TFDL Makerspace Training

How to Use - Embrilliance Stitch Artist

Embrilliance StitchArtist Level 3 is a program that allows you to create machine embroidery designs from scratch. You can start by importing existing artwork (with .eps vector files and cutfile formats like .studio or .fcm) or by "drawing with stitches."

The software is installed in all six PCs in the Lab NEXT area adjacent to the Makerspace. Simply save your design on a compatible USB stick to import it into the machine. (Remember the compatible USB stick can be requested at LabNext reception desk)

Tutorial Videos from the Embrilliance Youtube Channel

• StitchArtist Level 3 Controls - Part 1 (4:37 min)

• StitchArtist Level 3 Controls - Part 2 (7:53 min)

• StitchArtist Level 3 Controls - Part 3 (10:50 min)

• StitchArtist Level 3 Controls - Part 4 (8:07 min)

• StitchArtist Level 3 Controls - Part 5 (5:21 min)

TIPS FOR THE DESIGNS

• If the file name of embroidery data cannot be identified, for example, because the name contains special characters, the file will not be displayed. If this occurs, change the name of the file. We recommend using the 26 letters of the alphabet (uppercase and lowercase), the numbers 0 through 9, “-”, and “_”.
• All designs must be within the 18 cm (H) × 13 cm (W) (Approx. 7 inches (H) × 5 inches (W)) design field size.  If the selected pattern does not fit within the 18 cm (H) × 13 cm (W) (Approx. 7 inches (H) × 5 inches (W)) design field size unless it is rotated 90 degrees, a message appears, asking if you wish to rotate the pattern 90 degrees.
• .pes files saved with the number of stitches, the number of colors and the number of combined patterns exceeding the specified limits cannot be displayed. Use one of our original data design systems to edit the embroidery pattern so that it meets the required specifications.
• Save the patterns in the root directory of the USB media. If embroidery data is saved in a folder on USB media, that embroidery data cannot be retrieved by the machine.

How to Use - Brother PE770 Embroidery Machine

This embroidery machine operation is mostly focused on the threading of the machine as the settings are already configured.  The navigation of the embroidery patterns through the touchscreen will be explained by the meaning of the buttons and icons of the LCD Screen.

THREADING

For threading, the steps are similar as the ones for the sewing machine:

1. Bobbin Winding and Setup.
2. Upper Threading.
3. Fabric and Frame Setup.

Bobbin Winding

1. Turn the machine On and acknowledge the messages in the touchscreen.
2. Open the upper cover and insert the bobbin on the winding shaft and the spool on the spool pin.
3. Put the bobbin on the winding shaft and slide it towards the right to the bobbin winder.
4. Pass the thread through the thread guides 1, 2 and then towards the right into the hook and pretension disc.  Be sure to pass the thread under the hook and then under the disc.  Continue leading the thread towards the empty bobbin.
5. Wind the bobbin clockwise around 4 to 6 turns and be sure to finish the thread under the bobbin in the slit in the bobbin seat.  Pull the thread to cut the excess thread.
6. Push the yellow start/stop button indicator over the needle in order to start and stop winding.  The bobbin should be winded until the winding becomes slow.  If the winding is not stopped then, the machine can suffer damage.
7. After winding, push the button again to stop. Cut the thread going to the bobbin and slide the winded bobbin back (to the left).  Then remove the bobbin.

Bobbin Installation

1. To install the winded bobbin under the needle, first open the cover latch and remove it.
2. Insert the bobbin into the bobbin compartment making sure that the thread unrolls to the left.
3. While holding the bobbin down with a finger, guide the thread through the slot to the left of the compartment.
4. Make sure to guide thread correctly through the tension spring (slit on a metal ring) inside the bobbin case.
5. After the thread is into the guided slot, pull the thread at the end to cut the excess thread.
6. Place back the cover.

Upper Threading

1. Raise the foot lever to raise the presser foot and press the Needle position button (over the red/yellow/green indicator Stich button) in order to raise the needle.
2. Open the upper cover of the machine and place the spool and spool cap on the spool pin. Start guiding the thread through the thread guided slots marked with numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 to the left of the spool and downwards towards the presser foot and needle.
3. Once at the presser foot you'll see markings number 6 over the needle and 7 to the left on a white plastic tab.  The thread should go behind the needle bar at number 6.
4. Guide the thread towards the marking number 7, making sure it goes through the slit in the metallic guide disc.
5. Continue guiding the thread towards guide marking number 8, which is at the left hand side of the machine.  After this, pull the presser foot lever downwards.
6. The marking 9 indicates the needle threader lever on the left hand side of the machine.  Once the presser foot is down, pull this lever downwards and check if the needle was threaded.  If it was, raise the presser foot again and pull all the thread through the needle eye.  Finish by passing the thread through the foot hole

Fabric and Frame Setup

Finally to setup the fabric on the embroidery machine, you need to attach it to an embroidery frame.  The frames available at LabNext Makerspace are sizes Extra Large Multiposition (30x13 cm or 12x5 in), Large (18x13 cm or 7x5 in), Medium (10x10 cm or 4x4 in) and Small (2x6 cm or 1x2.5 in - Oval shaped).

To attach the fabric you need to do the following:

1.  Loosen the screw on the outer frame and place the fabric with the stabilizer material on top of the outer frame.
2.  Press the inner frame from the top of the fabric, making sure the alignment markings match on the inner and outer frames.

4.  Tighten the adjustment screw by hand to secure the fabric.
5.  Gently remove the fabric from the frame without loosening the screw and repeat step 3, pressing the inner frame in from the top of the fabric again.
6.  Now, tighten the adjustment screw while removing any slack in the fabric by gently pulling by the corners of the fabric. Be careful not to pull hard and upwards as this can remove the inner frame from the set.
7. The goal is to have a drum-like sound when the stretched fabric is struck lightly.

After this, just attach the frame to the embroidery machine.  To do this, lift the presser foot and pass the frame with the fabric under the embroidery presser foot while holding the presser foot lever upwards.  Please be specially careful not to break the needle. 

Then attach the frame to the embroidery machine by the metalic mounting bracket and pins on the machine and frame.  Here you need to notice that both pins are in the frame guides or the pattern may not be correctly performed by the machine. 

To remove the frame from the machine, do the exact same procedure in reverse order.

TOUCH SCREEN OPERATION

The screen operation is very simple, here is the explanatory of the buttons and Icons you will use to browse the patterns and seek for procedure help.

Resources:

Software - Embrilliance StitchArtist

• Embrilliance Stitch Artist web page

Hardware - Brother PE770

• Operation Manual
• Operation Manual with USB Feature
• Quick Reference Guide
• FAQs & Troubleshooting

Recomendations:

• Make sure the threading is done correctly.
• Check the condition of the needle before starting.
• Use stabilizer material for the embroidery design because it keeps fabric from moving or bunching up, adds support and helps to keep stictches in place.
• Make sure the presser foot is down before starting.