on ez pay for 5 payments and free shipping. As soon as I saw it I knew I had to have one. That was 2 yrs ago . Been hooked ever since. Before that I never even knew they made a machine just for embroidery. I'm glad I was watching that day. Tell us your story.

I have been sewing forever, hand made Barbie clothes and all. I have gotten away from sewing and only use my machine for mending or a quick project. I even worked in a factory making ladies sportswear, mostly using a serger. I have always loved clothing with embroidery on it, like if it had embroidery I HAD to own it. After seeing them in action in JoAnn stores I wanted one so bad. Last Fall I was diagnosed with Atypical Carcinoid cancer of the lung. In Oct I had the lower lobe of my right lung removed, in Nov I had a coughing spell (I have had asthma since I was 26) and I collapsed the lung and ended up back in the hospital for another 4 days. We knew I would be having chemo soon so DH knew how badly I wanted the machine, we could only afford the low end Brother from Walmart but he got it for me for Christmas. I started chemo the beginning of Jan and had my last treatment on St. Patty's day. A scan right after that came back showing a growth in the top of the same lung. The oncologist wanted me to have a biopsy done but it would be invasive and I couldn't see getting cut open again if it wasn't necessary so I asked for another scan in 2 months. I had that on the 5th of Aug. and I will go to the oncologist in 2 days to see if it has grown or not. In the mean time I have "met" so many nice and helpful people right here on Cute.com. So many angels helped me through the tough days and I want to thank you all. I'll update on the 11th as to what the oncologist says.

2 comments

by shirlener88 09 Aug 2010

Debra, we have been blessed by having you join us during this time - so happy you got your machine and I hope that each day that you stitch with it - you make a good memory for those around you with your work. Please know that we send the prayer warriors out for you. LOVE!

by leenova54 09 Aug 2010

Thank you Shirlene, you have helped me several times in my journey to learning how to use this machine. I have to get Christmas things out of the way first and then I want to do a FSL bowl!

I have always been artsy type person, when I was younger I hand embroidered all kinds of things then I grew and life was hectic with working and raising children. I still took time to make clothes for my children but embroidery was time consuming. but had always loved embroidery.
I was left an inheritance from my father in 2003 while we were in the beginings of building a house to sell. So my money went into the house, while I watched my 4 sisters and brother buy the things they wanted with theirs I worked hard putting everything we made extra into that house. It took us 4 yrs to complete the house and sell it, so I finally was able to get my inheritance back, the first thing I did was go shopping for a sewing machine, I saw an embroidery machine at my local shop but being frugal I could not spend that much $$$$ on a brand new one, so started hunting for a used machine. Was able to find my D1 at a great deal from a dealer on the other side of my state. I only had a walmart brothers sewing machine before this. so sewing on this machine is a dream and when I am using it I am reminded of my father that he is still with me because this was a gift from him.

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by shirlener88 09 Aug 2010

Michele dear - what a great story - I love that you finally got your machine after the sale of the house - I hope you all sorts of lovely clothes with it and please share them with us in projects - we would love to see them.

by michele921 10 Aug 2010

right now I am doing FSL for the holidays my machine is going like crazy, now is when I wish I had 2 of them so I could be working on a different type also like and ITH or towels quilt would be great LOL just watching does get boring after a while but I figure am starting the earliest I ever have LOL

Bev, I too saw it on HSN in 2007 and it was a gift from my mother who passed in 2000. She gave me some pin cushions that I have no idea where they are. I know in a box but which one...LOL ;D *2U

1 comment

by shirlener88 10 Aug 2010

Monica, we are so thrilled that you are here as the result of your watching HSN, and your mother's special gift to you.

