So I used the Diamond and after two hours embroidering I was so disgusted I was almost in tears. The text had bobbin thread showing through and the satin stitch looked like anything but satin stitch.

Meganne, Hope you have sorted this problem out by now. You are a beautiful person, full of encouragement and strength for us all. Take a step back and wrap yourself in the love from ALL you cute family and friends. WE LOVE YOU.PLease dont explode....too much mess to clean up and the bits are real hard to put together in the right places. lol, hugs. Helen

Meganne, My designer SE does this occasionally. I find that the problem resolves if I do the following: remove hoop, disassemble bobbin case and clean out stray threads, FLIP THE BOBBIN UPSIDE DOWN, rethread the upper thread making sure the tension of the upper thread is not too high and this may include putting the thread spool on the counter next to the machine instead of using the spool spoke. Cindy

I had a problem with bobbin showing through on a design I had done when I first got my machine, Innovis 1250 D, the first time it was perfect. then months later same design looked like bunk. Well I took the machine in and they worked on it for bout 2 hours. It was that the bobbin /i used , the one that came with the machine, was a different weight than when I had used before, the pre wound bobbins the gave me when i bought the machine from their store. Ah HA! I had to decide what bobbin thread I was going to use, due to that every time you change your tension changes. So I did that and then they set my tension to that thread.

Well, the design stitched out perfect, they explained that if I left it where smaller designs didn't show bobbin then the entire back of the "letter" would be white, costing me more in embroidery thread. Well darn, but I choose to leave it because I don't do a whole lot of embroidery. I do lots of quilting/sewing. Next time I sat to piece a block, guess what. Tension is not right for sewing. I understand your frustration.

Maybe pick a bobbin thread and stick to it, then once you have done that fix your tension to that thread. Hope that helps. I am sorry you are having a hard time, don't get discouraged it will get better, and remember you are not the only one that has issues with these machines.

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by meganne 12 Mar 2011

Yes it seems to be a catch 22 doesn't it!

I have always said the Designer Diamond is a great SEWING machine, but as an embroiderer it sucks!!!

Hugs n roses, Meganne

Hopefully u'r sleeping peacefully now and wake up tomorrow full of vigour and seeing that it will be Sunday then, go to church and REST thereafter. I only took up embroidering when I was 68 and do it as a hobby. Luckily I'm now too old to learn digitizing because I do not have the patience for such finicky things and in any case I do not have the software to do it. Hope u get everything sorted out satisfactorily. Hugs and a lot of blessings.

Meg,The beast i can do is pray & ask God to lighten your load & put the smile back on your face :):)He will !!Big hugs Carolyn

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Meg, I know how you feel! I have a Diamond. It doesn't meet all the standards I think it should for the price it is. I feel Viking quality is slipping & I no longer recommend any machine to anyone! I tell them they need to go sew on one, check the warrenty CLOSELY, talk to the dealer, other people that use that dealer, then make a decision. Even tho it won't do a bit of good, I think you should send a message to Viking about the trouble, the quality AND the "chatter" on one of your "very large" internet groups! Am sure it's the middle of the night there, so hopefully the day will be brighter when you get up!! Hugs & roses! Gerry B in Tennessee

When was the last time you had your machine cleaned? I had the arm of my 350E come loose , so had to have it fixed. I cleaned around the bobbin area all the time. So when I go to pick it up, I was told it was really dirty. It now sew fantastic and doesn't make any noise.I never took my reg. sewing machine in for yearly cleans but given the nature of an embroidery machine,it will go in for a yearly tune up.

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by meganne 12 Mar 2011

Good point but I clean my machines after every use, I am fanatical about it.
It's just the machine itself, the stitch-outs are never as good as I think they should be, whereas The Elna stitch-outs are so good you can hardly tell the wrong side from the right side.

The Diamond was almost twice the price of the Elna. It is just disappointing.
Hugs and roses, Meg

this from sewensue maybe when you save your design do you tell it what kind of material you are sewing it on cotton or ? sometimes my diamond does the same thing and I do use iron on stabilizer when doing lettering just for the reason you gave. I really don't know much that is what works for me. have a great day! sue

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by meganne 12 Mar 2011

Hi Sue, Embird doesn't give the options for types of fabric when you create designs and it really shouldn't matter as long as it is stabilised and the needle is the correct size for the thread, fabric and design density.

The Elna stitched out the same design, with the same needle, thread, fabric and stabiliser and it didn't miss a beat. It is now stitching out the same design with an added layer of felt on top of the fabric and it is stitching like a dream. This is what I expect from the Designer Diamond too but it just isn't delivering.
Hugs and roses, Meganne

Meg, I am sorry to hear of your machine problems.
Mine acted up last week so I walked away from it for 4 days. Now is works perfectly. Maybe you just need to take a break away from it for awhile. I think our machines are being ornery and tempremental. I hope you are having a better day today. Hugs, Mary

I think you might be right about the recent tragedies in the world, I know that I am feeling very down with all that is going on. Now what I think you should do is give yourself a break. I know I can't think in clutter. Have you sorted all of the boxes trolleys and cat carriers in your sewing room out. You might as-well put them in your bedroom if you are going to be up all night :) don't speak to your diamond machine for a couple of days.
When you are feeling less stressed tackle it then. I had a problem recently where I could not adjust my bobbin tension at all. I took it to my dealer and he pulled it apart and found a tiny little bit of lint in there. That was what was causing the problem. So if it happens again I know what to do.
The other thing is with all of the moving have you set the machine up properly again? When you are tired it is easy to do something wrong and overlook it as the problem. So tackle it when you are feeling better.
Alice.

