Sewing Machines for the Beginner!

Sewing machines, to a beginner can seem overwhelming. What brand to choose? What features do you need? Knowing a few basic facts about what you plan to use your sewing machine for will help guide your decision. Sewing machines, like most other things, can be learned by using tools that you have on hand. Learning to sew, or knowing what sewing machine you will use, can be as simple as asking a few questions to a friend or family member more knowledgeable, taking a class, or using the Internet as a guide.

There are many brands of sewing machines including Singer, Brother, and Viking. But, brands don't tell you much more than quality and how much you will pay. Learning about the features available to you is much more important. A model by Simplicity offers portability using batteries. It boasts of being a great beginner sewing machine because it offers basic sewing needs along with items like zig zag stitching and adjustable stitch length. Up the line a little is a machine by Singer which can do most at home crafting projects like garment construction, home decor, and crafting. Still there are other sewing machines that are great for quilting. One top of the line model from Singer offers electronic sewing and embroidery because it is capable of hooking up to a computer and using the Internet to access designs. It claims to have cutting edge technology and all the features you could ever want.

Purchasing a sewing machine is a big decision. To the experienced sewer, this is a big investment. Using some basic knowledge will prove invaluable. For instance, if the consumer who wants to purchase a sewing machine knows an advanced sewer, it might be wise to ask they opinion. Experience is always the best source for information. Another source for information would be taking a sewing class. There, you can learn many things that a book just can't teach properly. The hands on experience is great. Other sources for information on sewing machines include the library with its millions of books and also, the Internet. If you are set on learning to sew and use a sewing machine, these can provide lots of information.

Sewing machines are great tools for a sewer beginner or advanced. Sewing machines range in price and quality as well as in features. Finding the right features for you is simply knowing what you will use the sewing machine for. Learning the terms and techniques will help in this decision and getting this information can be as simple as searching for it online, going to the library, or asking someone you may already know that sews. Sewing machines come in all sorts of styles with many state of the art features down to a simple basic form. While all this is important, having a use and love for sewing, and using sewing machines is even more so.

Mike Yeager
Publisher
http://www.my-sewing-machine-4me.com/

Finding Help From Embroidery Digitizing Forums

You were looking for a hobby. You knew that crocheting or knitting weren't for you because it took too long to complete a project. So you started looking at other hobbies. Scrapbooking was great -- until you ran out of pictures. You decide to look online for a hobby when you see an ad for embroidery machines. You felt that actually sounded like fun.

Not wanting to make your decisions on impulse, you do your research online on which machine to buy. You compare price and features, and still have trouble deciding. Looking for product reviews, you happen on a machine embroidery forum. You spend hours looking at the forum, reading product reviews for each machine that you had considered, and finally you decide on an embroidery machine.

That's great, but what next?

With a sense of excitement, you read other areas of the forum and you find out about embroidery digitizing programs. Knowing that once you purchase a program, you cannot return it, you read more product reviews about each program. You compare the different programs, and decide to take the leap and buy your own embroidery digitizing program.

With all your research and reading, you knew there was going to be a learning curve when you bought your embroidery digitizing program. After all, you did your research before you bought the program. You even asked for advice on the embroidery digitizing forums where you did most of your research.

After all of your time on the forums, you've made friends there. These friends can help you learn to digitize embroidery patterns. Now, keep in mind that the people you meet on embroidery digitizing forums are also in the middle of the learning process; however most of them will be more than happy to give you suggestions on how to learn to digitize embroidery patterns.

Embroidery digitizing forums are a great way to meet people who have similar interests to you. A good forum I found was www.digitizingtalk.com. You can get to know people who are doing the same hobby, and you can eventually help others that are just starting out in the embroidery digitizing world.

With all of the expert help in digitizing embroidery forums, you would think that their advice would help with the learning curve for embroidery digitizing. The people who are giving their advice have gone through the learning process and have their own tips and tricks that they're able to tell you about. However, a lot of the learning process is trial and error. So even though you can get some great advice and meet some friends with similar interests through embroidery digitizing forums, you will still have to deal with the learning curve in learning to digitize an embroidery pattern. Just relax and take your time. Don't pressure yourself to learn embroidery digitizing quickly, and enjoy your new friends.