A few years ago I was at an educational conference in Orlando. That year, the BIG scrapbooking show was also in Orlando. I was big into paper crafting at the time, so hubby and I went off to see the show. The exhibit hall was huge...one side of it had items relating to scrapbooking, and the other side was dedicated to sewing and embroidery. I went to check out the paper crafting, and hubby wandered over to the sewing side of the room. When I found him a short time later, he whisked my over to see a demonstration of a Brother Innovis 2500D. He said that I should have one...I said that he was nuts...I hadn't sewn for decades...but those monogrammed towels were really pretty. Well, needless to say, hubby won, and before I knew it, I was the proud owner of a 2500D!! Since I wasn't proficient with a sewing machine, my novice embroidery career had its ups and downs, but I finally got the hang of it, and I really love it. In Dec 2008, hubby bought me a Brother Quatro for my Christmas present. Now I have two wonderful babies. Also, my friends at Cute have taught me so much about the craft. They make it easy to learn. How can I not love it.
Barb

3 comments

by greysewist 09 Aug 2010

He sounds like a pretty good husband to have. Perhaps you'd consider hiring him out to others who need a little encouragement to start something new and inspiring :)

by shirlener88 10 Aug 2010

Barb, we are so thankful that your hubby won that 1st machine and that you come along to join in the CUTE family.

by auntbaba 10 Aug 2010

Thank-you Shirlene. You are so sweet!!

I have an old Pfaff 7570 and love it. I got hooked when I was in our local Hudson Bay store in Surrey, British Columbia. I saw the designs of little hedgehogs and that was it. I am a single mom who raised my kids myself so didn't have the money to buy it, but I was determined to get something for myself. My kids are on their own, so it was now time for something for me. I started working weekends as well as a full time job M-F but I wanted that machine. I worked 7 days a week for 5 years and bought the machine. I had an old computer that I bought from a previous employer, to use for my embroidery, but it wasn't adequate for the machine. I went to a local Craft and Sewing show and meet a couple that had designed program for my machine. I was interested in it but didn't have the money at the time. One of the sewing stores near me had a demo night of this program so I went to see it. They sold the program for a discount. Again my computer wouldn't accept the program. Well the night before 9-11, I got a phone call from the couple that sold me the program to tell me that they had solved my computer problem. They came over and had a brand new computer for me. I had bearly met these two people and yet they where kind enough to do this for me. They said they just felt that I was the kind of person that they wanted to help. So since then I have been making lots of things and mostly giving them away. Its my way of paying it forward. Sorry the story is so long, but I had to tell it. We have remained great friends ever since. I have tears in my eyes now and everytime I think of the wonderful people in the world that help someone else, without asking for anything in return. Jerri

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by greysewist 09 Aug 2010

Ohmygoodness, that is a most excellent story. It's so nice to hear of the good things people do for each other! Thanks for that.

by bevintex 09 Aug 2010

I agree about the wonderful people in the world. So many of them make up the Cute Embroidery site.

by shirlener88 10 Aug 2010

Jerri, we are so happy that you were able to manage to buy your machine and that those dear sweet people were open-hearted to help you with the PC - now we all have you with us in our world-wide CUTE family. What a blessing. You have my eyes leaking, too.

I was at the spotlight centre and you had to walk thru Janome to enter the store. I had not been sewing long. "Not gifted with this talent" The 300e was on a fantastic special and was being demo'd. Went home to tell DH I WANT! Well the reply was .... when we get a grand daughter i will buy you one :( We had a grand due that month so fingers and toes crossed,) we were blessed with our 5th grandson... But guess who got the machine anyway. From the small spare room which had been converted to the study after # 3 of 4 kids left i took over. Well i now needed a computer didnt i? This was when i found cute and found a worldwide friendship. DH was delegated to the dining room table on the laptop :) Then off to the Craft show with DH and i came home with the serger. Now my room was "overflowing" After #4 and her new hubby moved out of the converted garage/granny flat i am now a happy little cutie with a 20x15 ft room. And loving it. My 3 daughters live 1500klm away but always look forward to visiting Nonna & Pop , but mostly the "shed" . All this in 5 yrs :)

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by shirlener88 09 Aug 2010

Pauline, this is great - I love that you were able to not only get more - but have the space to move into - once the other's moved out of coarse. Hehehe!

