Darlene’s Thread: Advanced Embroidery Tips and Tricks
The Futura Quartet is Singer’s top-of-the-line embroidery machine at HSN. It has a large slide-on hoop, 125 new built-in designs and multi-hooping capability. When you combine the two or four multi- hoop ability with the built-in basic editing, you can get a wide range of results. The first example, the placemat was stitched using four hoopings and one design from the Garden Dreams embroidery CD by Bertina Studio and DarStar Productions.
Instructions
Once you have the size you want, go to DESIGN/REPEAT DESIGN/click horizontal once/MIRROR IMAGE/apply and close.
Now highlight the two hooped mirror imaged design and go back to DESIGN/REPEAT DESIGN/click vertical once/ MIRROR IMAGE/apply and close.
Now you should see four hoops and your new design. If it is off-center, Highlight the design/click DESIGN/CENTER DESIGN and it should reposition in the hoops on your computer’s screen. Stitch out as prompted after making sure that all the points line up.
The second example is a t-shirt embroidered with a single design. I chose a butterfly from the DOT BUTTERFLY embroidery CD by Bertina Studio and Darstar Productions.
Once the design is imported into your hoop, Click DESIGN/CHANGE SIZE/ click the % box and increase to 149% and APPLY. Do this again…and Do this again! You should be asked if you want a second hoop. Say YES!
Now highlight the two-hoop design and go back to DESIGN/CHANGE SIZE/click the % box and increase to 149% /APPLY. repeat as necessary to enlarge the single design until it fits into four hoops the way you like.
Stitch out as prompted. It’s so nice to have options and with Singer, sewing is always a new adventure!
Secret Helpers
No one’s perfect! That’s why having a set of permanent markers will come in handy! For starters, you can add color, accent, contour or highlight different areas of a quilt with pigments that won’t wash out. You can also use your fine tipped rainbow of colored markers to fill in any tiny gaps that may have occurred in machine embroidery. You may not be Picasso but you can still feel like an artist! If you’d like to add them to your shopping basket with your next order, check out items #938472 or # 904782.
When-to-Watch
August 10 @ 3am, 2pm ET for Singer Sewing
August 18 @ midnight, 1am, 8am, noon, 3pm, 6pm, 7pm & 11pm ET for Singer Today’s Special
See you on air!
Darlene
More Sewing with Darlene Cahill:
» Top 10 Sewing Tips to Always Remember
» Choosing the Right Scissors to Make the Cut
» More sewing projects and ideas
More Sewing and Crafts from HSN.com:
» Shop sewing new arrivals
» Stay steady and organized with a great sewing table
» Shop all crafts and sewing supplies
Hello everyone!
Darlene, I have been drooling over the SEQS-6000 for a while now and want to purchase it, but I keep seeing some bad reviews come in about it and the software that comes with it. People are not getting any answers from your blog and are getting the run around from Singer. This is not making me feel all warm and fuzzy about committing to my purchase. You put on a good show, but how about keeping up with your end of the bargain and get back to the paying customers?
Thanks
i need help with my quartet! the embroidery side!!! i am trying for last 6six hours stich a name, it keeps on stopping and beeping 01 i have turned on and off open and closed raised foot and still keeps beeping how can all of this stop before is lands off my balcony from second floor.
Have you resolved this problem? I seem to be having the same issues but I don’t have a balcony…just the back yard!! I have tried everything I know.
Thanks,
What do I use to download free designs from other web sights for the Singer Futura Quartet FQ-4? ART, DST, HUS, JEF, or PES?
don’t hold your breath….you’ve bought it already…….no more kissy kissy….
hellooooo? how come the august people got answered????? cheeeeezzz
my question wasn’t so dificult……
please, please, it was your presentation that prompted me to purchase machine..all I want is precise settings for photostitch of face of boy on pillow…I would like to do my granddaughters pics…thanks…
wow, just like car salesmen…..no more interest..machine wasn’t cheap..thought I’d get response..feel like sending it back…thanks a lot….so much enthusiasm..”write to me”" yeah, sure….
still waiting…..