Sahel is the Sales/Support representative of Cheap Digitizing. You can find more information or ask questions about Embroidery Digitizing on www.cheapdigitizing.com

Whats Easier? Manual Or Computerized Embroidery Digitizing

Embroidery patterns used to be set up manually. You would draw the picture you wanted to embroider, poke little holes in the paper with a pin, and then you would use charcoal or chalk to mark the fabric through those little holes. This process was very time consuming and the result was never so perfect.

With the advent of computerized embroidery machines, a whole new world of digitized embroidery patterns has opened up. If your pattern isn't already digitized, you have several choices. You can send it to any of a number of companies that specialize in digitizing embroidery, or you can digitize your own pattern.

Sending your artwork to a company that specializes in digitizing embroidery is the easiest way to go. However, you may decide that you want to learn to digitize your own embroidery patterns.

To digitize a pattern, you need your own artwork in either a vector based format or a bitmap, such as you would get with CorelDraw or Adobe Photoshop. For your first design, your best bet is to start with something simple. A good choice would be a monogram, or a two color design such as a football or baseball.

Once you have chosen what you want to digitize, the next challenge is to create a map with a starting point, ending point and the paths the stitches will take along the way. This part can be a little more complicated and is by far the most challenging part of the embroidery digitizing process. You need to decide which stitch types, stitch directions, and densities go in each area of your design. If you leave spaces for jump stitches and the need to reposition the needle, you may end up with broken thread.

Next you will actually digitize the pattern. Whether you are using a digitizing tablet with a puck, or a computer and mouse, you would enter the coordinates for each stitch change.

Just when it seems like you're actually finished with the work, you need to verify that the embroidery pattern that you just digitized is going to work the way you had planned. Test the pattern on a piece of fabric similar to what you will be embroidering the final design on. With the test, you will be able to see whether the stitches are positioned the way you want them. Plus, you will be able to tell whether the pattern works the way you expected it to.

If you need to make adjustments, now is the time. Go in and make changes with the digitizing tablet or computer. Save the adjustments and stitch another test run. This is the time to make all those adjustments that need to be made.

Don't be disappointed if the pattern doesn't turn out the way you want it the first time. Just keep adjusting it until it matches what you want. Digitizing embroidery is an art form. Just as you wouldn't expect to be able to paint a masterpiece or play a Beethoven Concerto the first time you tried, you need to expect to have to practice the digitizing too.

Although after reading this article you might feel that computerized embroidery digitizing is more hard, but it is really less time consuming and give you outstanding results.

Sahel is the Sales/Support representative of Cheap Digitizing. You can find more information or ask him questions about Embroidery Digitizing on www.cheapdigitizing.com

Colors Used In Embroidery Digitizing

Embroidery digitizing is an interesting concept of beautifying clothing and fabrics. Today practically all types of fabrics can be embroidered using the right stabilizer in embroidery digitizing. Though the practice of embroidery digitizing is rather easy where only a computer and embroidery digitizing software is required, there is always the possibility of complications arising with embroidery digitizing. However, with the right information and tips on embroidery digitizing, it is possible to come up with a design that is the eye of envy to everyone.

The most commonly used embroidery thread weight is 40wt thread while 60wt or 90wt thread is used as the bobbin thread. The number of thread breaks and problems that may occur in embroidery digitizing is greatly affected by the quality of thread used for it. The best thread to use is polyester thread as it is the most color safe and durable.

In embroidery digitizing, there is no problem in using different colors from the colors found in a design. There is also no need of fretting if you don?t have the same colors or brand of thread used in the design. Slight changes in the shades and tones of the colored threads don?t pose to be quite noticeable on the completion of the design.

Embroidery digitizing proves to be more interesting if you can adjust different colors for different fabrics colors. It is better to use the background color change feature found in the embroidery digitizing software to determine which color looks the best on the fabric you use. If this feature is absent in your software, keep different colors of felt and fabric nearby to test the different colors on them before starting on the design.

When starting on creating an embroidery digitizing design, it proves to be beneficial to go through the entire design collection to find out where the design look can be changed just with a color change. Even fruits and flower designs look different and more attractive with a color change in the design. So it can be seen that embroidery digitizing does not mean you have to follow the design that you find in the design book or software. You can create much more interesting and appealing designs by using your imagination and color instincts to make the design more interesting.

Sahel is the Sales/Support representative of Cheap Digitizing. You can find more information on Embroidery Digitizing on www.cheapdigitizing.com.

Embroidery Gifts and Products

There are so many products available for embroidery. This holiday season give a gift that can be forever cherished. Embroidered keepsakes are a wonderful gift idea for people of all ages. And if you're not a skilled embroiderer, not to worry. There are many available embroidery gifts and products ready for purchase.