My 30 year old Viking machine gave out and I needed to replace it. My husband said we would get one for a Christmas present. He went shopping with me just to look. At his suggestion we went with a bottom of the line embroidery machine instead of a regular sewing machine. I love it. But that was just the beginning as I kept trading up until my SE which I will have until it gives out!

Well, here's my story.
I had seen a Janome several yrs ago but not a demo as we had been in a dealer store when I was getting a serger. I'd looked at it a little and thought it was too bad I couldn't afford it.
No this past Sept. we were in the same store as I thought I'd like to see what they had for Janome sewing machines as that is what I've had for the last 29 yrs with no repairs. Well, the lady gave me a demo and I fell in love with the machine juat like I had with the Janome Memory 7 that I have had and loved for the last 29 yrs.
But at the time I walked away from it and checked it out online. A couple days later - I bit the bullet and phoned and had them put one away for me. The more I use it the better I like it. I still haven't done much embroidery with it yet, but I now have embroidery thread and many designs so am all set for a while and have 3 quilts lined up to do for my grandchildren.

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by shirlener88 09 Aug 2010

Linda, this is great - you need to start using that machine - once you do - you will enjoy stitching up for those grands and they will love everything that you make them.

My story is very different.

One day, whilst visiting a very good friend, she said, "I have something for you," and took me into her dining room. All I could see were her table and chairs, and her embroidery machine where it usually sat, on the table. I couldn't understand what was going on when she handed it to me and said it was mine. I began to protest but she said that she had upgraded to a new machine now and I could have her old one and yes, she did mean she was giving it to me. I pointed out that she could sell it, or have traded it in in part-exchange, but she said no she couldn't, and told me the story of how she came by it in the first place.

I'm not going to go into all the details, but she had seen a sewing machine advertised for sale and gone to look at it. Its owner had only very recently died in rather tragic circumstances and the family were selling the machine. After they had agreed on a price she asked when the funeral was and they asked why - she replied that she wanted to say a prayer for the departed at the exact time of the funeral. They were so overwhelmed by this kindness from a complete stranger that they refused to take any money for the machine, and made her promise that she would never sell it but when she wanted to part with it she must also give it away, to someone else who would appreciate it, and they in turn could also not sell it but must also pass it on - for ever "paying it forward."

I would never, ever have been able to buy an embroidery machine and I can't see myself ever passing it on unless I become physically unable to use it for some reason. I will be eternally grateful to both my friend and our unknown benefactor, who is now included in my prayers too.

Love
Dianne x x x

5 comments

by bevintex 09 Aug 2010

Dianne
What a wonderful story.

by asterixsew 09 Aug 2010

Dianne it is lovely to be given a embroidery machine as a gift by a friend as I well know. The difference though is I chose the machine I wanted which was a gift of many years of friendship.

by shirlener88 09 Aug 2010

Dianne, what an inspiration. THAT really makes me tear up.

by nanniesara 09 Aug 2010

What an awesome gift, and I am sure you will do what she asked. You have certainly already been giving back with your designs, Now I know why you have the statement about your designs that they can only be used for a gift not used to make money. Thanks for sharing with all of us. I do appreciate the designs. Sara

by leenova54 09 Aug 2010

Goosebump moment! Fantastic!

I saw a demo in a store, but I saw the prices too, I thought would never be able to buy one, then one day navigating around embroidery stores on line I notice that their prices were not that expensive, my B-day was coming so i asked for it as a b-day gift it was a 180D Brother, later I took a part time job just to save for for a larger area I got Brother 6500 and I love it.

2 comments

by bevintex 09 Aug 2010

They can be expensive, but if you can finance it or get ez pay it's not so bad. i saw a new Bernina in the store the other day for 4000.00 Maybe when i pay off my car.

by shirlener88 09 Aug 2010

So happy you figured out a way to get it. Sometimes - the payments take awhile to pay off, but they are so worth it.

