Machine Embroidery help and Information

Here is a great way of making Santa sacks cheaply.

You will need:

Pillow case or laundry bag
Safety pin
String
Fur

Before you make the sack it is best to embroider your pattern, you can get some free Xmas embroidery designs here

Pillow cases are a ready made solution to Santa's sacks. If you want a large Santa sack they a laundry bag can be used instead of a pillow case.

At the top of the pillow case you will see a wide hem. Cut a slight slit through the outer layer of the hem, on both sides.

Thread your string through to make a pull cord. You can use the safety pin to pull the string through

Sew your fur trim arround the opening of the sack

Simple, your Santa sack is made

Xmas is a wonderful time to get out your Embroidery Machine.

The festive season brings all kinds of ideas to life. Whether you embroider for hobby or for business you will not be short of project ideas this Christmas.

Things to Make for Xmas

Personalized Xmas Stockings
These are wonderful. Made from felt and embroidered with a festive image like a Santa or a snowman and a name.

(1) You first make a stocking template and cut out both sides.

(2) Embroider one of the sides with a name and also a Santa to make it extra special. You can get a free Santa Embroidery Design on the free designs pages of embroiderysite.co.uk

(3) When you have embroidered your pattern and name, sew the two sides together
inside out, so make sure the design is facing the other piece of felt stocking.

(4) Turn it inside so you can see your design. Add some white fur trim to the top of the stocking

Admire your lovely handy work

Make Money Selling Xmas Stockings

Now is the time to get sewing and make some money for Christmas. People love personalized festive gifts and decorations.

Here are some articles to help you make some money selling your Embroidery Projects

Selling Embroidery Gifts on EBay

Make Money with Your own Website

More Xmas projects in my next post.

As a valued regular reader of my blog i am always pleased to give you fantastic news and special deals and this one is a cracker. Embroiderysite.co.uk has slashed its price for digitizing and is offering a limited time offer.

£5.99 for any Embroidery Design Digitized

This offer will not be on for ever and has been slashed for a limited time.

You can get any design done for just £5.99 and in any format too. Great if you want to get your artwork or image done so you can embroider it.

Embroidery Digitizing is a complex task so grab this opportunity whilst it is on offer.

It has been a while since i posted at length on this blog, not because i have been avoiding it but because i have many other projects on the go many of which you are also following such as the launch of the new free embroidery designs website.

This website ranks pretty well on google for all of you looking for Embroidery help so i thought i would go over some of the valuable information this blog has provided readers.

How to prevent Embroidery Machine Problems - we discussed this back in February and many readers found it useful for avoiding issues with their machines.

How to clean your Embroidery Machine - For all those with a new machine you may not be aware that a little gentle cleaning will prevent many issues.

Digitizing - A great way to fill all your customers orders or see your own art work transformed into a beautiful project.

Choosing the best Embroidery Machine - this is an important decision that must not be rushed, every machine is different.

Embroidery out of line - A common problem easily solved

Simple Tips

Stitching is not neat - Find the solution


Stitches keep skipping - A common problem resolved

Upper thread keeps breaking - Possible causes

Needle keep breaking - Follow this check list

Machine making noise - Find the solution

Above is a just a few issues that this blog has helped you resolve, if you have any problems that are not mentioned then please use the chat box or comment links to email me and i will post your question live and get you the solution.

As a thank you to all my regular readers i am please to let you be one of the first to receive exclusive free Embroidery designs

All the designs are digitized by me and are not available anywhere else so you are getting a real treat. The site is very new so please be patient, i will add designs daily so please keep as favourites.

Readers question: i wondered is there a way to show a customer a design i have made them? as they dont have pe design software read answer.....


When you have digitized the embroidery design with pe design you can save the design as jpeg also so that way you are able to display the image for all to see.

Hope this helps, if you need any further help please use the chat box at the bottom of the page

Can you make money Embroidering?

It is a well known fact that you put more effort and commitment into something that you enjoy doing, so if you enjoy embroidering why not make some money from it!

How to Earn Money from Embroidery

In the day we live in, personalisation and custom made products are very sought after. We are all in search of something unique and that can have our own personal touch. Take a look at some of the sites below:

personalizedsports.co.uk
dance-skirts.com

both of these websites offer products that are embroidered and custom made.

So you can definately make some money selling custom made items...........

If you need some Project Ideas here is one of my previous posts that may give you some inspirtation.

Where to sell Embroidery Products

You can set up your own website which is not as hard as you think. You get to keep total control and be in charge of your own internet marketing.

Another option would be Ebay the fees might be pretty hefty but you are gaanteed to reach many many customers.

