How do I prepare the machine and fabric for free machine embroidery?
Drop the feed dogs and set the stitch length at zero. (If you can’t set the stitch length at zero, don’t panic, it’s not that important.) Install the fabric in the embroidery hoop (with any stabilizer[s] you intend to use) so that the surface of the fabric is at the *bottom* of the hoop. (Note that if you’re used to embroidering or cross stich by hand, this means you’re putting the fabric in the hoop backwards.) When you place the hoop on the table such that the fabric surface rests on the table, the right side of the fabric should face up. Install the embroidery foot or special embroidery needle with spring on the sewing machine. If you’re using the special needle, remove the presser foot. Place the embroidery hoop in the sewing area. (Some machines can’t lift the presser foot enough to admit some hoops – you may have to remove the presser foot temporarily, position the hoop, and then re-install the presser foot if you’re using one.) Set the sewing machine for a straight stitch. Reduc
