What are /r/MachineEmbroidery's favorite Products & Services?

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Use the free Inkscape to create vector art or analyze images to create vector, then the free InkStitch plugin for Inkscape to lay out how it will be stitched and write files that to copy to the actual sewing machine.

Use the free Inkscape SVG editor to create vector art or analyze JPG and PNG images to create vector art, then the free InkStitch plugin for Inkscape to lay out how it will be stitched and write files that to copy to the actual sewing machine.

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B092HCCLTB/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_R2JM9TA9Q7JNT37V0QJE?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

I got these for my cricut but really have used them more for marking embroidery patterns since I got them. Hope they are helpful!

Great advice!! And a lot of things I was going to say (but written out better! Ha ha!) yeah, if you are embroidering things you digitized yourself, at this point in the game, the problems and frustrations could be from any number of things. I would, in the beginning, only buy designs from established and reputable sites (like Emlibrary.com, urbanthreads.com, Planetapplique.com, etc… I’ve never had issues with their designs) and once the tension is set, you shouldn’t be changing it as often as it sounds like you are…. Also, the thread matters! Cheap (or old!) thread will cause issues (like breaking) and you won’t know if it is the machine, or needles, or something else all together! Invest in good brands of thread- it’s totally worth it. Also, for clothing, don’t use tear away. My favorite is a No Show Mesh like this (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0875MP2FB/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_api_glt_i_HW0D1EJC0SMVBEXWD55K?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1) . And using a light tack spray adhesive helps. (I always float my clothing so it doesn’t pull or stretch in weird angles, but that is preference).

Embroidery kind of has a steep learning curve, but once you get the hang of it, it is SO rewarding and fun!

You can get iron-on backing that goes over the embroidery where it touches the skin and makes it feel just like shirt material. Tender Touch by Sulky is one such product

I am using a tearaway stabilizer (https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B08BHY9V63/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1) with an old cotton shirt

Single head means it can sew one piece at a time. In industrial embroidery where you are producing garments or hats or patches in the thousands, more heads means faster production. I started on a Tajima 12 head. SWF is a manufacturer. I think they are good value for money. These are commercial machines. They are sturdier and longer lasting than home models. This is the kind of thing I'm suggesting. You can get these used for around 5000 and they will do more and last longer.

A bigger field just gives you more options. I did a lot of jacket backs and I made $400 - $600 a run. You need a full sized machine to do that.

Um. Wow. You HAVE to at least oil the pickup hook. I ran industrial machines, they got oiled every night. Yours probably needs a drop every few weeks. This is textiles, they produce dust, the bobbin thread sheds wax and the two of them together work their way into everything. You should see the shit I've pulled from a Tajima 12 head. Get an oil pen and check your manual for oiling points. Call Brother if you must. All engines need oil. I'll put a link up for an oil pen and I found a YouTube video out there with a cleaning tutorial on a similar machine.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0062Y9BLM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_WZCMXS56ZKJRRDJJZ1N9?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

https://youtu.be/De6GIf2BcUY

oh okok yeah.. so that was the most difficult part haha... so it was pretty much try and error, on the software that I use there is a setting for pull compensation, so i was just playing with that one... also for stuff like that ive found that using a water soluble topper, plus the stabilizer, helps way a lot!

i use this one from amazon = https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0875P8N8H/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

But yeah like, mostly I fixed that with the digitizing file... if you are doing the digitizing yourself I just encourage you to keep trying, like change settings and do a test sew outs to see how it is changing... at first like when I was learning what I did is just a bunch of shapes using different sitch types and have different settings on each and sew them out and see how where they differ and how did each setting behave... probably that can help you out as well

My favorite is Simthread and I purchase from Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Simthread-Polyester-Embroidery-Babylock-Husqvarna/dp/B011HMC77S/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1HN56KJY21262&dchild=1&keywords=simthread+embroidery+thread&qid=1613919327&sprefix=Simthread+%2Caps%2C790&sr=8-5

Very reasonable pricing and my Brother 750 loves it. My machine has difficulty with Brothread and Gutermann. From what I have read each machine is different. You might just have to see what works for you.

I have since purchased one of these so I can fix all sorts of things around the shop. That one looks good, too, especially for boating.

Answered my own question if anyone else is looking

https://www.amazon.com/Brother-Embroidery-Machine-PE-300S-PE-400D/dp/B07P9P1HW6

Did a quick google search and I need to get myself one of these ratcheted angled bit tools