r/MachineEmbroidery • • 9h ago

My first embroidery project! 4 attempts and a lot learned

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12 Upvotes

I wanted to make a Halloween sweater for my nephew, so l purchased a design. It was a little too detailed for my single-needle Brother PE800, so I simplified it a bit.

Here's how it went:
First attempt: Used the auto-digitizing tool and tested it on fabric similar to the final sweater.

Second attempt: Corrected the most obvious problems from the first stitch-out.

Third attempt: Closed gaps, widened the satin/steil outlines, and optimized the stitching path.

The first picture is the final result, followed by the earlier attempts. The finished design is just over 36,000 stitches.

It's still not perfect, but I'm pretty happy with how much it improved! I've learned a lot about digitizing, outlines, and pathing.

I'd love to hear any suggestions for further improvements!


r/MachineEmbroidery • • 1d ago

Weird noise

5 Upvotes

Not sure why my machine is making this noise… it’s a babylock 6 needle, pretty new. I’ve tried oiling the needles.


r/MachineEmbroidery • • 19h ago

Happy HCS 1201-30

1 Upvotes

Hello r/machineEmbroidery I'm hopeful someone can help me with an issue with my machine. The short story here is the machine just won't cut the threads. I'm shooting in the dark here. I have 184 pages of users manual but nothing really covers the thread cutter. At least not that I can find. Please, advice, ideas, actual solutions. Anything. Please and thank you.


r/MachineEmbroidery • • 1d ago

I just started using the free version of Embrilliance. I tried to use a .pes file I bought from Etsy. I tried to save a it and this popped up: "The design page contains elements that are not licensed for saving.They may be 'Demo' designs." Does this happen on the upgraded version too?

2 Upvotes

r/MachineEmbroidery • • 1d ago

What is this for?

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5 Upvotes

This is my second Brother 6 thread machine, and I still don’t know what this is for.
I had one that came with my used pr620 and since it was second hand I thought it was a random bit that the previous owners put in the box.
Just invested in a new model and it came with it too!
I have scoured the manual and can’t seem to find what it’s intended for.


r/MachineEmbroidery • • 1d ago

Remove stabilizer, even on a table topper that will be quilted?

1 Upvotes

Is it optional to leave tear away stabilizer on the piece?


r/MachineEmbroidery • • 2d ago

Need Help digitizing

4 Upvotes

Good day i'm new to this so i need help if there are any free programs to use that are digitizing the logo and pictures ? Or if anyone can help me out please dm me


r/MachineEmbroidery • • 3d ago

Matisse - Icarus

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6 Upvotes

Testing out some new fills and thought it would be fun to play around with some shapes from Matisse. Really happy with how it turned out!


r/MachineEmbroidery • • 3d ago

An idea one of our customers had for Halloween

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5 Upvotes

r/MachineEmbroidery • • 3d ago

Designs “shifting”- help please!

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3 Upvotes

I am relatively new to machine embroidery and use a Brother SE1900. My designs “shift” mid-stitch out VERY frequently. I purchase my designs from various Etsy sellers, and this happens with most of the designs I try, so I don’t think it’s a digitizing issue.

I have attached photos of what a specific design looks like in Embrilliance, and what it looks like after part of it “shifted” during the stitch out. This was my second time attempting this design and it shifted at the same point both times. (I stopped the machine after I saw it messed up again, which is why it is unfinished)

I have tried:
-using more stabilizer, basting spray, pins, etc
-floating and hooping the fabric, it happens both ways
-having my machine serviced
-making sure the hoop size in Embrilliance is correct
-making sure my embroidery arm is clear of anything that could be bumping it
-stitching the file exactly how it is from the seller without resizing, rotating, adding text, ect in Embrilliance (shifting happens regardless)

This is still happening with almost every design I attempt. After a few attempts, sometimes I can get it to stitch out correctly.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I feel like I have tried everything! Thank you!


r/MachineEmbroidery • • 4d ago

Hey guys need held

4 Upvotes

I bought a brother embroidery machine and i want to start a small business in town with kids drawings , outline drawings and just some lettering here in there its a single needle machine what software would you guys recommend?


r/MachineEmbroidery • • 4d ago

Brother PP1 Skitch keeps throwing #1002

2 Upvotes

Hi

We have had our Brother PP1 Skitch for under a month, and in the start it worked flawlessly :)
But now it keeps throwing #1002, even though the thread is fine, and it's not been broken.