I have always loved art in all forms, drawings, paintings, sculptures, even singing and dancing hahaha. I have always desired to be artistic, but God did not grace me with any abilities artistically. So I did the next best thing I bought an embroidery machine and that is the closest I could come to being artistic. I love to watch the designs come alive, fabric is my canvas and thread is my paint.

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by shirlener88 09 Aug 2010

Me, too.

by psssst 09 Aug 2010

hahaha

Hi cuties, here is my story.
Have been a crafter most of my 50 something years, anything I can make with my my hands interest me. For the last few years have been making victorian St. Nick's and my old (20 years) machine has taken a beating. In Jan. decided to check out what my budget could afford and my DH of 26 years happened to be with me. All I wanted was a sewing machine but he spotted a viking des.2 and convinced me I should buy that instead. He hasn't seen me since (except for a two week trip in July to Paris and Praque), I am constantly in my new sewing room with my new computer and can barely find time to come out and make supper. Don't know what I will do once BBQ season is over (he handles the BBQ) I have to find
new and simpler recipes. Anyway he didn't realize what an investment he was getting into but apparently he still loves me as much even with less money in his pocket and lots of free time on his hands. Have a good day everyone and keep stitching.
mich

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by bevintex 09 Aug 2010

Get a crock pot and let it do the cooking. More time to embroider. Or tell hubby it's time to diet anyway. LOL!

by shirlener88 09 Aug 2010

It does sound like you have a good man there - just fix quick and easy things or the crock pot works wonders, too. You need to start showing us some of your projects, too.

I saw a Brother Galaxie 2000 working 10 years ago and was totally hooked on it. I was able to use one and produce some work with it from time to time but always wanted one of my own.

So how did I get my own?

One day I got a cheque in the post from my dear friend - we have known each other since we were 12. The card with the cheque said go and buy that machine that you are always talking about. The money had come from her late fathers estate and as her mother had just died his estate was being wound up. I never met my friends father as he died a few weeks before I met her when she was 12.

The strange/weird thing that has just happened as I was reading how everyone else got their machines she phoned me. Today would have been her fathers 99th birthday. She also reminded me that the first sewing machine I bought myself was a Frisiter & Rossman Cub 3. I wanted a Bernina but could not afford it so used my 21st birthday money for the Cub 3. A year later and working I sold her the Cub and bought my beloved Bernina which I still use

We live about 300 miles apart, see each other infrequently but talk often on the phone. Last year she came to stay and we had a brilliant evening with me showing her the embroidery machine in action. She was amazed as she had no idea about what a embroidery machine could do.

So that is the story of how I got my embroidery machine
Bev thanks for asking this question, I have written before here about my brilliant gift

2 comments

by shirlener88 09 Aug 2010

Caroline, this is such a heart-warming story - what a great friend you have indeed. You do have a brilliant gift.

by asterixsew 10 Aug 2010

Yes she is a brilliant friend.

I got my embroidery machine from my X husband. It was the best gift he ever gave me (besides our children). He bought it at a garage sale lol. I had nooooooooo idea on how to use it. I had never seen one befor. Good thing it came with the books. It sat for a few years while i went through a divorce. Two years ago i got it out of the box and i have not put it away. I just love it, it's so much fun. For the past year i have been so busy with it. I found Cute Embroidery and so many great people. Now i digitize my own designs. So thank you to my X husband for the great gift and Cute Embroidery. I'm having a wonderful time :)
Hugs Lee

1 comment

by shirlener88 09 Aug 2010

Lee, that is so special - what a gift and you got us, too! Hehehe!

My hubby and I were in a fabric store, and they happened to have an embroidery machine on sale. He bought it for my Christmas present! I didn't use it much for the first 6 months or so, but now I am totally addicted. ;)

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by shirlener88 09 Aug 2010

Isn't Christmas wonderful? So happy you are stitching now - can you share some of your projects with us, too?

