I have an 11 year old Brother 1250D that is a combo machine with a 5x7 hoop capacity. It has both a USB and a larger card reader. It still works great, though I mostly use it for sewing (It is a WONDERFUL sewing machine😍), and even though the embroidery editing is older, it does do very nice embroidery, and I've used it over the years to create so many beautiful things. Now days, I do my embroidery on my Brother Stellaire XE1, but the 1250D sits right beside it for my sewing needs, and yes, occasional embroidery too. I've thought of updating the 1250, but Brother builds such a solid machine, that it works perfectly still after all these years.
As always, great information. I have all three Kimberbell Mug Rug CD’s. My guild has a annual quilt camp (retreat) every year at a beautiful state park in Arkansas called Mount Magazine. It’s about a hour from Fort Smith where our guild is, we stay in the beautiful lodge. Last year we were 90+strong. It has become a tradition to bring a small gift for each attendee. These little gifts are in addition to the awesome goodie bag and camp gift. It’s always fun to see all the creative ideas. Some members buddy up and make things like needle wallets, pin cushions, give candy, pens and pencils,etc. My big idea for this year is the Kimberbell mug rug with the sewing machine and a little piece of fabric hanging off saying Sip & Sew. Thank goodness camp is the weekend after Labor Day. I have a lot to make. This year’s theme is Gone with the Wind. The planners always out do themselves with activities and lots of time to sew and visit.
Genie, … do they call you Genie? :) That is a FABULOUS idea for the Sip n Sew mug rug. Our instructor in our Kimberbell class gave everyone one of those mug rugs as a gift and I treasure it so, it is on my desk at work so I see and use it every day. A very cute thing she did was to pink cut the little piece of fabric. OH MY! It adds such a touch of kitch to the finish that it's just too adorable! The zigzag edge is beyond adorable!
Power Tools with Thread I’m called Genia (pronounced, Gina). I’m not very sensitive about how it’s pronounced, I figure if you spell your name weird it comes with the territory Ha! Thanks for the pinked idea, I’ll use it.
You underestimate the positive influence/inspiration you have on us! I finally got my brother's cuddly robe monogrammed with the preppie font! I was really scared to mess up, then decided " Becky did it, so can I!" It was absolutely beautiful😀 thank you SO much!
I started with a PE 770 and love it! I have been using the machine for 3 years and did a lot of research and i am so glad i got this one!!! I did buy a pack of hoops the largest is 6 x 10. Have not used that one yet but can’t wait to try. I also use embrilliance and agree it is a great program. One year i made embroidered blankets for my family and it was so easy!!
The PE770 can't "see" any designs larger than a 5"x7" so while having a larger hoop might fit the machine, you won't be able to use any larger designs. I forgot to mention that in the video.
Good tips for newbies. Another beginner project is plain pre-quilted potholders from the Dollar Store - TWO for one dollar!! Float on hooped stabilizer and stitch away. Fun, quick n easy!!
BTW, with BES4 installed on my home network, my Destiny2 is also now wireless. I love that all my toys are on my network and can talk to each other. Sew fun!!
My first embroidery machine was the dream machine. I am 72 and was able to learn a lot. I love this machine. Makes embroidery fun. Small projects at first from kreative kiwi. Also videos on how to sew them out .
I need an embroidery machine. I've done hand embroidery on the crazy quilts I made, but that's it. I know there are so many things you can do on an embroidery machine besides just embroidery. A friend of mine made lacy ornaments that were beautiful. 😊
At the 9:44 mark you say the Quattro has a 9x14 size hoop with the upgrades. I would love this, but the only Quattro’s I am seeing are only 8x12. , I would love this can you advise or show us the 9x14, was it a hack. Thank you Becky, love your channel🌼 Also if you have a Card Reader, you can upgrade it with a USB Emulator, like I did for my Brother ULT 2001 and 2002, they work great, I can send pictures or videos if your peps want to see, it was very easy. I like the ULT because it can sew beautifully and do a 6x10 hoop. Again lovvvve your channel.
I have to tell you girl... I have done machine embroidery, applique, digitizing on a commercial level and you give advice and tips in such a relate-able way that makes this stuff do-able for the average sewer. You rock girlfriend! Love your videos!
Thank you! That's the entire point - to remove the fear, provide encouragement, and push average home embroiderers to get busy. Love your comment and appreciate that you are in the industry so thank you again.
