Category: Soft Lab

Ink/Stitch Beginner Tutorials

👉 Version 1.22.0 full tutorial playlist on YouTube

1

Introduction

2

Install (Windows)

3

Customize

Tutorial: Import and Open Singer Hoop Templates

Stitch Types

1

Fill

2

Satin Columns

  • 00:00 Introduction
  • Satin Path Object:
  • Satin Tools:
    • 03:38 Convert Line to Satin Column
    • 04:19 Cut Satin Column
    • 06:07 Flip Satin Column Rails
    • 07:02 Auto-Route Satin Columns
  • Params & Underlay:

3

Stroke Type Stitches

Lettering

Lettering

Visual Commands

  • 00:00 Introduction
  • 00:25 Install Add-Ons
  • Design Commands:
  • Layer Commands
  • Object Commands
    • 02:07 Fill: Starting- and Ending Position
    • 03:39 Auto-Route Satin: Starting- and Ending Position
    • 05:10 Split Satin Column
    • 05:54 Trim
    • 06:53 Stop
    • 07:26 Ignore

Visualize and Export

Workflow

Additional Tutorials

👉 https://inkstitch.org/tutorials/

👉 Project Anonymous Ink/Stitch Tutorials

👉 How to create Keyboard Shortcuts with Inkscape and Ink/Stitch

Ink/Stitch TroubleShooting

👉 FAQ

👉 Error Messages

Inkscape (Ink/stitch) Embroidery Templates

👉 Import and Open Singer Hoop Templates

Threading the machine

Note: When threading the machine, first fill the bobbin before threading the top thread.

1

Place a spool of thread on the spool pin, and secure it with the spool pin cap. Pull the thread out from the spool and place it through thread guides as shown in the illustration.

2

Put the end of the thread through the hole in the bobbin as shown. Place the bobbin onto the bobbin winder spindle as far as it can go.

3

Holding onto the end of the thread, push the bobbin winder latch against the bobbin until it clicks and the bobbin starts to rotate.

4

The bobbin will disengage automatically and the winding mechanism will stop when the bobbin is full. Remove the wound bobbin and cut the thread tail.

1

Raise the needle to its highest position by rotating the handwheel counterclockwise (toward you).

2

Remove the bobbin cover plate by pushing the release button to the right. Bobbin cover will pop up sufficiently to allow you to remove the cover.

3

Insert the bobbin making sure the bobbin rotates counter-clockwise when you pull the thread.

Note: This is a very important step. The bobbin must rotate counterclockwise when the thread is pulled.

4

Pull thread through the slot (A) and then to the left.

5

With a finger held gently on top of the bobbin, pull the thread until it stops in the slot (B). Then pull the thread along the groove on the needle plate until it is snipped with cutter on the top left.

Note: Sewing can be started without having to pull up the bobbin thread.

6

Replace the clear bobbin cover plate onto the needle plate.

1

Raise the presser foot lifter. Always be sure to raise the presser foot lifter before threading the top thread. (If the presser foot lifter is not raised, correct thread tension cannot be obtained.)

2

Turn the hand wheel counterclockwise (toward you) until the needle is in its highest position.

3

Thread the machine with your left hand while firmly gripping the thread with your right hand in the following order as illustrated.

  1. Guide the thread through thread guides (1 & 2), and then pull it down along the groove (3).
  2. Guide the thread into the thread guide (4).
  3. Pass the thread through the eye of the needle (5) from front to back.
Important

To verify that the machine is threaded properly in the tension discs, do this simple check:

  1. With the presser foot raised, pull the thread towards the back of the machine. You should detect only slight resistance and little or no deflection of the needle.
  2. Now lower the presser foot and again pull the thread towards the back of the machine. This time you should detect a considerable amount of resistance and much more deflection of the needle. If you do not detect the resistance you have miss-threaded the machine and need to re-thread it.

Securing Fabric and Loading Hoop (Fabric, Stabilizer and Hoop)

  1. Loosen hoop adjusting screw and place fabric between inner and outer frame. Pull fabric edges to remove slack.
  2. Slightly tighten the hoop, adjust the screw and pull fabric edges to remove slack. Fit the two frames together by pressing down on the inner frame.
  3. Tighten the hoop’s screw then remove the slack from the stabilizer.
  4. Continue tightening the hoop adjusting screw while removing the slack until the fabric is properly secured within the embroidery hoop.
  5. Once the fabric is taut, tighten the adjustment screw once the stabilizer is secured.

Source: Pg. 64 of Singer Futura XL-400 Manual:

Turn the handwheel counterclockwise (toward you) until the needle comes to its highest position.

