Editor’s Tip Request! « Designsbysick.com Embroidery Articles

Editor’s Tip Request!
Released September 4, 2009

By Rob Newton

The first tip, under my editorship, I want to come from our readers. So, what I want everyone to do is finish this question:

Before I sit down at my embroidery machine, I always make sure:

It can be anything from what you need by your side, what you do in your house, whatever comes to mind.

You submit your answers in the comment section of the Tip online:

Thank you so much!

Rob

19 Comments »

—, I make sure the kittens are out of the room and the cell phone is in the room.

Comment by Noretta Kelly — September 4, 2009 @ 6:40 pm

Before I sit down at my embroidery machine, I always make sure:

That there are no thunderstorms in my area.
Do you know how often we lose power during rain here in Florida?!? LOL

Comment by Lisa B. — September 4, 2009 @ 7:01 pm

I have a fresh coffee and have emptied out the last one! Then a quick dust out of the bobbin case and maybe a small drop of oil into the wick. Next I check I have a full bobbin -or full enough for the project, and in either light, dark or matching colour if it’s a lace project.

Comment by Marnie Champion — September 4, 2009 @ 7:05 pm

Before I sit down at my embroidery machine, I always make sure that my work area is tidy and free of scraps, cones of thread from the previous project and gives me lots of room for my new project. Then I hoop the fabric for the new project at hand and line up all the cones of thread for the new project.

Comment by Debbie Vechter — September 4, 2009 @ 8:38 pm

Before I sit down at my embroidery machine, I always make sure: I have made a trip to the bathroom, grabbed a cup of coffee, and a granola bar. Then I am ready to go. Why would I want to get right back up for necessities? Oh, yeah I have a big bowl of kisses and peanut butter cups hidden in one of my thread drawers……more for me if I don’t have to share. I might be there for quite some time and who needs interruptions? …………..Except to run to the bathroom and get another cup of coffee and race to get back before the thread change beeps.

Comment by Teresa Lauver — September 5, 2009 @ 5:03 am

I make sure I have all of my items for my project is all around me so I don’t have to keep jumpin up and down to get it. And of course my glass of tea to sip on while working.

Comment by Joy — September 5, 2009 @ 9:19 am

First thing I do before I sit down at my embroidery machine is, to make sure it is plugged in!

I unplug during storms or if not sewing for a few days. Learn quickly machine will not turn on if not plugged in!!!

Guess I shouldn’t tell the embroidery world how goofy I sew be!

Comment by debbie — September 5, 2009 @ 8:52 pm

I sit down, then go let the dog out, then go answer the phone, then let the dog back in, search for the right stabilizer, look for new needles, make sure no kids are around when my language gets into the sailor mode…. then, if all is ok, I turn on the machine!

Comment by Grandma Shari — September 6, 2009 @ 12:24 am

Using my software on my computer I place the designs on floppies to use in my machine that I will need for my project.

Print out the color chart that was provided by the digitzer for the design.

Before starting any embroidery project I clean my machine. Making sure the Top and Bobbin thread Tensions are free of lint or thread pieces.

Put in a new needle making sure it has the right kind of tip (sharp or ballpoiint) and is the right size for the material or project I am embroidering.

Line up the scissors and any other accessories or fabric or stabilizer that I will need.

Turn on the machine.

Check to make sure the pressure foot is in the up position.

Wind enough bobbins if necessary or use pre wounds and place in the machine making sure they are in right and that the thread comes off the bobbin in the right direction. If I wind my own bobbins I set the speed down on my machine to wind the bobbins.

Recheck that the pressure foot is in the up position and then thread the first color of top thread making sure it is in the top thread tension right.

Line up the other colors I will be using and bobbins if using colored thread in the bobbins for the embroidery.

Place the embroidery unit on my machine and turn on the machine and let it calibrate & warm up for a few minutes before placing the floopy with my desins on it in the machine.

While the machine warms up I hoop my fabric or stabilizer or both.

Put the floppy in and bring up the design that I need on the machine screen.