Hi Becky! New subscriber here! My MC500E is arriving tomorrow! Yippie! However, I have zero knowledge in this world and so glad I found you. And I'm so glad you show your mistakes! Question: if I practice with cloth diapers, do I still need stabilizer? Like I said, I'm really new! I will most likely be ordering the mug rug kit! Thank you so much:)
Hello Beckie, I have a Dream Weaver 8550 it has wifi which is a wonderful thing because I have been using the little box you showed and what a pain. I would also like to say I have been sewing for some years now but I love to watch your videos every day I'm learning more and I do learn things on your videos. Love them and keep them coming. Thank you : )
Love Embrilliance! If you haven’t had a chance to take a class with Lisa Shaw (Embrilliance instructor), I highly recommend it. I think you would get so much out of her classes. She will be in Humble, TX Apr 30th to May 2nd. She’s an excellent educator!
Thank you for this video. My Embroidery machine is a ULT2002D and it does not have a usb. It uses that card reader and a floppy. That really makes me sad because because I cannot afford to buy another machine right now. I just bought a new computer and am hoping this all works out. I do totally agree with you, I would not buy one without a usb.
Your videos are wonderful. I am going to try the scan and cut method this weekend. I usually just trim the fabric in the hoop. I agree with S. Summer, you are DEFINITELY an influencer. I have purchased several things after watching your videos.
Recommend looking at videos on RU-vid from Vince Arcuri. He has some that are very old showing how to use the Brother PE770 and newer ones for the PE800. Those machines are identical except the PE800 has a color screen. He explains everything you need to know in a beginner format. www.youtube.com/@vincejarcuriworldofmachine200/videos?view=0&sort=dd&shelf_id=0
Hi Becky! I’m new to your channel but I love watching! Love you humor and your frankness! I have a Babylock Spirit. You’re just the person to help me take the cover off and start using it. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much for mentioning reading the book. Most manuals by Brother & Baby Lock are very good about detailed instructions. You can almost use it liker a learning tool if you go page by page. I agree and always advise people to get a machine with at least a 5x7 hoop. I also advise them to get a machine with the latest hoop size accommodation they can afford even with 5x7, most people very quickly realize they want to make larger projects. I also tell people to check their dealer's trade in machines and don't be afraid ti get a pre-loved machine. I have gotten 2 different traded in machines and they were wonderful with no problems at all. Also if your dealer has floor model sales & event sales to buy these machines. I got my top of the line machine for 50% off and a full warranty!
Thanks for all the embroidery machine info Becky! The Valentine's mug rug is super cute. Love your new sewing shirt. Will have to check your Etsy shop.
I bought a Solaris about a year ago. It came with Pallette 11 and I just recently figured out how to transfer my designs wirelessly. I love that feature. 😀
Hi Becky I also have a Quattro 6000D and mine came with a card reader I don't use mine but I can if I want to. I use a cable, or USB. Love your video's thank you for all your help I have learned a lot from watching
I agree. A 4x4 is just too small. I have a brother that does up to 5x7 and am content with it. I like to get small borders and designs to add to my quilt. I have even done quilting embroidery patterns to enhance certain parts of a patchwork block.
Great video! I love the car analogy. I remember going from clutch to automatic, still try to shift sometimes. I don't think we're really afraid of our machines I think we're afraid of making mistakes. But that is what we need to do to learn our machines. I love how you say to get baby diapers when I first started to experiment I cut up a bunch of old jeans and sewed on those. Now several my plain pocket Jeans now have designs. When I purchased my first embroidery machine April of last year, Husqvarna Topaz 50 (USB). It came with a 360 x 200 mm [14 11/64" x 7 7/8") hoop. Now their Epic 2 will handle a 360 x 350 mm (14 11/64 X 13 25/32") hoop and is blue tooth or USB. Less than a year ago I never thought I would use my large hoop and now I wish I had Epic 2's even bigger hoop. But I can't justify up grading even with all the great features it has. If I wasn't retired maybe I'd consider it. I didn't consider getting a Brothers because there isn't a Brothers dealership locally and I'm one of these people who has to test drive what I buy. Yes I do have expensive software, Premier +2. But I am trying to learn how to digitize. I have designs in my head that cost too much to have anybody else design them. After watching you I'm saving up for a Scan N Cut which I would have to order online since they aren't carried locally. Love your Chanel.
I learned on a 68 VW Bug clutch! No worries, I make plenty of mistakes in Parts 2 & 3 and show you how to fix them. Once you know how to fix mistakes, you can do anything!
Power Tools with Thread VWBug 😱 I never like driving VW Bugs. I always felt like I was breaking/clutching and gassing on the passenger side. I never owned one but I went to a concert with my boyfriend, concert got out late and he was assigned special duty and he didn't have time to take me home. So he went straight to work (thankfully his uniform was in the car) and I drove his Bug home and then picked him up in the morning. After I picked him up I told him I'd never drive that car again. I learned on a Chevy, don't remember which make wasn't mine. I had a 51 Buick Special, with an aluminum block engine. Ashamed to say are used to drag race with a girlfriend of mine who had a Super Bee that her father had souped up. Had to drive a Trans Ams one night in an ice storm that is not a car that belongs on the road in bad weather but I was the only sober person in the car. Oh what it would be to be young again! That happened in the early '70s,
I love to listen to your videos and I purchased the scan and cut because of your videos. I have been trying to find videos of how you add embroidery blocks to quilts and I am not finding them. I would love a video of how to embroider a block and put that into your quilt. I am a new sewer and am figuring it out as I go.