I have been sewing since I was 10, when my mother was to busy one day and I made a bonnet for my doll.. I sewed for my children 3 girls and a boy..as they got older not so much.. did a couple of prom dresses , then wedding dresses and such.. Then my oldest daughter and hubby where expecting our first grandchild....I needed a new machine by then so.........I went to the Craft Show in Del Mar 17 years ago.. Saw many embroidery machines demonstrated and got a Janome 8000, and a Surger .. Embroidered and sewed on that machine many years then one day I was at Sears and saw a Brother 180D with the Disney designs and how cute they were and got that one for Christmas from Hubby.. Did many a design with that little machine.. what a work horse.. still have that one and then my Husband got a new boat and I needed to have my 8000 serviced.. dropped it off and he bought me a Jamone 9000.. what a wonderful machine this is.. wow, I was in heaven .. sewing and embroidering. I still looked at other options thru the years .. about 3 years ago my dealer sent out flyers about the newer machines and in the mean time my hubby got a bigger boat, one that had to be left in the harbor at the dock.. mmmm.. that flyer offered 1000.00 off with my old 8000 that was totally worn out.. could not read the screen any more and would cost to much to repair.. so he traded it in for the Brother 4000d.. came with all the upgrades so it really was the 4500D.. I love this machine.. just gives me fits with the tension ..little pieces of thread get caught up in the disks.. been in the shop 3 times .. good thing I got the extended warranty .. last time I went in with it a wonderful sales person talked us in to a great deal, but I kept the 4000d because it was so much money and I still have 2 years on the warranty.. now I have the Quattro and totally love it with all these large hoop, it does so much.. what a dream machine.. now that's my story 17 years later, that is how old my oldest granddaughter is and the youngest is 8 months, yes another granddaughter.. all of our stories are so fun to read..

1 comment

by shirlener88 09 Aug 2010

Kathy, so many machines and what a great thing it was that your husband kept buying boats - so you could get another machine - Hehehe! That Quattro is a dream machine - would love the hoops on that one.

I had seen a lady demonstrate a Brother emb machine outside a mall in South Africa,this was 7years ago since that day I had my heart set on one. Went visiting shops in Nelspruit,closest South African town to us. Then 3years ago on My 40th birthday My Mom n Dad asked me what I wanted and did not even have to think,I knew what I wanted .I got a BERNINA AURORA 440 as I wanted to quilt too,and the Dealer is a very nice n helpful lady. The machine came at a time when both my kids were off to Uni n boarding ,the machine fills a vacuum the kids have left.
I have my heart set on the 8series now.........

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by shirlener88 09 Aug 2010

What great parents you have and yes our machines fill a void - just what the doctor ordered for us - keep your heart set on the 8series - it will happen.

My oldest son bought it for me as a Christmas present.He had a very good year in his business, and knew I had wanted one for years but couldn't afford one. I guess when you go without over the years for your children, you reap the rewards when they get older. Not just in material things, but in the things that they want to do for you, and the love they give you back. Family is what it is all about. Being there for each other ever day.

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by shirlener88 09 Aug 2010

Lynn, what a sweet son you have - it is great - when you teach them enough for them to go out in the world and then they give back to you, isn't it.

I have been sewing since I was 7. I brought my sewing machine in 5 years ago for repair and saw all the pretty machines sitting there. I asked about them and walked out with an Ellure. Yes, they sold Babylock machines. Well, when I saw what an Ellegante could do I gave my Ellure to a dear friend who was sewing on an ancient machine. She loves it. And I bought the Ellegante. Oh I loved that machine and put a lot of stitches on it. Then I realized that I could do so much more with a multi-needle machine. I talked with my dealer who gave me a wonderful deal on one. And then I traded in my beloved Ellegante on an Elissimo that was on sale for almost the price of an Ellegante. I am still fascinated with embroidery and love to see the projects of other embroiderers.

1 comment

by shirlener88 09 Aug 2010

Karen, that is so wonderful - especially that you gave your Ellure to a friend - so you have the Elissimo and the multi-needle big one?