Have you considered local trade? This is often over looked with the opinion that to go wider afield will make you more money, but what about your local customers? Why not contact some local businesses such as nurseries and family businesses offereing your embroidery services, most will be looking for uniforms such as t-shirts with thier logo or name on. If you need an embroidery digitizer then i can reccoment a great digitizing site that is quick and has a set price of £9.99 for any design.

I hope in the above i have got your brains thinking about possibly turning your hobby into a small business. In my next post i will look at which embroidery machines you should be using if you are making embroidery products to sell.

Wether you are new to the Machine Embroidery world or just starting out as a beginner, at some point you will need help with a problem. You can get free help Online....................................................................


A Machine Embroidery Blog with a difference

This blog has been running for some time now and in it's content i have tried to write articles that will be of use to both the beginner and the more advanced embroiderer. Such articles include the following topics

Embroidery Machine Maintenance Help

Thread Advice

Cleaning your Embroidery Machine

Projects

Stabilizer Tips

And Many More...........

Personal Help with online chat box

I get alot of emails requesting assistance to many embrodiery problems so i have now set up an online message box where you can write your question and get fast answers from other users. You will find the message box on the main blog page to the bottom right.

Most of you would of reached my blog searching the Internet for embroidery help. Instruction manuals and technical help from manufacturers can often be of no use when trying to resolve a problem.

The best way to get the help you need is from someone who has had the same issue. I have added a list of problems readers have been posting to the bottom of the blog. If you have had any of the same problems and would like to help a fellow embroiderer please add a response....your help would be greatly appreciated by these readers.

Whether you purchase your Threads online or in a high street shop one thing for sure is that you will be spoilt for choice. It is like visiting a sweet shop, so many colours and so many textures.

Does Embroidery Thread choice matter?
Yes most definitely, the brand and type you choose will determine the quality of your project. Some embroiders stick with cheap threads that are used for sewing however this will shorten your machine parts life span and result in an inferior finished product.

What Thread choices are there?

Rayon Would be the most popular choice due to its glossy sheen and durability, it is one of the most strongest threads you can buy. It hardly Frey's or breaks and is perfect for high speed machine embroidery.


Polyester Very similar to Rayon but it just has less sheen. It is the most economical choice. It protects against fraying and shrinking.

Cotton Is sometimes ignored when it comes to machine embroidery, there is a wide choice of colours and performs well on smiler designs but it can be weaker than Rayon and Polyester.

Silk
Although slightly more expensive silk thread would be the best option for beautiful projects, it combines both brilliant sheen and strength and has the flexibility to create a smooth finish.

Metallic Embroiders will either love or hate metallic thread. I personally think it can cause problems. Metallic thread has a foil that is combined with the thread, it can cause problems but a better product on the market is the metallic thread that is coated with rice paper, this will stop the foil coming away.

I hope the above look at embroidery threads will help you.

I have received a question from one of my readers. They are looking for help with their machine problem. If anyone can help them out please can you reply using the comment Link.

Here is the problem

I have a Ricoma 15 needle. I am having problems with it. I have only
had it about a month, but can't get anything to come out right. I have
tried everything. Here are my problems...

My needles keep coming unthreaded while doing a design, the thread
knots up under the design (above the bobbin) and tears a hole in the
project I am embroidering and the third problem is the bobbin thread
shows thru the darker colors. I think the machine is sewing TOO TIGHT.
It puckers whatever I am embroidering on.

Any suggestions????? I am getting very frustrated.

Thanks
Kristi

With a smaller single needle machine i would diagnose a under bobbin problem, its possible the thread from the top spool is catching and tugging on the under thread but as it is a more complex 15 needle machine i would suggest you start with eliminating the basic problems if you haven't already ie: checking under bobbins, making sure no lint or thread is jamming any of the parts. With any machine the solution is usually that simple we miss it looking for a bigger problem. Check all the basics.
For the thread showing through it sounds like the tension is set too tight.

I have posted this on the blog so hopefully someone with more experience of the larger machines will be along and leave a comment for you that will help.

In previous articles i have discussed how embroidery techniques can improve your projects and how by choosing the correct designs the and using the best supplies like embroidery stabilizer can enhance the appearance of your work.

Embroidery Machine Maintenance
Your machine is your main tool and you want to get the most from it. It is an amazing piece of equipment that if looked after will last a long time. I am going to show you a few maintenance tips that will keep your machine in tip top condition and performing at its best.