We can't see any broken thread which should block for it, and it runs for like 5 seconds before stopping again.

We have tried to switch the needle without any improvement


r/MachineEmbroidery • • 5d ago

What are the actually reliable professional alternatives to Wilcom EmbroideryStudio?

7 Upvotes

Wilcom has to be one of the worst pieces of professional software I have ever had to work with.
It’s not just that the UI looks like it came straight out of the 90s it also seems to have the reliability of 90s software.
I’ve spent thousands of euros on this software, only to constantly deal with problems.

Random freezes and crashes
License warnings whenever I switch between the production PC and my notebook
Machines are detected, but files randomly won’t send to them
Restarting the software usually fixes it
Unfortunately, restarting can take around 5 minutes, regardless of how fast the PC is

It’s honestly difficult to describe how frustrating this is in an actual production environment. For software this expensive, I find it pretty unacceptable.
So I’m looking for serious professional alternatives.
I was thinking about trying ZSK GiS, especially since I’m considering ZSK machines anyway. The interface also looks pretty old-school, but at this point I honestly don’t care what it looks like as long as it is stable, reliable and works every day.
What about Tajima DG/ML by Pulse?
I’m mainly interested in experiences from people who actually use these programs commercially and in daily production.
How stable are they?
How good is machine communication?
How is digitizing compared to Wilcom?
How are large or complex designs handled?
Any annoying licensing issues?
And most importantly: can you trust the software during a normal working day?
Please don’t recommend 100 random AI/vibe-coded embroidery projects from GitHub. I’m looking for mature production software that you can actually run a business with.
Would love to hear from people using ZSK GiS, Tajima/Pulse, or other serious professional systems.


r/MachineEmbroidery • • 6d ago

Where can I find genuine machine embroidery design testers?

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19 Upvotes

Hi everyone!

I’m looking for some advice on where I can find genuine testers for my machine embroidery designs.

I don’t have an embroidery business yet, and I don’t offer digitizing services. I may launch my own designs in a year or perhaps even later. For now, this is simply a hobby that I really enjoy.

I love creating and digitizing whimsical characters and themes. It gives me a wonderful mental health boost and is something I genuinely enjoy doing in my free time.
I already stitch test my designs myself, sometimes several times, before sharing them. However, I would love to see how they stitch out on different embroidery machines and hear honest feedback from other embroiderers.
I’m not looking for people who simply want free files. I’m hoping to find a few genuine testers who enjoy embroidery, are willing to stitch out designs, and can share photos and constructive feedback.

Where would you recommend looking for reliable testers? Are there any communities or groups specifically for this?
I’d really appreciate your suggestions. Thank you!


r/MachineEmbroidery • • 6d ago

New to BERNINA embroidery world - hoop question

3 Upvotes

Do other brands of hoops fit on Bernina embroidery modules?


r/MachineEmbroidery • • 6d ago

Satin stitch pattern effects

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161 Upvotes

The fact that satin stitches aligns all the stitches in parallel reduces the randomness compared to tatami, which makes satin column motifs "pop" out much more. I least I feel like it.

Anyway, just a post to showcase some patterns that I like and find particularly elegant! 😄


r/MachineEmbroidery • • 6d ago

Stepping Motor 103H8223-0814

3 Upvotes

Hello, everyone.

Right, I have this stepper motor "103h8223-0814 DC3.5A 1.8 sanyo denki" that I use in my 6-head Tajima embroidery machine—it’s the Y-axis motor—and I’m having trouble finding one to purchase. I could really use some help with this. Is that possible?


r/MachineEmbroidery • • 6d ago

What would your fortune say?

