New and needs help

[EmBob]

Hi Girls,

I couldn't help but notice the mass majority being girls here. Actually I haven't seen one post from a guy. Anyway, I just purchased a janome embroidery machine and want to get into embroidery and do some t-shirts hats, purses etc for my family. Oh and I am one of those macho types so please don't tell anyone I am here.

I am looking for beginner information.Sort of a step by step guide on how to get started. does this exist or will I have to wing it and make all the mistakes to learn the hard way....

looking forward to hearing from you,

Bob

[susank]

Bob - I didn't really get any helpful information when I started except from the woman who sold me the first machine. Get your dealer to show you the basics of how it works and then soldier on. I have learned a lot by my mistakes.

I also have to tell you I was in to see my dealer a few days ago and there was a man --- also seemingly quite macho --- who was talking embroidery from a very experienced perspective - I have also noticed several men on some other discussion groups. So really you are not alone - there are many more out there.

Good luck. My advice is get some inexpensive fabric you don't care about and just play with it.

[Granny313]

Bob - Welcome to "our" world!!! Definitely get with your dealer and see if they offer any type of classes. This is how I learned the basics. As stated above - we all have learned alot through mistakes. But, it has been fun and a great learning experience!!!! Good Luck

[craftmama]

Bob,
Welcome. I also have a Janome machine. I have the 350E and I love it. My dealer gave me some great advice.........She wrote down what stabilizers she recommended, sold me some cheap, plain fabric and told me to go home and play for a few weeks. Then come back for lessons. (this way I knew what questions to ask.) Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BTW-where are you from?
Diana

[susank]

Oh - and I forgot to mention --- the ladies here are extremely helpful and no matter what question you have they always have a lot of answers/solutions/ideas. It is a great place for help and no one ever seems to mind the same old questions. We have all been there.

Don't be shy!

[Embroidables]

Welcome, We're glad to have you here. There is a ton of information right here on the message board. If you have any questions feel free to ask. You can also search the boards for topics by using the message board search function in the menu above. Also, here is a link to some tips that should help get you through some of the common things that cause people trouble.
http://www.embroidables.com/store.php?page=Tips

[idesign]

Hi Bob. Like Susan said, get some inexpensive fabric and run some designs for practice. Most fabric needs stabilizer under the fabric you want to embroider. This keeps it from stretching with the needle penetrations. Generally, use cutaway stabilizer under your knit fabrics (I like the fusible no show mesh), and tearaway under stable fabrics like denim or stable wovens. If the thread count goes over say 7,000 stitches, float a second layer of stabilizer underneath (not hooped).

Not to be confused with stabilizer, a "topper" is usually placed to keep terry loops down. Wash away clear works well for that, but is not permanent. If your design is not dense enough, the terry loops will work their way between the threads in the wash, and you will get what people call, "pokies." Instead, you may want to use a product called, "Dry Cover UP", which is made by Hoop-it-all. It is a permanent vinyl topper. You can also use it when you want to block out a color from below, such as a black fabric where you want to place white thread over it.

I recommend polyester 40 weight thread, not rayon, as I have had problems washing things with rayon, and it breaks more often during embroidery. I use Isacord or Sulky poly. Janome makes prewound bobbins that are fantastic, which is all I use in my Janome. Don't get Sulky bobbin thread--at least it doesn't run well in my machine (MC 10001)--designs do not look as well with it.

When you hoop, open the screw so it's easy to get the hoop on, then tighten it with your hand--not too tight. Then take it off again, and once more hoop it, which will distribute the tension evenly over the piece, drum tight. Do not pull fabric taught once it is hooped. If you have a Janome clothsetter, use that for accuaracy. It's a great tool.

For needle size, you probably can do most things with the blue tip Janome embroidery needle, 75/11. If you have a very thick fabric, or a dense design, you may need to run a red tip, 90/14 embroidery needle.

Once you play a bit, start a simple project, and look up what you need in the manual. I have tried reading a whole manual, but found until I had a real project, the info didn't stick in my brain. Ask away on the group, as someone is bound to know the answer to any question.

Hope that helps to get you started with this great hobby of ours,
Carol

[EmBob]

Thanks for the replies. I am going to get some embroidery thread and following the thread it looks like it will be polyester.

I got a free 4 hour lesson that came with the machine, so I am going to doodle with it for a while then take the class.

Thanks for your help, it looks like I got some reading to do.

Bob