great hobby use these because they are free and easy to download without using a credit card, but this is where the trouble begins. Then when outlines are off or there are gaps in the sewing and poor results are evident, how does one know where the problem lies? Is it the designs or the stabilizers or even worst - Can it be the new embroidery machine? We have a test so one can determine if the design is at fault or if the stabilizer is the problem. We make available free designs, free sewing lessons, free thread color charts and info that you may need to learn so you can get great results with your embroidery designs projects.

To read the full article (you need to scroll down just a bit to see it):

http://www.free-online-advertising.com/embroidered/ea-machine-embroidery-designs.htm

Quick Fix Tips for Your Embroidery Machine

Do It Yourself Sewing Machine Repairs: A Sewing Machine Repairman Provides Helpful Tips

By Reuben O. Doyle

Your sewing machine is a wonderfully useful machine when working properly, a frustrating, confusing monster when it's not. Oddly, a vast majority of machines sent to repair shops for repairs, could be repaired at home with little or no technical knowledge.

The first thing to remember is not to panic! Don't let your frustration get in the way of your good sense. Depending on the type of problem you're having, the following suggestions may be of immediate help to you.

TENSION

As you change projects and start sewing on different weight materials, you should test stitch on a piece of scrap material of the same weight before beginning the actual project so you can adjust your upper tension to that particular fabric. As an example, if you're changing from a denim type fabric to a silky fabric, you would definitely want to make sure the tension is correct and the stitching looks right before you start to sew the garment.

To determine whether the upper tension is too tight or too loose for the fabric you want to use, try the following test. Take a small scrap of the fabric, fold it, and stitch a line ON THE BIAS of the fabric, using different colors of thread in the bobbin and on top.

Grasp the bias line of stitching between the thumb and the index finger. Space the hands about 3 inches apart and pull with an even, quick force until one thread breaks.

If the broken thread is the color of the thread in the needle, it means that the upper tension is too tight.

If the broken thread is the color of the bobbin thread, the upper tension is too loose. If both threads break together and take more force to break, it means that the tensions are balanced.

To read the full article:

http://www.theartfulcrafter.com/sewing-machine.html

What Thread Should You Use?

Thread Theory

The latest quilt trend is in Fiber Arts, the art of embellishing a textile with various fibers to create a work of art. Fiber Art can take many forms and use a myriad of materials especially created for the artist. This article is about Threads, both specialty threads for embellishment and regular, average, every day thread.

There are so many different types of thread available! How do you choose which one is right for your project? Start with the reason you will be using this thread and go from there. Generally, 28 wt. or 30 wt. thread is used for in the bobbin for decorative work. 40wt thread is a quilting thread and 50 wt is a piecing thread. This is only a rough guideline, however, rules are made to be broken! Experiment with what works best for you. To help you with your selection, read the end of the spool. Generally, you will find information about:

• the manufacturer and brand of the thread
• the color number
• its weight and the number of plies (strands) that are twisted together. This is usually referred to by a number that looks like a fraction. For example, if you see the number 60/2 that means that the thread is a 60 weight 2 ply thread. The higher the first number, the finer the thread.
• the fiber content
• whether or not the thread is mercerized
• and maybe even the country of origin.

What is mercerized thread? Simply put, mercerized cotton thread has been put through a series of processes causing the thread to swell, become round and straighten out. Any fuzz is singed off. This increases the luster of the thread as well as improves water and dye absorption. Since fine, long stapled fibers respond best to mercerization, it is usually those types of cotton (Sea Island, Egyptian, Pima) that are used.

When using your thread on a machine, be sure to put the top part of the spool up. This isn't always as obvious as you might think. To determine which part of the spool is the top, hold the spool horizontally by the top and bottom. Unroll about a foot of the thread. If the thread hangs freely, you unrolled it from the top. If it twists back on itself, you unrolled it from the bottom.

To read the full article:

http://www.quiltbus.com/threadtheory.htm

Build an Embroidery Business

Business Idea Details

Overview - Machine Embroidery

Embroidery is the process of applying monograms, logos and other designs to fabric with the use of thread. Make money with embroidery by customizing linens, pillows, clothing, accessories (i.e. hats, belts and purses) and artwork. Start a small business today in Machine Embroidery! Using embroidery machines your business will retain the look and feel of hand-crafted products while requiring a fraction of the time and effort to produce.

