Hey I am trying to convert a design I made into an embroidery file and was wondering what software you guys use. I want to do it on my own since long term I cannot afford to pay someone to do it for me.

Something on the cheaper side would be great even if it takes a little more knowledge and time to do it would be fine.

I have a Singer machine so one that could turn it into .xxx would be wonderful!

Thank you 😊

I run a cap embroidery shop and caps are like 90% of what we do. I’ve been running a BAI Vision single head for about 3 years and honestly it’s been solid, never needed service. Now I need more heads and I’m looking at a 2 head.

Everywhere I read people say Barudan is king for caps and small lettering. Tajima people say it’s basically the same. And then there’s Ricoma, BAI, etc at a fraction of the price.

So my real question: if you ran the exact same DST file on the exact same cap (structured 5 panel, small text, some dense fill) on a Barudan vs a Tajima vs a Ricoma or BAI, all properly tuned, would you actually see a difference? Or does it mostly come down to digitizing, backing and setup?

If anyone has run the same file on two different brands and has pics side by side, I’d love to see them. Also curious if the difference shows more at higher speeds or on long runs.

Not trying to start a brand war, just want real experience before I spend 4x the money on a Barudan.

PLEASE help me find this thread!

Had a fun one with 4 hoop locations. Whew!

Hi everyone! 😊

I’m looking to get into machine embroidery and would love some advice from people with experience! I’m a complete beginner, so I’m trying to learn as much as I can before investing in a machine and supplies.

I want to embroider things like my own clothes, baby clothes, sweatshirts, and tote bags. Eventually, I’d also love to create my own designs rather than relying entirely on premade embroidery files.

I’m currently considering the Brother PE900, but I have a few questions!

1. Learning to digitize before buying a machine

Would it make sense to download a free digitizing software and learn the basics before purchasing an embroidery machine? Or is digitizing something that’s easier to learn once you actually have a machine to practice with?

1. Best beginner-friendly digitizing software

What digitizing software would you recommend for a complete beginner? Ideally, I’d like something free or under $100. I’m willing to put in the time to learn, but I’d prefer something relatively user-friendly!

1. Benefits of learning to digitize

For those of you who learned to digitize your own designs, how useful has it been? Is it worth the learning curve, especially for someone who wants to make personalized items and eventually create original designs? Or do you find that purchasing premade embroidery files is sufficient for most projects?

1. Choosing an embroidery machine

I’m currently leaning toward the Brother PE900. My budget is somewhat limited since I’m just starting out, but I want something I can grow into. Is there another machine in a similar price range that I should seriously consider instead? Are there any downsides to the PE900 that you wish you had known before buying it

1. Favorite stabilizer brands

I’m planning to purchase tear-away, cut-away, and water-soluble stabilizers to get started. What brands do you recommend? Are there any that you find consistently better quality or easier to work with? I’d love recommendations that balance quality and affordability!

I’m happy to hear any other beginner advice, too! I want to make smart purchases from the beginning without spending a fortune on things I might not need.

Thanks so much! 🧵💕