I didn’t know the first thing about Machine Embroidery when I was originally hired here at ME Time! In fact, I had never even heard of it. After months of encouragement from my co-workers, I finally broke down and attended one of our company “Sew Nights” to see for myself what the hype was all about. What a fateful night! I fell in love with Machine Embroidery almost immediately! It’s easy, relaxing, and your projects turn out beautifully. Nonetheless, there are a few things I had to learn the hard way that night. That’s why I’ve compiled a list of “Five Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting My First Machine Embroidery Project” to help other beginning machine embroiderers on their path to greatness! Enjoy!
1. Choose the right project. Save yourself some heartache, and purchase your design from a reputable brand. No one wants wonky instructions or a glitchy embroidery file screwing up their first project! With ME Time, you’ll receive everything you need delivered right to your doorstep, so you can start creating the moment you’re ready. Plus, our team of experts design and test each project to ensure it comes together beautifully (and easily!) on your home embroidery machine. You can learn more about ME Time’s subscription options here: https://metimedelivered.com/
2. Have the right tools handy. There are a few tools you’ll need for every project, big or small. I could have saved myself a trip to the Quilt Shop by stocking up on these items ahead of time. Here’s what you’ll need off the bat: Scissors, a mini-iron, a starch pen, stabilizer, and paper tape. All of these items are available to ME Time subscribers in the ME Time Store here: https://metimedelivered.com/store/. They will make your life “sew” much easier, believe me!
3. Know which stabilizer to use. The world of stabilizer can feel overwhelming at first. Luckily, your ME Time project instructions tell you exactly which stabilizer(s) you’ll need up front. From Light Mesh Cutaway to Fusible Backing, each type of stabilizer plays an important role in helping your project turn out as you imagined. You can learn more about the ins and outs of stabilizer in this helpful ME Time blog post: https://blog.metimedelivered.com/machine-embroiderers-guide-to-stabilizer
4. Trust your instructions. A few minutes into my first project, I got cocky and started skimming steps. ME Time is known for their incredible instructions and yet, I still seemed to think I knew better! Needless to say, chaos ensued. Trust your instructions and you can’t fail. They’ll guide you through each and every step with ease!
5. Learn the basics of your machine. Machine Embroidery is a wonderfully simple hobby once you get the hang of it. As long as you know how to 1) thread your machine, 2) start a step, 3) skip a step, and 4) restart a step, you’ll be golden. You can brush up on those things in your machine’s Operation Manual.
Machine embroidery is such a fun and satisfying hobby! It may seem intimidating at first, but trust me, it’s easier than it seems! I’ve stitched dozens of projects since that first “Sew Night” and don’t plan on slowing down. Follow these four simple tips and you’ll be well on your way to success! Happy stitching!
ABOUT ME TIME: Every machine embroiderer knows how frustrating it can be to find the time and materials to start a new project. ME Time delivers complete machine embroidery experiences right to your doorstep so you can start creating the moment you're ready!