Tutorial 101, PE700
Let’s start by being sure that you are well acquainted with your machine. Knowing the correct names for any part of your machine is helpful for asking questions and for knowing what the answer applies to. Review the information on Pages 6 through 11 to be sure that everything makes sense to you.
I highly recommend that you place your "Operation Manual" and "Quick Reference Guide" within easy reach of your machine. If you have to go looking for them, you are likely to be distracted and never answer your question.
Keep them in a drawer or some sort of package, a grocery bag is just fine. I say this because it is a good idea to start out as organized as you can, because your work area only gets more and more filled with (very important) stuff. Try to stay organized as you go and you will be glad you did.
Now, let’s begin this lesson with some basic information.
Your computerized machine is not a computer, but the computerization in this machine is mostly for the machine's processes. You certainly can manipulate your design at the machine and that will be our next discussion on PE700 machines. A word of warning, manufacturers make each new model more enticing and they are planning to make you sleepless until you buy the next wonderful model they make! LOL!!
As with computers, embroidery machines can have bugs. However, this machine is really reliable and very difficult to break. That does not mean it is indestructible, but it is built to be a sturdy workhorse for many years to come. You will find that the tools included with this machine will work for many issues so they need to be handy. If you cannot adjust your machine with the tools given, it may be time to see a "Certified Technician."
In the first year of your machine ownership, you need to deliver your baby to your Tech at least 2 times; once at about 4 or 5 months, (earlier if necessary) and then again at 10 or 11 months. This allows for any further adjustments before your warrantee is expired.
If you don't use your machine for an extended period of time, you must realize that the oils can 'drain' downward and it might need to be taken to the Technician. The machine is not too temperamental, but it does need tender loving care.
Enough techie stuff . . . Let’s do your first project!
In order to have success with machine embroidery (ME), you will have to learn A LOT. But, because we want to play with your new toy, let’s do a project that will be successful with your early knowledge.
I would recommend that you use a piece of denim for your first project. It is very forgiving and seldom will give you trouble. A jacket is more ideal than pants because of the ease of hooping your project. So, let’s assume you have a jacket on which to place a design.
Your dealer should have given or sold you some stabilizer to get you started. There are dozens of types of stabilizers and they have many different applications. I hope you have some medium to heavy weight cutaway stabilizer. That will serve a lot of projects, but not all of them. If you bought water soluble stabilizer (wss), that will also do a lot of work. It is my opinion that almost every project can benefit in some way from wss.
Now, let’s select an appropriate design for our project. In your Quick Reference Guide, you will find each of the designs available already in your machine. For ease of your project, we are going to use one of these designs.
Starting on Page 12, you will find your designs. In the upper left corner you will see a "Butterfly" which is the same as the "Butterfly" on your machine's screen. On Page 17 there is a Crown which is also on your machine’s screen.
I chose the Crown group (there is no real difference between the two, they are just divided into 2 groups) and item #21, the Flamingo. It is a single color and does not have a lot of stitches, making it a really quick project and great for back to school items!
This example shows just the stabilizer hooped. Notice that there is approximately 1” all around the hoop. For a 5” by 7” hoop, cut your stabilizer 9” by 11.” This extra allows for adjustments if needed.
Never adjust your fabric and/or stabilizer once it is fully tightened. Make any adjustments while the fabrics are still very loose. The second photo shows how to hold the edges of the stabilizer and roll toward the inside and downward. Do this at regular intervals and in opposite sides and corners for best results. Then tighten the screw by hand.
Make sure that your hoop, including stabilizer and fabric is snuggly secure. Never tighten your hoop with a screwdriver (exception, if you have physical limitations). After you have attached your hoop to the arm of the machine, be sure to check that the hoop is still in tact. At this point, it is easy for the hoop to ‘jump’ or become a little loose. Hoops are working while the machine is vibrating; this also is an opportunity for the hoop to come out of its ‘seat.’ Check the hoop from time to time, especially if your project is large. (Voice of experience. . . )
Thread your machine, lower the foot and sew. Watching the process is a time-honored tradition, and it will be entertaining for you and any spectators. ;)
When the design is complete, remove your hoop from the machine. BUT, before you remove your work from the hoop, look at your design for any mistakes. It is rare that a machine skips a stitch. Skipping would most likely be the result of movement of the fabric. Sometimes you may have to reinsert your hoop and redo a section.
Check the bottom of your project as well. Carefully clip away all excess thread. If you clip too close to a knot, use something like ‘Fray Check’ to seal that spot. If not, there will be changes in your design when it is laundered.
Finally, removing the specialized thread from your machine is best done by clipping between the spool and your machine. Then pull the clipped thread through your machine. This process clears any lint left over inside the machine. The exception would be if you had some fraying of the thread. In that case, I recommend that you ‘unthread’ your machine in the same manner as you thread it.
Admire your new craft result and join us frequently here at AnnTheGran for information, news and ideas that will just keep you stitching!
Next Instruction, What is on that machine’s screen?
If you have any questions or comments, please put them in the “PE700 Question and Answer Area” forum thread. That way, this tutorial will remain in tact for users in the future.