Source: Pg. 70 of Singer Futura XL-400 Manual
  1. Raise presser foot and needle, and push up lever (A) of embroidery foot with your finger and pass embroidery hoop under it.
    • To remove, pull the hoop forward to slide it out from underneath the embroidery foot.
  2. Slide the hoop onto the embroidery unit from front to back until it clicks into place.
    • To remove, press the release lever and slide the hoop towards you.

Note: Before attaching the small hoop, turn on the power switch to move the carriage to embroidering standby position.

Source: Pg. 70 of Singer Futura XL-400 Manual

It is important to select the correct stabilizer(s), thread, and needle for the material being used. Singer has provided an excellent starting point (see below).

  • Cut 1 piece of non-woven fabric stabilizer (tear-away, self-adhesive, or cut-away) that is 1.5 to 2 inches bigger on all sides than the embroidery hoop.
  • Loosen hoop adjusting screw and place fabric between inner and outer frame. Pull fabric edges to remove slack.
  • Slightly tighten the hoop and adjust the screw and pull fabric edges to remove slack. Fit the two frames together by pressing down on the inner frame.
  • Tighten the hoop’s screw then remove the slack from the stabilizer.
  • Continue tightening the hoop adjusting screw while removing the slack until the fabric is properly secured within the embroidery hoop. The stabilizer should be pulled taut but not too much as it might tear.
  • Tighten the adjustment screw once the stabilizer is secured.

Some materials may be damaged when secured within the embroidery hoop (e.i. vinyl, leather, plastic, etc.). Those materials will need to be secured on top of the stabilizer which is secured within the hoop.

Example of why not to hoop these fabrics:

Cut 1 piece of non-woven fabric stabilizer (tear-away, self-adhesive, or cut-away) that is 1.5 to 2 inches bigger on all side than the embroidery hoop.
Clear vinyl with blue rectangular ornate frame embroidery taken out of the hoop. Crease and puckering mark where the embroidery hoop was placed.
  1. Cut 1 piece of non-woven fabric stabilizer (tear-away, self-adhesive, or cut-away) that is 1.5 to 2 inches bigger on all sides than the embroidery hoop.
  2. Loosen hoop adjusting screw and place fabric between inner and outer frame. Pull fabric edges to remove slack.
  3. Slightly tighten the hoop and adjust the screw and pull fabric edges to remove slack. Fit the two frames together by pressing down on the inner frame.
  4. Tighten the hoop’s screw then remove the slack from the stabilizer.
  5. Continue tightening the hoop adjusting screw while removing the slack until the fabric is properly secured within the embroidery hoop. The stabilizer should be pulled taut but not too much as it might tear.
  6. Tighten the adjustment screw once the stabilizer is secured.
  7. Spray the wrong (back) side of the fabric to be embroidered with a spray adhesive.
  8. Place material on the hooped stabilizer and smooth flat.
  9. Slide the embroidery hoop into the machine and begin stitching.

Hello world: Machine Sewing

If you have never sewn using an electric sewing machine, we recommend that you take the time to review the following tutorials:

👉 Machine Sewing

Before designing your own images, we recommend that you first learn the setup by stitching one of the many designs that come pre-loaded with the Singer Futura Embroidery Machine.

👉 Getting Started: Design Library Embroidery

Once comfortable with both preparing the fabric for stitching and operating the machine, you can move on to designing and stitching your own images. Since ITP’s version of the Singer Futura software does NOT come equipped with the ability to digitize images for stitching, you will need to do so using Ink/Stitch. Please refer to the following tutorials to get started with Ink/Stitch.

👉 Ink/Stitch Beginner Tutorials

Once you have a design ready for stitching, please refer to the following video to learn how to access your file within the Singer Futura software:

Juki HZL-F600

Note: Instructional DVD Available from Shop Staff

1

Machine Operation

2

Replacing the Needle

3

Bobbin Thread Preparation

4

Threading the Needle

Note: Make sure the presser foot life is up when threading the machine as this will allow for the thread to pass through the tension disks.

5

Straight Stitch

6

Automatic Lock Stitch & Thread Trimming

7

Overcasting Stitch

8

Buttonhole Stitches

9

Decorative Stitches

10

Letters

11

Darning

12

Save & Recall

13

Patchwork Quilt

Applique

Quilting

Straight Stitch (with Walking Foot)

Quilting

Free Motion

Quilting

Random Patterns

Other

Singer 4432 Heavy Duty

Overview of machine

Threading

1

Threading the needle

Note: Make sure the presser foot life is up when threading the machine as this will allow for the thread to pass through the tension disks.