Keys To Success

Building and retaining a steady stream of customers will be your biggest key to success in this business. Aggressively pursue customers through channels such as craft fairs, community markets, home magazines and the internet. Embrace new embroidery technology that will allow your business to compete with larger customization shops without a great deal of extra capital. Include quality control in every step of your process to ensure your customers get the finest product their money can buy.

To read the full article:

http://www.mysmallbiz.com/pg/pub/idea_details.php?id=244

Embroidery Machines - Before You Buy

Before You Try Machine Embroidery
From Debbie Colgrove

Machine Embroidery adds beauty and themed detail to anything you sew. The amount you will invest in machine embroidery has become a huge variable, costing from $300 to $8000 depending on the machine options, the software you purchase and the size of the embroidery the machine is capable of stitching out.

Embroidery Machines

Some machines are "Embroidery Only" machines. These machines are solely devoted to doing machine embroidery. They do not do the work of a regular sewing machine.

Other machines, the higher end of the market, offers machines that can do any and everything. They usually have a removable embroidery unit so the machine will meet any sewing need. As always a local sewing machine dealer can be your best source for training. It's always advisable to know what you are looking for before you go shopping.

To read the full article:

http://sewing.about.com/od/machineembroidery/bb/embroidery.htm

Machine Embroidery Tips

Sewing information: machine embroidery tips

To Sew beautiful machine embroidery designs is easy once you know how. Instructions to prevent common problems, and provide ideas for sewing great designs.

Embroidery machines have revolutionized the art of embroidery. What used to take hours upon hours of painstaking hand work can now be finished in just a few minutes! It is still best not to rush through your embroidery work though. Taking just a little extra time to prepare your fabric and machine will ensure that your machine turns out its best work. This article will provide you with basic trouble shooting information and tips for sewing flawless machine embroidery.

Since so much of embroidery is based on thread, we will begin there. The first and most important rule when it comes to thread is to choose the best. Not all thread is created equally, and the more flaws your thread has the more flaws the item you are embroidering will have. If you are experiencing frayed threads, broken threads, fuzzy thread, etc it is most likely because you have chosen a sub-standard thread. There are many types of thread on the market designed specifically for machine embroidery. Although they may cost a bit more, the finished product is worth the expense. When thread is made pieces of fiber are twisted tightly together to form long continuous lines of fiber that is then spun onto spools for use as thread. Higher quality threads use longer fibers in their spinning process which results is smoother, stronger thread with a better texture and appearance. Inexpensive threads use short fibers which makes the thread prone to breakage, fuzziness and an overall poor appearance. In addition to the quality of the thread there are different fiber contents as well. Rayon and silk embroidery thread have a beautiful, rich sheen to them. Poly-cotton blend embroidery threads are strong, durable and create a smooth finish.

To read the rest of the article:

http://www.essortment.com/hobbies/machineembroide_sdkp.htm

So, How Do You Feel About Your Embroidery Machine?

Embroidery machines: white elephants or essential tools?

Marion, Dec 19, 2001

The beautiful and varied designs that can be sewn on an embroidery machine makes it very tempting to get one. You tell yourself that there are all sorts of things you could do with it that you can't do with your sewing machine. And while this is true, will you use it often enough to justify the expense? For the one thing all embroidery machines have in common is that they don't come cheap.

All manufacturers produce stand-alone embroidery machines. Bernina also produce an embroidery unit which gets attached to its top-of-the-range sewing machine, the Artista. The machine will come with a range of embroidery designs, but you'll soon realise that embroidery patterns are as addictive as lengths of fabric. No matter how many you've got, you'll always spot something new and appealing.... And this is even before you start finding free designs on the internet!

You're not limited to the original size of the embroidery, but can rotate it, change the ratio between it's length and width (most useful with lettering) and, of course, sew it in whatever colours you wish. And what colours you get in embroidery thread! The 'basic' threads are silky and shiny, but then there are the metallics, those that change colour along their length, and more. It certainly makes it easy when someone asks you what you want as a present -- some embroidery thread! Embroidery thread tends to be less strong than normal sewing thread, so if you're finding it keeps breaking as your design is stitching out, slow down the speed at which your machine is sewing.

To read the full article:

http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/fabric_crafts/87285

A Brief History of Whitework

Whitework Embroidery in America

Weldon's Encyclopedia of Needlework defines Whitework as: "White embroidery so called from its beginning worked on white material in mercerized cottons... It gave the first idea of lace and may be looked upon as the mother of all lace work."