I saw a demonstration on TV on the little Brother 270D. It is loaded with a lot of Disney designs and I knew I had to have one to put those designs on my grandkids clothes. I saved up and watched the sales on Ebay until I finally got one. I loved it, but had to have one to do larger designs. I started saving again and bought another one to do 5x7 designs. I'm saving again to get one that will do even larger designs! Hooked? Yeah, I'm hooked, and loving it!

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by shirlener88 09 Aug 2010

Judy, that is great - we are all hooked - that is for sure.

I went into my local sewing/fabric shop to browse the quilting section, not really intending to buy anything. The owner was making a bag on a Husqvarna Designer 1 (top of the line then). It was love at first sight!

I had been looking at embroidery machines in a half hearted way for about a year but everyone I saw seemed to be a lot of fuss for quite a large price - scanning designs etc. The Designer 1 was the first one I saw that was so simple to use.

I have to say I raided my savings the same day and ordered one.

I have since upgraded from that machine but I still have it. It still embroiders perfectly (actually slightly better than my upgrade Husqvarna). I don't think I will ever part with it and my will states who will have it after I have gone.

Jo

1 comment

by shirlener88 09 Aug 2010

Jo, that is super - you have it in your will - lucky person that gets it, too. I have my Mother's Designer I, it embroider's great, too.

I have been a seamstress all my life. I started on a singer when I was 8 and have gone to the top with Singer 1230 in 1970, then bought the top Bernina in 1989 when I started back teaching, then after watching friends embroidery on their machines wanted the top Bernina several years ago, but had to save the money to put our 2 children through college. I decided that once I retired I would get the Bernina as my reward to myself. About 6 months after retiring I was in the quilt shop that I was teaching a quilting class in and was waiting on the lady owner to check me out, but she was showing a customer a Janome 11000SE. My hubby and I stood and watched and what sold me was the auto threader and all the quilting patterns build into the machine. We got home and talked about it, called her and told her to hold one for me and I went and got it on November 12, 2009. Got it out of the box about a week later and finally got it on the cabinet of the singer. In January I was finally able to sew on it for the first time. (Too many holiday and church things to really sew, but read the manual during that time.) I loved it from the beginning, but only started doing the embroidery part when I started a Hoopsisters class at the quilt shop. I had to learn to use it and its little quirks but all and all we have been having a ball. Could only use built in stuff for about 4 months, but the last 2 months I have been in freebie heaven and have used many of the designs on projects and quilts to give away, but have learned so much in the past 6 months. This time last year I would have never thought I would be doing what I am today. I even showed the 11000SE at the shop to a lady interested in it the other day as the shop owner was so busy with customers, she said she would talk to her hubby about it, as it was a lot of $$$$ but I think she will eventually buy it. The embroidery club at the shop and you cuties have really made me grow in my embroidery expectations. THANKS dianne in TN

2 comments

by shirlener88 09 Aug 2010

Dianne, what a marvelous story - now you could be selling them, too. I am so happy for you - good luck with the Hoopsisters class at the quilt shop.

by quilter124 09 Aug 2010

Thanks Shirlener88, I have bought 3 others, and working on those also. Just need more time now.....

I only went into the shop with a view to buying a new sewing machine. I let them show me what they had and I came home with a demonstation model so I didn't have to wait for delivery!

1 comment

by shirlener88 09 Aug 2010

Way to go Sue! Hehehe!

I had been wanting one for several years,15 or so) but the money was not there for that kind of luxury at the time. When my husband retired he said he would buy me one. But he bought a 4 wheeler. So I the saw an add for a shop and went to see my sister bought a trade in they had and I left still determined to have one. I called back and they had their floor models on sale and I told the lady I wanted a certain one the, she quoted me the price and said I could get it on easy payments no interest for 2 yrs. So I went on my next off day and got one. That was about 6 yrs ago. Still have the same machine and would like to upgrade but not now. My machine is ans Baby Lock ESE2. Works great so far never had a problem. Sara

3 comments

by queenofhearts 09 Aug 2010

A four wheeler! That sounds like something that my ex would have done. I'm glad that you went and got something for yourself.

by shirlener88 09 Aug 2010

Sara so happy to hear that you went in and made a deal of a lifetime - what treasures you will make with it.

by nanniesara 09 Aug 2010

Although I did make almost all the payments, he would have helped me but I was determined I was going to do it myself. Till it got to the end of the 2 yrs and I still owed $300 dollars and would have to pay the interest on the whole amount. He gave me the money to finish it. Si I almost did it by myself.

