I shall soon be getting this machine for a few weeks to test. One of the many things I do is an occasional in-depth test of a sewing machine for a shop in Manchester. So far I've had a Brother Innovis 10A (neat little machine, but not for heavy use), and a Bernina 1008 (fantastic for basic sewing and superior eyelets!). This time it's the Janome
350e. This will be my first adventure with a full embroidery machine. I've been told it's easy to use.I don't yet know if they'll send me the digitizing stuff or just the basic machine. I'd like a few free patterns to add to whatever arrives, though. I have a large 18th C project (this one is personal for a change!), and would like to embroider a white on white fichu on semi sheer cotton muslin. I might also like to embroider some stuff on the petticoat for my saque gown.
I'd also like to know a bit about stabilizers, especially soluable ones for the fichu (I'm imagining stiffening the hell out of it for embroidering and then shoving it through the wash to get rid of the stabilizer). The petticoat is a crisp poly taffetta, and I'd eant to ebroider that in black. A tear away would probably work with that as it'll be fully lined.
And what about thread? I already have a collection of silk and rayon machine embroidery threads, as I use them a lot for finishing. Hand sewn hems and hand and machine sewn buttonholes and eyelets in corsets. Comments on good brands and good places to buy would help. I'm in the UK, but I have bought from Atlanta Threads and Red Rock. I have used YLI 100 weight silk, Sulky, Empress Mills, and several other brands. I have also used YLI's 100 weight cotton thread, and Aurifil for eyelets. How would that work as an embroidery thread? I can see me wanting to embroider white on white and then dye it for future projects such as Regency muslin gowns...
Your help will be much appreciated. Please point me at past discussions if these questions have already been answered.