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Newbie with an embroidery question
Hi all!!
I've been a lurker on ML for a while and just recently started checking out the crafts board when I bought my cricut. I'm trying to make some personalized gifts and things of that nature to sell as a source of extra income. Once I've made enough money from my sales of things made with my cricut I plan on buying an embroidery machine to expand what I can offer. However, I have never in my life used an embroidery machine. I don't think I've ever actually seen one in person.
I was hoping you crafty ladies could answer some questions for me. About how much money am I looking at spending on a machine? How simple are they to use? Once I have the machine, how do I get images and fonts to use? I have SCAL for the cricut and wondered if there is something like this for embroidery machines or if I have to continuously buy cartridge-like things?????
Sorry for all the questions, I just want to have some good info before I jump into this. Thanks in advance for all the help!!!!!
Re: Newbie with an embroidery question
I recently got a somewhat basic embroidery machine from Singer but I don't think hardcore embroiderer tend to recommend Singers, but I am pretty pleased with it thus far. It is their most recent model and it can also be used as just a sewing machine. Some machines are embroidery standalone. I did not need the sewing machine aspect because I have a machine already, but it was the best for my budget in terms of bang for the buck.
As far as making your own designs, there is specific embroidery software you can buy to create them (like using MTC or SCAL), and you can also purchase separate images and there are free ones available. My machine was about $650 but I don't have any software.
I bought this machine http://www.singerco.com/products/2168/futura-xl-400
and I am saving up for this software suite to go with it: http://www.internetsalesusa.com/singer-futura-xl400-5-in-1-software-combo/
Without the design software you can basically only use pre-made designs in the correct file format your machine supports.
Also I recommend doing a healthy amount of research on how to embroider correctly in terms of placement and stabilizers, which can make or break your project. Do this before your first project. There are a few books out there that give comprehensive references of what to use for stabilizers. One example is http://www.nancysnotions.com/product/stabilizers+the+foundation+guide+book+and+starter+set.do
I do not own this book but I have several of her other reference books and love them. This is on my wish list as well! At this point I just have been researching individually online in terms of the specific project I'm working on.
I'm kicking myself I didn't do a lot more research on packagesthat included software for my machine because I found this deal!http://compare.ebay.com/like/360392628674?var=lv<yp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar which is pretty good for the machine and the software.
I know there are ladies on this board who have higher-end machines and love them so they may be helpful with those. I know that local shops will allow you to test out the machine and give you classes for free to learn how to use them properly, and of course they'll service the machine. I'm more of a teach yourself DIY person so I was OK with figuring out the machine on my own, but some people prefer more hands on support. If you do, definitely pop into a shop!
Hope this helps!
Here is the link to where I actually purchased the machine http://www.sewvacdirect.com/singer-xl-400.html
Nononononononono! Check out Embird first!
L'isle Sur la Sorgue, Provence
Holy overwhelming - as you can see I have no idea myself haha - I have only done premade designs and have no clue where to start with software. Is that some kind of all in one suite? Do you use this? How much does it cost?
I do NOT use this program because, like you, I was overwhelmed when I began machine embroidering and just dove, head first, into it. To paraphrase Evelyn (Fried Green Tomatoes), "I'm older, and (maybe?) have more money"! Well, more money than sense, anyway.
I didn't know anyone or have a resource to turn to. I use Digitizer Pro which I thought was about $1k but, Holy Embroidery! I just looked on Amazon and it is $1500!!!!!
My embroidery club leader uses Embird and she speaks of it as if it is the Holy Grail of embroidery software. The darn thing even has a stitch simulator which shows the design "stitch out" on your computer, allowing you to make changes (such as removing unnecessary stitches)before stitching out on the final project.
Go to the site, download and try it; you get 30 days or 100 uses for free. Then, if you like it, you can purchase it and I THINK is about $150. It also appears much more user friendly than what I use.
Or, I know where you can get a Digitizer Pro program cheap....
ETA: Hunniapple, your other advice (re: Stabilizers, etc.) are spot on!
L'isle Sur la Sorgue, Provence
Brother and Baby Lock are almost the same machine (though if you ask someone that sells one or the other they'll bite your head off for saying that, but as far as function if you know how to work one you know how to work the other). *holy run on sentence*. The biggest difference that I know of between Brother and BL is that you can stitch Disney designs with Brother, only Brother was given the licensing rights. You won't be able to buy or use any Disney designs with any other brand unless you digitize them yourself.
Keep in mind, you CAN NOT sell anything with a license (Disney, Looney Tunes, etc). I've never cared enough to find out if you can word it as selling the item and it comes with a "free" licensed design, that might be a loop hole.
I've owned 4 Brother machines (1 very low grade sewing machine from Walmart). None have broken or anything, I just kept upgrading. I have PE Design 7 and have NO idea how to use it so I buy all of my designs from Embroidery Library. They have fantastic designs and wonderful customer service. I would buy a low-mid grade machine sold in a shop (a low end machine from a shop is MUCH different than even a high end machine from Joanns). Make sure you're able to transfer from your computer to your machine somehow (USB, thumb drive, card with card reader via USB).
You definitely need to save up a few hundred more than just the machine for stabilizer and thread. Thread can have such a large range depending on what you're wanting to do (as far as how much thread you need). If you want to do elaborate designs you'll need many more colors than if you're just embroidering words.
Go in a shop and look around, ask questions and pick out your machine. Then watch their website, sign up for e-mails, check out the manufacturers site frequently and watch for sales. There are rebates available often and sometimes you can even get free digitizing software (my software was free and was around $1200 retail).
This is funny - I was reading a book on the train on the way into work this morning and one character said "I have more money than sense." It's funny to see this same exact thing an hour later!
I need to do a lot more research on software...sigh...