I’ll probably end up attempting an Instructable of this, but in the meantime, here’s the notes I wrote up on the embroidery machine class I took at TechShop.
Supplies
You will need:
- material to embroider – duh!
- thread with which to embroider – most people use a shiny thread
- “stabilizer” – a fabric designed for embroidery that strengthens the “back” of the embroidered area. Available in “tear away” which… tears away… “cut away” which doesn’t, and a kind with self-adhesive on the back. There is also one which dissolves in water, so you can make lace.
- Jump Drive – the Janome has a USB port that it reads designs from. Bring your own so you don’t have to beg / scrounge for one
- Machines shared amongst many artists, like the one at TechShop, use up some of the parts.
- Bobbin – the Janome uses the clear plastic ones made by “White.” Buy some so you can load it up with your own string before your session
- needles – you may break a needle. Use a 11 or 13.
Machine Notes: The Hoop
There’s this plastic hoop, like an embroidery hoop, that you put your fabric in.
- There are actually two hoops for this machine, Hoop A (5.0″ x 4.3″) and Hoop B (bigger!)
- The software can rotate your shape for you, but I would do it elsewhere…
- The machine does one color at a time
- try not to stretch nor bunch the fabric in the hoop
Machine Notes: Threading
- thread just as you would a sewing machine
- the bobbin thread should be spiralled counter-clockwise
Import Your File
- You really, really, really need a vector art file to do anything worth doing. The converter that comes with the Janome machine is pathetic. Automated options include VectorEye ($59 exports only a .svg) and VectorMagic (It’s a SAS (Software As Service); $15 for 3 months of unlimited conversions).
- In Illustrator, convert all your thick lines to filled, borderless shapes. Use “Convert to Outline” or the like
- In Illustrator, convert all text to outlines as well
- Export the file as a .emf file
- Now open Embird!
Generate your JEF file
- In the editor, check your design
- use the simulator to determine the order the shapes will be stitched, and where on the shape the thing will start
- export the .jef file
Run the Machine
- Position the head with the arrow keys
- start stitching by pressing the start button. But! Only let it stitch a few stitches, like 5…
- stop stitching. Now is your chance to cut the loose thread. After doing so, start the machine again
- The machine will stop after completing a shape, so you can load in the new color. The colors on the editor are for convenience.
- You can skip a shape by touching the “next page” picture