At what point in YOUR journey did you finally feel more comfortable and at ease with your machine?

Oh yes, and I forgot in my other message.....

On April 30 this year I am going to hold a party. That's the date I plucked up enough courage, two years ago, to actually open the brand new embroidery kit box and see what it had inside. I'd had the entire kit and kaboodle for three whole years and was too scared to even look at it!!!! I got it all for my 70th Birthday.
Then.... I watched my machine do its own thing and stitch the first embroidery stiches, by itself..... wonder of wonders!!! and the wonder hasn't ceased since then.
I hope the wonder never ceases - I'm having way too much fun.
AlmaG.

1 comment

by sewbadly 13 Feb 2011

I am so happy for you that you took that important step... and opened the box.
Yes, it does seem to be a wonderful hobby. At the beginning, it is just a great deal to absorb. thanks, for your kind words

Try to do I thing at a time, get it right and then go onto something new. You will find that there is always something new in embroidery. If you are not sure of something this is the place to post it and I'm sure there will be lots of answers.
I got my 1st machine about 6 years ago. First I just did gifts for family and friends. Now I also do orders.
I also do digitising, which I love. I try to have my machines going while I'm on the computer. Otherwise you don't seem to get anything done on the machine.
Just enjoy your machine and you will discover new things all the time.

Hugs Yvonne

1 comment

by sewbadly 13 Feb 2011

Well, you hit the nail on the head...
I am having some difficulty with focus. Since I don't know as much as I might like... I spend a great deal of time going off on tangents.
One thing leads to another and thoughts get muddled.
Good advice.

There is always something new to learn - and this is a good place to learn it!

1 comment

by sewbadly 13 Feb 2011

There really is a lack of conflict at this site... it is a place of comfort on a few different levels. Unusual and really nice. Good people come here.

Three years in and I still consider myself a newbie.... More and more my machine and I gel and it is pure heaven. Then there are those days that it acts like a cranky toddler and will do nothing but say "NO, nope, no way, I don't want to!" It is those days that I back out of the room in hopes that when I return, it will have regrouped from its tantrum and we can enjoy each others company once again. LOL! *'s 4 all.

1 comment

by sewbadly 13 Feb 2011

Humanizing the machine... I can relate. I find myself coming up with various names for my machine in an effort to match its personality.
Cranky toddler... cute.
I feel mine is more of mentor with a kindly heart and patience beyond belief. We just don't always speak the same language.

Like everyone else has said... It's something new to learn every day! Relax and enjoy it!

My machine and I agree that the machine is smarter than I am... I have no quarrel with that. I am just amazed at the variety of options and opportunities now opened to me.
Maybe after decades of child rearing, having the time to focus on something simply for me is what is really overwhelming.
I am not searching for perfection. I know I put my all into my projects and find enjoyment in that. If the people getting the gift enjoy... that is a bonus. Of course, the fact that they are all under the age of four helps a great deal with the joy of whatever they receive.
Your responses indicate that this will not become mundane anytime soon. Thanks.

One year in and my machine still scares me, lol!

I have been embroidering about 2 years and am finally feeling a little at ease, but there are always questions(CUTE is a good place to ask ANYTHING)there are always new things to learn and many more exciting designs to try. Some days are good and well, some days not so good.!

MY machine surprise me everyday, so I have something new to learn, but it's fun to learn something new. Believe me you will have fun because you learn a new technique.

wOW EVERYDAY I LEARN/THINK/COME UP WITH SOMETHING NEW & JUST WHEN I HAVE IT ALL DOWN PAT IT WRECKS & YOU START ALL OVER AGAIN .I GUESS THE ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION IS NEVER!!CAROLYN

I have been embroidering for 5 years now, and I am constantly learning something new.... lots of trial and error, but worth every bit of it. The satisfaction is when you make that perfect gift that is loved and cherished by whom you give it to... that is when all the time and frustration becomes worth it

Whenever I feel at ease with my machine I buy a new one. hehehe. But seriously What I love about embroidery is there is always something new to learn. Getting the basics is the first step. how to hoop what sort of stabilizer to use for your project, which designs will work on which fabrics. The hooping bit takes a bit of practice but becomes second nature after a while, but you will still mess up sometimes. After you get that stuff you will find new techniques and new projects all the time. I have been embroidering for 11 years but more so in the last three years. I have also learned to digitize and that have even more exciting possibilities. So have fun and keep learning.
Alice.

I have been doing machine embroidery for 7 years, and still learn something everytime I do a project. There always seems to be new techniques to try, some I do well-some not so well. It is a long learning curve, but ooohh soooo fun

Fortunately, there is no end-point to the learning process in this grand craft. There is a point, though, when you'll feel comfortable with what you're doing and you'll feel confident to stretch your skills further. There seems to be no limit to what can be produced on an embroidery machine as well as what can be embellished. I think it took me about six months and many near disasters not to be afraid of the machine. I also didn't, and still don't, expect perfection but when it happens I am ecstatic and still amazed at what I can do.
It's an amazing hobby and one that is surrounded by constant beauty and creativity.
AlmaG.

Bless your heart--when you look back on this in a year or two you will know it was all good, because it is a learning process. I have been machine embroidering for about 8 years--and still learning. Guess, it keeps the mind younger. Tee hee. Have fun with it. I think that is the most important thing of all. H&*

I agree with asterixsew, its a long learning curve, but its one I enjoy!

I find embroidery machines one long learning curve and there is always something new to learn. Happy sewing