Clean your Embroidery Machine Regularly
Cleaning your machine often can prevent issues, as the saying goes prevention is better than cure and it is a whole lot cheaper to. Make sure you remove any lint or threads after each project, if parts of the machine get clogged this will strain them and eventually break them down. Use a folded cloth to clean parts, the folded bit will be gentle on them. Never use your breath to blow out dust as your breath contains moisture that will corrode your machine parts over time.

Use your cover when not in use
Your dust proof cover will prevent dust build up, always make sure you use it when you are not embroidering.

Use the correct oil and needles
Refer to your user manual for the type of oil you should be using, a regularly oiled machine will result in optimal performance, if you use the wrong oil though it could harm your parts. Using the correct needles will minimise strain on your machine

In my last post we looked at the importance of choosing the right Embroidery Stabilizer for your projects. Today i want to look at how it is also important to choose the right Designs.

How to tell if a design has been digitized properly?
When buying designs you have to look at many things, if you buy a poorly digitized design then it will result in needle breakages and your project being thrown in the bin.

Make sure you see a preview of the design, preferably an image where a sample of the designs has been embroidered appose to a clip art image of the design.

If you are buying from a digitizer check that they manually digitize, automatic digitizing although quicker is often poor quality.

Check that the digitizer will work with you to correct any problems with your design, most digitizers would rather you contact them if you have a problem rather than to never use them again, please remember that digitizing is a complex and lengthy process and some errors will be made.

Free embroidery designs as well as having the bonus of being free are usually good quality as they have been around a while so tested time and time again.

Before you start a big design preview the design yourself with software on your PC, this will help you to spot any outline or other issues before you start embroidering.

Why you need stabilizer
Stabilizer is used to stop your fabric from moving in your hoop whilst embroidering. It is important that your stabilizer is larger than your hoop so you get maximum hold and stability for your fabric.

Can i use any stabilizer?
No there are different types of stabilizer for different projects and fabrics.
Learn about what type of stabilizer you should use

Is stabilizer expensive
Again as there are different types there are also different prices depending on what you want. For example with tear away backing stabilizer you can buy in a roll or in pre-cut squares. It would be cheaper to buy the roll and cut yourself but some prefer to pay a little bit extra and have it cut already. This also applies to the water soluble backing.

Don't use cheaper alternatives to stabilizers
This will be disastrous both to your machine and your project. Embroidery machines are sophisticated machines that require specific embroidery supplies

Hello, sorry i have not posted on this blog for a while. I have a few tips for you. You know when you have a fantastic thing you want to say and a great idea, you tell yourself it over and over again so it does not slip your mind but guess what? It does! I must make a point of writing to this blog more often, especially when i have Embroidery Help and tips that could be of interest to you.

What to do with scraps of stabilizer?
If you find yourself with bits of left over stabilizer, especially the tear away backing then don't just throw them away. You can use them again!

When you have applied your first layer of stabilizer to your hoop and you need a second layer but your design is small, you can take one of your scrap pieces and use spray adhesive to attach it to your first layer. What a great way to save money and recycle.

If you are ever stuck for ideas of products to embroider then i would like to recommend these articles that have just begun on a blog. You can read part 1 and part 2 of Free Embroidery Projects and not miss a thing as they have only just begun. The articles are really good for those of you who would like to make some money from embroidering. They explain how to buy products cheaply that are already mad and thus reduce your sewing time.

Dont forget that if you need any Embroidery help all you have to do is leave your problem in the comment box and i will write a post just for you.

Solutions as to why your stitches are not forming correctly

Check that your bobbin is not empty

Is there enough through coming from the bobbin case? There should be at least 3" of thread hanging from the case.

Is the thread threaded properly.

Make sure the needle is in properly and secure

Check timing of your machine, make sure it is not out.

Check the hook, is it broken, if it does not look right then replace the hook

Possible problems
Check that he fabric you are using is not stretched too much in the embroidery frame also on the other hand the fabric may be to loose

The thread tension may be set wrong for the fabric you are using

Not using enough or too much backing paper can cause this issue too.

Check the thread tension and also check that the thread has not tangled in the bobbin

The upper thread is likely not threaded properly re thread and try again, The needle is blunt, Dust or dirt has accumulated in the bobbin case just take out and give a general clean.

Dust or dirt as over time as accumulated in the bobbin case, You could even be using the wrong bobbin.

Possible Problems causing the upper thread to break may be any of the following:
There are knots or tangles in the thread?
The upper thread tension is to tight?
The needle is bent or blunt?

Needles may break for any of the following reasons

The needle might be bent or blunt

The needle clamp may be loose

The needle is incorrectly installed

The upper thread tension is to tight try reajusting the tension

The spool is incorrectly installed

the area around the hole on the plate itself is scratched

The bobbin case is damaged

using the wrong bobbin for the maching.