Stockings. Stockings are one of the best embroidery products to give as a holiday gift. No family Christmas is complete without a stocking with everyone's name on it, including the family pet. You can find designs for people-and pets-of all ages. A beautiful embroidered stocking will make a gift that will be enjoyed year after year for many Christmases to come.

Frames. Picture frames are another great idea for an embroidered gift. Send loved ones a family portrait in an embroidered frame and choose a sentimental phrase to put on it. There are so many beautiful backgrounds and designs that can be used for embroidered picture frames.

Pillows and Blankets. When the mercury starts to dip down and Jack Frost is waiting at your door, there is not better comfort than a warm blanket. Give friends and family the gift of comfort with a personalized embroidered blanket. Include the persons name, favorite animal or hobby. There are endless options for personalized embroidery. And why not make it a set and give a coordinating embroidered pillow.

Apparel. Embroidered clothing is perfect for all gift-giving situations. Whether giving to the family or giving gifts to everyone in the office. There are many types of clothing available including fleece hats and caps, warm outerwear, and comfortable active wear.

All of these products can be purchased either pre-made or can be done in the home. Making crafts together is a fun holiday activity for bringing the family together and also gives you keepsakes that will be remembered for a lifetime.

Angela Oliver is a contributing author for EmbroideryAuthority.com, specializing is custom embroidered logos, as well as a large line of apparel ready for embroidery or heat transfers. Please visit the site at EmbroideryAuthority.com to view our complete line of embroidery apparel and accessories.

Hoopless Machine Embroidery: How To Do It

All machine embroidery requires a stabilizer applied to the back of the fabric to prevent stretching, waving, pulling and skewing the design, but hooping fabric can be a frustrating challenge. And once the fabric is hooped correctly you often end up with dreaded hoop marks. The answer? Don't hoop the fabric; use a sticky stabilizer and hoop it, not the fabric, and eliminate frustration and hoop marks.

What is Sticky Stabilizer?

Sticky stabilizer is a machine embroidery stabilizer that has a slightly waxy paper coating, called the 'release side', over a self-adhesive, non-woven sticky backing. Some brands have a grid on the release side that comes in handy for positioning and marking.

When to Use the Sticky Technique

The hoopless sticky technique works best on smaller, less stitch intensive designs and on small areas such as pockets, edges, ribbons, cuffs; in other words, those areas that are difficult to hoop anyway. The hoopless sticky/float technique is by no means for all machine embroidery projects but it is a machine embroidery hooping option and finding what works best for you is a matter of good ol' trial and error.

Mastering the Sticky Technique
1. Trim the sticky stabilizer to about an inch wider and longer than your hoop.

2. Hoop the sticky with the release side up. It should be secure in the hoop: Tight, flat and without puckers or bubbles.

3. Remove the waxy paper coating from the sticky inside the hoop by first very gently scoring it with something like an X-Acto(R) knife or thread pick, then peeling it off.

4. Use your hoop's grid template to place marks on the stabilizer to locate the straightline center and right and left edges. Be sure to place your grid gently over the sticky with the bowed side up. Otherwise the sticky will do its job and grab onto your template.

5. Now lay out your design's placement on your fabric or garment, again marking the straightline center and right and left edges. Important: Place these marks on the backside of the fabric.

6. Grasp your fabric from the backside on the marks to make a gentle fold and, lining up the fabric marks with the marks on the sticky, carefully lay the fabric, backside down, on the sticky.

7. Smooth out the fabric, ensuring it is flat and secure on the sticky all around.

8. Now lock the fabric to the part of the stabilizer that is hanging over the edge of the hoop (the part with the paper still on) just to make sure it doesn't get caught on anything while embroidering. I often just pin it but double stick tape works great, too.

9. Mount the hoop onto your machine and 'float' a layer of stabilizer (tear-away, cut-away, or whatever type is recommended for your fabric) between the embroidery hoop and the needle plate.

10. Push the button and embroider it!

11. When your absolutely perfect design is finished, remove the hoop from your machine and remove the floated stabilizer.

12. All you have to do now is slowly peel the embroidered fabric off the sticky.

Machine embroidery just doesn't get any easier or more fun than this. And no hoop burns!

Deb Schneider is an embroidery design digitizer offering her machine embroidery designs, Redwork designs and appliques and machine embroidery information on her website: WindstarEmbroidery.com