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It seems that hardly a month passes without one of the sewing machine manufacturers announcing the latest, greatest machine with whizzy new software for the embroidery unit. So what exactly do these machines do? Are they worth the investment?
Almost all the machines are dual purpose, a good quality sewing machine with the option of 'bolting on' a unit that will stitch out your design when the purpose-built frame is attached. The exception is the POEM embroidery machine which does nothing but programmed stitching and is probably the entry level machine in this market. It stitches perfectly satisfactorily but the software that controls it needs some investment in time. The POEM is actively computer-driven using software which is available for PC, Mac or Acorn, and will not work on a stand-alone basis as a sewing machine. Mac and newer Acorn software is 'best guess' and hence, highly suitable for schools. Much of the PC (and older Acorn) software is, however, complex and unsuitable.
The Bernina Bernette Deco is also a dedicated embroidery machine - no sewing machine option - but, instead of being computer driven, it comes with its own scanning device which writes to a card. The stitch quality is excellent, as you would expect from Bernina.
The Pfaff Creative 7570 is the only sewing (as distinct from embroidery) machine having software for both the PC and the Mac. It also has the best range of automatic patterns. Its software led the field in Windows technology but needs dedicated application to learn.
The Brother Super Galaxie can be fussy over metal thread but, with its very large screen, has an excellent system for placing motifs. It also comes with an (optional) large hoop. The software is cumbersome and hard work to understand fully. However, although definitely not intuitive, it is relatively easy to 'pick up' its use sufficiently, for example, for stitching simple scanned designs. It writes a card through a PC parallel port link to the card writer provided.
The Janome Memory Craft gives you a choice of machine, the 5000 or the 9000; the 9000 is by far the better. The dedicated scanning device is usable with either machine. It can be linked to a PC (serial port) thus giving the best of both worlds, the scanner then acting as a card writer. The scanner is quick to use and gives a good result. The software is not sophisticated - point and click - but does the job well and is very simple. The machine itself is solid, heavy to carry but virtually indestructible.
1. Screen-shot of Janome Easy-Scan software showing design composed of lettering.
2. Part of
a stitched sample based on 1, with lettering used as both background and border.
You can see the stitched sample (51K) and details
(120K) from it.
The Husqvarna Orchidea has a good choice of pre-programmed cards of excellent designs. The one that comes with the machine is very useful with some lovely large quilting patterns. The software is quite easy to use once its basics have been learned. The customizing software is standard with the embroidery unit and has some useful building, flipping and sizing facilities. The digitizing software is much more complex and unsuitable for the classroom. As with the Brother, the Husqvarna writes a card through a PC parallel port link to the card writer provided.
3. Screen-shot of Husqvarna Customizing software showing design based on African source.
4. Hat produced
from 3. Design stitched directly on fabric and also applied as slips.
View details (51K) of the hat.
Latest on the scene is the Bernina Artista 180C and it is everything we have come to expect from Bernina. The sewing machine is good but the on-board computer slows it down. The stitch quality of the embroidered motifs is excellent, with a very large stitch area. The software is mightily expensive but is brilliant and can be used to save stitch formats for use on the Pfaff, Brother and Husqvarna machine embroidery units. It is surprisingly easy to use at a simple level with lots of options for further experiment. This machine links directly to a PC serial port (which involves putting the machine next to the computer - not always easy). However, Bernina promise that the card option will soon be available.
Having said all this, only the POEM and, to a lesser extent, the Bernette Deco, are within the reach of many school budgets. Indeed, many schools seem to have POEMs but, with the complex PC and unreliable (older) Acorn software, they often aren't used. The others are all expensive with software which is additionally costly.
Whichever machine is used, the secret ingredient is the willingness of the user to experiment. Try new fabrics - dissolvable ones can give super results - stitch on net, velvet or lace and experiment with threads and tensions.
Maggie Grey is editor of The World of Embroidery magazine. In addition, she runs workshops and gives talks. Her interests range from computer design and stitch to decorated fabrics and hand stitching.
Designs and embroidery by Maggie Grey; all text and images © M. Grey. All rights reserved.
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