This doesn't tell me a lot. So, white silk on silk isn't whitework? Hm.

Erica Wilson describes it as white thread on white ground fabric. This, I like.

Whitework embroidery is a term that came about as a result of the French influence of the 1700s. (That's not to say that whitework didn't exist before then.) There are some methods and techniques which are more associated with the term whitework, and these are the ones I hope to explore more fully in the future.

It's been conjectured that it may have begun in Egypt. Such lovely and fine fabric naturally belongs in that climate! International trade brought this gorgeous fabric to light. Eastern muslin fabrics were so sheer they were almost invisible, which caused no great stir in the nunneries of Europe. (sarcasm)

Nuns wrote their own histories with a needle, and where the fine muslins weren't available, the soft and strong linens that were available were used for depicting any number of biblical stories and symbols for use in the church, white being a symbol of the purity of the Virgin.

"The soil of Flanders and the Netherlands seemed particularly suitable for growing flax. So excellent was the Dutch fabric that up until the 18th Century the word for the strongest linen was simply "Holland" or "Holland cloth." --Erica Wilson's Embroidery Book.

Though not as fine as the muslin, the nuns learned to withdraw some of the linen threads from the background fabric for a lighter look. This form of open and drawn thread work led the way to "Reticella", where connecting bars made from buttonhole stitches were used across the surface of the linen, and the background was cut away and discarded. This was also called "cutwork".

To read the full article:

http://www.white-works.com/WhiteworkEmb.htm

Hooping Made Easy

Hooping Tips for Successful Embroidery

Fresh ideas for ease and accuracy when inserting your fabric in a machine embroidery hoop

by Jill McCloy

There are new machine-embroidery stabilizers on the market every day, and my article "Making Sense of Machine-Embroidery Stabilizers" in the December 2001/January 2002 issue of Threads (No. 98) offers some practical counsel on navigating this maze and making sound choices. Once you've selected a stabilizer for your project, it's important to hoop the stabilizer and fabric correctly to get the best results. Below are some hooping tips for embroidery. They're aimed at users of machines with built-in hoop control for digitized embroidery with dedicated hoops like the one shown here, but can easily be adapted to third-party hoops for free-motion embroidery.

Use a dedicated machine-embroidery hoop or a third-party hoop that will fit easily under your presser foot.

1. Baste the fabric to the stabilizer to keep the layers together. Whether basting by hand or machine, nothing works as well to keep the fabric from shifting. Some embroidery machines are capable of basting the fabric to the stabilizer while in the hoop.

To read the full article:

http://www.taunton.com/threads/pages/t00100.asp

Get to Know Your Embroidery Machine

What is an embroidery sewing machine?

An embroidery sewing machine is pretty much just what it sounds like. It is a machine that looks a lot like a sewing machine, but instead of helping you to sew garments and other wonders, it stitches designs on the fabric for you.

Embroidery sewing machines can be used for something as simple as monogramming a T-shirt or a set of towels or something as complex and beautiful as an embroidered illustration on a painting or wall hanging.

Just about anything you could do embroidering by hand can be done with an embroidery sewing machine.

How embroidery sewing machines work?

An embroidery sewing machine is much like a regular sewing machine with a computer built in. The computer stores the patterns and tells the needle how to sew to make the embroidered pattern that you want.

To make a design, you simply select the pattern you want to use, place fabric (kept stiff with a hoop) under the needle, load the machine up with the desired color of thread and start that machine running.

Unlike a conventional sewing machine, embroidery sewing machines don’t require the use of a foot pedal to make the motor run. You can leave your machine unattended as it works out the design for you. Of course, if the design requires more than one color you will have to change the thread whenever a color change is needed in the pattern.

To read the full article:

http://crafts.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Embroidery_Sewing_Machines

What Can You Do With Your Embroidery Machine?

The Use Of Modern Embroidery Machines
by: Debra Fernandez

In the past embroidery, or hand stitching, was identified by long, tedious hours spent bent over canvases while crafting breathtaking and intricate designs. While the embroidery of today is still breathtaking and intricate, the use of machines in embroidery has helped speed up the creative process and has also allowed people who never thought they could embroider at all embroider like the pros.

The history of embroidering with machines started with the invention of the sewing machine and continues today into this high-tech world of computers and software programs.