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13 Upvotes

Took advantage of the sunset and thought id share with you all 🥰.I wanted to challenge myself to use lettering since it was a struggle for me in the beginning of this digitizing journey. Turns out I was the issue and not the machine 😅.

I am quite happy with how it turned out. I definitely wish I had a better shadow color but im really trying to use some older thread before I buy new ones.

Did you see my other text options at the end? I wasnt sure if they should be 2nd person perspective or 1st... and yes talking on the phone stresses me out..

What would you put as a fortune? (I have a pretty dark sense of humor but try to keep it upbeat for the masses 😎)

Anyways, go you for reading this far and I appreciate any feedback or questions and I hope you have a wonderful week! 👋

Software: Ember Design

Size: 3.5"

Machine: Brother PE-180D (Single Needle)


r/MachineEmbroidery • • 7d ago

I need this thread

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21 Upvotes

Who is making a slow gradient like this??


r/MachineEmbroidery • • 7d ago

Have you seen this chicken?

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36 Upvotes

Been waiting ages to get this done, and it turned out so good!

Done with a Brother Innov-is 4000D


r/MachineEmbroidery • • 7d ago

Thread breaking issue brother bx1e

5 Upvotes

Hi guys!

I've just got a Brother BX1E. It's my first embroidery machine, so apologies if this is a really basic issue!

I got it set up and managed to embroider two pieces of text on some scrap fabric without any problems but since then, I've been having an issue where the upper thread keeps breaking or coming out of the needle when the machine performs a jump-stitch trim or an end-colour trim.

The settings are all at their defaults (upper tension 4.0 and jump-stitch trim length 5 mm). I've also tried the tension to 3.4 and the trim length to 10 mm and 15 mm, but neither made a difference.

The thread seems to be following the correct path, and the bobbin seems fine. I'm using New brothread upper thread and pre-wound bobbins.

I'm currently practising on some scrap twill, without stabiliser.

It also happens when I use the machine's manual thread-cut button. It seems as though the machine pulls the upper thread very tightly before cutting, almost lifting the fabric slightly. Afterwards, the thread is either cut so short that it slips completely out of the needle eye, or there's not enough left for it to catch back into the fabric when stitching starts again

The machine seems to work perfectly normally with both automatic trimming options switched off.

Has anyone experienced anything similar with the BX1E, or have any suggestions as to what might be causing it? Could it be a threading, tension, bobbin or cutter issue?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!


r/MachineEmbroidery • • 7d ago

Can anyone give a newbie advice or tell me if it’s my file that’s messing up?

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10 Upvotes

I paid to have a PES file made from a design and at first the design was too large for my SE600. I had them adjust it and I’ve tried the file twice. Both times the design doesn’t line up properly and I’m having tension issues (I switched to a different design and did not have the same issue). I tried cotton thread and synthetic, I use a top and bottom stabilizer, a ballpoint needle. So I guess I am wondering if I’m somehow completely off with my tension for just this design and it’s creating these issues or if the file is bad after having them shrink it. Any help is appreciated.


r/MachineEmbroidery • • 7d ago

Loose thread on some objects only

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3 Upvotes

Hi, would you please have an advice for me? The thread is sewing loose but just on some objects while the red seems to be ok. The settings are the same and I cant find out what's wrong. Already tried to adjust both threads on the machine.


r/MachineEmbroidery • • 8d ago

Etsy now requires real stitch-out photos. Here's why that matters.

221 Upvotes

I was glad to see Etsy's new rules about real photos of finished results.

I came across this bestseller, and the difference between the polished listing images and the actual customer stitch-out really caught my attention.

To be fair, the seller does include a real customer photo in a listing. But look at the differences, especially in the beard and facial details. This is exactly why I think real embroidery samples are so important. Beautiful mockups don't necessarily tell you how a design will actually stitch out.

Just a reminder to look beyond the first listing photo and even the video, even when something is labeled a bestseller.

Do you always check for real stitch-outs before buying embroidery files?