We were all beginners at one
point and we’re still learning along the way. Everyone needs a refresher at
some point in time. Here are some tips that will help make your embroidery
experiences a success!
Know Your Machine
I probably could have bought
a decent used car with what it cost for my first embroidery machine some 20
years ago. Embroidery machines are an investment, not only financially but an
investment in time.
Reputable dealers offer
beginner classes when you purchase a new machine and most are free. Ideally,
you should take your machine home, read the manual, watch some videos, and
become acquainted. Along the way, keep a notebook of questions to ask.
After some time spent with
your machine, schedule a class with the dealer. You will get more out of it
once you have used your machine a bit.
Be Realistic
Don’t start embroidering a
20-block quilt right out of the box. Choose beginner-friendly designs and progress to more
complex projects.
When you learned to drive a
car, or bake a pie, you probably were not good at it right away. Everything
grows with practice.
Learn a Lot
If you can, take classes. If
not, there are hundreds of thousands of free resources online. Watch YouTube
videos. Follow social media blogs, groups and discussion forums. Most of these
groups are kind and generous with their advice, especially for beginners. They
are also good troubleshooting resources when projects run amok.
Use Good Supplies
Most of us are on a budget
but it doesn’t pay to use coffee filters and dryer sheets as stabilizer. Buy
quality fabric, thread,
needles,
and stabilizers.
Most embroidery machines are
adjusted at the factory and tested by the dealer before they are sold, so they
should be in good working order 99 percent of the time. If you are experiencing
problems with a project, it is difficult to know what you are doing wrong.
Eliminate the agony of troubleshooting by using good products. Experiment with
alternatives after you know how items should stitch out.
Designs are the same way.
Use reputable brands
because a crappy design will stitch out poorly even when you use the correct
stabilizer, needle, thread, and fabric.
Debbie SewBlest