If you are a beginner and you want to learn how to use an embroidery machine, keep reading this article. Learning an embroidery machine is just like to learn how to drive an automatic transmission car for the first time. You don’t have to do so much as your embroidery machine will do it for you. Furthermore, there isn’t much difference between different models of embroidery machines; it only depends on the additional features.
However, setting up your embroidery machine might make you panic especially if you consider that you need many technical skills. The reality is that you don’t need an expert or professional help to learn how to use your embroidery machine. In fact, most manufacturers publish user-friendly instruction manual to assist their buyer.
Below is a step-by-step guide for you to know how to use embroidery machines of different types and brands.
Table of Contents
1. Prepare General things you need
These general things include the needles, thread, bobbin, stabilizer, computer, embroidery software, fabric and your embroidery machine itself. The purpose of machine stabilizer is to hold the pieced fabric in place. It will prevent the stitching distortion and tearing problems. You should watch the tutorial video and see the operation manual as these are provided with many best embroidery machines.
Bear in mind that embroidery machines use top and bobbin thread to properly embroider a design. The hoop is also an essential part of the stabilizing process. You must do hooping properly and use right stabilizer to avoid tension problems. Many best embroidery machines nowadays offer automatic tension adjustment, but it is also good to know how to adjust it manually.
2. Choosing the right needle
There are different needles specifically designed for embroidery thread. You should select the needle size according to the weight of your fabric. Make sure your selected needle is able to carry the thread through the piece of fabric without any damaging. Here are some basic details about needles:
- For commercial embroidery machines, round shank needles are used.
- For domestic embroidery machines, only flat-sided shank needles are used.
- Ballpoint needles are ideal for knits because they have slightly rounded points.
- For most fabrics, denim and tightly woven items, the sharp pointed needles are the best fit.
3. Choose the right Embroidery Thread
Embroidery thread is not like the same regular thread that usually used for sewing purpose. Embroidery thread is much thinner but stronger as compared to sewing thread. Bobbin thread makes the back of your embroidery stitched design much lighter as compared to its front. Bobbin thread is thinner, lighter, as well as cheaper as compared to embroidery thread. Two most common kinds of embroidery threads are Rayon and polyester. Rayon is more popular as compared to polyester but it is also a bit expensive.
4. Set up Your Machine
Nowadays there are 2-in-1 machines like Brother LB6800PRW which are a combination of embroidery and sewing. If you also own such machine you need install the embroidery arm and remove the sewing section. Now, plug your machine and turn on. If necessary then connect it to your PC with the help of USB cable. Some embroidery machines only offer the USB port.
5. Thread the Bobbin
It is essential that thread the bobbin appropriately, you may take help of instruction manual. Before setting the bobbin thread you should turn the wheel on the side of your machine it will make the needle lower.
It is obligatory to install the bobbin appropriately before starting embroidering your design. If only the bobbin thread appears on both sides of your fabric, then bobbin installation is wrong. This wrong installation may break needles.
6. Select the Pattern or Design & Embroider
Once you loaded fabric into your machine, now it’s time to select the design to embroider. On the touch screen LCD display of your embroidery machine, you can choose desired design. Also, select the desired lettering fonts. There is a built-in library of different designs in many best embroidery machines but you can also download or buy designs from the Internet. Operating your machine only requires pressing a button and you can also stop it anytime by just a single-touch button.
Pulling it all together, when you’ll actually use your embroidery machine you’ll know how to use it and this is the best way. If you will learn it as a do-it-yourself way it will allow you to learn many techniques, including the minor detail. No risk no gain. You can also browse the Internet or take some embroidery classes.
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