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by meganne 12 Mar 2011

OH Alice, if only I could blame it on moving but I can't because the machines are still here at Penrith and I haven't done any sewing or embroidery since before Christmas so I can't even blame it on over use. LOL!!!
It is just that darn machine, I have never been happy with the way it embroiders, the Elna is far superior, but I hate complaining about it because it cost so much and Ray really wanted me to have it and it makes me feel like I am being ungrateful.

I am just so glad I bought the second Elna (from the States) when I had the chance but I don't want to wear it out.

I guess the Diamond will be going back to the workshop on Monday, along with the sample stitch-outs.

The last time I took it there though they said it was the "cheap, inferior" bobbin thread I was using and I replied: "I'm sure Madeira would love to know you consider their thread "cheap and inferior"
This machine is no way as good as they claimed it would be and that is really disappointing when it's supposed to be the best money can buy.

Oh well tomorrow's another day and the Elna at least, is stitching the design perfectly.
hugs and roses, Meg

by fannyfurkin 12 Mar 2011

What a shame Meg. If it was mine I would not even want to sell it as I would feel bad about passing my problems on to others. I have to say I hate my janome embroidery machine. It has never worked particularly well. But I am comparing it with my brother pr620 so it is like apples and oranges really.
I do hope you get it sorted out. It is just a dreadful sinking feeling when you spend a lot of money on something that does not preform as it should.
Alice.

Did you give your machine a big kiss and talk to it nicely. Bet you didn't. Probably not the machine but just the mood that you were in. I had problems like this one day as well. I gave up in disgust and the next day every thing worked perfectly. Why, I don't know. Give it away for a while. Best Wishes, Lyn

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by meganne 12 Mar 2011

Yes I always give my Elna big hug. Maybe the Diamond doesn't sew as well because it knows I prefer the Elna?????? :-)))
Thanks Lyn.
hugs n roses, Meganne

Tomorrow is another day. Sorry to hear the design and the machine is causing problems. Sounds like you need a break.

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by meganne 12 Mar 2011

Yes I think a good 6 months holiday would do wonders for me. :-)
hugs n roses, Meg

Dear Meg,

What's that saying?

When life hands you lemons/limes, go get some salt and Tequila and make a Margarita!

I'm so sorry to read about your beloved Diamond. I don't blame you with the amount of money they cost (you could get a good second hand car!!!!)that you are angry. I hope it all settles down soon. Love and blessings Chris

I cans share some cute news tonight - I was babysitting the grandchildren from 5.30 to 8.00 and upon leaving Ryke looked at me and said "I wish you could stay overnight Nanna!" OOOOHHH my heart just melted and I gave him a big hug and told him he was growing up into such a lovely boy. Don't you just love it when they say things like that?

Love Chris

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by meganne 12 Mar 2011

Oh that is adorable, I can't wait to be living closer to my GK's.
Thanks Chris, I'll be OK, just wish this old world of ours would stop trying to expel us humans.
hugs n love, Meg

Sorry for the bad day! Today is a new one.
Hope it shines for you.
Hugs Bev

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by meganne 12 Mar 2011

Yes a good nights sleep will do wonders and tomorrow may bring rainbows and healing to our world.
Hugs n roses, Meg

Stress Less Darl Have a chill pill and look at the rosey side of things theres others worse of than us its just a glitch in the wheel of life Hugs Shazells

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by meganne 12 Mar 2011

Yes Shazells, that is what upsets me so terribly, all the hurt and pain in our world.
I actually feel guilty that life has given me so much. Thank you for the little bear, she's so sweet.
hugs n roses, Meg

A big virtual hug for you - you should use all the swear words you ever knew at the bad machine (if you haven't already) and be very nice to the good machine. Let them know who is boss!

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by bevgrift 12 Mar 2011

LOL..to think how long the sentence would be. (20 min +)

by meganne 12 Mar 2011

I never thought of doing that Sue, I wonder if it will work. Let's see, swear words?? washing! ironing! cooking! cleaning! washing dishes! mowing lawns! making beds! grocery shopping!
All these are swear words in my world. LOL!!!
Hugs n roses, Meganne

by shazells 12 Mar 2011

Tooo much info all those forbidden words Wheres the Soap Lol

by quiltgrama 12 Mar 2011

yes i agree those words are bad I cant believe she is saying them. Its terrible. I think she will have to be taught a lesson or two. LOL Hugs Lisa

by meganne 12 Mar 2011

hahahahaha!!! OK, I'll wash my mouth out with Scotch! :-)

by spendlove 12 Mar 2011

Good idea!

