Evolution of the Blog

After thinking about what I am about to post, I've come to realize that this Blog will necessarily evolve to cover anything that I will do or skills that I learn using my Viking in general and not just the embroidery side of it.   I do a better job of remembering things if I take notes, and even better if I can find those notes in the future!  So here it is...

DH wanted a favorite T-shirt repaired that had a large hole torn in it.  Not my favorite thing to do, but I thought I would give a new way of mending a shot and see what this machine can do. 

I have some fusible web on hand from another project, so ironed a square on the back side of the T-shirt, a large enough piece to overlap the large U-shaped tear.  I had to pull the edges of the tear together as I ironed on the web.  I then hooped the shirt in an ordinary wooden embroidery hoop and slipped this under the clear, open-toe foot that I chose to use.   I chose a matching thread for the top and bobbin.

Selecting 'stretch light' fabric, the machine recommended the 75 stretch needle, and the A foot.  (I used the clear open toe foot).  For a stitch, I selected the 1:21.  Then positioning the needle about one half inch behind the tear, I pushed 'start'... then after passing the tear by one half inch, I pushed the return button.  the machine did the rest; making the back and forth mend stitches according to my programmed length, moving over with each pass.  The machine automatically stops after a certain number of passes.  I had to repeat this process several times to mend all three sides of the tear.  This was perfect and so easy to do! 

Kaleidoscope Kreator

Hadn't thought much about it since I added it to my mental 'wish list', but finally picked up a copy of Kaleidoscope Kreator software.  I have had some fun playing around with photos since then, and have a few ideas about printing creations on printable fabric and adding them to wall quilts.  So far my favorite subjects are from the garden; either floral or insects (mostly butterflies).

March Embroidery Club Meeting

Our second Embroidery Club meeting was this afternoon.  I was a little more prepared...had an idea of what to expect, and Teach had given us our project assignment ahead of time: we were to make an embroidered binder cover.  This binder will hold all of the papers and notes from Embroidery Club.  I thought to myself, "Hey this will be my chance to get creative and experiment with what I have learned so far on my 4D Design software!"  Of course, I didn't get to it until the morning of , but I already had an idea of what I was going to do.

Here is the work in progress. At this point, I already knew that I was not happy with it and would do it over at home. The problem is with the floral 'frame' that I selected to use as part of my design. I did not make any  changes other than resizing the frame itself, but as it was stitched out, it became obvious to me that there are flaws in the original design. A couple of people have told me that as I begin to do more with this, I will find that there are differences in the skills of different designers. Part of my 'fun' will be making changes and corrections to suit my needs.

If you look closely, you might be able to see that on the upper left and the lower right quadrant of the frame, that the flower blossom is kind of bunched up and screwy...lines also seem broken or missing.  It does not really look like a flower at all.  Harder to see, is that the leaves on one side of those blossoms were only stitched with a single pass.  The lines are not as thick as on the rest of the 'frame'  and don't stand out as well.  These are flaws that I will be able to correct with my 4D software as I become more proficient.  As for this one, I am not going to finish making it into the binder cover, but will start over with a new design.  We are 'required' to show our finished project at the next club meeting!

Notes From My Second 4D Software Lesson

Some pointers in answer to questions that I posed:

• It is important to back up all of my settings to a flash drive.  This is because if I ever have to reload the program for whatever reason I will still have all of my settings...including my threads which could be a huge project to reload at once, if I acquire a large variety of threads. 
• There are a couple of ways to resize a design.  One way (not the recommended way) is by using the black handles which maintains stitch count.  This is not good for density.  To maintain density, use the clear handles.  Either way, I would hold the control key and drag until I have the size that I want.  (And remember: always resize from the original!)
• When creating a design, color sort before combining lettering with a design. 
• Use the tab key to go between parts of a design before combining sets.

Quick Font Wizard:

• Using a Western character set will give me all of the characters that I would typically need to use. 
• Use 4 density.  The higher the number, the higher the density.
• Satin is better than fill for small letters.
• When using applique for letters, if I am using many small pieces of fabric (using up scraps?) it is best to use a running stitch.  If I have one large piece of fabric, then use a double stitch.
• Save whatever I create into 'My Fonts'.  Everything in there will be what I created.

