The A-Z Guide to Sewing Machines: Embroidery (Pre-Set)

If you like machine-embroidered garments and soft furnishings, but don't wish to design and sew your own patterns as in free embroidery, a machine which has a good selection of pre-set embroidery stitches is a must for you. Besides a selection of utility stitches many machines have a variety of outline patterns and block patterns (e.g. patterns made up of satin stitches). Machine embroidery is neater and the fabric lies flatter, especially when fine fabric is being stitched, if a length of stitch and tear vilene or even ‘till roll’ is laid beneath the fabric prior to stitching. Tear this from the back of the fabric when stitching has been completed. A wing needle used with open embroidery stitches gives an effect similar to drawn thread work. The machine embroidery patterns on older machines needed a lot of adjustment, but modern machines sew the patterns at the touch of a button. Computerized machines will also link patterns together, e.g. a stem, then a leaf, then a flower, On some, over fifty different patterns or letters can be linked together — great for name tapes! These can then be memorized and recalled days later. On some models the patterns can be mirror-imaged. This is particularly useful for sewing a design where the motif needs to face in different directions. Some machines have the facility to elongate patterns without changing the density of the stitch, e.g. a small scallop can be elongated to saucer size.

The latest development, and by far the most impressive, is the facility on such machines as New Home (Janome) Memory Craft 8000 to sew large multi-colored satin stitch designs up to 70 x 125 cm (2¾ x 5 in) in size and using up to five different colors in a single motif. This was previously only possible on very expensive industrial machines.

The design is programmed into the machine by the use of memory cards. Each card contains numerous designs and several cards have been produced to date. It is easy to update the designs because new cards will be available periodically.

Once the design and colors have been chosen the fabric is put in a hoop and the start button is pressed (no foot control is necessary). You can sit back and have a cup of coffee, or read a book, since even the fabric doesn't need guiding through the machine! The machine stops automatically if the thread breaks or when a colour needs changing and at the end of a program.

If you wish to take this facility a step further an ‘add-on’ has been produced which can be likened to the scanners we are familiar with, which scan bar codes at supermarket check-outs.

This ‘scan and sew’ facility enables you to draw your own motif which is then scanned, in just a few seconds, onto a memory card. The card is then simply inserted into the sewing machine in the same manner as the pre-programmed cards.

You can choose to sew your design in up to four different colors and it can be up to 6 cm (2½-in.) square, but of course if you require larger motifs they can easily be linked together. If you don't wish to draw your own designs, a photograph or drawing in a magazine or book can just as easily be scanned and an accurate copy will be transferred to your sewing.

There is so much scope with this facility, it's easy to become totally absorbed and fascinated. Do not be put off by terms such as ‘scanning’ and ‘programming the machine’, the equipment is very simple to use, and you don't need a degree to master it! If you enjoy creativity and like your clothes and soft furnishings to be completely unique, then this is a must for you.