Hello Hello fellow AnntheGran Embroiderers & New Orlando Circle of Friends!!!! :):):),
Who Am I?
For those of you who attended the VERY SPECIAL 1st annual AnntheGran's convention in Orlando in April, you may remember me...it was pretty hard to miss my loud scream and waving arms when I won the grand prize of the Brother PE 700 embroidery machine!!!! I'm Cathy from Oregon who went to Community Circle to see if I indeed wanted to get into 'machine embroidery' as a hobby. As far as I know, I was the only one there who did not have a machine....most of you have MORE than 1!!!!!! Yikes.
What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
I KNEW it was beautiful, but I had also heard it was VERY addictive and very expensive... SO before I invested in buying a machine I googled the topic and found AnnTheGran right off the bat....along with several other sites that had 'designs'..oh my goodness..the designs!!!!! I fell completely in love with the BEAUTIFUL and also beyond CUTE designs that are 'out there'. I seriously wanted to 'try' it...but didn't know which machine, etc etc etc.to buy. ( I had a couple of 'tries' which I will share later...)
Magic Moments
When I saw the upcoming event in Orlando and talked to my husband Ethan about it, we decided to make a vacation out of it...and the rest is history as they say. When I found out at Community Circle that the Brother PE 700 was going to be given out as a prize...I thought, WOW, wouldn't THAT be nice to win, and lo and behold, I DID win it!!! I want to personally thank those of you who had the presence of mind ( mine was long gone ) to take some photos of that drawing......the outstretched arms with the wide wide smile says it all. Thanks for sharing those. I will have that magic moment captured forever. THANKS!!!! I just can't put into words what it was like winning that machine and THEN to have SO many of you SINCERELY happy that I won (.....and not you.) You are an AMAZING group of women ( and gents ) and I can hardly wait to get to know you better through this site....and at next year's Community Circle...(hint hint, Ann).
Scary Stuff
Since I am BRAND new to machine embroidery and literally am starting from scratch, and I think because I am not very shy, Ann's Beamish Boy contacted me after I got home to see if I would be willing to write a blog to share my "new adventures" in this "new passion" with the 'group'!!!! I was very flattered but to do a 'blog was as intimidating as trying to ME (machine embroider) for the 1st time...but his rationale was that if I can learn to do it, anyone can. I am not a sewer either and I did not have space dedicated to the hobby...but I'm working on it.
Temporary Home for my Machine
Before Orlando, my husband was about 80% done building me a new art studio out in the country. It was a dream to have a dedicated space to 'play' since I took early retirement. (from teaching after 28 years). I didn't want to take my new machine and materials into a space that needed to be sheet-rocked and painted etc., and the building is now about 90% done, but after winning the machine I made a 'new design' for the upstairs'....my poor husband...but it IS going to work and I will actually end up with a dedicated room just for machine embroidery. I can HARDLY wait...but in the meantime, I am using my office. Have a look at the photo to the right.
My First Project!
I actually DID my very 1st project yesterday and it brought tears to my eyes. (tears of joy). I was just THRILLED ....I used the Brother machine, Madeira magenta thread on black material that I had pre-washed and ironed. Thank goodness I found a willing teacher who worked me in for a private lesson yesterday. She's worth her weight in gold. I made my share of mistakes (broken needle, got side-tracked and the initials messed up), but it was under the watchful eye of Wendy my teacher and it turned out to be good that it happened at her store rather than here at home.
Join Me on My Journey
So, a LOT has happened since a month ago in Orlando....& I will write as long as you like. I hope you'll join me on my journey of learning through this new world, and help me along the way when I need it.
I'm so excited about this blog!! I just purchased my Brother PE-700 a week and a half ago. I'm BRAND new to machine embroidery and sometimes find myself lost in the maze of stabilizer, spray, and goodness knows what else. I've just kind of ducked my head and got going. We'll see what happens!
I enjoyed your "trip".
WOW, Cathy, I love your title for your Blog. I remember my first project and had the very same feelings. I will be watching this exciting Blog for newbie information as well as your ideas and thoughts.
After 7 years of embroidering, I still get a thrill out of a beautiful design that sews out to perfection.
Pat
I am soooo glad to see Cathy start this journey! I bought my Brother machine at least a year ago, but with work & school, had little time to be very adventurous. I'll be finished with school soon and am ready to learn from Cathy's adventures.
Have fun Cathy! I'll be following you every step of the way!
What an amazing story. You were obviously destined to create embroideries on your machine. I too am reasonably new to ME having bought an ex demo Husqvarna Des 1 machine which I love. I also find it a maze to get to grips with the stabilisers and sprays etc but am persevering. The designs inspire you don't they?
Good luck! Have fun!
