Yesterday, Beverly, I set up and turned on my XL-6000 for the first time, and at 6 P.M. attended the webinar during which we got through Page 9 in the workbook. I knew you would be excited to learn about this, since you have encouraged me to touch the machine for something other than dusting it or moving it out of the way. It's quite a piece of work! I am going to have to thread it soon. Try out some of this tricks. The webinar goes on, every Monday, for six weeks, I believe.
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Can't beat the price with a stick, and by the time we've finished, I may actually be doing some 'broidery. ;-)
Ok, figured that out. But is there no way to get the information provided on the first session (on the 20th)? If not, I suppose I can just jump into the 2nd one.
Chuck said something last night about having it on the web, and he's also making a CD of the entire course -- which I ordered. He's charging $9.99 or something for the CD. Will be more if it requires more than one CD for the whole thing. The workbook itself is a free download from Singer, but you said you already have it, right? If you go through from page 1 through page 9, you'll be caught up. He walked us through it, made a few remarks along the way, but almost all of it was straight out of the workbook. Some people weren't happy about that, but it helped me somehow, sitting here with the workbook and the machine, touching the screen and didn't break anything!!! There's some amazing stuff on this machine, without any disks or downloads, just all built in.
Chuck did say that he likes to use a topstitching needle because the eye is larger and it always works with the needle threader. He said he uses Robison Anton 40 wt. polyester bobbin thread, and that he's never had a problem with the bobbin winding.
He recommended getting some super muslin (?) from a quilt shop, cutting it into 8.5' x 11' pieces, and stitching built-in stitches across for a reference. He puts them in plastic sleeves and keeps with the manual.
For the next class he said to have 3' or 4" x 12" pieces to fold to make samples of stitches during class, like the buttonholes we'll do next week. For the hand-quilting stitch, he said to have a bit of batting plus cloth, and to have fabric for the applique stitch, which Singer calls "pin stitch." Oh, and some stabilizer for the buttonholes. Our choice. Next class will probably finish the sewing portion of the workbook - through page 22. The next sessions will attack the embroidery function.
For samples, he said bright colors so the stitches show up. He likes a variegated thread but any color that gives a good contrast to the muslin will do. Muslin should be solid color, white or ecru, for best results.
He talked a little bit about the screen on the machine -- where to find the calibrating process if it got cattywumpus, showed us how to brighten or darken it. Also talked a little about twin needle sewing, how you can only have so much width to a zigzag with it.
Some class time was taken up by the mechanics of the webinar. I used my computer speakers and no microphone, but some people had headsets with mic. I had one, but the cat chewed through the wire so it went in the trash. *sigh*
That's about it. I'm really glad I signed up for it.
I checked my copy, those pages are dedicated to using the machine for "sewing" rather then as an embroidery machine. Since I will not be using mine that way, I'll probably hang back until he reaches page 23 and beyond. I'm especially interested in gaining more information on Multiple Hoop and the Continuous Hoop Attachment.
Indeed there are. DGD loved doing some of the built in floral designs when I first set the machine up. She graduated to doing some designs I bought at joanndesigns.com but they no longer have a store.
I use standard Singer needles. I do have black and white "bobbin" spools, but I have also used RA poly #40 thread for winding the Endless Bobbin, when I want the color on the bottom to be something other than white or black. It seems to wind and stitch just fine.
That does sound like a good idea. I did that years ago when I got the 401A, I made samples of all the stitches and combinations using different widths and stitch lengths. I probably still have those samples somewhere.
But I don't quilt...
The buttonhole attachment for the Singer 401A produces the best buttonholes so....
Yay!!!
I've been using mine for 5+ years now, so I think I have the basics down, but I could certainly use more help with Multiple Hooping. Thanks for the heads up!
I had figured that you would sleep through most of the course. ;-) But for me, it has been really invaluable, if for nothing else, getting the machine turned on and daring to touch those little icons or pictograms and finding out it didn't do any damage. LOL! I was a bit spooked. But now I know it's easy enough to get back to the first screen without leaving something hanging.
I'm happy that you are taking the plunge. I have to remember to check the "odometer" to find out if I'm due (or overdue) to have mine serviced.
Right now, I'm making several aprons for younger DD's 40th birthday. A Halloween one (purple with bats), a Christmas print one with an embroidered tree, a purple mottled print, one with printed dragonflies all over, and one black and white houndstooth one. The last is to make up for the suiting houndstooth still maturing in my stash. I promised her a jacket YEARS ago. I'm hoping she'll get the joke.
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