Darlene – purchased the Singer h74 sew and go – cannot for the life of me figure out how to make the lettering (ie: A B C, etc) large enough to read. I purchased this machine after seeing you showing off all the great stiches and lettering (I know the letters on your presentation (front of purse) were larger that what I can get). After setting up my word in memory, the machine will not allow to enlarge the default settings. Help!
YA’LL ON VACATION? THOUGHT THIS WOULD BE ANSWERED SOONER…?
here again. actually what I need are exact settings on machine to do photostitch you did of little boy on monochrome….please…just settings will do…the machine does everything well, but all I want to do is my grandaughters pics…thanks…
help, still waiting…….
help!!! I have your singer futura ..bought it for the “photostitch” I can’t figure out the correct stitches…PLEASE..step by step instructions for monochrome and faces..mmine look like the negative side..I’m doing something wrong..please explain…I follow ins’. but at the end I don’t know what to do…very appreciated…watch program..but example is not explained…I would love to do photostich like one that is on sort of pillow of little boy..how is that done??? thank you…
Darlene,
Can you explain the difference between the Quartet and XL400.
Thank You,
Mary
Darlene, I like to watch you on HSN,I always learn something. I wanted to know if there will be sewing machines on as a TSV in Sept. for National Sewing month? I know this might be a imposition for you to answer but if you could I would be grateful. I want to buy a embroidery machine and that would be a good time to do it. This would be my first one. I have 4 other machines I bought from HSN that do different things but no embroidery machine. I think it would round out my sewing space. Thank You
Darlene, I have not heard much about Juki Machines. Are they a high quality machine? Are there other models that have more features? Where did Juki Machines came from? Are they made here in the US? Is it true that HSN will be dropping selling Singer Machines? If you could clear up some rumors it would be very appreciative.
Thanks,
HI Kyucker,
Thank you for writing! RUMORS are all false! HSN is NOT dropping Singer. JUki has been added to the assortment to increase variety. When there is customer support, you will see more models. Juki is popular in the industrial market. They have manufactured machines for some of the well known brands for many years. Now they are branching into the home market themselves. Commercial machines can’t be breaking down…they are known for strength, durability and high quality.
Hi Darlene, I am new to sewing, very, very new. I just got the new Sew and Go sewing machine and I should have by tomorrow. I know the machine has many stitches and all that being said what is the best fabric for me to pratice on before trying to make a garment.
Thanks
I just received the Sew & Go. I am not new to sewing, but I have a question. If I have the twin needle in the machine, can I use just one? In other words, can I keave the twin needle in when sewing regular stitches?
cajunladyone—
Thank you for picking up the Today’s Special Sew& Go! machine from Singer. Do NOT do regular sewing with the twin needle in. If you want to do any kind of decorative stitch (even a zig-zag) your needle will more likely hit the metal needleplate on a sidesweep and break!! You can sew some decorative satin stitches with twin needle but you MUST limit the width to avoid breaking your needle. Always check by turning the fly wheel gently and slowly by hand.
Hi Peajay,
Congrats on taking the first step to your new creative textile world! Your fearlessness will pay off! A good place to begin would be to double layer quilting cotton. You can use an old sheet or a fat quarter. A solid fabric will allow you to see exactly what the stitches look like. A contrasting thread will help even more:) Enjoy! and let us know how you’re doing!!
Hey, Darlene
Thanks so much for the beautiful somment you sent me. I have a new cystoscopy for my cancer on the 22 of this month. Cross your fingers for me. Well, it might not be easy for you to do that, considering all of the things that you do with those talented hands. Anyway, have been having lots of appointments at the VA klately, and I managed to miss the two shows so far this month. Is there any way I can find them somewhere to watch? I think you have 2 more this month.Sincerely me
Ms. Cahill:
Since HSN is starting to carry Juki brand sewing machines; does that mean they are discontinuing Singer machines? Do you ever sell any of the Singer machines you have in your office/workplace? If so, I am interested in the SES-2000 with the latest HSN package. I look forward to hearing from you.