Take it easy, Meg.
Maybe not even embroidery.
Go work in the garden, or take a walk.
so get your head clear.
Strength and good luck.!!!! *4U

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by pennifold 12 Mar 2011

Oooh! can I have one of these please? Love Chris

by meganne 12 Mar 2011

Oh that is so gorgeous! (And so cleverly done) :-)))
I'm ok now, I watched funniest home videos and had a good laugh. I sometimes get way too serious. Hugs and thanks, Meg

ok.. I have no idea if this is even related.. but.. I stitched out many things for my 4-H kids today I was trying to keep my self busy.. and NOT watch the news from Japan.. I get to the "horse sheet" for Ashleigh and all of a sudden the top thread starts looping up... A FIRST... the font I used was a font that came with the machine..I am trying to decide if I should unsew or what...I don;t think it is me.. even thou I am not focused .. I thought about posting a pic... But.. I was so over loaded.. I just decided to STOP.. even me posting this I am not sure if I am looking for an answer or if I am just venting.... My mind is a mess right now...

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by meganne 12 Mar 2011

The tragedies happening around our world are very difficult for everyone to cope with, our feelings of helplessness and despair as well as our overwhelming sadness for our fellow human beings.
Surely God must be looking down and seeing how countries are pitching in to help each other and this compassion and caring should by far outweigh the horrors of wars going on in other parts of the world.

I am just venting too, or perhaps expressing what others are thinking.
There is still so much good in the world we all don't deserve to be wiped out like this, haven't we been tested enough?

Yes it weighs heavily on all of us.
Let's all pray for an end to this suffering and a better world tomorrow.

hugs n love, Meg

Meg, I feel awful for you - however the good news is - your design stitched out - on the Elna! My good news is - I got a post card from Yoriko.

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by meganne 12 Mar 2011

Yes Shirlene, I should be happy about the Elna stitch-out, but all I can think of is my dissatisfaction with the Diamond. For what it cost it should NEVER play up!!!! The Elna is a far superior machine but the after sales service and support is non-existent, so you can't win.

A lot of Cuties received their postcards last Wednesday. I couldn't help thinking how wonderful it was that Yoriko took the time to write to so many of us.

I think at the moment I am just so distressed like many other people are.

There is so little any of us can do to help and our prayers aren't being answered the way I had hoped they would be.
It truly worries me where this is all going to lead.
hugs n love, Meg

Meg, Get some rest and I hope your day will be better tomorrow. Here is a ((((HUG)))) for now.

Mary ann

Meganne - take a deep breath. I am also feeling down today. We are having some much needed rain - which is good but I keep thinking of all those people in Japan coming to terms with what has happened. I hope all the Cuties out there are safe. Hugs to you Sarah.

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Meg, I am so sorry for you. I haven't got some good news at the moment, my best friend told me yesterday she had an endometremium cancer and it shocked me as I know personally what she will be going through. So I just count my blessings: I survived, my DH, children and grands are healthy, natural disasters haven't struck where I live and I won't let minor disasters get me down. And I know you won't let that happen to you either. Look at that picture you posted yesterday - that great smile when you were battling bc. That's how we know you! That's who you are.
Here's a B I G hug from the other side of the world (53 N, 5 E to be more or less exact). Take a cuppa, hug your DH and let him take care of you for a while!! Love you. Martine.

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by meganne 12 Mar 2011

Oh Martine I am so sorry for your friend and you must be so upset. I had Endometriosis when I was younger and had a Hysterectomy at 33 to prevent future problems such as that.

Gee I just keep hearing of so many women getting different cancers and it saddens me to the core of my being.
All I can say is that she is lucky to have a friend like you to be there to see her through the coming ordeal. I will pray for you both.

Now I must go and see if I can find you on Google. Hugs and great love dear friend, Meg

by meganne 12 Mar 2011

Well dear friend all I can say is your arms must get very tired from swimming. LOLOLOL!!!
Those co-ordinates took me to the middle of the ocean!!!! hahahahahaha!!!

by mops 12 Mar 2011

I looked up the exact co-ordinates of my house and they are 53 degr 4' N and 6 degr 28' E, high and dry.

by meganne 12 Mar 2011

OK, I'm coming for a visit right now!
4:00 AM Australian Eastern Daylight Saving Time, put the kettle on and we'll have a cup of tea together! LOL!!!

by meganne 12 Mar 2011

Eerste Laan ? Yes?

It looks so lovely!!!!

So sorry to hear your Diamond doesn't play well with others.....must be worldwide since mine was throwing fits, too, last evening....at least you know, you're not alone. Know that isn't much....chin up. While i was swearing at my machine, my husband crept into the room and left a large stack of chocolate...it made me laugh. Hugs and hang in there. ********

Awww Meg, I have a hug for you ((((HUG)))) and a flower too. Some good news is that you aren't where all the devastation is. Is that any help? You are a survivor so you have determination, you are strong, you are woman, let me hear you ROAR!!! Sorry, that's the best I can do at 1:30 a.m. Hope you feel better tomorrow!
Debra