Check upper and lower bobbin is threaded properly, rethread and try again. If problem persists clean under bobbin casing, if no joy possible sensor fault, it can be disabled but will void warranty best to check with your engineer before you void anything

If your embroidery machine is making a strange noise, dont panick, most noises sound worse than what they are and can usualy be solved.

The first and formost thing you must do is to turn your embroidery machine off immediately. Do not allow it time to see if the noise goes away, this may seriously harm the parts in your embroidery machine, i have known many blown motors whuch can often take out the control panel with them through not being assertive to the first sign of problems so you must turn your embrodiery machine off.

Secondly inspect your design, is it looped heavily at the bottom, has all the thread gathered under the design.

Take your bobbin case out and look for dust and thread pice, you can use a vacum to give it a clean out.

Check your mnaul to see if your machine should be oiled, usualy a good clean can solve many problems, most embrodiery machines need to be kept oiled.

If non of the abovehelps then you have likely had a break down in an embroidry machine part, it could only be a minor part so dont ignore it, take it to a reputable engineer. I used the same man to repair my machines for years, had the business 30 years and i couldnt fault him, until one day i got a second opinion on a part he quoted me £200 for, turn out it only needed a £3 spring, hence why i taught myself to repair. So be careful and always be sure your embroidery machine is in safe hands. For more embroidery machine help

It can be a little fiddly but it is always important to cut-away any excess backing stabilizer when you have finished embroidering. Not only will excess backing make you finished project untidy but over time the excess backing will become worn and ruin your fabric. choosing the right embroidery supplies such as backing paper is also important.

The best hooping technique is not too tight and not too loose. Have the fabric stretched too much in the embroidery hoop with leave it uneven and your fabric rumpled when you take it out of the embroidery hoop.

Always make sure you sue the nearest size hoop for the embroidery design you are embroidering. Using a hoop that is allot bigger than your design will result in pulling at the end of your design making it appear jagged. More embroidery help You will get many tips to help you with any machine embroidery issue. You can also leave a comment asking a solution to any machine embroidery problem you may have, a post will be made quickly for you giving you all the help you need to solve your embroidery problem.

This embroidery design blog gives away free designs to its free newsletter subscribers.

When choosing an embroidery machine the most important factor to consider is what you will be using the machine for. If you are going to be running an embroidery business then a home machine is not for you, it will not do your business or profits good at all. Each machine is different and can withstand a certain ammount of work loads and running time before it's arts start to become strained. If you use a home machine and use it every day on many items then you will blow your motor and it will 9 times out of 10 take your panel with it, resulting in you having to pay much more out in repair fees than your machine is worth. Researching into embroidery machines will help you a great deal, dont go for the one that is on special offer or cheaper, if the machine is not for you then you will end up paying a fortune in repairs when it cannot deal with the work load.

Machine embroidery hoops are available in many different sizes. They specificaly made for your machine. The size of the hoop you use will be depend on the design you are embroidering. The closer the hoop size to the design, the more likely there will not be any movement of the fabric in the hoop whilst embroidering. If the fabric moves in the hoop then the final stitches inthe design will be poor.More Tips

Top Stabilizer Trying to embroider looped fabric such as some toweling or terry cloth can call for the sue of stabilizer on top of the fabric. Water soluble stabilizer is a perfect solution. This type of stabilizer does the job of allowing the embroidery to stitch without the fabric showing up through the design.

Finishing off Cutting away & tearing away stabilizer once you have finished can end up being a disaste Take your time and cut carefully. Cut way wandering threads first and then the stabilizer

Always use a new needle

When embroidering words on dark material, always use black bobbin thread.
or the same color thread as the top

Make sure your bobbin wont run out through a design

Practice makes perfect! if you make a mistake, there is normally a way to fix it
More Embroidery help

designs4free.blogspot.com is giving away free embroidery designs to all newsletter subscribers

The best way to solve machine problems is to avoid them in the first place. Follow the oiling and cleaning instructions that come with your embroidery machine and keeping will help in preventing problems.

Being careful while using the machine helps prevent more problems. If problems do arise, use observation. Check the simple things first and narrow down your list of potential machine problems. If you do, you will find the problem quicker.

Keeping a machine cleaned and oiled is the best way to ensure it runs properly. It also extends the life of your machine. I've often worked on machines that needed major repairs simply because they were not oiled properly

Lint can build up in several different places in and on an embroidery machine. It can work its way into moving parts and cause premature wear. Lint also can get sucked in by the machine fan and cover the electronic circuit boards, causing them to overheat
It is a good idea to clean your machine at least once a week either by blowing it clean or vacuuming it. You should cleanthe hook area, including any lint and grease buildup that accumulates on the hook. About once or twice a year, you should clean out the area where the electronic circuit boards are.

