Embroidery 1 DIY Training

To gain the embroidery credential, you need to successfully complete this DIY training guide and have your completion verified by makerspace shop staff.  This DIY training will allow you to use the embroidery patterns that are stored within the machine and NOT custom designs.

This document will walk you through the basics of embroidery and you will embroider some basic text and a preloaded design. Text in black explains certain concepts.

Embroidery

Process Description

Embroidery Parts

• Spool Stand: Where spools of thread are placed. Spools have specific requirements based on thread type and spool size including adding a cotton spacer to the bottom of the spool and/or adding a plastic cap to the top of the spool.
• Thread Guides (First/Upper/Middle/Lower): Holes or tensioned plates required to direct the path of the thread, ensuring proper tension and preventing tangling during the embroidery process
• Thread Tension Knobs: Where adjustments to thread tension are made. Proper tension, amongst other things, prevents thread breakage and is responsible for the overall quality of the stitch.
• Thread Guide Pins: Pins to guide the thread in between the upper and middle thread guides.
• Needle Bar Case: Moving part. Moves left and right to position the selected needle for embroidering.
• Carriage: Moving Part. Moves the fabric being embroidered forward, back, left, and right to facilitate the embroidery
• Frame Holder/Arms: (Not Pictured) Attaches to the carriage and hold the embroidery hoop
• Hoop: (Not Pictured) Holds the fabric taught, slides into the frame holder/arms
• Hook Cover: Covers the thread picker, bobbin (and casing), and hook. The hook is what the bobbin casing slides into.
• Operation Panel: Touch screen controller for the embroidery machine.

Design

1. Turn the machine on using the switch on the back right
2. You may have to tap the screen to move passed the screen saver
3. A warning will appear on the screen letting you know the machine will move. This is the machine finding its home. Ensure the area around the carriage and machine arms is clear and hit “OK”.

4. Add some text that says “EXP” (Steps pictured below)

• Click the fonts button
• Select Font 19
• Type “EXP” into the field
• Click “Set”
• Ensure that the trim option is not highlighted (This will create a walking stitch between each letter, reducing the time and number of stitches needed)
• Click “Add”

5. Add a border around the font (Steps pictured below)
   • Click the borders button
   • Select the ovals category
   • Select Oval #8
   • Click “Set”
   • Click the color selection button
   • Select the roses (second on the list)
   • Click the “Number” button, type “86” into the field, and click “OK”
   • Ensure that the trim option is not highlighted (This will create a walking stitch between each rose)
   • Click “Edit End”

Threading the Machine

1. Click on the thread lists button to which color thread your design is requesting.
   • This design wants thread color 900 and the 086 that we applied to the roses
   • The numbered code is located on the top of the thread

1. Program the thread colors into the machines
   • Press the “Embroidery” button
   • In this case no other other colors are loaded into the machine, so the machine is requesting that we load 900 in needle one and 086 in needle two

1. Load the black thread into the first needle.
   • Press the first thread color on the screen, moving the thread carrier will move into position
   • Place the spool of thread on the leftmost (1) spool holder, making sure that it is on top of the felt pad
   • Place the plastic spool cap on top of the spool
   • Run the thread through the hole directly above the spool holder and run it across to the hole towards the front of the machine
   • Run the thread through the leftmost upper thread guide, passing it under the thread plate from the right
   • Follow the raised path of the thread, ensuring that you wrap clockwise around the tension disc and are on the correct side of the guide pins
   • Run the thread under the lower thread plate from the right just as you did for the upper thread plate
   • Run the thread down the slot directly underneath the lower thread plate, bringing it around the guard and back up
   • Run the thread through the take-up from right to left and bring it back down the left slide of the slot
   • Run the thread through the lower thread guide
   • Loop the thread into the needle bar thread guide (optionally using the needle changing tool located on the left side of the machine to push the thread into it)
   • Press the automatic needle threader button
   • Run the thread un the fork of the automatic needle threader from the right, catching the thread with the hook that passes through the eye of the needle
   • Run the thread under the guide of the presser foot
   • Run the thread through the groove in the thread cutter and pull lightly to cut, the thread should hold in place
   • Press the automatic needle threader button again, the thread should pull through the eye of the needle and into the thread catcher.
   • Press the second thread button on the screen, the needle carrier will move.
   • Repeat the above to thread the second color.

Cut and Hoop Fabric

1. Click the Hoop Button on the top of the screen
2. Select the 100mm x 100mm Hoop (second smallest option and smallest that is selectable)
3. Click Close

1. Grab the the 100mm x 100mm Hoop
   • Separate the outer hoop from the hoop body (not pictured)

2. Cut a square of canvas and a square of backing measuring roughly 8 inches by 8 inches.

3. Place the canvas and then the backing on the body of the hoop, then slide the outer hoop over the materials and tighten onto the hoop body. The material should be as taught as possible (it should feel like a drum head)
   • Hoop Body

2. Slide the hoop underneath the tabs on the machine arms so that the canvas is facing upwards.
   • The machine arms may be too wide or too narrow for the hoop, in which case they will need to be adjusted.
   • To adjust the machine arms loosen the two knobs pictured below, slide the right arm to the desired width, and retighten the knobs. The knobs should be snug but not overly tight.

3. Assure that the design will fit within the hoop by tracing your design
   • Press
   • Press “OK”
   • Press the image trace button, this will activate a laser and move the hoop allowing you to see the outlines of your embroidery
   • If you are satisfied with the results hit the “Embroidery: button again

Running the Machine

1. Set the stiches per minute to 800 using the “+” or “-” buttons. Different materials will require different speed settings but 800 will be appropriate for this material
2. Press the “Lock” Button
3. Press the green blinking start button
4. The machine will run

Clean Up 

1. Unthread the machine
2. Remove your hoop from the machine
3. Using a pair of thread snips trim the walking stitches the EXP letters and the roses
4. Using a pair of fabric scissors trim the excess backing from your embroidery
5. Clean the area, make sure to sweep up any thread or fabric scraps