
Can I do freehand machine embroidery with ANY machine?
I’m buying a sewing machine tomorrow and it’s between a Singer and a Brother. The brother is slightly cheaper, but on the specification it doesn’t say if you can do freehand machine embroidery with it. Is it still possible to do some with it?
No, not every machine can do free motion embroidery! Only machines that have the option to lower the feed dogs, and also have a darning/free motion foot. The foot may not come with the machine, but it has to be an optional accessory.
Unlike one person said Brother and Singer are NOT always crap. Some are, the cheap ones purchased at mass discount stores like Wal-Mart may not be the greatest, but usually they are not terrible for a beginner. I just purchased a high end Brother from a local sewng store in October and am in love with it, I bought it to replace my 10 year old Brother then a local “repair man” broke. Don’t be turned off by the name like some say. If you buy a super- cheap model from Wal-mart you would be unhappy no matter what the brand. What models are you looking at?
Many machines will not SAY they can do free motion, but on the manufacturers site (always check out the website first to see the machine options, extra accessories, sometimes even a copy of the manual) it will list a darning foot or free-motion foot as either coming with the machine or being an optional accessory. That will tell you that it can do free motion, even if no where does it say “this machine can do free motion embroidery.”
There are many websites that features reviews of sewing machines, after you narrow down what model and brand you want search for reviews for it. Also check the sewing section, general sewing, then sewing machines, at www.craftster.org you can search an see if anyone has posted about that same machine.
Any machine can do random zigs and zags and large scribbles, it’s a matter of how well, and if it can do details that truly makes it free motion.
Hope this helps, and I hope you love your new machine!
Free Machine Embroidery Tutorial / Demo
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Nesco/American Harvest FD-80 Square-Shaped Dehydrator $59.94 Easy-to-use dehydrator for drying fruit, vegetables, herbs and jerky. Lay out jerky strips with ease. Includes spices and cure packets. U.S.A. Shape: Square, Watts: 700, Top Mount Fan: Yes, Tray included: 4, Adjustable Thermostat: Yes, Handle Type: Bale, Exterior Color: White, Dimensions L x W x H (in.): 14 1/2 x 14 1/2 x 10… |
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Plaid Stencil Cutter $10.70 This stencil cutter makes it easy to turn your own designs into one-of-a-kind stencils. Trace along your intricate design lines on a blank stencil with the easy to use curved tip and for more broad or straight designs use the straight tip. When the cutter is not in use it can be rested on the included wire stand…. |
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Singer Assorted Safety Pins, Multisize, 50-Count $0.74 SINGER-50 safety pins made of steel in assorted sizes. Sizes 1 2 and 3 are included. 1-1/6 to 2 in length. Warning: this is a sharp product. Keep away from children…. |
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Martha Pullen’s Fancywork: Vintage Clothing Care and Repair, Most Beloved Embroidery Stitches, Padded Satin Stitch by Machine $9.98 Vintage Clothing: Martha Pullen shares vintage clothing and lines (restoration, preservation, reproduction, and dying). Hand Embroidery: Margaret Boyles teaches the most beloved heirloom embroidery stitches by hand. Padded Satin Stitch: Claudia Newton teaches a “brand new” technique for heirloom padded satin stitch by machine…. |
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Sewing with Nancy: Stitching Strategies Nancy Zieman, hostess of TV’s Sewing With Nancy, and Philip Pepper, Pfaff creative sewing specialist, bring the 3-part series on Stitching Strategies to you in this 60 minute video. Highlights: - Using sewing machine built-in decorative stitches - Setting up your sewing machine for machine embroidery - Choosing and using appropriate stabilizers - Making an embellished Christmas stocking - Combinin… |
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Carefree Machine Embroidery “Sewing with Nancy by Nancy Zieman and Barb Prihoda, Carefree Machine Embroidery, a 60 minute Video…..” [from the cover of case] “This is the NTSC format 1VHS. No booklet. But, playable with multisystem VHS Players and Televisions in the world too…!” [from the experience]… |
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Creating Machine Embroidery with Alison Holt $44.95 In this 3+ Hour Workshop DVD from Studio Galli, Master Embroiderer Alison Holt demonstrates her most requested techniques for producing flowers, foliage, and landscapes — equally effective on plain and hand-painted fabrics. Working with just Straight Stitch and Zigzag Stitches, Alison shows how to achieve artistic results with a basic sewing machine. She then goes on to develop depth and co… |
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A Day of Threadplay with Libby Lehman $21.77 This 75 minute DVD of Libby Lehman, doing her thing with threads, is a must for every quilter’s library. Watch Libby in her studio demonstrate: Potluck Applique; Sheer Ribbon Illusions; and Sheer Fabric Play. Also includes Libby’s Best Sewing Tips…. |
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Quilting Arts Workshop Master Machine Quilting: Free-Motion Stitching and Thread Sketching with Susan Brubaker Knapp $16.99 Susan teaches you the basics of free-motion machine stitching, including thread work to enhance the surface and quilting to hold the layers together beautifully. Find out what materials you’ll need and how to get started. Beginners and intermediates–and those who have been too terrified to try until now–will find inspiration and answers, as well as lots of tips, techniques, and practical informa… |