Thanks so much for telling us your opinion on the machines. I love to hear that. Who knows better than someone who has sewn on several different types and brands. You need to put more shirts on etsy. They were gone the other day!
Thanks for all the good honest information about what to look for in used embroidery machines. I'm a Brother fan as well. I had a Brother 1500 which was bought on Craig's List until last July. At that time I decided I wanted to try appliqueing using a satin stitch which the 1500 was not capable of. So I bought a Janome 6650 which I am not 100% happy with. It has A LOT of things it doesn't like. With the Brother I could thread it and go but not now. Now I have to make sure the Janome likes the thread I've chosen. When all is well with the Janome it does good work. But I could always depend on the Brother 1500 to like what I liked.
Totally understand. As a commenter above said, Janome is very good at sewing machines but they have not put the $$$$ into embroidery the way Brother has. Sounds like you need to upgrade. ;)
Hi Becky I wished that I knew all of this information years ago when I brought my brother 8500d pacesetter brand new but knew nothing about embroidery and it doesn’t have usb capabilities and it has been limited to me. Thank you so much for how you share your knowledge.💕
Well, you have just answered a big question. Embrilliance is what I wanted to know more about. I updated my computer and lost my Master Lite embroidery program. It is out of date. Thought about Embrilliance but I don't know how to transfer my older files..
Embrilliance Essentials should be all you need for any of your older embroidery design files. It can take files from any machine format and show them so you can work with them. The free demo version doesn't have a feature to "Save" but the paid version does. You can get it here. A link to the demo version is up near the top of the page in Gold letters that says, "Looking for a Demonstration Version?" embrilliance.com/downloads
Thank you Beckie , I am a quilter , and also in my mid 70’s . I started quilting in my mid 60’s. I thought I would never be interested in embroidery. My new Bernina machine has a module I could get and you explanation is nudging me.
When I bought my Brother SE625 4x4 sewing embroidery combo, back 3 years ago, I wasn't as knowledgeable about what I should be buying vs what I really would need in such a short near future; however, the 5x7 machines were $700 + and I didn't see the large extra difference to justify waiting for a bigger hoop. I am now waiting to get the Embrillence Program to edit the designs and use my larger hoops that is compatible with my model. I love watching your chats you share much more than you realize to help one grow.
I wouldn't buy any larger hoops. Your machine's brain can't "see" any designs larger than a 4"x4" so buying larger hoops will probably be a waste of money. Even if you took a 4x4 design and enlarged it with Embrilliance, the machine won't stitch it out. I forgot to mention that in the video. I found that out the hard way when I bought a cute embroidery quilt from Lunch Box Quilts and my PE770 with the 5x7 hoop couldn't see half the designs that needed to be made in a 6x10 hoop. I didn't know any better back then.
My experience with Janome was also interface-related. It’s a really good at sewing. The embroidery is not great, it’s not terrible, it’s just archaic. Embroidery is not really a Janome thing. They just don’t invest enough $$$$ or time in embroidery innovation. So your comment about your Janome rings quite true.
I don't know, I update my regularly, but I am using the Brother PED-Basic that says it is for Windows 10. I am doing the Santa's Workshop Tiling from OESD and it works okay. I really do need to buy a USB Key, then I can retire the card reader. I love your blog and your Facebook page. I am still working, but am wishing I could retire because I am finding too much to do with my embroidery machine. LOL!
@@sarah.838 Ah, that explains it. I don't have any Brother software on my laptop. The PED-Basic is translating the older data to your updated PC as an interface.
LMAO LOL Well, maybe if a new one comes out, I may give it back to them on "trade". :) I've had 4 people tell me they bought a Luminaire from them from my videos. They are the BEST local service dealer around!
Hi Becky! Great advice regarding embroidery/sewing machines. I would also add: find a store that will sell machines for you to test drive, offer classes after you make your purchase and can service your machine regularly. Love my all of my Brother machines!
You are SO right and that's a very important aspect to Brother that I skipped over (on my 2nd take of this video). You can find Brother repair techs almost EVERYWHERE! Thanks for watching!
@@PowerToolsWithThread My local shop sells a 3 yr. Protection Plan that covers everything! It can get pricey covering 4 machines, but it is so well worth it! Especially for the 10 needle.