My daughter in Ky. had one & after spending several days with her & observing how great it was came back to Al. wanting one. That was in 2005 I am now on my 3rd machine, just kept getting bigger & better now have and Ellegante 2. I love it, hard to spend even one day not sewing or embroidering. *

1 comment

by shirlener88 09 Aug 2010

What a speical thing - watching and learning from your daughter and then getting your own. I love my Ellegante2's, as well.

I had watched one working at JoAnn Fabric store and was amazed at them. Couldn't get it off my mind. Started talking about the machines with my husband. I got him to watch a demo and we started researching on the internet. He told me one evening to order one for my B'day because he wanted me to have one. I ended up with a Singer CE250 because of the bargain I got and it looked like something I could catch on to quickly, and if all else failed, it was still an upgrade from my simple old sewing machine. I am hooked! I love it more than I ever dreamed I would. Had I not gotten it I would have missed out on being part of the "cute" family. Reva

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by shirlener88 09 Aug 2010

Reva, you have a wise husband and now you have us, too! Hehehe!

I went down to the local sewing centre to buy a pair of snip scissors, hubby was with me and while I was talking to the store owner, hubby walked off to watch the sales girls stitching out designs on a Designer 1, a Brother of some sort and the Pfaff Creative Vision.

After I bought my snip scissors for 90c, DH dragged me off to watch the machines. I never even knew such machines existed before that day.

Now I have 4 Embroidery machines added to my 2 Vintage Singers, My Elna Supermatic and Bernina Overlocker.
I have 6 embroidery programs and a laptop and the best thing of all, I have friends all around the world who are like family to me.

Was that really only 2 years and 8 months ago????

Hugs n roses, Meganne

3 comments

by bevintex 09 Aug 2010

Who knew what those snip scissors would lead to.

by shirlener88 09 Aug 2010

That is amazing - just went in for snip scissors and you got all of us, too. Hehehe! It has been such a short while - but feels like we have known you all our lives.

by meganne 10 Aug 2010

Of course there was a little bit more to Ray's reason for buying the machine for me, but you probably don't all remember it, that was when I was first diagnosed with the breast cancer.

Ray has since told me that he thought the machine would be therapy to help me get through my upcoming trials.

Little did he know how much love and support I would find here at Cute, all from buying that machine.

"HE" works in mysterious ways.

Hugs n love, Meg

Bev, I have told this story before - so those of you that have read it can go on to the next story - I am sure you would anyway. Hehehe! My Mother (Miss Loretta) had a Embroidery Machine and she was taking clases, but was having some trouble with the program on her PC - well I have had some experience with some programs and she asked me to help her. I had no idea - what it was that I really was trying to do with that program at the time - but by the time we were finished - I knew that she must have some really speical designs and work that she could do with an embroidery machine - she started to show me - each time I visited - sometimes - I had time - sometimes I didn't - but nonetheless - I looked and remember what she had and watched to see if she ever finished a project - the funny thing is - my Mother was a good starter at projects - but lacked the follow through - years later - after I moved to NC - she came for a visit - one of the things that she wanted to do - was go to some sewing centers - so we traveled to several cities and went to lots of shops - one stuck out - with a frinedly lady showing us some nice machines and projects. About six months later - I was wanting to make a baby blanket for the tiny little baby that I was babysitting. I went to that store with the friendly lady and told her I was looking for a sewing machine - she remembered that I had come in during the summer with my Mother from UT and I was shocked - she also remembered that my Mother had an embroidery machine - so she showed me a Babylock Ellure - which is a embroidery/sewing machine. I went home an talked to Rick about it - he said if I really wanted it - we would find a way - I could have 30 days to pay it off - so it became my Christmas present that year. I had never had anything that cost that much before - we had to buy the PC programs to make it work, as well. That was my first machine - within a year - I traded up for a Babylock Ellegante - I had that machine for a year - when the store owner took it in for repair and sold it to someone else - it took me over four years to get it back - in the meantime - it was over a year without a machine - until we could get enough money to pay for one out and out - that was a Babylock Ellegante2 - then we moved to UT - I was still going to court over the loss of the Ellegante in NC - I had to travel there for court a couple times - the day that Rick had his stroke was the day that I finally received a brand new Elegante2. It sat in the box - until about a week ago. Now aren't you glad you asked? Hehehe! All through the years - I have loved embroidery and have a Love of Lace, and I didn't even know that I had a talent for it - until I tried.

