I am (not so) patiently waiting for new digitizing software to arrive (never
been so excited for a Monday to get here) and while I wait I thought I would
share some of my digitizing history with you…so here are a few things I have
learned along this journey…
There is a ton of information “out there”. From yahoo groups, to FB
pages, to YouTube tutorials, etc. there is more information than is
possible to sort through. So many embroiderers are generous with their
time and expertise and offer invaluable tidbits of information about how to
embroider/appliqué.
At the same time…there is very little relevant information “out
there”. I have lost countless hours searching for the answer to an issue
or topic without being able to find exactly what I am looking for. I have
especially found this to be true when it comes to exploring software options
for digitizing. Makes sense…who wants to share their secret? Their magic
formula for making their business work? Well, that is what I am going to
do today…or at least I am going to tell you all of the “magic formulas” I have
tried:
I started with Embird; I recently tried Bernina Designer Plus; and I
am now waiting for my Wilcom software to arrive. Hence the time to blog.
Embird served me well for several years. I started with Editor when I
was selling physical items. I upgraded to Studio a few months before I
launched All Things Applique. I added Font Engine at some point along the
way too. In my opinion it is a great digitizing platform for beginners and
has great value for the price. I won’t lie…I was ready to throw my
computer out the window a couple of times when I was learning to use it…but can
now digitize with almost every keyboard shortcut in the book.
As All Things Applique has grown, I have felt constrained by Embird. I
also wanted to be able to offer .art format, so I visited a Bernina dealer, had
a demo of the software, asked lots of questions, thought about it for weeks,
asked more questions, and then decided to give it a shot. After
experimenting with this software during my “return” window I came to the tough
conclusion that this was not the right “next step” software for me. I
loved some of the features…but then other areas slowed me down. Lessons
learned…1) make a list of every question you can think of and don’t be afraid
to ask them 2) ask about a return policy (there is only so much you can see
during a demo…sometimes you just need to drive the software yourself to be able
to see if it can do what you want it to do). 3) ask the dealer to
digitize a design you would do 4) weigh the pros and cons and make a decision.
I have now decided to purchase Wilcom. It is quite an investment for
me. I am hoping you guys decide to stick around and enjoy All Things
Applique as much as I do because after this purchase I plan to be digitizing
for a long while. J
Is it Monday yet? I can’t wait to start creating new designs
again…until then…I will be sketching, blogging, and plan to spend a lot of the
weekend at the soccer fields and in the garden with my boys!
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