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====== Embroidery Machine ======

There is a [[https://sewingcraft.brother.eu/en/products/machines/embroidery-machines/embroidery-machines/innov-is-m330e|Brother Innov-is M330E]] (10×10 cm embroidery surface, custom designs via USB) in the craft room.

You should be inducted before you use it. Please see [[members:inductions]].

{{public:2026-05-23_embroidery-machine.jpg?600|}}

If you are comfortable using a sewing machine, a lot of the skills and knowledge will transfer over.

Here is an introduction to machine embroidery:

  * [[https://edutechwiki.unige.ch/en/Machine_embroidery]]

…and some examples of what can be made on such a machine:

{{public:2026-05-23_embroidery-examples.jpg?800 |}}

===== Manuals =====

Manuals are good, actually. For the M33E we have:

  * (log in to download) {{ :members:operation-manual_brother-innov-is-m330e.pdf | operation manual }}
  * (log in to download) {{ :members:quick-reference-guide_brother-innov-is-m330e.pdf | quick reference guide }}
  * included accessories (download from above)
  * inbuilt designs (download from above)

You should read the operation manual.

===== Use =====

You should know how a sewing machine works, and hopefully have used one. There is a great [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lwI4TSKM3Y|video explanation]] by Tim Hunkin ([[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OV_fVPggJbw|shorter version]])

To use the embroidery machine, you should know how to:

  * wind the bobbin
  * remove and replace the bobbin
  * threading the upper thread
  * check the needle is in good order
  * adjust thread tension and why you would do this
  * fasten material into the embroidery hoop

You should be able to consider:

  * what type of fabric would be good or bad to embroider
  * what type of thread would be good or bad to embroider
  * why you might want a stabiliser backing

To run a machine embroidery, follow the steps from the operation manual:

^ Step # ^ Aim ^ Action ^ Page ^
| 1 | Checking the needle | Use needle 75/11 for embroidery | 24 |
| 2 | Embroidery unit attachment | Attach the embroidery unit. | 25 |
| 3 | Bobbin thread setup | For the bobbin thread, wind embroidery bobbin thread and set it in place | 17 |
| 4 | Fabric preparation | Attach a stabilizer material to the fabric, and hoop it in the embroidery frame. | 27 |
| 5 | Embroidery frame attachment | Attach the embroidery frame to the embroidery unit. | 29 |
| 6 | Pattern selection | Select an embroidery pattern. | 30 |
| 7 | Checking the layout | Check and adjust the size and position of the embroidery. | 32 |
| 8 | Embroidery thread setup | Set up embroidery thread according to pattern. | 33 |

===== Making custom designs =====

You can make any SVG into an embroidery pattern, using [[https://inkstitch.org/|Ink/Stitch]], an [[https://inkscape.org/|Inkscape]] extension. You want to use the Brother <code>.pes</code> filetype.

Please read:

  * [[https://inkstitch.org/docs/basic-usage/|Ink/Stitch: Basic Use]]
  * [[https://inkstitch.org/docs/workflow/|Ink/Stitch: Workflow]]

You can make a PNG into an SVG using Inkscape's [[https://inkscape-manuals.readthedocs.io/en/latest/tracing-an-image.html|trace bitmap]] function, e.g.,

^ PNG ^ SVG ^
| {{public:2026-05-23_cinnamonroll.png?200}} | {{public:2026-05-23_cinnamonroll.svg?200}} |

To make patches, have a look at:

  * [[https://edutechwiki.unige.ch/en/Embroidery_patch]]
  * [[https://edutechwiki.unige.ch/en/InkStitch_-_embroidery_patch]]

===== How to =====

  * where to buy fabric and thread
    * best place is probably the Moor Market, on the Moor. There's a great haberdashery.
  * how to create patterns larger than 10×10 cm?
    * see manual page 38
  * cut felt to size for patches
    * use scissors, or (if [[members:inductions|inducted]]!!) laser cutter with approx 160mm/s, 28% power.
  * how to do anything else
    * see manual or ask Alfie

===== to-do =====

  * buy some stabilizer (see [[https://edutechwiki.unige.ch/en/Hooping_and_stabilizing_in_computerized_embroidery|edutech wiki]])
  * buy a large roll of default/cheap bobbin thread
  * buy some more felt/test fabric for inductions/experiments