When it comes to our handicraft and embroidery projects, we only want the best embroidery machine money can buy. It isn’t too difficult to do research on this aspect to find out which is top embroidery gadget out there.
Basic Embroidery Facts
Let us get down to the basics first. What is an embroidery machine? To those of you who don’t know or are only starting to get into the world of embroidery, an embroidery machine is a sewing machine that is used to create patterns on textiles. Commercially, these machines may be used for various marketing or advertising projects of companies like product branding, corporate advertising and uniform adornment. For someone like me, an embroidery machine is used purely for hobbies and for creating personal sewing projects.
There are two types of main embroidery machines. The first one is called a free-motion sewing machine embroidery which makes use of a basic zigzag sewing machine. The second is called a computerized machine embroidery which uses an actual embroidery or a sewing embroidery machine.
Free motion vs. Computerized?
The type of embroidery machine that you would use is entirely up to you. With the free-motion sewing machine embroidery, you are able to make more unique designs and patterns. It takes a little more skill and patience but the results are rewarding and fulfilling. The patterns you come up with may not be reproduced elsewhere therefore this type of machine works best for family projects like quilts and personalized blankets.
The computerized embroidery machine on the other hand is used for more commercial purposes seeing that it moves automatically to re-create pre-programmed designs and patterns on your fabric. It is faster and easier to use and with reduced costs. Most of these machines have only one needle and would still need the user’s input to change the colors of the thread during the process. Multi-thread industrial designs will have the different colors intact into its machine and will not need help manually. The best kinds can trim and change colors automatically, the sequence pre-programmed into its computer.
The Actual Embroidery Procedure
The steps in an embroidery project with your computerized embroidery machine are fairly easy especially if you have been handling this machine for some time now. It basically includes: 1) purchasing or creating your embroidery design which will be saved in a file 2) editing the design (if you wish) 3) loading your design into the embroidery machine 4) stabilizing your fabric into the machine 5) run and monitor the embroidery machine. In five easy steps, you would have transferred your design whether original or manufactured into your chosen fabric.
Almost any fabric may be embroidered as long as it is stabilized properly. A list of base materials include paper, fabric, and lightweight balsa wood. Threads that work best with these machines are polyester, rayon or metallic embroidery thread.
This is only a short introduction to embroidery machines. Finding the best embroidery machine is entirely up to your taste, experience level and personal opinion. Good luck and happy stitching!