Congratulations Cathy on not only winning the machine, but for writing such an interesting blog. I think this is a wonderful idea and I know that I will learn a lot right along with you even though I have been doing ME for a number of years. I was very happy to see someone to win the machine that had no clue about this wonderful art. Keep up the good sewing and blogging. I too will be following your blog.
I too love the title of your blog. I have been doing ME just a little over 2 years and still very much confused over lots of things but am having the time of my life. Its fun and exciting to create something and then see the faces when you give it as a gift. Have had my ups and downs just like everybody else and several projects in the trash but I keep hanging. Am exciting about taking this "crash course" with you.
i got my machine with an unexpected super payout when i retired bought galaxie 2100 in dubbo 120 k away no lessons because of distance worked it out and then lo and behold a seminar from anne the gran in sydney off i went with hubby in toe i picked up the basics and learned not to be afraid to try things always test on same fabric enjoy i have 16 grandkids 3 kids and 1 great they all get things from nan
What a great story. I am a newy to machine embroidery. I have a Janome 350e and having a girlfriend coming over to help me in a few days time. I am soooooo excited, but have been scatching my head to know about patterns from the net and getting to unzip etc. But with my friend I am sure by the end of day I will be shouting with excitement and making all sorts of things for presents.
THANK YOU to each & every one of you who took the time to write me!!!!
I just opened up this page and am THRILLED to see so many responses already!!!! If I knew how to make individual thank you and comments, I would...
but I am new on my Apple computer too!
THANKS SO MUCH!!! It is such a NEAT surprise!!!
Cathy aka TravelBug/Crash Course Cathy
Enjoyed your blog and so happy for you. I have the janome 11000 but also still catching onto the new machine. Keep up the good work
I will be reading your blog also. My hubby and I went out for dinner tonight (early Mother's Day meal) and after three months of keeping it a secret I accidently left the receipt laying out for my new Husqvarna. OOPS. His face looked a little greenish white when he said he couldn't believe that I spent that much on a machine. Oh well, I might as well enjoy it now that I dove in!! Keep up the good work. Looking forward to your adventures!
Cathy, This blog is great. Now I can go along with your ME journey. I'm one of the crowd that have more than one machine and was so happy that you won. I too loved the photo of you with your arms outstretched and the look of joy on your face. Good luck and keep blogging. Joyce
Hello Cathy. So glad you will be doing a Blog for the embroidery community. I think everyone at the Community Circle was THRILLED that a newcomer had won a machine!! I too retired early (but, after 40 years of corporate) and immediately searched out my second machine; which ended up to be a Brother Innov-is 4000D. In love!! However, cannot give up my original Brother PE-400D. It's a sickness. Enjoy your new hobby, learning the computer and most of all your retirement. Will look forward to seeing your projects as they evolve. Oh and could you send your husband to do a studio for me as well???!!!! Good Luck.
Joan/NJ
I'm new to ME as well, I've just purchased a Brother PR600 and I'm now trying to get to grips with the PE Design software!!! Trouble is I want to do complicated things rather than start with something easy.
I got my machine about 2 weeks ago. So true, it is addicting, expensive and overwhelming. I look forward to learning with you.
I too enjoyed your blog. I'm a newbie to ME too - about 2 months, with a Brother Innovis 4500D. I've had fun and a few frustrations so far, like you, getting boggled by what thread, what stabilizer to use when, broken needles etc. I was excited to see that you will be doing a beginner's blog that will help me and lots of others who are new!! (Hector, I can identify. I've tried to start with things a bit too complicated for a newbie too.)
I too am new at machine embroidery. I bought a Bernina 630 about 6 months ago and I am having fun. I am still learning the softwear and all the things that can be done. I am sure I am going to love you blog. It think it might help with many questions that I have.
I just love all your comments and am very happy to be a part of all of this. I would still like to see a very "easy" way to bind a quilt if anyone has any ideas. I put so much time into making the quilt but, when I get to the binding I just simply freak out....I am not really a stupid person just not very experienced. Thank you and all have a Happy Mothers day....Jo
I've had a Janome for 15 years and am still learning! I'm on my third Janome, the 10001. There is simply no end to what can be done on these wonderful machines!
Cathy - You are rocking the ME world with this blog!
ME is a rapidly growing craft and the response to your blog shows it quite clearly.
Check out my Blog, here at Annthegran, "Avid Embroiderer." You will find items for newbies as well as the more seasoned embroiderer.
Actually, "more seasoned" means we have made more mistakes than a newbie!!!! LOL
Great to have someone share the newby experiences. My dear friend and I both purchased Brothers 4000D recently. We are sharing our learning and now we have someone else to share and learn with. Thanks for your efforts and your happy enthusiasm. It's good to be at the point in life where we can "play"
with such nifty toys. I have myJanome serger, my Janome 4900 and the Brother 4000D all set up in my sewing room. I sometimes find myself using all three on a little project. Is this living or what??!!
