Properly threading the sewing machine is the first step to having a machine that will sew correctly.

Whenever you are threading a sewing machine, one basic rule to every sewing machine is to thread the machine with the presser foot up.

When the presser foot is raised, the tension disks are disengaged. Being disengaged allows the thread to go in to the tension disks and seat properly.

If you try to thread the machine with the presser foot down, the tension disks are engaged or tight and will not ...
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Is your embroidery machine too tense, a little high-strung, always going off at the smallest thing? Or is it too laid back, lackadaisical and lazy about its job? Or is it on a nice even, steady-as-she-sews path?

If the top thread tension is off on your machine, your embroidery will never be right, no matter how diligent you are about changing needles, choosing thread, hooping and selecting only quality digitized designs. Your work will not be up to par if the top thread tension is out.

Here's h...
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Embroidery tip about matching your customers thread colours:  Never show your customer the entire embroidery thread chart from your thread distributor. Create your own colour chart using only the colours that you normally carry in stock.  The average embroidery shop owner carries about 30 colours in stock. Any other colour will be a special order. Some embroiderers, when starting off, have been persuaded by their distributor to order the entire assortment of threads in small cones.  Firstly, ...
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WASHING INSTRUCTIONS
The most embroidery thread colours are wash- and boil-fast.  For best results, however, the following care is recommended:  In case of the same pattern and order, it is necessary for customers to use the very threads complied with an equal Lot No. (Especially, when used in (right and left), symmetrically patterned-embroidery for clothes).
All embroidered items should be washed with mild detergents containing no additives or bleaching agents such as chlorine, peroxide or so...
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A good way for beginners (or those who knew and forgot) to check their tensions is to look at the back of the embroidery. About 1/3 of the thread - the center third -should be bobbin. If the bobbin thread spreads to the edge, then either your top tension is too tight, or your bobbin tension is too loose. Conversely, if not very much bobbin shows, your top tension is too loose or your bobbin tension is too tight.

If you have more than one needle per head, here is how you can determine which ten...
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The small tubes of rayon, and even some of the older cones as well, can be a bit tricky to work with. The thread has a tendency to want to come off the tube in one large pile. As a result the thread gets caught underneath the remaining thread on the tube, causing thread breaks.

One technique to avoid this problem is to use a thread coaster or create your own. Similar to a beverage coaster, a thread coaster provides a surface for the thread on the tube to sit on, preventing it from getting tra...
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Avoid switching thread types on your machine if you can possibly help it. An example would be to use polyester thread in black on one job and rayon thread in black for another job. The machine tensioners actually get used to one type of thread and like a child, it has fits when you make a change in its habits!

It is better to stick to one thread type. Your tension requirement for polyester is much tighter than for rayon and if you are constantly changing thread types; so is your tension and i...
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How you store your extra cones of thread is very important. The thread that is not on your embroidery machine should be stored covered and away from dust and sunlight. Cones should always be stored standing in their upright position with the end of the thread attached to the bottom of the cone. If you do not have a holder on your thread cone for the end of the thread to fit into, wind up the thread and attach the end with a piece of masking tape to the bottom plastic portion of your cone. Nev...
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Dark coloured articles such as towels can be difficult to embroider.

Firstly, it is important to decide whether the design is to be a prominent feature on the article or merely used to break the monotony of the fabric's texture.  If the embroidery is to be a prominent feature, a contrasting colour is recommended eg.a yellow on a dark brown, or a leaf green or gold on black.  A good rule of thumb is to use a warm colour on a cool one or vice versa.

If the embroidery's function is to break the m...
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Rayon and Polyester are the most common embroidery threads. Always choose a good quality thread to ensure the best results with your embroidery.

Rayon Threads

Rayon is the one of the favoured threads among professional embroiderers.  It is a soft thread, available in great colours and suitable for all forms of machine embroidery.  Rayon thread holds up well with high-speed stitching without breaking or fraying and it also consistently performs well.  It is easily available in many embroidery st...
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Avoid switching thread types on your machine if you can possibly help it. An example would be to use polyester thread in black on one job and rayon thread in black for another job. The machine tensioners actually get used to one type of thread and like a child, it has fits when you make a change in its habits!

It is better to stick to one thread type. Your tension requirement for polyester is much tighter than for rayon and if you are constantly changing thread types; so is your tension...
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If you have ever had problems with stitches that come out after you've trimmed thread tails or jump stitches, check the design on screen.

Zoom in and look at your "tie off" or "lock stitches" at the end of the letter, design or colour change. Sometimes they're non-existent, which explains why the raveling is taking place.

Often they are placed one on top of the other, so what you really get is a knotted thread extending from the fabric and design. It's all too easy to clip this off, plus, it d...
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Many things on an embroidery machine can cause thread breaks, but not all are obvious.

BACKING - Excessive backing material used by inexperienced operators can cause thread breaks. If an operator uses three to four sheets of backing, stiffer embroidery is the result, but it also applies a great deal of friction to the needle, causing thread breaks. Needle drag is when backing is too thick and rigid; it normally is abrasive or adhesive, causing "drag" on the needle. The needle overheats and con...
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Even though machines have been designed and constructed to prevent production problems, thread break will occur and can be a troublesome to many embroiders. There are some simple solutions to keep them to a minimum.

There are actually many elements that can cause thread breaks such as:

For the top thread

• there is a scratch on the hole of the top plate;
• the machine is not threaded correctly;
• the thread is trapped under the spool;
• the wrong needle selection has been made;
• there is oil or dust in the b...

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My first job in the embroidery industry was as a machine technician. More specifically, I was a phone support (or Help Desk) technician. Some of the toughest calls I would get were from people dealing with thread break issues with their machines.

That sounds like it would be an easy call, but there are so many things that can cause the thread to break that it is tough to narrow it down in just a phone call, especially if the person on the other end hasn’t really paid attention to when it i...
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That which distinguishes two of the same embroidery designs from each other, is the use of colour.  Everyone seems to think that someone is going to knock on their door with a search warrant if they don't use the exact colours a designer used in the test sew out or the colour numbers used in the stitch directions.

Not so. If you don't think outside the box and use the colours that you enjoy, or just prefer, you are really missing the real fun of machine embroidery! Not only do you expand your ...
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