In the beginning, machines did little to help create embroidery designs but aided in the speed of creating them on canvas. The deigns were still pretty much planned, drawn and approached as they would have been if they were going to be hand stitched. The sewing machine only helped out in the stitching process. The colors of thread were changed manually and the designs themselves were stitched with a great deal of hands-on operation from the embroiderer.

To read the full article:

http://www.articlecity.com/articles/hobbies/article_137.shtml

Know Your Embroidery Terms

Machine Embroidery Terms and Definitions
From Debbie Colgrove

Digitizing: Digitizing is the process of taking any form of art work and transforming it into a language that the sewing machine will understand and stitch it out. Digitizing is a complex process which uses the machines running, satin and fill stitchesto create an embroidery design. Digitizing is for someone who enjoys a challenge and wants to create their own designs. It requires many steps from starting with a simple clip art to a stitched out design. Digitizing Software is needed for this process.

Conversion Software: Conversion Software converts a design from one format to another so that it can be read by a different machine than it was digitized for. For Example; Bernina designs are in ART format, in order for a BabyLock machine to read the design, it needs to be in PES format. Conversion software is needed to change the design form ART format to PES format.

Customizing or Editing: Customizing allows you to edit and manipulate a design. Merging two designs is an example of customizing. Software is required.

To read the full article:

http://sewing.about.com/od/machineembroidery/p/embroideryterms.htm

Hooping and Stabilizing Fabrics

Machine Embroidery Basics

From Debbie Colgrove

Hoop Sizes: Machine embroidery hoops are available in a variety of sizes. They are machine specific and must be designed for the machine you are using.

The size of the hoop you use will be determined by the design you are embroidering. The closer the hoop size is to the design, the less likely there will be any movement of the fabric. Movement of the fabric can result in the final stitches being poorly located on the design.

Stabilizing: Stabilizing is used to add rigidity to the fabric while it is being stitched. The fabric needs to be held stable so that all parts of the design will be in their proper position.

One of the most common tell-tale signs that the fabric was not properly stabilized is that the outline does not align with the rest of the design.

Stabilizing Stable Fabric: Stable fabric is a fabric which does not stretch and has some rigidity on it's own. This type of fabric can be successfully machine embroidered with tear away stabilizer. More than one layer of stabilizer may be used, depending on the amount of stability the fabric has on it's own. If the design is very dense use cut away stabilizer of weight that will support the design and withstand laundering.

To read the full article:

http://sewing.about.com/od/machineembroidery/p/hoopstabilizers.htm

Get The Most From Your Embroidery Machine

The Use Of Modern Embroidery Machines

by: Debra Fernandez

In the past embroidery, or hand stitching, was identified by long, tedious hours spent bent over canvases while crafting breathtaking and intricate designs. While the embroidery of today is still breathtaking and intricate, the use of machines in embroidery has helped speed up the creative process and has also allowed people who never thought they could embroider at all embroider like the pros.

The history of embroidering with machines started with the invention of the sewing machine and continues today into this high-tech world of computers and software programs.

In the beginning, machines did little to help create embroidery designs but aided in the speed of creating them on canvas. The deigns were still pretty much planned, drawn and approached as they would have been if they were going to be hand stitched. The sewing machine only helped out in the stitching process. The colors of thread were changed manually and the designs themselves were stitched with a great deal of hands-on operation from the embroiderer.

To read the full article:

http://www.articlecity.com/articles/hobbies/article_137.shtml

A History of Machine Embroidery

Machine Embroidery

Machine embroidery is a term that can be used to describe two different actions. The first is using a sewing machine to "manually" create (either freehand or with built-in stitches) a design on a piece of fabric or other similar item. The second is to use a specially designed embroidery or sewing-embroidery machine to automatically create a design from a pre-made pattern that is input into the machine. Most embroidery machines used by professionals and hobbiests today are driven by computers that read digitized embroidery files created by special software.

With the advent of computerized machine embroidery, the main use of manual machine embroidery is in fiber art and quilting projects. While some still use this type of embroidery to embellish garments, with the ease and decreasing cost of computerized embroidery machine, it is rapidly falling out of favor. Many quilters and fabric artists now use a process called "thread drawing" (or thread painting) to create embellishments on items.

History

Before computers were affordable, most embroidery was completed by "punching" designs on paper tape that then ran through a mechanical embroidery machine. One error could ruin an entire design, forcing the creator to start over. This is how the term "punching" came to be used in relation to digitizing embroidery designs.