Check on screen if the machine tells me I am usiong the right hoop size or choose another size if the machine allows it and that is what I have on the machine.

Check the number of colors that the machine tells me are in the design and check that against the print out of the colors chart for the design I have made.

Check the position on screen of the design and make any adjustments necessary.

If everything looks good I select a speed that I want to embroider at and start the embroidery process by first basting around the embroidery area with a basting stitch that is a feature on my machine. Then I start the design.

Comment by Denise Gartner — September 6, 2009 @ 10:45 am

Before I sit down at my embroidery machine, I always make sure: I have a fresh cup of coffee, empty ashtray, pack of cigarettes, lighter, telephone. Then I have the color chart and line all the colors up in sequence…then I am all set to ignore the rest of the world.

Comment by Anne — September 6, 2009 @ 5:39 pm

First thing I do when I sit down at my embroidery machine is make sure nothing is blocking the path for the carriage.

Comment by Jan — September 6, 2009 @ 11:20 pm

This is from Margaret - in Oxfordshire,England

Re: Before I sit down at my sewing machine I always make sure:

a) I’ve been to the loo - there’s nothing worse than just getting ’stuck in’ and then having to get up again coz nature has called!

b) The machine is plugged in and power switched on at the socket - seems obvious but having worked as a ‘help desk’ person for computer programmers you’d be amazed how often they thought thier PC was broken when all it needed was the plug putting in!

c) Make sure the foot pedal is plugged in and where is should be i.e. not stuck under the edge of my horn cabinet - if it is I will only have to stand up again, move the chair and dig around the floor trying to get it back in it’s proper place! (A very undignified position to be found in if someone enters the room unexpectedly!)

Comment by rob — September 7, 2009 @ 12:10 pm

Hi , the first thing I do before I sit down at my embroidery machine is:
1- Check out some designs in my files on my main computer and see what one I want to do.
2- downlaod the designs to my USB stick.
3- turn on machine and check out the colors needed and Pull out all the threads I’ll use.
4- get hoop ready for stitching.
5- And away I go.

Comment by Edna — September 7, 2009 @ 3:34 pm

First, I line up all the colors of thread that I need in the right order. My husband made me a lovely little board with dowels in a line to hold all the spools for a project. Then I make sure the foot is on tight. The screw that holds it on tends to loosen up and last year when the needle hit the foot, I had a $400.oo repair bill. Neddless to say, I won’t let that happen again!!! Happy sewing.

Comment by Beth — September 8, 2009 @ 11:23 am

Before I sit down at my machine, I make sure every thing in the house is finished so I can concentrate only on my embroidery as I am quite new to this hobby. I have had my machines about 3 years but with sickness in the family I have not had the free time to use them much. Hope to get started real soon.
what time I have had recently I have tried to get my embroidery patterns catorized, but that is a slow process. I had all on floppy’s in no order whatsoever!!!!!!!!!

Comment by Jerry — September 8, 2009 @ 10:01 pm

Check my bobbins

Comment by Anna — September 9, 2009 @ 10:05 pm

First thing I do is check my chocolate supply! Nothing gets me through a tough session like chocolate, ’specially in bite sized pieces. Unwrap, pop it into my mouth and, as the chocolate begins to melt, I press the “go” button and watch my embroidery happen, right before my eyes. (If something goes south, another piece of chocolate will call up the problem solving hormones)

Comment by MizPat — September 11, 2009 @ 11:57 am

I make sure there is not any candles burning in the main part of the house nor is there food cooking on the stove.

Comment by Alice — November 2, 2009 @ 9:55 pm

Since I have a short attendation spand when I get upset, I have problems remembering what I was going to do next, ect. Therefore I make several sticky notes (if I don’t get side tracked) and tell my husband what I’m working on so he can help me if needed. I’ve found him to be of great help when I’m so upset because I realize I do know what to do but have to relearn it.
Emma

Comment by Emma Miner — November 8, 2009 @ 12:02 pm

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