Today was some work, some play, but all in all, a very nice day. I finished up a customer quilt. Lots of laundry done. I played with my embroidery machine a bit. I wanted to try Christmas embroidery on some kitchen towels. I used a heavy cut away stabilizer, and a wash away stabilizer on top, as is recommended…and they are ok, but nothing awesome. I don’t like how you can see white spots in the green leaves, but I don’t know what you can do about that.
I have a love/hate thing going on with the embroidery. I’m trying to build my design library, which is certainly not cheap. And I buy the stock packs from OESD. My machine, a Bernina Bernette Deco 340, reads exp files. And that isn’t a problem, except if I want the colors to load to the machine, I somehow have to convert those files to exp+ files. NO ONE seems to be able to explain to me HOW to do that??? My machine dealer just kind of looked at me…told me my machine wouldn’t have the thread colors in it for the designs I buy and put on a stick, I just have to print out the color charts. Well, that takes a ton of paper, and then you have to store all those printed sheets, and then you have to flip through all of them to find the one you need. I am new to embroidery…only had my machine a little over a year…so tell me you wise experienced embroiderers…is this how it’s supposed to be? It’s really quite a lot of trouble…not to mention $$$$. I’m just not getting it, I don’t guess. But, it would be really nice to get a good explanation of how I’m supposed to convert to exp+ without it costing a gazillion dollars, which one answer I got would have. I asked about this on the Bernina blog…and was told I could do it with embroidery software, and of course Bernina’s is recommended. That’s a pricey answer. And I still wasn’t told HOW it works, just that I could do it with the software. I’m pretty sure that stuff cost more than the machine…like around $2,000.00. Not that big into embroidery. I know I’m still pretty ignorant about this craft, so if anyone can enlighten me, I’m all ears…or eyes, I guess, since I’ll most likely be reading the responses. 🙂
I finally got around to fixing my binding booboo on my Gracie’s Star quilt, too. Now I can get back to the hand stitching, and have a finish soon. I really love that quilt.
Gotta go hang up laundry! And cheer for the Longhorns!
Ramblings From Randi, The Wild Rose Quilter 
Something coming your way, Randi. Hope it helps. Remember Google search can help you tons! “How do I … ”
Hugs
Thanks, Sammi. I have googled the exp+ and have not been able to find an answer that way, either. Very frustrated about it.
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I know nothing about embroidery, but I did watch The Game!
Boy, was that a nail biter. : )
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I think the towels look great! The white on the leaves? Think of it as snow! Hope you’re having a great Sunday!
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Your embroidery looks great! Have you looked at http://www.emblibrary.com? I also started with OESD designs, but they were just too expensive. I’ve had great results with Embroidery Library.
Don’t have a Deco, but maybe this will help?
http://berninatech.blogspot.com/2008/11/usb-exp-and-you.html
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Love the towels and the game was a good one. 🙂 Hope you find the answers that you need.
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I could change one to exp for oyu and see if you can see the colors on the machine?
Your SIL Sandra gave me your link adn I have nbeen following you for awhile:) I get inspired wiht your quilting:)
Thanks!
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I wish I could help you with the embroidery. I have the whole set up for my pfaff and have never plugged it in because it confuses me.
The only help I can offer is a sharpie.Lol. You know for the white spots.Ü
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Randi,
Have you tried using matching bobbin threads for your embroidery? I normally don’t use the white bobbin thread they say to use because of they would inevitably show up on the top. I always try to use matching threads, or thread colors that are close. That is essential when you do monogram.
Are you aware of http://www.hatchedinafrica.com? Their designs are cute, and quite reasonably priced.
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I’m not sure if you have received any more info regarding embroidery conversions, but there are several software programs (inexpensive) that will convert your programs. The one that comes to mind is Buzz Tools. They have a website that you could look at and all the programs they offer are moderately priced. I have had embroidery machines since the beginning of time, and use the Janome Digigtizer Pro, but also find some Buzz Tool modules are very helpful.
Hope this comment goes through as I don’t usually respond and am not sure what I am doing. Good luck
Judy
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Hi – I found a comment from you on my blog from last March [before I knew what I was doing, lol] and decided to come visit – I’m glad I did! i’m going to add you to my Google Reader.
Have you checked out Embird? http://www.embird.com. They make really good software for converting embroidery files, organizing them, doing all kinds of things including digitizing. And they’re reasonable. I have two Husqvarna machines and the old old software. I also use Wilcom Truesizer [it’s a free download] for converting files that my software won’t [because it’s old].
Also, you can join tons of yahoo groups that give away free designs – I used to belong to over 100 groups, and finally whittled it down. Just go to yahoo.com, groups, and do a search for “machine embroidery”. I also love Embroidery Library, but you do have to be careful, some of their stuff can be quite dense. I hope some of this helps!
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On your towels, it will help if you use a clear stabilizer on the top, It will keep the design from sinking into the towel.
It really does help and will wash out.
I got on your web site again this morning to look at the wizard of oz quilt that you did. I have one folded on the table (for a week) that I need to do and needed inspiration
from your beautiful work!
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Depends on if you have a PC or a MAC.
There’s plenty out there for PC, such as embird, but I’m on a MAC and just bought a Deco 340 so am looking for conversion software myself.
I’ve tried StitchBuddy and it’s OK. But it only does EXP files. It has a separate color file but not .inf or .bmp. He calls it .threads so I don’t know if the Deco will read it or not.
Now there is a converter program out there called ConvertIt but it’s $179. It will make all three .exp+ files needed. If I can’t get the Stitchbuddy files to work, I’ll need to buy it. I have some discontinued Laurel Burch CDs I’m not willing to give up.
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