Embrodery by computer ; Band logos etc.

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 21 Dec 2005 4:18 am

OK can't find a better place to put this one.
And seems like the best place to find someone
with this know how / savoir faire.

Anybody into high end embrodery work.

Might not be a steeler doing this,
but I bet there is a wife or two into it big time.

I want to start a small side business for my lady.
And also do custom band promo wear too.
Our logos are VERY avante garde computer things
and not easy to sew by hand for sure.

OK,
I LOVE the Huscavarna Designer SE,
hook it to a PC and a scanner and do most anything...
but at $5k it's a bit steep.. (HA! as Ricky says)
The Designer II at $3,500 is a bit pricey too.. DRAT.

So what are the alternatives?
Brother, Singer, Juki, etc.
USB, memory sticks, down loadable paterns and their formats.
Multi thread machines, partial and total automation,
and still being a sewing machine too.
What are good sites for info.
Buying used etc.

With out being sexist:
Come on ladies, fill me in!

I bet there is more than one steeler
with a Quilting Bee champion for a wife.

Oh yeah, we can go on by email of course.
But I won't mind if it's public here either.
Unless b0b does.
( wait, wait, band hats and logos, and T-shirts etc.) OK on topic..

[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 21 December 2005 at 04:20 AM.]

Jim Phelps · Post by **Jim Phelps** » 21 Dec 2005 12:36 pm

Admittedly I don't know anything about this particular kind of business, but $3500-$5000 startup cost for any business seems actually pretty darn reasonable, to me.

Bill Terry · Post by **Bill Terry** » 21 Dec 2005 1:06 pm

http://www.swfmesa.com/

I don't know anything about this biz, but my brother has worked in that field for many years and now works for this company. They seem to do a lot of used machines, so maybe that would help, but I don't think there is anything cheaper than what you've already found.

Bill Hatcher · Post by **Bill Hatcher** » 21 Dec 2005 1:12 pm

The Husqvarna Viking computer sewing machines are VERY nice. Try to find a used one on Ebay. If you are looking to do logos then the best way will be computer aided machines.

Lawrence Sullivan · Post by **Lawrence Sullivan** » 21 Dec 2005 4:59 pm

David I use a search engine called dogpile on my computer and by typing in embroidery machines, it brought back 120 links for places offering embroidery machines, some as little as five hundred on up. I have seen small portable operations in use around our ameteur radio flea markets or hamfests and have purchased caps with call signs and names embroidered on them for $10 each
Good luck
Larry

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 22 Dec 2005 4:17 am

Thanks for the replies so far.

I agree for a start up business $5k ain't to bad.
And to get my own band stuff done for little cost is very cool.

Bill T. I will check your link. Thanks!

Ebay seems a reasonable way too.

Larry, I have also seen many links,
but I was looking for hands on been there done that
advice from an embrodery addict.
I am pretty darned sure there is someone like that
connected to the forum ; 1 step removed or less.

Howard Tate · Post by **Howard Tate** » 22 Dec 2005 7:09 am

I just looked at my wife's machine, it's a Brother PC-8200. She does patterns on the computer and it does a very good job of embroidering them. She's at work, I'll ask her for info this evening. I know she host's a site for machine knitters, but she has links to machine embroidering resources. Of course, I'm way too macho to know anything about it.

------------------
Howard, 'Les Paul Recording, Zum SD12U, Carter D10 8/8, Vegas 400, Boss ME-5, Boss DM-3, DD-3, Fender Steel King, Understanding wife. http://www.Charmedmusic.com

Howard Tate · Post by **Howard Tate** » 22 Dec 2005 7:22 pm

This is Howard's wife -

I got a really good deal on my used machine but if I was able to buy a new one I would look at the Brother machines. I use Embird for converting and modifying designs and it has an add-on module for digitizing your own designs. There is so much info available on the internet as well as thousands of free designs. One site that has global links is: www.brother.com. Good luck.

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 22 Dec 2005 7:55 pm

Merci and Joyaux Noel Madam Tate!

I had looked at the Brother machines a bit.
So I will look closer now. bThe do have mu;ltiple resellers in Bangkok too.[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 22 December 2005 at 08:02 PM.]

Peter Johannisse · Post by **Peter Johannisse** » 23 Dec 2005 7:23 am

If you decide to buy a brother, consider buying a useful aid to make your drawings and easily convert them to your embroidery design program (PE)format, see for more info http://www.artistitch.com/

Colm Chomicky · Post by **Colm Chomicky** » 23 Dec 2005 5:00 pm

I am surprized that Ron Propeil, of RonCo fame, does not have an embroidery product. I would expect no less from the inventor of the Vegimatic, the 5 Tray Food Dehydrator Beef Jerky and Yogurt Maker, and the RonCo Rhinestone and Stud Setter. In fact, back in the 70's I had tons of fun decorating western shirts with all kinds of studs and rhinestones while feasting on my own jerky and yogurt.

I wonder what the RonCo embroidery product would be named? I suppose it would be somewhat inferior to the 5K product --therefore, it probably would be called the "Stitch and Bitch"

[This message was edited by Colm Chomicky on 23 December 2005 at 05:02 PM.]

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 23 Dec 2005 9:31 pm

Embron...?

Peter, I am definitely looking at the software issues and availability etc.[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 23 December 2005 at 09:35 PM.]

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 24 Dec 2005 9:05 am

This is Howard's wife

please, don't ever scare me again like that

I wish I were single again, my pockets would jingle again

just kidding

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 24 Dec 2005 7:57 pm

ROTFLOL

Howard.. you JUST escaped.
Happy Hannukah my friend.

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 28 Dec 2005 9:06 pm

Well the Mesa SWF/B-T1501 is pretty cool, but the full software is nearly the cost of the machine.
And the lack of ANY support over here is an issue.
But looks really industrail strength.

The Brother BE-0901E-AC and BE-1201B-AC are in the same class,
with Bangkok and Singapore resellers.
With the BES-100 software It seems pretty flexable.

The Brother PR 600 is quite cool. small portable and powerful.
But I don't see much computer interaction can't tell if BES-100 works with it..

I am thinking one of those, a Viking Designer SE and PC with scanner/printer
make a pretty comprehensive 2 machine business for 15 grand.

While one does one job or set up,
another keeps grinding out work.

But a pair of Brothers with Suport in Bangkok seems a good idea.