Embroidery on my 830

[Margo]

Hello everyone,
My husband surprised me with a new Bernina 830 and I love this machine!
I'm a beginner to machine embroidery so I'm hoping you will share in your experience.
Through trial and error and lots of research on the internet, I finally figured out how the material goes in the hoop.
I then figured out why you need that piece of plastic grid-like template that comes with it. That's a very important piece... :lol:
I then learned you need something called a stabilizer, what a difference that makes! Oh brother! :roll:
Just when I think I've experimented enough I end up ruining a quilt top....darn. Back to the drawing board.
I'm finally getting to the point where I haven't ruined one of my quilt tops...yeah!
I'm using a tear away stabalizer but I was wondering, how crazy do you have to get tearing away all of it, is it okay to leave it inside the design area?
Will washing it remove the rest or just create a mess in my washing machine?...LOL
Also, can someone recommend a good thread and size when doing machine embroidery on the 830?

Determined,

[Margo]

Wow, what an amazing surprise!! I have the 630, the 830 strikes me as a 630 on steroids! It doesn't have anywhere near as many bells and whistles as yours, but it's a fabulous machine nonetheless. I haven't done a huge amount of machine embroidery on mine, but what I have done I've been very pleased with. I've been using a Sulky lightweight tearaway stabilizer which seems to tear very nicely, only the bits behind the stitches remain. I've been using some ARC polyester embroidery thread that I bought ages ago, I love it, but it doesn't seem to be available anymore. I'd be interested to know what people recommend, or if anyone knows if the ARC thread is available under a different name.

[Margo]

I no longer have an embroidery machine, but Ricky Tim's Stable Stuff is great embroidery stabilizer
http://www.rickytims.com/online-stor...category_id=26

[Sewdreamy]

Bee,

Congratulations on such a wonderful surprise! I embroider on my Bernina 200E upgraded to the 730E and it took me quite a while to learn all the ins and outs of good embroidery and I am still learning. I use mine for many things beyond embroidery motifs, such as quilting and even even using heavier cords with that special cording foot Bernina makes.

As for stabilizers, I have given up on tear aways except in rare cases when I use them in bags or where I am not going to wash the item I am embroidering. I find it often pulls the stitches out of whack even when you are careful. Instead I use wash aways. I particularly like the kind that has some substance to it rather than the clear plastic type, though that's useful for toppers when you need to sandwich your embroidery. The clear stuff gets stiff when left out, so if you do use that be sure to keep it well sealed in a plastic bag or container. For most applications, I use Stabilize It, which comes in a variety of weights. I buy it online at Nancy's Notions. Here's a link:
http://www.nancysnotions.com/product...izer+sheets.do

I have found it the most economical and coincidentally the best stabilizer for most things--a nice combination. There are situations where you might want to use the sticky washaways. This would be when you don't want to or can't quite get your item in the hoop, so you hoop the sticky stuff, score and remove the top of the cover sheet and stick your item directly onto the hoop in exactly the right place. This is a little pricey so I only use it rarely, but it really is great for using your embroidery system for quilting.

I rarely embroider directly to my item, but I have done with great success. I usually use either bridal veilling or organza and stabilizer, embroider on that and then applique it to the item. (I'm using "item" because I embroider a lot of things...quilts, bags, ready-made clothes, etc.)

If you need to embroider directly onto your item because the design isn't independent, then be sure to stabilize it well and do a practice run.

One of the things that makes the most difference is ensuring you are using the right threads and needles. I use mostly either Superior threads (see link on this site) or Isacord threads from this site: http://www.embroideryonline.com/index.aspx I find 40 wt makes a good size for most quilting motifs. If you are using quilting patterns, then you would want to use whatever you use for any quilting.

Also be careful in your pressing following the embroidery. Be sure to use a pressing cloth or press upside down onto a padded surface.

Like I said, there's a lot to learn. Hope that helps in answering a few of your questions. Did your machine come with lessons? If it did, I encourage you to take advantage of them. They help a lot.

Cheers

[Lorchen]

I have read somewhere that the factory setting for all Bernina machines are done using Mettler thread. So it may be an idea to try those. Or ask Bob, the Superior guy, what he would recommend.

Do you speak (or understand) German? There is a Bernina Blog in German, and a lot of the posts are about embroidery with the 830.

Enjoy your 'Rolls Royce'!

[Lorchen]

WOW!...Thank you everyone, what great advice and very appreciated.

That's a good one Ali...yah you're right, sometimes I think this machine is on steroides but it's great. Once you figure it all out it sure makes the job sooooo much easier and I'm all for easy and simple. However I also like a challenge and this has been a good one.

Thanks Margo, that sounds just like what I need, and thanks Ricky for coming up with it. No muss no fuss works for me.

Hey Sewdreamy....sounds like you've done quite a bit with embroidery. I'll definitely try the washable stabilizer. I love making quilts and this way I can add some designs to the quilt and not have to worry about removing all the stabilizer. I've always wanted to do a crazy quilt and this machine should make it really fun.
Oh good you also recommended Isacord! My daughter got me a variety box of their cones for Christmas and that's what I've been using. I'm not sure of the weight, it just says ET.40 does that mean it's 40 weight?
Yes, they did offer me mastery classes with my machine and I really like the owner of the dealership but unfortunately it's clear across town, the classes don't really fit to my time schedule and my time is limited. So for now I'm trying to learn what I can from the internet, reading the blogs and you folks...
I'd post a picture of it when I finish the top but I'm not sure if we're allowed. It's not my original. I bought the kit from Country Threads at the AQS show and then I'm adding some embroidery embellishments that I bought from Oregon Patch Works. So I wasn't sure if I could post a picture of it...??
Thanks everyone, and happy quilting...
Bee

[Margo]

Bee, I don't think there would be a problem with you sharing a photo on our forum, but if you have concerns about it, why not send an e-mail to
http://www.oregonpatchworks.com/ and see what they say!

[Sewdreamy]

Bee,
Yes, I'm pretty sure that means it's 40 weight--glad you have that to start playing with. I think you can post a picture of your quilt without any problem. It is my understanding that only if you posted the pattern and maybe the picture on the pattern of the quilt would be a problem. But I am not a lawyer. Still, there are a lot of people who have posted pictures of quilts made from kits here. Have fun! Cheers, BJ

[klwheeler]

Hi! I just got my 830 and never have embroidered before. I bought the bobbin thread & paper stabilizer the sales person recommended. I have lots of Superior Threads. If I do use it for embroidery I wonder about threading the bobbin & know it is different, hope the DVD or manual shows that. It is a nice machine & classes are available locally but I learn well by trying. Might be online clubs & YouTube videos too...Karen