I have the big cartridge with my Innovis 1500D and I have never used it. I bought mine brand new so now you know why I am still stuck. Yes, I kept my windows 7 laptop, but can't go online with it since it isn't supported.
@@PowerToolsWithThread , that I am not sure of. I have several patterns saved to the old Windows 7 laptop that I should be able to use. I am doubting that I can move newer patterns from my Windows 10 laptop via usb, to the other laptop and then load them to the cartridge. That exhausts me just thinking about it!
@@jeanetteharris373 Yes, that will work. If both laptops have a USB port (which they should) then create a folder on your Win7 machine for Win10 Imports. Save all your new designs from the Win10 machine to a USB and then save them in the new Win10 folder on your Win7 machine. Then you can transfer them to the card. Easy peasy. lol
Love your blog! I watched your file management blog, but can't figure out what I'm doing wrong. I downloaded a design that came in many formats,but not JEF. I need to get it into my Designer's Gallery Studio III software so I can convert it into JEF, but it isn't there. I also have embrillance( thumbprint only) but it did not make it into a thumbprint either. I'm ready to pull my hair out!
Thanks for your videos. I made two potholders from the video tutorial and they look nice. I was ready to ditch my Stellaire, but I am going to really try to have fun with it. I bought cloth diapers but they are not folded so are huge and thin. Should I fold it in three and then stabilize and embroider for learning purposes?
I don't know that I'd use a diaper for practice. They have a loft to them that might require different embroidery techniques to get anything to look right. I recommend quilting cotton scraps.
@@lindahehir4056 Oh! Sorry! I think I meant for applique - gosh that's been so long ago! They will work fine but I wouldn't fold them up. The thinner the better.
Hi I have Bernina embroidery high end machine. I done a little embroidery, did my quilt and one motif. I would like to do more so am interested in the Embrilliance 2 . I don't know if you already have demonstrations on this, I know you have gone on about it before. The thing is with people who are just getting into this is knowing what you can use it for and how to use it. If you haven't already done so can you do something about showing how to use it. Thanks would be good Thanks Gwen
The Itch2Stitch has a fabulous 4 video series on RU-vid for beginners and an intro to Embrilliance. Here is part 1 and I highly recommend you watch the entire series. She explains it so well. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-oV7ABGIwHwM.html
Thinking I have been looking at the upgrades, I can’t find what you said, that the Quattro goes up to a 14” hoop. I have the the chance to buy a Quattro but it only goes up to a 8x12. Help, how did you do it?
My Quattro has upgrades 1 and 2 which essentially turns it into a Dream Machine which can use a 9 x14 hoop. Physically they have the same size harp so the larger hoop doesn't hit the side of the machine.
x@@PowerToolsWithThread So you can use a 9x14 hoop in the Quattro, and the Quattro will embroider this larger field of a 9x14? That is amazing, i am going to look into buying a Quattro! Thank you so much!
I have an Husqvarna Epic 2. Will embrillance send to my Epic 2. I really don't want to keep using Sewnet which is a subscription for my machine. How do I send embrillance designs to my Epic 2 wirelessly?
@Power Tools with Thread thanks, I do that now, but would just like to take advantage of using my wifi on my machine without always having to use Sewnet, which seems so much harder to use than embrillance.
I love the Kimberbell designs but in looking at the case displayed on Amazon, I'm assuming this comes on a disk since it has to be shipped to me. I have a Mac laptop that does not include a disk drive which makes using a design package available only in disk download impossible to use. Very few newer laptops are being made with CD drives nowadays. Do you know if this same design is available in download format?
I checked and this design is not in a downloadable format. Unfortunately, most Kimberbell designs are on a CD only and are not offered as a downloadable file. If you really want to make your embroidery life easier, where so much of it is on CD/DVD, here's a laptop, a DVD read/write drive, and a wireless mouse that will work perfectly. I have purchased these and use them exclusively for my embroidery - especially Simply Applique that only runs on Windows. For about a $400 investment, your worries are over and your embroidery life will be at peace. :-) Windows Laptop - amzn.to/3en2uDs External DVD - amzn.to/3eooRsj Wireless Mouse - amzn.to/3hJUnDc
@@PowerToolsWithThread Thanks for the information. Unfortunately, I'm an Apple only type of person. I understand I could purchase a stand-a-lone CD player that would plug into a USB port on my laptop but to be honest, the CD technology has been on its way out for quite some time, that is why so many new laptops are being built without them. I love Kimberbell designs but I really think they are losing tons of business by not providing a downloadable version. Thanks again for the information.
Yep! I was planning on handing it to you in Austin on the 20th bc you said you would be there when we had lunch. lol If not, I will put it in the mail to you.
