Last week I discovered that someone I know has a embroidery machine. The top of the range Janome to be precise. I was a little amazed to hear this news but was left speechless when I was told that she has had the machine for a few months or so and its still in the box. I am being invited at some point to the official box opening ceremony. So fellow Cuties what advice do you think that I should be offering to this new to embroidery machines woman?

when I helped people get to know their machines I felt like a drug dealer giving someone their first hit- one lady came back and said she didnt even bother getting dressed of a morning before she started embroidering(and I dont mean changed).my best advise is to teach them about stabilising and the grain of the fabrics this avoids disappointment that turns them off future projects

When I got my first Babylock I set it up on the dining room table and just played with it. Bring in a design, rotate, add another design, I did not put thread in the machine for 3 or 4 days, just playing with the built in designs and alphabets.

Some wonderful helpful advice has already been given, so I just want to say. Get to know her machines capabilities and what it can do, listen to and read lots of information on this site and others. Most of all have fun creating and join our cuties site. Welcome to a wonderful hobby. Sandra.

My advice is enjoy it and have fun.
As the others have said sort your designs as you get them.
Any test designs do on a decent size piece of fabric so you can use it on a project later that you haven't even thought about yet.

JOIN CUTE!!!! I learned 90% of what I know through Cute, either by reading posts or through links. Also there is a whole bunch of inspirations in Project and do not be afraid to try new things like FSL or letting the machine sew over a plastic zipper.

Caroline...........................your friend needs to invest in a 'fabric stash' control mechanism and I cannot think of anyone better for her to ask about that than her friend!!!!!......................lol

2 comments

by spendlove 15 Jan 2017

LOL!

by jrob 16 Jan 2017

LOL!

I am not surprised. In our sewing a group is a lady who has her Bernina embroidery machine for 3 years and has only done ordinary sewing on it.

I am afraid to say Caroline that I did much the same with my present embroidery machine. I was just too scared to get it out of the box. It was only about a month - so not too bad.......

1 comment

by noah 15 Jan 2017

I did the same i took it out but only looked at it*/***

We have a lady at our J-club who had her machine in a box for a year. Her friend dragged her along to the club (with the machine) and we got her started. There is no stopping her now!
If your friend can afford my train fare, I'll pop across for a couple of days to give her one to one tuition!

1 comment

by asterixsew 15 Jan 2017

Thanks Sue and your welcome to stay with me too

Don't buy any designs until she has a definite use for them. (just money down the drain buying designs we never will get to use) It is far too easy to get carried away with the beauty of some designs.

BE AWARE of VIRUSES, not all websites are safe so have a good Anti-Virus, Anti-Malware program installed and scan zip files before opening them. ESPECIALLY be careful when searching for freebies, she can always come to CUTE and ask if a site is safe otherwise...... "If in doubt, don't."

Start off with a computer filing system for her designs that makes sense to her.
Always add an abbreviated prefix of the Digitiser's name to each design name.
Keep a record of the abbreviated prefixes, (as she creates them), along with the name and website of the digitiser.
Help her find a Janome Group online AFTER you have shown her how to join Cute (of course)

If she ever needs help, remember there is always a Cutie online, from somewhere in the world, and we all started off as beginners so no question is too stupid to ask.
I hope your friend enjoys it and has many wonderful years embroidering with her Janome.
Hugs n roses, M

4 comments

by meganne 15 Jan 2017

PS. After unzipping any design files, move the zip file to a separate hard drive, or other storage device, to keep them safely tucked away, JUST IN CASE.....

by maleah 15 Jan 2017

Dear Meganne, you are so full of information.....Thank you. I love all you post. Keep in touch...

by asterixsew 15 Jan 2017

Thanks Meganne for the loads of useful advice

by meganne 16 Jan 2017

I just wish someone had told me all this when I first started.
As well as,
BACKUP, BACKUP and BACKUP again. :-)

Well, open the box!!! Can't believe she purchased the machine and it is still in the box...I would tell her to begin with something simple and easy...and work up from there...

1 comment

by asterixsew 15 Jan 2017

Yes the box will be opened but I think that due to other life commitments she hasn't had the opportunity - yet. I seem to remember that there is someone here who had their machine in a box for 4 years before it was taken out and anything happened

1:Catalogue designs are she will never find them. 2:Dont download everything you see. That was what I wish someone would have told me. I have lots of pretty designs but they are not cataloged. BIG MESS. 3: Don't go over budget buying embroidery thread.A few basic colors will do to start.

2 comments

by theduchess 15 Jan 2017

meant-- or she will never find them.

by asterixsew 15 Jan 2017

Brilliant Stella. Known what you mean with the downloading of designs. I'm far more careful now than I was. Freebie dl is a right of passage in ones embroidery career. I'm into the deleting them mode now

Jump in with both feet. This sight has lots of ideas. Great designs. if something does not pan out like you thought it would. Turn it into something else and try again. I have had so much fun with my embroidery machine. My first machine was Husquvarna #1 plus, Find a buddy and just have fun.

1 comment

by asterixsew 15 Jan 2017

I already have a friend close by who has the same machine as I do and we both have great fun with them

well you can invite here to come on Cute, so she can read how many people are enthusiastic to use an embroidery machine. and she can start downloading designs to use on the machine. Besides she will be able to see lovely projects here and can get some idea what to do with it.

1 comment

by asterixsew 15 Jan 2017

She already has great ideas of what she wants to do and bought the softwear to create the designs she wants to create