Shop Smart
To avoid confusion, the
features being defined will apply to only the machines' embroidery aspects. If the machine
you're considering also has sewing capabilities, some of these same features may be
available in the sewing mode.
- Low bobbin indicator lights and/or warning messages help
prevent the possibility of sewing through a color only to discover that a portion of the
color didn't stitch out.
- Upper thread monitors stop the machine within a few
stitches if the upper thread breaks or the spool runs out.
- Built-in needle threaders make the numerous color changes
for embroidery easier and faster.
- Automatic thread cutters clip both the upper and lower
threads at the end of each color in the design.
- Maximum embroidery area refers to the largest embroidery
size that can be sewn out in one fabric hooping.
- Built-in memories allow you to save customized designs
within the machine's program.
- Design rotation allows the design to be turned in the
sewing field.
- Mirror imaging is the reverse image of a design--important
for centering or symmetry. The mirroring may be horizontal and/or vertical.
- Color skipping allows for stitching out specific parts of
an embroidery pattern.
- Stitch skipping helps repair design areas that were removed
and re-stitched or can be used for moving backward in a design after the needle thread
breaks or frays. This feature also is useful for skipping over design parts you don't want
to include.
- Design placement within the hoop area allows you to center
your designs precisely, even if it wasn't hooped perfectly. The amount of area available
for adjustments will depend on the design and hoop size.
- Multiple-hooping alignment allows you to re-hoop your
design and still keep your design elements perfectly joined.
- Estimated embroidery time gives the approximate stitching
time for a design. This information may be available on-screen and/or within the
embroidery card booklets.
- Pattern size information tells exactly how large your
finished design will be, so you can determine if it fits within your intended space. This
information may be available on-screen and/or within the embroidery card booklets.
- Design scaling allows you to change an embroidery design
while maintaining the same stitch density as the original size embroidery.
- Design sizing allows you to change the stitched design
size, but the number of stitches in the design remains the same. Thus, a design made
larger will have the stitching spaced further apart and a design made smaller will have
more condensed stitching.
- Color order information gives you the color stitching
sequence for each design. This information may be on-screen or within the embroidery card
booklets.
- Pattern tracing instructs the machine to outline the
embroidery area prior to beginning the actual stitching. With this feature it's possible
to place the tip of a water-soluble marker within the embroidery foot opening and trace
the actual sewing area onto the item to be embroidered to ensure exact placement. It's
also useful for appliqué embroidery.
- Combining designs in memories is possible on some machines.
In some cases, only text may be stored. Other machines allow designs from cards and text
to be combined in a memory.
- Built-in embroideries are available on some embroidery-only
machines. Many designs are exclusive to one brand and model.
- Built-in frames allow you to make your own patches and
crests. Many patterns are available to outline the frames. Some models might offer frame
patterns on embroidery cards or as a part of their machine-specific software, rather than
built-in frames.
- Embroidery lettering fonts and text editing capabilities
vary greatly between brands. Some models have several fonts built-in and others require
embroidery cards to access fonts. Scanners and machine-specific software may offer
additional lettering options, such as arcing and kerning.
- Specialty hoops are available for most brands that allow
you to embroider baseball caps, pockets and cuffs. Some brands also offer extra-large
hoops that reduce the number of times a large design needs to be re-hooped, thus
increasing accuracy.
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