Ann The Gran Community

I live in East Tennessee about halfway between Knoxville and Chattnooga. I bought a Brother PE-150 in 2001, not knowing anything about ME or knowing anyone with one. I did not take any classes. I read the Brother book and just started playing with my embroidery machine. My granddaughter called my magic machine. I love making vests and have one for different holidays and seasons. I use old denim jeans and cut them into patches and sew them together, both with right sides facing and wrong sides facing and fraying them. I recently tried cut work on a spring vest. I learned about Ann The Gran by over hearing two clerks talking about the site in a fabric shop. I ordered an Ultimate Box and started downing free designs from the internet.I have made quilts with embroided designs,put designs on the pockets of my pants and anything else I sew on. I started sewing at age five and continue.

Hello tnmomaw,

Welcome to the ATG site,and certainly hope we here more about you and your adventures. It is wonderful that you found this site to start with! There is a wealth of information awaiting you in here,not to mention some great tips and wonderful blogs.You should post a picture of your vests,and maybe a quilt or two,many would like to see them.

When you have a moment of free time just go out there and google embroidery sites,you will be amazed how many there really are.Another good one is at: www.dzgns.com .You can sign up for Eileen Roche's digital magazine,there are a lot of interesting articles and lots of freebee designs,not to mention all the wonderful ideas she has to offer.

Again,welcome and enjoy!

Hummmmm!  Sounds a lot like how I got hooked.  I saw the PE 150 at a local Walmart and thought, why not!  I didn't know why either.  But that was '02 and boy, have things changed.  There are now forums like this one and more products than anyone could possibly remember.  Since we decided to move to the boonies, the forums have been my salvation......(a little over the top??) 

Since that first encounter I have updated to a Babylock Ellegante...my husband thought it a better deal than a lesser machine and who am I to argue!

It seems as though the most perplexing part of machine embroidery is digitizing.  I have done some very simple items, my son has done muscle cars from photos he had taken and a few other guy things.  He does excellent art work, but quit - too time consuming when you have a day job and are a single parent.

I recently bought John Deer's book on digitizing.  His history is amazing as are the old photos of his grandparents and their factory with the huge industrial embroidery machines.

I also subscribe to two machine embroidery magazines for projects to try and updates on the latest and greatest!

I just joined this forum and am looking forward the the newsletter and more discussions!

Happy stitching - everyone!

Pattiann,

In the "digitizing" forum, Carol (alssweetheart) contributed a post with links to websites where you can download trials of digitizing software.  I've already downloaded one and am trying it out.  Most have a three to four week trial period.  Some are for very simple design changes and some give the ability to start from scratch.   This is a great way to test drive before you buy.

Linda

I too got into ME by accident.  (Really, accident, hospitalized for 15 days.) 

I wanted to do something different and fun.  I cannot remember where I saw my first ME.  That is funny because I have since found that it is a significant and joyous part of my life. 

The one thing I do remember vividly is that I kept wanting more and more, both in designs and machines.  A new Baby Lock is due out in about 4 to 6 weeks and I am trying not to look toward that.

Thanks for all the great friendships and sharing I have received with ME.

Pat

If you like vests....use you favorite vest pattern to make interchangable backs and tops. Make your shoulder seams and side seams  about 1" longer. Finish the back and fronts separately.  Put 3 button holes on each of the vest front shoulders and 4 button holes  on each of the front sides. On the back you put your 3 buttons on each shoulder and 4 buttons along the sides(remember you will need both sides ofthe side and back  seams to have buttons on them)  If you make each piece reversable you can have many looks and not take up much closet space.  When I made my first one, I used a tan for one side of the back and a black for the other.  It does'nt take long before every idea you have ever had turns up in a vest. I think one of my favorites is one I made for fall with a leaf print for one side of the back and Halloween print  for the other. I have  multiple fronts for fall harvest, Halloween, Thankgiving..With all the machine embroidery Ann's has you could be busy for years. Happy sewing....

I got into ME about 7 years ago. I don't know if anyone is familiar with Quacker Factory clothing on QVC, but the clothing all has sparkles and embroidery. I thought to myself, " I could make that if I had an embroidery machine". I did some research and bought my first Brother ULT. It was great because I had my first grandchild and I could make use of the built in Disney designs. The shop I purchased it from did not have very informative sales help so I sought the internet and books for help. I learned a lot and have been busy downloading designs and embroiderying mainly clothing for my grandchildren. My husband belongs to a few R/C airplane clubs and I have been embroiderying hats and shirts for the members, and making a few bucks to buy some supplies. I don't have any shops nearby so I buy on-line for my supplies. I did however find a shop in PA ( I live in NJ). I called one day to ask about ordering something and got talking to the owner. He asked if I saw the new Brother Duetta 4500. Need I say more. I traded my ULT in a minute! Love, love, the new machine.  ME has wonderful helpful people out there. This website proves it!

I really enjoy reading all this information.

Pattiann-If you are watching this thread, I would enjoy an occasional tidbit from John Deer's book.  Those are all so loaded with great information.

Pat