2

How to Use the Machine Needle Threader

3

Loading Top Drop-in Bobbin

Needle

1

Changing the needle

2

Changing the needle position

Pressor feet

1

Presser Foot Tutorial (Changing presser foot)

2

Presser Foot Pressure

3

How to Use the Buttonhole Presser Foot

4

Darning and Freehand Embroidery Presser Foot Tutorial

Sewing Speed

Selecting from Available Stitches

Using the Machine Feed Dogs

Machine Maintenance and Troubleshooting

Other

How to Sew 8 Common Seams

For additional guides and images, please refer to the machine manuals below:

Soft Lab

➜ New to sewing? Start with the Singer 4432 Machine and its tutorial.

➜ For intermediate and advanced users, the Juki HZL-F600 offers added controls and stitches that may be useful and fun to explore. Be sure to refer to the Juki tutorials.

Sewing Machines

Singer 4432 Heavy Duty

Heavy Duty Basic / Mechanical Sewing Machine

  • Straight and Zig-Zag Stitches plus 20 other stitches
  • One-step buttonholes
  • Drop feed dogs for free motion sewing (Free Hand Embroidery)
  • Uses Class 15 Bobbin

Juki HZL-F600

Computerized Machine with Alphanumeric Embroidery

  • 225 stitches including 16 professional buttonholes and 4 lettering fonts
  • Uses Class 15 Bobbin
  • Additional Accessories available for checkout. See Shop Staff to Check out Accessory Bag

Embroidery Machines

Note: These are Embroidery only machines. They are not currently setup for regular sewing and can be damaged if the embroidery are is improperly removed and/or reattached.

➜ New to machine embroidery? Start with our Hello World tutorial.

Singer Futura XL 400

Embroidery

See Shop Staff for PC Laptop (w/cables) and/or Software CD

  • Singer Futura (Not available for download)
    • Pre-installed on Laptop. See Shop Staff to check out. Requires PC laptop with software to run machine.
    • If you would like a copy on your person PC laptop, please check out the CD from the Shop Staff. Additionally, Singer provides occasional updates which are located here (Note that you will need the CD to install the update).
    • Our current software license does not include digitizing images. There is additional CD with designs available from the Shop Staff.
  • Uses Singer Class 15J Bobbins Only
    • These bobbins are not interchangeable with the other machines. Metal bobbins are not recommended by Singer.
  • Required file format(s):
    • XXX , PSW, HUS, DST, CHE, EXP , PCS, PEC, SHV, PES, VIP, SEW and JEF
  • Requires USB to AB cable to connect Laptop to Machine.
  • Large and Small hoops available
  • Warning: This machine is heavy and awkward to handle. Please take care when moving this machine as not to drop it.

Brother PE-770

Embroidery (Currently our of order)

Other sewing Machines

Juki MO-644D

Serger/Overlock Machine

  • Please schedule time with shop staff to learn how to thread and use this machine.

Vinyl Cutter

Silhouette Cameo 4

  • Cutting Area: 12 in. x 24 in. with a cutting mat, 12 in. x 60 ft.* with lined media (when using built-in roll feeder)
  • Matless cutting options available depending on material type. Materials with liners or backing, such as vinyl, heat transfer, and sticker sheets can be fed directly into the Cameo 4 without a cutting mat. The Cameo 4 also offers a special “Pop-out” cutting feature for paper and cardstock materials where a cutting mat is not required.
  • Maximum Media Thickness: 3 mm (118.11 mils)
  • Minimum System Requirements: Windows 7 or higher or Mac OS X 10.10 or higher, 2 GHz processor, 4 GB RAM, 2 GB available disk space, USB port, High speed internet connection (recommended)
  • Requires Silhouette Studio® software version 4.3.341 or higher

Misc. Equipment, Tools and Accessories

  • Loom
  • Silk Screen
  • Left Handed Paper Scissors
  • Fabric Shears (Right and Left Handed) (Labeled FABRIC ONLY)
  • Pinking Shears (Right and Left Handed)(Labeled FABRIC ONLY)
  • Hand Sewing Needles
  • Hand Sewing Needle Threading Tool
  • Machine Needles (Stretch and Woven)
  • Class 15 Bobbins (Singer 4432 and Juki HZL-F600)
  • Thimbles
  • Dressmaker Pins
  • Seam Rippers
  • Embroidery Thread
  • Standard Sewing Thread
  • Overlock Thread (Juki Serger/Overlock Machine)
  • Full body female dress form size 8
    • With collapsible shoulders and removable arms
  • Steam Irons
  • Ironing Board and Table Mats
  • Assorted Fabric Glues
  • Pressing Ham
  • Dressmakers Rulers
  • Embroidery Hoops
  • Six-size Hole Punch
  • Cutting Mat(s)
  • Assorted Leather Carving Tools
  • Large Cone Thread Holder
    • Want to print your own? Check out this tutorial.
  • Various Conductive Thread
  • Pre-filled Bobbins
  • Ribbon
  • Conductive Fiber (Adafruit)
    • Stainless Steel 20um – 10 gram