In today’s Sewing Basics post, I’m sharing how to use an embroidery machine for beginners with a walk-through of setting up the Baby Lock Bloom for embroidery and including a video. I’ll also answer common questions from embroidery machine newbies so your first project will be a success!
This post contains affiliate links. I may receive compensation (at no added cost to you) if you make a purchase using these links. This post is sponsored by Baby Lock and I’m a Baby Lock Brand Ambassador. This post is part of our ongoing collaboration but all opinions and words are my own.
If you have a sewing and embroidery machine like the Baby Lock Bloom, you may be wondering how to convert it from a sewing machine into an embroidery machine. And, if you’re new to embroidery machines, you may have other questions about needles, thread, and more. If you’ve got questions about how to use an embroidery machine for beginners, I’ve got embroidery machine answers!
How To Use an Embroidery Machine for Beginners
In this post, I’ll be answering common questions about using an embroidery machine for the first time, sharing a video that demonstrates how to switch from the sewing to the embroidery functionality on your Baby Lock Bloom, and answering basic questions about using an embroidery machine.
Basics supplies for machine embroidery
If you’re new to machine embroidery, you may be wondering what you need to get started. Besides the machine and fabric, you’ll need a needle, thread, and stabilizer.
- Thread: Use a 40 weight thread for machine embroidery. I recommend starting with polyester thread, but there are also rayon, cotton, and silk embroidery thread options available.
- Needle: Use a 75/11 needle for machine embroidery on light or medium weight fabrics like quilting cotton unless otherwise directed by your machine’s manual or the project.
- Stabilizer: Fabric stabilizers adds stiffness and strength to your fabric so that it doesn’t shift, tear, distort, or stretch while the machine is applying your embroidery design. You can choose from many different types, including fusible, wash away, and tear away.
- Other tools included with your sewing machine: If you have a sewing and embroidery machine like the Baby Lock Bloom, you will have several additional supplies included such as an embroidery presser foot, an embroidery frame, and an embroidery unit.
How to use an embroidery machine for beginners (video)
Check out the video below for a detailed walk through of how to set up the Baby Lock Bloom for your first embroidery project.
If you can’t see the video above demonstrating how to use an embroidery machine, click HERE to watch it on YouTube. In the video, I reference my unboxing video for the Bloom, which you can watch below.
If you can’t see my unboxing of the Baby Lock Bloom above, click HERE to watch it on YouTube.
How to use an embroidery machine for beginners (step-by-step list)
While the video above walks through these steps, I’m also going to outline the steps for using your Baby Lock Bloom embroidery machine below in more detail for easy reference.
- Remove the current presser foot.
- Remove the presser foot holder using the included screwdriver.
- Make sure you have a 75/11 needle installed.
- Attach the Q embroidery presser foot.
- Remove the flat bed attachment (on-machine storage) to expose the free arm.
- Open the connection port in front of the free arm by sliding the tab on the cover.
- Insert the embroidery unit into the connection port until it clicks audibly into position.
- Prepare your fabric with stabilizer on the back.
- Hoop the fabric into the embroidery frame and attach to the embroidery unit. Be sure the arrows are aligned on your embroidery frame as shown below.
- Use the LCD touch screen and the operation panel to choose your design.
- Wind your bobbin thread and thread the top spool.
- Click the Start button to begin embroidering. If necessary, change threads as directed by the LCD touch screen.
- Remove the hoop from the embroidery unit.
- Remove your stabilized fabric from the hoop.
- Click the “Always Press When Removing Embroidery Unit” button on the LCD touch screen to return the embroidery unit carriage to the correct position.
- Remove the embroidery unit.
- Close the connection port by sliding the tab on the cover.
- Replace the flat bed attachment.
- Remove the Q embroidery presser foot and reinstall the presser foot holder using the screwdriver.
- If necessary for your next project, change your needle.
- Install the presser foot.
Steps 6 and 7 before you get started and steps 15, 16, and 17 after you finish should always happen in the same order. But, there is some flexibility in the rest of the steps. For example, I knew I wanted to make a single color, outlined project, so I wound the thread for the bobbin before choosing my design.
Don’t forget to use my affiliate link with coupon code SAVE10-A424 to get 10% off all machines, accessories and software at Baby Lock, including the Baby Lock Bloom!
I hope this guide has been helpful in showing how to use an embroidery machine for beginners. If you have any questions about your Baby Lock