You’ve invested in an embroidery machine and now it’s staring you in the face. Where to start? Here are what I hope are a few helpful tips from someone who has been where you are now before.

1. Relax
Being nervous when diving into a new craft is understandable, especially when it involves a major piece of equipment. But what is the worst thing that can happen, really? We guarantee you’ll make a few messes before you turn out a masterpiece, so this is a good time to get comfortable with that and invite your sense of humor to the party.

2. Start small
One of the fastest ways to sabotage yourself is to start off with a project that is not rated for novices or beginners. So slow down there, cowboy! Start small and easy, then progress to more challenging techniques as your skills grow.

3. Take notes
Make your own “recipes” for machine embroidery. Grab a notebook and keep records of what you’ve tried and how things went. Document the stabilizer you used, thread types and colors, fabric type/blend, any machine adjustments you made and anything else that may help you either replicate or improve the design next time. Better yet, keep these notes on your phone or computer where it’s easy to include photos.

4. Sew before you shop
It’s easy to get carried away by the excitement of a new craft and spend a lot of money on things that really are not necessary. All you need to get started is a machine/hoop, scissors, thread, fabric, stabilizer and a design. There are some great designs out there that are either free or very inexpensive. Check out the site I usually get mine from here. Then get some stitching time under your belt and do some research before investing in extras.