So if you keep your machine cleaned and oiled it should run smoothly with less problems

Digitizing is making a design or image suitable for embroidering. Most embroiders would love to see thier artwork digitized and its a very valuble thing to do especialy if you run an embroidery business as customers can have thier own logo etc.. embroidered onto clothing.

Digitizing is very complex and lots of patience is needed, you will need software to help you, here is a good review of the many digitizing software available.

Embroidery Machine choice is vital, there are so many how do you know which one to choose?

You must consider two important factors
How many items you will embroider
How often you will use the embroidery machine

Embroidery Machines fall into two catagories Domestic Embroidery Machines for the hobbiest and Commercial Embrodiery machines for the business users.

You may think buying a cheaper domestic machine will be sufficient for a small home business but you must consider the wear and tear, you could end up blowing the motor and takin the screen with it, this will cost you more to repair than upgrading to a faster machine in the first place.

There are loads of embroidery machines to choose from, your spoilt for choice

Check out this Embroidery Machine review site

We all need a little extra cash and the internet offers many ways of earning money online but it can be a minefield. Wouldn't you love to be able to make money online through something you enjoy?

We will always achieve higher if we are doing something we enjoy! Making money from embroidery is ideal if you enjoy embroidering. You will not find it a chore and there are many ways you can make money online from embroidering.

Yes there are many people selling embroidered items on the internet but there is still room, there is alot of money in personalised items especialy gifts. With embroidery you can personalise most fabricated items and you can make money.

Which Embroidered products do i chose to sell online?
Chose products to sell online that dont need making, take for example an ipod cover, did you know the leather covers will fit in an embroidry frame, and how simple are they to just add a couple on initials. Have a browse at some products you will be surprised at the possibilities.

Where do i sell Embroidery online?
Ebay would be the most profitable choice because of its customer base, almost everyone has an ebay account.
Then you could set up your own website to sell your personalised products and make money online.
Whatever you decide there is a way of making money online with embroidery, embroidery can make you money and best of all you get great job satisfaction

Embroidery Competition show off your hand made items, get free traffic and win free designs!

Many types of stabilisers exist, including cut-away, tear-away, vinyl, nylon, water-soluble, heat-n-gone, adhesive, open mesh.

For day to day hobbiest of cotton fabric you will maninly use tearaway, you can buy this pre-cut in squares and its very cost effective.

For difficult to embroider fabrics you will need to choose the best backing for the fabric, you may also need a covering of water soluble stabiliser on the top of the fabric to lock the embroidery inplace.

Do not cut corners, it will show in your products, i have known people to use alsorts as backing, tissue paper,chipsop sheets, not only will your embrodiery be effected but your needles will be strained and this is no good for your machine.

Embroidery not inline? Designs not turning out as expected. If you are having these problems and your designs are looking like a childs drawing then this could be a number of problems. Check the obvious, (1) make sure your fabric is secure in the frame, no creases should be present. (2) use the correct backing paper.

Where are all your Embrodiery faults, i am keen to help you!
use the comment link to post an embroidery machine question and i will make a post just for you!

Cleaning your machine is a vital ritual you must do, you will be surprised at how many embroidery machine faults are caused by not cleaning them regularly.
You should clean it atleast once a week. The parts easilt get clogged up with lint, You particularly should clean out the hook area. A simple and held vacum like the ones you get for your keyboard will do the trick.

Posted by Anon 14/1/08 Q:I can't get the tension set where the bobbin thread will not show on top

A: Do you mean the under bobbin thread is showing when you embroider but the top thread is not embroidering out? What machine do you have?

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

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 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.

Design files
Digitized embroidery design files can be either purchased or created. Many machine embroidery designs can be downloaded from web sites and one can be sewing them out within minutes. If you download them you will need a reader and a blank card to upload them to your machine, this is a wise investment as buying ready loaded cards can be costly. There are many different brands of machines, and each may use a different format. When purchasing or downloading free designs, you need to make sure you get the format used by your machine. If your format is not available, you can get a conversion program to convert from one stitch file format to another stitch file format - from PES to HUS or from DST to PCS, for example. Different conversion software programs are available like Wilcom TrueSizer, Designer's Gallery, SmartSizer Gold, demo versions may be available from the manufacturer's websites.

Stabilizing the fabric
To prevent wrinkles and other problems, the fabric must be stabilized. The best is the medium weight tear away, a favourite is precut 20cm squares or you can save money and buy in rolls and cut to size yourself.