Please let me hear your thoughts on this--I bought an issue of an embroidery magazine, thinking that as usual, I would learn quite a bit. But this time, I am more frustrated than educated. Several of the articles references things that I don't have a clue about--like "scan in your design" and "scan your pattern piece and create the edge in your software". Well, I am totally clueless. I can't scan anything in so I can't copy the angle of a pattern piece, etc. Am I just behind the times in embroidery software or am I missing some important component of my old machine? It's my opinion that the articles should make directions user-friendly without assuming we all have the latest bells and whistles. I can't afford to upgrade what I have, so I feel like I didn't get my money's worth on my magazine purchase. What do you think?

I stopped buying magazines as I found they were full of the same adverts and nothing much new to learn.
I have learnt more on here than I ever did from them.

1 comment

by parkermom 12 Nov 2016

You're right--I have learned so much from this site more than anywhere else, and the people are so kind too! They've also been gracious enough to forgive my lapses as I learn to be a part of an international community. Thankful for Cute!

I'm pretty clueless about the technology that is more complex that what I want to deal with. So if something has all these steps you have to go through, I just skip it. When it says "create the edge in your software" it assumes that you have digitizing skills. I don't, and further, I don't want to learn digitizing skills.

I'm happy with where I'm at in embroidery. Some magazines assume a higher level of skills than others. If the project in this magazine require more than you have, I'd stop subscribing to it and find a magazine that is more basic.

1 comment

by parkermom 07 Nov 2016

I'm really not a technology idiot, but I'm not a whiz either. I don't enjoy watching videos online but I think I need to learn to like it, because there's so much to learn out there.

Don't get frustrated or think you are behind the times. When I first got into machine embroidery, I was in so over my head I wondered if I would ever progress beyond the designs in my machine. the good news is I have done well. But not all of us (like me) have the knowledge and computer skills to do much of what is talked about. Do what makes you happy. After all not all of can or should be digitizers. Keep buying a magazine now and then until you find a magazine that meets your needs and interests.

1 comment

by parkermom 07 Nov 2016

I am definitely not a digitizer! Hats off to those who can. I don't think I'm creative enough, so I am happy with what I can do now.

Not sure which emb mag you purchased, but I find that Creative Machine Embroidery tends to have more projects that everyone can do. They do have a section with a lesson in software but most of the projects are user friendly. Hugs. Nan W

Here in UK we don't have any printed magazines for machine embroidery. Your comments highlight how difficult it would be to produce one to meet everyone's needs.

2 comments

by mops 07 Nov 2016

We have one in the Netherlands, but most of the projects and techniques are so basic one year is enough, unless you have no imagination at all.

by spendlove 07 Nov 2016

LOL!

Most printers let you scan anything you want. Scanning a sewing pattern is just the same. Import the jpg file in your embroidery software, digitise the outline and make sure the size is right. Ideal to make curved flaps, necklines etc. You can also use the outline to create decorations that curved perfectly along that outline.

Here is an example. I scanned the outline of the pocket, digitised the line (blue in pic 2), added the simple decoration and used it on a number of trousers. Very useful when you want to use it on the left and right side of the same project. The picture has a date: Sept 2011, long before scan & cut.

2 images:[1]
[2]

4 comments

by spendlove 07 Nov 2016

I do this when I want a nice neckline or lapel with the embroidery perfectly placed.

by mops 07 Nov 2016

P.S.
I am glad you asked the question as I had forgotten all about it and am making baby trousers for charity. I'll use this to make a few less plain ones.

by sewtired 07 Nov 2016

Thank you. This was a very informative answer. Hope I can remember this idea and try it out once I get my sewing room back.

by parkermom 07 Nov 2016

Thank you for explaining that. It makes more sense now. I think I could do that. Now I'm not so frustrated!

I have stopped purchasing Craft and Embr. mags. The patterns always seem to leave a bit of the 'How-to' out and if you don't already have heaps of knowledge (which is why you bought it) then the articles don't seem to turn out well. glad I'm not the only one finding them wanting.

1 comment

by parkermom 12 Nov 2016

I was given a perfect suggestion--instead of spending money on these pricey magazines, spend that amount at the local Salvation Army thrift store for blanks and fabric--an easy, thrifty way to expand skills. What a good idea!

Do the requirements for the project name the machine or software to be used?

2 comments

by parkermom 06 Nov 2016

No, it just says things like "using your design software"

by sewist1 06 Nov 2016

Which magazine? It is not machine brand specific is it?

I felt this way five years ago when I tried the magazines - that it was a better value to spend my money on fabric yardage, trims or software designs. The only magazines I treasure are the old and now passe Martha Pullen magazines, which included pull-out patterns, the best centerfolds you ever saw!

They might be talking about the "scan and cut" machines that are out there...there are several cutting machines that can cut out your shapes in practically whatever you want...paper, fabric, vinyl, light leather, etc...Brother makes one, Cricket and Symphony are others...I would guess that this is what they are referring to...the cutting machines have their own format and .svg is one of them...I do not have one (yet) so I do not know the other formats...lots use these machines to cut applique shapes that are very precise...they are very popular...

Yes some of the newer models have the capability to scan in a motive which then gets turned into a embroidery file. I guess the magazine has to please all customers, the ones with older machines and the ones with the newer features. Must be tough to create a good balance.

3 comments

by parkermom 06 Nov 2016

Yes, it must be hard to balance all of the types and abilities. I was aggravated because it referenced a chenille cutter (which I don't own) and a few other things besides the scanning things issue, and I let it bother me too much. I think I'm getting tired and grumpy!

by crafter2243 06 Nov 2016

Maybe the next issues will be more informative

by mops 07 Nov 2016

A chenille cutter comes in handy, but scissors do the job as well, and even better when there are sharp curves.