Great start, Cathy! I knew when I got that first multi-page e-mail from you that we were going to have a hit on our hands if we introduced you to the embroidery world! Can't wait for everyone else to hear some of the great stories I've already heard from you, and some more that I haven't.
What a great blog. Congratulation on your win!! I have been ME'ing for only a few months, taking my time, but yes it is an interesting, expensive and addicting hobby!!!! lol. Thanks for taking the time to share your newbie expereinces, I'm sure I wIll learn from you.
AND SO THE ADVENTURE AND FUN BEGINS AS IT DID FOR US ALL...I TAKE OUT MY FIRST PROJECTS FOR LAUGHS...ENJOY
Cathy, I hope you made your new room with a large storage closet for you fabric stash. It is pretty bad when the ladies at the fabric shop all know you like you are family and your husband cringes everytime he sees a Hancock's sack. He wants to know just where I think I can put just one more piece of fabric.
An embroiderer can never have too much fabric in her stash. Enjoy your new machine.
so enjoyed your thoughts as I am also a retired teacher and trying something very new to me... lots of ups and downs so far in the last 2 months... will be anxious to follow your adventures...
Way to go Cathy. You are an inspiration to all. I look forward to your adventures. Keep up the good work
YFA,
Linda
Cathy - It seems like lots of us here are previous teachers. How strangely interesting. Maybe it is tied to our love of seeing growth, discovery and beautiful beginnings.
Way to go Cathy!! Congrats again on the win of the machine.It just had your name on it from the start ! the blog is wonderful and am envious of you to have found so much help to get you off to a great start.Most of my ME education was trail and error,more error than trial at the beginning.Thank Goodness for ATG as she and others on the site got me thru some pretty rough times,not to mention tossing the machine out the back door!
Anyway,congrats on the new blog,it is great,am looking forward to reading more about your experiences.
How cool that you, a newbie, won the machine. Like everyone says it grows on you. I've been MEing for several years and have been very fortunate to have a local dealership that has tons of classes. I still go to some of the beginner ones because there is always some new way of doing things that is easier, faster, cheaper.....Well, not too often cheaper, but I can pretend.
Enjoy your new machine and I look forward to revisiting this blog. What a great idea. Oh,, I have a Brother 4000D and absolutely love it. We won't talk about how many other machines, thread and fabric there is that is now growing into a 2nd room.
I'm not branching out and trying my hand at digitizing. Guess all those hours watching patterns sew out will come in handy. Any PE Designers out there who can share good links?
I too attended the first Community Circle in Orlando and watching you receive your prize of the sewing machine made my heart leap for joy for you. I too love the ME and all that goes with it. I am fairly new to ordering on online, and all that goes with ME. Learn all you can with the buddy system and it gets easier.
Jandeet Hockenberry
Congratulations Cathy!! You must be destined for ME. For the only person in the room without a machine to win the grand prize was just wonderful!!
I will be following your progress, it's a wonderful journey!!
Alssweetheart
Congratulations! ME is new to me also but I enjoy every minute of it - Frustrating but I just keep trying. I would like HELP with BuzzTools!!!!
I have the Brother PE700 as well. I have had it for over a year and am self taught. I managed to do some great things last Christmas. I look forward to reading your blogs and progress with you through the wonderful world of ME. Sue
Congrats, Cathy! and welcome to the world of embroidery. Does your poor husband know that he will see even less of you now and HE will have to learn how to cook (if he doesn't already know) :))) I've been embroiderying for almost a year now & still learning all the stabilizers, etc. Can't wait to here more of your adventures. Wished I was retired so I had more time!!
Rae
Hi..How are you..I am 'old hat' to embroidery..I have been doing machine embroidery since 1991...I worked at a professional embroidery shop in the beginning..after the store closed...I bought a Bernina 600..Then a few years ago, I bought a BROTHER INNOVIS 4000-D ..It is an amazing machine that does sewing and embroidery...It is the best machine that I have ever owned..Machine embroidery is very addictive....I suggest that you get a large notebook binder..also buy a package of clear plastic sleeves..or clear pockets..I do my samples on felt and put them into sleeves and add them to the notebook..you may also add a package of dividers so you can develop catagories for your samples ..You can attach the sample to a sheet of paper.Include on the paper the thread colors and weight and brand..Also include the needle size and brand..also include information where is the design,and if on computer, where is the file..ENJOY..Diane-Ruston, LA
I have been enjoying your blog, Cathy, and also the comments...the last comment on May 17 is very helpful to me, personally!
I just got an embroidery machine for Christmas this year and have been doing a little experiementing. It is a slow process, since I work full time.
Do any of you have any experience with the Singer-Futura 250? My husband purchased it for me as a gift completely "out of the blue"! I didn't even know the world of ME existed!! It is facinating and I'm looking forward to trying several things.....Like you, Cathy, I thought making lace would be the most difficult....I am anxious to try it, now!!