I'm so jumpy today ! Last week, Beloved Hubby had a windfall, and we took care of a lot of stuff. And we still had funds left over for fun ! I sew doll clothes for a hobby, and go to yard sales and thrift stores for thrills, and as a result, my 'Lab' (combined doll studio and sewing room) is packed with inspiration, so I couldn't think of anything to want. Seriously.

But Beloved, he knows me, and whispered those three words I didn't think I'd hear for another few years - 'Embroidery Sewing Machine' ! He gave me a budget and some project ideas he'd like the machine to do, and the hunt was on ! I found a great machine that wasn't too dear, and it's on the way. UPS says it'll be here tomorrow - wheeeee !

It can be a pricey hobby ! The machines come pre-set with designs, and there's lots of free downloads... but the ones you fall in love with can run $25 bucks. Each. There's also specialty thread, and stabilizers - at least a double-dozen types for various applications - and various other goodies like bigger hoops and tools available. Of course, I'm interested in having fun for little funds. I've downloaded some I'd like to try, I already have a box of stabilizer I used for doll applications, most folks would call it a box of used dryer sheets. And some scraps of other stabilizers I've picked up in grab-bags at Hancock Fabrics. I know I have to pick up Solvy, and there's a 50% off notions sale Thursday that I'm waiting for, rather impatiently. 

Any other tips or tricks I should consider ? Good brands often overlooked ? I've already downloaded the manual, and I've been reading it - I can't wait to dig in.  So I'd appreciate any tips you'd care to share with this machine embroidery beginner with an entry-level machine ! I'd especially like to hear any experiences with various digitizers like PeDesign, Embird, etc. That's gonna be the summer's big purchase, since Dearest wants to design ! 

Thanks ! 

Dorrie, what machine did you get? 

 Have you done much searching around the internet for information?  Youtube has tons of videos that are sewing related. About.com has a sewing and quilting forum, search there and you may also find one on machine embroidery.  Yahoo.com also has groups that you can join that is about machine embroidery. 

I've been slowly getting interested myself, but using a regular sewing machine, not a computer machine. 

Edey

 We ordered the Brother HE240, identical to the SE-350, which is a Consumer Reports Best Buy, but with a few more designs and a USB port. It's only available through HSN, but you can find resellers on eBay. It seemed to have the most for the money. True, the max design area is only 4 inches by 4 inches, but you can do a lot with that space, and repeat patterns if you like ! 

Met a woman at Hancock's this weekend - her machine was (are you seated ? ) $10,000. ! She really wanted us to be impressed, but my private thoughts ran more along, 'for that money, it should have either a roof or a steering wheel !', and the other ladies seemed more taken aback than envious. 

 I did quite a bit of research on software, on various formats, on consumables, on designs, on digitizing, on reviews and on first impressions and later adjustments. Even got a non-paying temporary membership to PatternReview.com, and it got a thumbs-up review there, too.

I can do machine embroidery on a regular machine, but mine's pretty basic. Could never find the right foot for it, either. So I'm all fired up about this ! 

Here's a site I can share - youcanmakethis.com . Lots of free downloadable patterns for dolls and kids and stuff, and if you sub to the newsletters, they send you more freebies. Ya just need Adobe Reader. I got American Girl doll clothes patterns, chef's hat patterns, purse patterns, table runners, hanging stars... there's stuff for knit and crochet folk, too. Also got tips on using the ruffler and quilting and buttonholes. Just found 'em today, and they're so cool, I wanna tell everyone ! 

Thanks for sharing that web site, it looks like a good one.  Good luck with your new machine, and if you think about it, share how you did some of your projects. I'm sure there are others here who would like to hear of it, myself included.  Edey

Dorrie, that is exciting news!  Happy you are able to get a good machine.  A friend of mine bought one of the small Viking ones, later trading up to a more expensive model.  (No, don't think it's a $10K model, lol!)  I will ask her about her favorite download sites.

What kind of doll clothes do you make?  I am trying to make some Barbie things for a great niece, but the dogs don't allow me much peace so it's very slow going.

 Congrats on your new embroidery machine. Once you get good at using it, create a small portfolio of your work, make up some business cards, and start knocking on business doors, and take some orders You would be AMAZED at how many businesses use embroideried Logo's....especially baseball caps...make extra money doing something you love doing......I have 4 sewing machines, it's my serious hobby, and I also do make extra money on the side doing custom sewing....my first sewing machine I bought 35 years ago was a "Brother", I still have it, and it still works!!!!

You are in for so much fun!  I inherited my Mom's machine (and yes it was one of those $10,000 Viking Huskvarnas).  Some of the best advice I can give is MAKE SAMPLES especially at first.  That way you don't goof up a shirt or anything and have to start over or spend hours tearing out stitches.  Also don't always trust the colors they give.  I love Coats & Clarks new embroidery threads.  They are not too bad if you get them at Joannes or one of the others at 1/2 off sales.  Also, plain stabelizer is much better than iron it and Sulky anything is very pricy and not any better or easier to use.  I have a lot of plain white linen that I use for samples.  I also keep a notebook with my samples and my notes so I know what I have.  Be careful of too many free sites, I got some virus at one of them (I was on a lot of sites that day so I am not sure which one but I was looking for free patterns).  Last -- don't be afraid of the machine.  It is after all just a sewing machine with extras and if you can goof it up, you (or someone else) can fix it.   Have fun!  Dee

Congrats. Sewing is so much fun. I have 2 machines. One inherited from mom from 1972 and one I bought 2 years ago.

I'm not a great sewer and I'm still learning, but it is all lots of fun.

Hi, Did you get your machine yet ? I know you will love it !! I got mine about 1 1/2 ys ago.

I have found a website called:  sewforum.com,to be very helpful and also they have a lot of free designs.

  I see your machine has a usb that is great. Enjoy your machine.  Mary

 I liked the embroidery machine I got, It's been great so far. What kind did you get? I useally stich free emboridery from www.embroiderydesigns.com/.