5 comments

by keeponsewing 09 Aug 2010

Great story. God had His master plan in work the whole time...:)

by shirlener88 09 Aug 2010

Terre, that is for sure He does - in every aspect of our lives.

by greysewist 09 Aug 2010

Dianne, have you seen the movie 'Pay it Forward'? I loved that movie and think it might have inspired a whole lot of people to do nice things for each other in that way. Great story!

by leenova54 09 Aug 2010

Wonderful story Shirlene. I am sorry I didn't get to meet your Mother on here, she was gone before I started embroidery. She must have been a fantastic lady! I know she was loved on Cute.com

by shirlener88 09 Aug 2010

Thanks you Debra, she was a sweetheart that is for sure - she loved her CUTE family so very much.

While searching for crochet designs online I found a pineapple design at skeldalehouse.com and fell in LOVE. I began investigating machine embroidery, on line and decided to GO FOR IT. I then bought the smallest Brother machine from Walmart and made two fsl bowls for my son's wedding then decided that I HAD to get the brother 1500 machine because of the larger 6x10 hoop. I have, so far, made too many fsl designs but continue to be on the look out for more!


Below is the link for what caught my eye and interest. Such beautiful work!!

3 comments

by shirlener88 09 Aug 2010

Doily, that is one of my favorite doilies - maybe because it reminds me of my Grandmother's crohet. Glad it caught your eye.

by camylow 09 Aug 2010

that is truly beautiful, but my mother does these by hand and enters them in the fair...She always gets a blue ribbon and since my birthday follows after, I get beautiful works of art...I have a whole dresser full of table cloths, doilies and setee doilies...

by shirlener88 09 Aug 2010

OH Deanna, that is so wonderful - I wished I had just one of my grandmother's crochet items.

My daughter and I owned a dancewear store and went to Irish dance competitions, there was someone there with the commercial ones. She and I started talking and found out they had smaller ones for homes. My daughter bought the largest at the time Brother 4000D several years ago and I've wanted one since. Then I had another store owner who had a Singer CE200 and she let me use it to see if I was interested in it. I was able to do a couple of sample designs, but the machine wasn't the greatest I thought. So my husband started researching embroidery machines, and we went down to the "sew&vac" and I sat down and sampled a couple, but what I got was within my budget, so It was my Christmas present, (for the next 5 yrs at least.)hehehe...

2 comments

by bevintex 09 Aug 2010

Are'nt you glad you discovered them. Because of having a machine now we have found Cute Embroidery to go along with it. Even though i have never met another cutie in person I feel I know them as a friend. Some wonderful friendships have been started on this site. I think that is why I love it so much here. It's more than just embroidery.

by shirlener88 09 Aug 2010

Terre, so happy you got your machine and now you can stitch out some lovely dance outfits, too.

Bev, we are all pulled here - by the Grace of God, in my humble opinion.

My husband was in the sewing store and thought I might like something like that. That was all the inspiration I needed :-) !!! The rest is history...

2 comments

by bevintex 08 Aug 2010

What a sweet guy.

by shirlener88 09 Aug 2010

Wow, that is super.