1980: The Computer Graphics Embroidery System by Wilcom

In 1980, Wilcom introduced the first computer graphics embroidery design system running on a mini-computer. The operator would "digitize" the design into the computer using similar techniques to "punching", and the machine would stitch out the digitized design. Wilcom enhanced this technology in 1982 with the introduction of the first multi-user system that allowed more than one person to be working on a different part of the embroidery process, vastly streamlining production times.

To read the full article:

http://www.answers.com/topic/machine-embroidery

Designs, What to Look For

Machine Embroidery Designs
By Alison Cole

The artistic curvatures and patterns that are made out of an embroidery machine can be very delightful and attractive to the human eye. We enjoy seeing these beautiful designs on our favorite clothing and accessories, bringing out our own taste, fashion and style.

To do this there are a variety of machine embroidery designs. Many of them can be downloaded from the Internet. Some can be bought from designers, independent companies and machine manufacturers who sell their own-made designs for those who don’t want to create their own. You can also buy software programs to digitize graphics and convert them into designs compatible to the machine’s hardware. Software can also edit and resize the installed embroidery designs.

The downloaded designs can be transferred to the computerized embroidery machine that, in turn, will stitch them out at an average speed of 1200 stitches per working minute. The transferring may be through cables, CDs, floppy disks, or flash and compact cards, depending on the type of the embroidery machine.

To read the full article:

http://ezinearticles.com/?Machine-Embroidery-Designs&id=232177

Pricing your Machine

Embroidery Machine Prices
By Alison Cole

There exists a dilemma for consumers when purchasing embroidery machines. This is because the markets have many competitive products proffering similar functions and, therefore, boast cutthroat prices. This makes it tricky for new users to make the right choice. Advertisements and recommendations almost always offer a brief and positive idea about each product. For this reason, a number of users, critics, and experts provide reviews that allow consumers to understand a product better.

Embroidery machines are available for both domestic and commercial use. For this reason, potential buyers need to carry out intensive research about the prices and analyze the available options. Embroidery machine prices tend to vary as they highly depend on the brand and their size. A Singer Quantum embroidery machine would cost about $5000. These machines are fully automatic, state-of-the-art sewing and embroidery machines, completely upgradeable to keep up with the users' level of creativity. Computerized embroidery machines usually cost around $433. Singer Futura embroidery machines cost about $899. Bernina Deco embroidery machines are priced at $999 and are extremely lightweight.

To read the full article:

http://ezinearticles.com/?Embroidery-Machine-Prices&id=429806

Downloading Designs

Using WinZip to Unzip Designs

Questions about what to do with a .ZIP file? This article is for you! If you are not familiar with ZIP files, you may be wondering why we use them on our site and what do you need to do with them once you finish downloading a ZIP file in order to get it into your sewing machine. Here are a few pictures to help out...

We use a program called "WinZip" to package our embroidery files for downloading because we can put several files into one download, making it possible for you to get the files for Brother, Husqvarna, Pfaff, Janome, and other machines with just one download. WinZip also compresses the files so they can download quicker.

If you don't have WinZip, visit their web site at... http://www.winzip.com/downwzeval.htm to download an evaluation copy for free. If you like it, you can buy a license to use it for a few dollars. Install the program using all the default settings and it will handle ZIP files for you automatically.

Now that you have WinZip installed, we can continue...

To read the full article:

http://www.artisticthreadworks.com/public/207.cfm

Have a Doll You Want to Embroidery For?

Sewing For Dolls With Computerized Sewing Machines

Most dollmakers and doll collectors are aware of the computerized sewing and embroidery machines that are available today, but they often think that such machines are not useful for sewing doll clothing. Many collectors are content with a Singer Featherweight that sews perfect straight stitches.

I am an owner of a Singer Featherweight machine, and I have shown on this site authentic doll clothing that I have sewn on this antique machine in the Joan Nerini Costuming Seminar article. However, I also own two amazing computerized sewing machines--the Viking #1+ and the Viking Designer 1. The capabilities of these machines, and other computerized sewing/embroidery machines from manufacturers including Bernina, Pfaff and Brother, are truly amazing and can greatly enhance your doll-related sewing, especially in conjunction with the embroidery software available to customize, resize and digitize your own designs. Here are just a few things you can do with these wonderful machines (I will talk about the Viking machines since those are the ones I know best; other machines have similar capabilities):

To read the full article:

http://collectdolls.about.com/library/weekly/aa012500a.htm

Embroidery and Denim

Embroider on Denim with Success

By Eileen Roche, Published December 2006

Have you noticed how department stores are filled with embroidered jeans, skirts and jackets? You can duplicate this look at a fraction of the cost with your embroidery machine.

