For wildcard week, I decided to try CNC Embroidery. I used the Brother PE900 at the REEF.
First, I watched a number of tutorials, including those suggested by the TA. This included a basic overview as well as the process for installing Ink/Stick, the program used for CNC embroidery. I also downloaded the necessary extensions. Here are the instructional videos:
https://inkstitch.org/tutorials/resources/beginner-video-tutorials/Next, I worked on my design. For my first time on the machine, I decided to start with something very simple, just a one color design with a simple graphic. Because I am not a designer and it takes me a long time to design something unique, I decided to use an image available on VectorStock:
https://www.vectorstock.com/royalty-free-vector/outline-logo-drawing-giraffe-african-animal-vector-24345972
I copied this image into Adobe Illustrator to crop the image and adjust it as needed. I then followed the steps in this tutorial to upload the image to Ink/Stich and prepare the image for the embroidery machine.[FIND DUO TUTORIAL VIDEO]
I then watched another tutorial that walked through the very basics of the compoinents of the machine and how to do an initial embroidery project, including different options for stiching available on the machine. I found this video to be particularly helpful in guiding the actual step-by-step process for using the machine. I was able to successfully upload the image using a USB.[FIND THIS LINK -- SPECIFIC MACHINE]
With the help of the Reef staff (thank you Joe and Jeff!) I prepared the machine to embroider, including placing the fabric in the hoop and threading the machine. It was important that the fabric was sufficiently tight in the hoop, but not too tight. It also was critical to follow all steps to make sure the threading was correct.
Upon the first attempt, I made an error. Rather than centering the image in the hoop, I placed it too low in the bottom righthand corner. I also think the hoop size may not have matched the set up in the machine. The needle hit the side of the hoop. I immediately shut off the machine. Fortunately, it did not damage the hoop. However, it bent the needle. Reef staff helped to replace the needle with a new one.
I centered the image and started again. This time the machine successfully began embroidery.
Then, a second issue occurred. The fabric became loose and the embroidery machine was beginning stiches, but not completing the design all the way. I paused the project, requesting help from Reef staff. Fortunately, there is a feature on the machine that allows you to go backwards, returning to prior stiching. We went backwards, beginning again where the stiching had been lost.
A third issue occurred when the thread came undone. I rethreaded the machine, went backwards in the project timeline, and started again.
This time, I did not return to the correct point in the project. I thought that the embroidery would be sufficiently covering the entire design. However,I returned to the wrong place in the stiching timeline. For this reason, one of the legs of the giraffe was not fully completed.
I did not have time to start over and considered this a good outcome for my first time doing this! Here is the final product.