Newbie to Embroidery, looking for advice.

By PrinterBill on Sep. 01, 2014
Forums: 
Embroidery and Digitizing

Hello All. I'm a Screen Printer that just bought a BrotherSE400 embroidery machine. I wanted to do some hats and T shirts with my own art work on them, so I got the Embroidery machine. My question is, what would be a good software program to digitize my art work. I've seen some 21 day free trial programs out there, I've seen a few programs for under $200, just don't know. I hate to spend too much on this in case it's just not my thing. I've not even plugged the machine up yet. Most of my designs are simple 2, 3 maybe 4 color drawings, things that I print on shirts. I don't need anything to fancy, I just want to digitize some Scuba diving and Pirate designs, maybe some HotRod car art. Thanks for any help.

Location: 
United States
Submitted by AlisonB on Tue, 09/02/2014 - 01:32

PrinterBill - you sound SO excited and enthusiastic, and I don't want to burst your bubble - but digitizing NOT the same as creating beautiful vector artwork. Sure, you can get embroidery software that will "auto digitize", but the software has NO IDEA of what material you will be stitching on (and how it will distort with the stitching on it), or what order things should be stitched, or stitch angles, and so on.
I think you SHOULD get a trial program to get an idea of what is involved, and see if you enjoy the challenge. :)
Also - I see the machine you bought is a single needle machine. Are you planning on doing caps with it? Did you get a special gadget to help you hold them flat on the machine?

Submitted by PrinterBill on Tue, 09/02/2014 - 14:01

Hello, I think as far as caps go, I may just Embroider the patch and heat press it onto the cap, then maybe stitch it around the edge if need be. I have seen where if you use polyester material and thread to make the patch you can cut it out with a hot knife and this seals the edges. From the videos I've seen this seems to do a good job, as far as making a patch goes, I don't know. Like I said, I have never embroidered anything before, so it's all hit-and-miss with me at this point. I'll learn, may take some time, but I'll get it. I taught myself how to upholster the interior of a Sports Car I have the same way, bought a machine, got some scrape vinyl, and a month later had the interior done. Believe it or not, I've had people at car shows I've entered comment on how nice the job looked.

Submitted by AlisonB on Thu, 09/04/2014 - 01:42

It sounds like you enjoy challenges, so then I think you will enjoy the digitizing. :) But it still may make sense to get a trial version first.
I make patches, but cut them out with scissors and then go around them with a soldering iron. (Same concept) There is also the option of getting pre-made patches (with the more professional looking merrowed edge) from EnMart. All you have to do is the internal embroidery.
If you have a couple of embroidery shops in your area you could always ask what software they are using, and see if they will let you look over their shoulder when they digitize a simple design.

Submitted by dgabus on Thu, 09/04/2014 - 10:33

If you use Corel in your layout and designing, I would suggest DRAWings, It will cost, but it interfaces with Corel nicely. It is automatic, but gives you the ability to change for fabric and thread density, pull and direction.

Submitted by obemb on Thu, 09/11/2014 - 14:51

PrinterBill,
There are enough good digitizers out there, and because of foreign competition, prices have come down. Pay somebody to do your digitizing and buy some software that has text and editing capabilities. You will be a lot happier in the end.

Submitted by Biltryt on Wed, 10/08/2014 - 00:50

I too am brand new to embroidery and custom work in general and am looking for help in where to get started. I bought a Barudan single head CBII machine and purchased the Wilcom E3 studio software and a new computer etc. however I am thinking I may have bit off more than I can chew since I have no experience in this area. I have made friends with my local embroider and have been volunteering in an attempt to learn but I ssem to be slow at learning because I am fearful of messing things up. I am in San Diego California Any advice on where to go from here?

Submitted by embthreads on Thu, 10/09/2014 - 03:32

Biltryt wrote:
I too am brand new to embroidery and custom work in general and am looking for help in where to get started. I bought a Barudan single head CBII machine and purchased the Wilcom E3 studio software and a new computer etc. however I am thinking I may have bit off more than I can chew since I have no experience in this area. I have made friends with my local embroider and have been volunteering in an attempt to learn but I ssem to be slow at learning because I am fearful of messing things up. I am in San Diego California Any advice on where to go from here?

Balboathreadworks.com is an authorized Wilcom dealer. Her videos and training may help you with Wilcom. You can also get training from Wilcom for just your travel costs but they are in Atlanta GA.

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