It all starts with the right pair of jeans. It’s imperative to concentrate on fit when selecting your denim blank. Splurge on a pair of designer jeans, and you’ll feel like a million bucks! It’s hard to describe the feeling that pulling on perfect-fitting jeans can bring. As we age, it’s all about fit. Often, a little stretch with fullness over the upper thigh and derriere and a contoured waistband is perfect for mature needs. The low rise jean may help fit petite figures with its short crotch length. You may need other features, so prepare yourself for a day of auditioning jeans at the local mall. Once you find the brand that works for you, you’re set.

Color also plays a part in the overall look. Faded, bleached jeans are casual, while dark jeans lend a dressier look to an ensemble. Dark jeans make the wearer appear thinner than she actually is, plus the embroidery has a more powerful impact on the dark denim. So select color carefully.

To read the full article:

http://www.freeembroiderystuff.com/articles/DisplayArticle.aspx?id=496

Problems with fleece?

Embroidery on pile fabrics

Pile fabrics are textured fabrics such as terry, velvet, polar fleece, and corduroy. They may also be described as fabrics with fur-like covering. The "pile" itself is the raised fibers from the surface of the fabric.

So what's the problem?
As the embroidery machine stitches the design, fibers get caught between stitches creating embroidered designs with jagged edges and fibers randomly protruding inside design elements. Fabrics with thick pile tend to cause the embroidery design to sink in as well as cause design registration problems. Registration refers to the alignment of embroidery design elements. Bad registration means design elements are not aligned properly. In short, these issues produce embroidered designs that are not aesthetically pleasing, and furthermore it reflects poorly on the embroidery company. But not to worry, these simple tips will make those pesky fibers go away.

To read the full article:

http://www.digitsmith.com/embroidery-pile-fabrics.html

Some Helpful Tips

Essential Embroidery Supplies

George Royal

Before taking up embroidery as an occupation or a hobby, you need to know the different types of important embroidery supplies and accessories that are available. Also keep in mind that each type can be further divided into specific subtypes based on function and utility. Choose the right tools depending on your need, and type of work.

The Hoop:

An embroidery hoop is a circular tool usually made of wooden material that is used to hold the fabric steady, providing support and stability to the fabric being embroidered. Most hoops have brass screws that can be tightened or loosened if necessary, and come in various shapes and sizes. Popular types include -

1. Tubular Embroidery Hoops: The arms of the hoops are on the outside of the garment and connect to an inner hoop ring. The larger outer ring, on the other hand, is on the inside of the garment. Normally used without the table top. These are the most popular embroidery hoops on the market.

2. Magnetic Embroidery Hoops: These hoops require magnetic assembly. They can be used with or without the tabletop and are typically designed for lightweight and thin garments and fabrics.

3. Jacketback Embroidery Hoops: large wooden hoops that have strong holding power wood because of the wooden. To be used with the tabletop and Jacketback holder.

4. Q-Mag Embroidery Hoops: These hoops use a combination mechanical or magnetic attach plate at two places, suitable for larger fabrics because of its stability.

To read the full article:

http://www.2kembroidery.com/embroideryarticles.html

A Specialty How-To

How to Machine Embroider Lace Designs
From Debbie Colgrove

There are many beautiful lace designs for machine embroidery available. Although the designs are dense with thread, they do need tulle to hold together. Heavy weight water soluble stabilizer is perfect to keep the tulle stable in the hoop while the design is stitched out. Gather the materials you will need to machine embroider lace designs.

Embroidery machine and design -- The design used in this example is a snowflake from Embroidery Library

• Tulle
• Heavy Water Soluble Stabilizer
• Embroidery Thread and Bobbin Thread - It is preferable to have a bobbin thread that matches your embroidery thread.

To read the full article:

http://sewing.about.com/od/machineembroiderytips/ss/machineemblace.htm

Great tips on buying your embroidery machine

Buying an Embroidery Machine

Megan McConnell, BellaOnline's Embroidery Editor

One of the biggest decisions anybody who does Machine Embroidery will make is to buy a new machine. Like any decision, however, you have to come to some conclusions as to what you need, as opposed to what you want and what you can afford.