SuzySunshine,
So glad you noticed that Juki is on board on HSN.com. Our new buyer wanted to add some variety and no—Singer is NOT being replaced. I return discontinued sewing machine models to Singer as these samples are on loan to me. I do not sell any samples as they are not mine to sell:) The SES2000 is my favorite Futura because it has EVERYTHING including Advanced Editing and Favorite Fonts and Frames software. You can always give it a ‘test drive’ and see what you think!
Darlene, I have a question about the quilts that was in your presentation for the Sew & Go. The one with the circles, how do you make the circles and what size are they and the squares how big are they also. How do you make the other one where you used the Darning and Embroidery foot. I really like both of them, can’t wait to be my Sew & Go machine.
Hi mom1959,
The Singer consultants sent the circular quilt you mentioned. It was made with 10″ squares and 8″ circles. To make my samples, I also cut 8″ circles from fusible interfacing. Place the adhesive side (bumpy) of the interfcing to the right side of the circle and stitch around leaving a small opening to turn. Clip all around. Turn. Press the circle onto the center of a square.(all edges are turned under!)Blind hem stitch around outside edge. Stipple a free-motion spiral on each circle.
Hi Darlene, had to work today so I taped the shows but did see the 7 PM show. What pattern did you use for the wristlet purse you showed during the Sew & Go presentation? I just loved it and the new machine of course. Thanks and can’t wait to watch all of the tapes from today. I own 6 Singer machines inc the Futura and a serger and next purchase will probably be the Stylist serger.
OOOhhhh—Crafty Lady, So glad to hear you’re picking up the Stylist ll serger. It’s a great choice. Reliable, easy, consistent. The wristlet purse pattern will be on the blog for September. I’m writing it now as I’ve had many requests. Thanks for reading my blog and for watching our sewing airings.
Dear Sewthankful, I just was on Singer’s Website. They will be coming out with a new sewing machine to celebrate the 160 year anniversary. Do you know anything about this? Is HSN going to be the ones to introduce this anniversary sewing machine this fall? Singer’s website stated that this machine will be available at the first of the new 2012 year. They did not show the new machine. Singer has everyone guessing.
Hi Kyucker,
You ladies are sewing detectives!!!
HSN usually has a sewing machine Today’s Special after the first of the year and HSN usually does get brand new models straight off the assembly line and Singer really is celebrating 160 years….so it looks as though what you saw on Singer’s web site would be true! We’ll have to wait and see~~~
Darlene, I know national sewing month is coming up and my question for you is…hope I’m not putting you on a spot……but if you could only have one singer heavy duty machine which would you prefer, the HD110 or one of the other heavy duty ones. I know they are probably all good but I know you have used them so much and would respect your opinion. I do love circular sewing but that’s not top on my list. Thank you for all your advice. Happy end of summer can’t wait to watch you the 18th
HI Doodle 52,
That is a really tough question and it depends on your personal requirements for sewing. I like the extra large extension table on the HD110, aside from circular stitching. I also like the option for ‘endless buttonholes’ that machine offers (as well as the green color) Ten functional stitches are enough for most sewers. BUT–if you want buttonholes in one step and 23 built-in patterns and don’t care about an extension table, then I’d say grab one of the others. Thanks for asking!
Hi doodle52,
Good Question! So…. here’s a way that you could ‘jerry rig’ your own circular sewing mechanism.
Get a thumbtack with a big flat head and place it upside down on your sewing machine’s flatbed. Determine what diameter you’d like the circles to be and divide in half. This is the measurement from the tack point to the sewing needle. Carefully tape the head to the surface. Insert fabric, cover tip with a small piece of foam, choose a decorative stitch and sew your circle.
Darlene, I know that all the new circular “helpers” for machines are great, but you can’t use them on some machines. Can you tell me a good way to sew circles without a circular attachment please. THANKYOU p.s. waiting to watch you the 10th!! You’re great I call my 9 year old granddaughter when you are on so she can watch you.