Husband gives thanks (& needs a little more advice...)

WOW....where do I start with advice. Check out e-bay for machine accessories such as extra feet, hoops and the reader writer box.

You'll have to ask here which box is best for your machine. I have a Bernina and use a direct link cable from my machine to the computer (and of course the appropriate Bernina software) and don't have a need for a box.

I really like rayon thread, but many swear by poly. Check suppliers for purchasing bulk as in wholesale. I really like marathon thread.

stabilizer you need depends on the project and the fabric. I'm anewbie (only 1 yr embroidering) and so far have used. 3 differentstabilizers and all for different projects. Lurk at alt.binaries.crafts.pictures and you will get a lot of useful information at that group too. Also here is a link to a very useful site. I can't help with all your questions, but this is a good startfro you.

5 foot 2

hi.. congrats on the ellure. i love mine! as far as accessories....

rayon is nice thread, but you cannot bleach the item embroidered with rayon thread...the color will bleed out. polyester, you can bleach. to be honest, i have some polyester, some rayon thread. in addition to the sites allready given,

has some nice thread packages. and, ebay can be a pretty decent source of things. i would suggest going into your local dealer, even if you only buy a few things, the dealers are usually very willing to share information.....

have fun!

betsey

ps-my DH bought me the maderia treasure chest --all filled with thread. its wonderful! if you search on line, you can find is for much less than the retail price.... betsey "we do not inherit the earth, we caretake it for our children"

ok, let's see if I can get something to post...

A dedicated sewing area is essential but one word of warning...it gets worse. You starat with one small corner, then you need a little more room for accessories (hoops, backing, thread, etc.), then later comes storage for blank stock, finished and unfinished orders...the list goes on and on....LOL Can;t really give you any help on the card writer. Hoop It All has a Cap Hoop that will do what you want but is a pain to work with. However, I don't know of anything else that is available. I think you will find a 4 x 4 hoop will be the hoop she uses most often. It is a good idea to have at least 2 of these on hand. In my opinion, anything smaller is a waste of money unless you are going to do a lot of monograming. Even a childs clothing can be done with the

4 x 4 with no problem. Your best bet on thread is Polyester. It is stronger than Rayon (fewer breaks) and the sheen is almost as high. Also, it holds up to washing and drying perfectly. A lot of thread suppliers offer a starter kit that is perfect for the beginner. But, be advised, after she gets started, her thread supply is going to be like a fabric stash is for quilters. Never seem to have just the right color...Also, you will need to have more than one of the basics. ( i.e. black, white, red, blue, brown) Puckering is not caused by the type of thread you use. It is the density of the design and the stabilizer used. You have to use the correct stabilizer with each fabric. Also, unless your "cotton" items are pre shrunk, there will be some puckering due to the blank shrinking and the design not. You will need a variety of stabilizers on hand. cut away, tear away, sticky back, etc. One thing you failed to mention was a good pair of very sharp, pointed scissors. These are used to cut "jump stitches". If you don't have a good pair with a good point, it will be difficult to clip the threads properly. Another items is a pair of duck bill, or applique, scissors. These are invaluable for cutting stabilizer off the back. It is really easy to cut a hole in your item while trimming the backing. A couple of good sources are and . You might also try . They all have good selections of productsfor embroidery use. I think I have a chart that will give you information on whatstabilizers to use on what items if I can just lay my hands on it. Ifyou would like to have this information, e-mail me at snipped-for-privacy@mpdblue.com. I'd be happy to send it to you along with anyother information I can help you with.TIZME

On Sun, 28 Dec 2003 07:02:38 GMT, "Michael \(LS\)" wrote:

At the risk of blatant commercialism, I can suggest a copy of our thread color matching software (MyThreadBox) - it is a tool that is in a lot of home embroiders' tool boxes - basically, we convert to and from over 10,000 colors from 36 different thread palettes so that when she gets a design coded for thread line 'A' and has a collection of thread line 'B' (or whatever) that she can match the colors needed for the design into the thread she already owns, instead of always running out to buy more thread.