Prices for machines that can handle embroidery can start from a couple of hundred dollars, up into the thousands - and usually the price is reflective of the capabilities of the machine.

Firstly - any sewing machine that can do zigzag, and has a variable stitch width and length can do embroidery. In fact, normal sewing machines were the first ones used to do machine embroidery, long before the digital age dawned.

My own sewing machine (a mid-1960's Elna - and I wouldn't part with it for any price!) was touted as a major advance in sewing machines when it came out. It relied on interchangeable cams for specialty stitches (including one that lives permanently in my machine that does what is virtually an overlocking stitch!) and a booklet with designs that you could trace onto fabric to then embrodier. It also came with several different feet, including a "satin stitch" foot. My mother also has one of these (which began my love affair with the particular model) and I remember as a child in the mid 1970's, when embroidered jeans and jackets were all the rage, that she produced a masterpiece of an outfit for me using this machine.

To read the full article:

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art47341.asp

Starting with the Basics

Essentials of Machine Embroidery Designs

Published July 29th, 2004 in Applique Embroidery Designs

Really, when I started to write this page, I never expected to cover so much ground on this subject of machine embroidery designs. But here it is!! In this page, we will discuss the essentials that are needed for successful machine embroidery designs. I will run you through the three main parameters that make this up, except the machines, of course, which i will deal with separately. They are:

a) Threads
b) Needles
c) Stabilizers

Fabric of course is also part of the essentials of machine embroidery designs, but no less than other types of embroidery designs, so it does not find specific mention here. Machines will be dealt with separately since it forms a vast area to be covered. These days, we have various kinds of machines coming in both in the general and specialised category. With the advent of the Personal computer, embroidery machines have been getting hooked onto the PC thereby creating a new era.

So now, page by page, I will take you through the three parameters ….

To read the full article:

http://www.embroidery-designs-guide.com/2004/07/29/essentials-of-machine-embroidery-designs/

Know What You're Getting

How to avoid buying bootleg machine embroidery designs on eBay

Authored by 2 community members

13 of 14 people found this article helpful

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Every day, thousands of eBay auctions list machine embroidery designs for sale. Some are from reputable sources and are legal. Others are unauthorized copies (bootlegs) and are not legal to copy or use. How can you know what you are buying is legal?

Avoid auctions for machine embroidery designs if there are no pictures of the designs. Avoid auctions that list thousands of designs for a low price. Do not bid on auctions where the bidders names are hidden. If it seems too good to be true, do not bid.

Any CD or DVD with cartoon characters such as Disney, Looney Tunes, or TV characters such as Dora or Blues Clues are illegal copies of copyrighted embroidery designs, or unauthorized designs created from copyrighted images. Even if the seller insists that he or she has created the designs, they violate the copyrights of the original images. These CDs are never legit. If the seller lists "cartoons" as part of a CD or DVD collection of embroidery designs, do not bid.

To read the full article:

http://www.ebaywiki.com/Articles/~~How_to_avoid_buying_bootleg_machine_embroidery_designs_on_eBay~~1000000000000920

Protecting Your New Embroidery Machine

Connect that new embroidery machine with confidence

that you can survive any potential electrical problem.

By James M. (Jimmy) Lamb

Your new embroidery machine has just arrived and you can hardly wait to get it going. Carefully, you uncrate it and move it into position. Looks like it’s ready to try out, so all that’s left is to plug it in and turn it on. HOLD IT! Do you know what lurks behind that receptacle in the wall? Before you plug any electronic equipment into an outlet, it’s best to do a little bit of investigating into the world of electricity.

Ideally, the electrical power that is generated at a power plant is very dependable and reliable. However, as it travels from the generating station to your home or business, it can be affected by many variables, which can ultimately affect your equipment. While a modern embroidery machine may appear to be a heavy-duty piece of machinery, it does contain delicate electronic circuits which can be damaged by electrical variations. Your equipment depends on a steady supply of voltage to function properly: 110 volts AC for the smaller machines, 220 volts AC for the larger ones. (These values are for the United States, and may be different for other countries.) As long as the current stays consistent, everything runs great. Unfortunately, voltage fluctuations occur quite often, and may eventually damage your equipment. Let’s take a look at some of the more common power problems and the devices that are used to lessen their effects.

To read the full article:

http://www.freeembroiderystuff.com/articles/DisplayArticle.aspx?id=499