Design Aligner:

• If I want to use just part of a design I can use Design Aligner to select it. Go to 'color select' and uncheck what I don't want. Then copy it to the clipboard. 

Roses Are Red

About two weeks ago I had my first 'one on one' orientation on the software with my tutor. This time was included with my purchase and for this I am very grateful!  I had not done much with the program since Christmas (it was a gift from DH).  I had looked through the manuals and DH had helped me to load it on the computer and also all of the upgrades that were already available online.   Actually doing anything was a little more intimidating at first.  It is very helpful for me to have that personal tutoring.  The manuals make more sense and I can also better understand the online video tutorials, now that I have had some time with it. 

I would recommend to anyone to take the time to watch and work through the online tutorials as many times as necessary until it becomes old hat.  The first one demonstrates how to make a design called 'Roses are Red'.  Through the process of creating, you will learn how to use these various design tools:  Shapes, Encore Hoop, Multi-Line Text, Letter Properties and ExpressDesign Wizard.

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My tutor also offered to me a number of her own pointers on using the software.  Some of which are probably not in any book or 'Help', but tricks that she has learned along the way.  I am sure that I missed some of the nitty gritty of her nuggets of info...  If I have misinterpreted anything, then I will come back and make corrections as soon as I figure it out.

• One thing I was told is that items could begin to disappear from my toolbar.  If this happens, then I have to close all modules and go to 4D Configure and click on 'reset modules'. 
• From my 'Machine Manager' I can go to Topaz 20 (my model) and go to Pfaff and load 'Creative Vision'.  Then I will be able to use their stitches in 4D to create embroideries.  I cannot use Pfaff directly on my machine. 
• When sending a file design from 4D to my flash drive, do not use the the 'send' function.  Use the 'save' icon instead.  The 'send' function sends it to a place on my flash drive that only has one space.  It is my understanding that it is like a temp file.  If I were to use it, then the next time I 'send' another file design to my flash drive, then the previous one will disappear.
• 'Monogram Wizard' and 'Family Portrait' are not included with 4D Professional.
• If I am going to resize a design, then use 'Stitch Editor'.
• Always resize  from an original so that the stitches and fills, etc. are not distorted.
• To take something off clipboard, use the 'print screen' button on my keyboard.
• Always center my design in 4D using 'center' icon on toolbar.  This centers the first and the last stitch.
• Round circles at the corners of my design frame means that I have confused the program.  The design is outside the hoop.  Use the 'center' icon on the toolbar to correct the problem.
• When the design is finished, right click to activate.
• Always use the default .vp3 when saving a design.  This will insure that all of the info goes with the design.  .vp3 is able to remember way more colors, the notes you have applied and any other info pertinent to the design. 

Another thing I found out after I got home and sat down to practice using the software is that the dongle has to be plugged in to use the 4D Embroidery program.  I tried without it at first and kept getting an error message:  'HASP key not found (H0007)'.  Due to my total unfamiliarity, I had to go online to the 4D Embroidery website and do a search.

Addendum: After reading some, I found out that the dongle is a 'security devise'.  I suppose this prevents someone from copying and sharing the software illegally.  Hey, this probably comes as no big revelation to the Geeks out there!

First Solo Flight

The first embroidery that I did at home without guidance a few months ago.  This design was included with my Topaz 20 and is one of my favorites.

Look at what I can do!

Last Fall my original plan was to buy a good quality sewing machine.  Machine embroidery was not even on my mind at the time.  I had never had a good machine before...having suffered through the last twenty-five years or more with a low end Singer purchased at the BX at Vandenberg AFB.  I was just about twenty years old and newly enlisted in the Air Force.   Fast forward to 2009: finally!  DH said, "Go get what you want"!  Well, here I am pushing fifty and now I get my good machine!  As for the embroidery bonus? Once I saw the selection of Husqvarna Vikings in the store and what they could do, I was hooked.  My Topaz 20, which I chose, not only gives me everything that I wanted in a sewing machine, but for only a bit more, I'm now having all this fun with machine embroidery!

The design above is one that Teach did for me on the day I picked up my machine back in October.