That is particularly important if she buys thread lines that are NOT what most designers use as a coding standard in their design sheets - (most designers code their designs using either Madeira or Sulky, leaving you twisting in the wind if you have anything else in your thread cabinet).

There is good color interchanges for most lines on the market in this software, as we use true color matching (RGB formula) to give her the best interchanges among lots of thread - not that I am against buying lots of thread (our stash is over 1200 spools), but is nice to be able to sew out a design with what you have on the wall, instead of always having to run to the store first (kinda hard to do at 1 in the morning...)

We have a discount program in place for newsgroup folks at

General info at

Email me if you need more info snipped-for-privacy@mythreadbox.com

-------------------------------- Scott - Tech/Developer MyThreadBox Software Digital Thread Matching Software

--------------------------------

It's only just begun. You made a good choice. We have purchased all the stuff that goes with the Ellure from the same dealer where we got the machine. You CAN find a few things at lesser price but it is so much better to get it from one dealer who can replace if needed, and who will teach you how to use it. I have the PES Transfer System V. 1.0 Babylock Model ECS-E1 Palette. This helps you to utilize digitized designs in PES format from you hard drive, the Internet, embroidery disks or CD-ROM. You save this to 4 M card which is included. You can reduce designs by 10% or enlarge up to

20%. It is great to use and easy. Enjoy, Matt

Michael (LS) wrote:

It's only just begun. You made a good choice. We have purchased all the stuff that goes with the Ellure from the same dealer where we got the machine. You CAN find a few things at lesser price but it is so much better to get it from one dealer who can replace if needed, and who will teach you how to use it. I have the PES Transfer System V. 1.0 Babylock Model ECS-E1 Palette. This helps you to utilize digitized designs in PES format from you hard drive, the Internet, embroidery disks or CD-ROM. You save this to 4 M card which is included. You can reduce designs by 10% or enlarge up to

20%. It is great to use and easy. Enjoy, Matt

Michael (LS) wrote:

One of the other poster has just reminded me of a good tip. Always pre wash the item to be embroidered at the usual temperature etc for the material. Then press and embroider when fully aired. Theres nothing worse than spending time and thread on a master piece just to have the article shrink on the first wash and pucker the design.

I actually wash and then tumble dry pure cotton to make sure its fully shrunk ( I buy a slightly generous size if its a t-shirt etc). If I then want a crisp surface ( for a gift) I rinse with a starch liquid ( finishing agent) and air dry and press. Then its ready for working on and hopefully wont ruin the design on the first wash.

Oh one more thing? Are there any more of you at home??? lol

:o)

Congrats!

The corner of the room won't be sufficient for long (you've opened a can of worms now). My hubby is currently converting the former in-house garage into my sewing room - I outgrew the bedroom I was using.

I've been getting my thread at

and have been very pleased with the quality, price, quickness of delivery and especially the customer service. (1st order we had a customs snafu and they made it right the very same day) They have thread kits on sale and their backing/stabilizers too. Not a lot of selection on non thread items but not bad either.

For Canadian mailorder I use

great selection. I've dealt with them for years and no troubles.

I got my amazing box from an outfit in texas off of ebay. Can't remember who.

BTW you'll have to keep doing the computer stuff for your wife. sewing/embroidery/computering are so time comsuming she'll be hard pressed to do it all - and you're obviously soooo good at it. HAVE FUN.

MelcoMart has thread kits that you might want to look into, and their prices are very good.

I have a cap hoop........and spent the most frustrating 2 hours of my life trying to get a cap in the thing.......Me three on the "don't get a cap hoop" vote!!!!!!

Marathon Threads has excellent prices and very good thread.

there is one other web site that you can get thread and stabilizers from and they have a deluxe thread box that has 30 of the most popular 1000m cones in isacord polyester embroidery thread it comes in a clear carrying box. I have not used any of there threads yet but have got there magic box and have used some of there designs and have been very happy with there service. they also have something called e-tips and I printed out there past tips from the last two years ( there was 196 pages ) and am at the moment reading them I have learned a lot from just reading them.

I hope that you and your wife enjoy this new interest as much as I have been enjoying it.

that web site is

happy investigating.