Embroidery Machine

[viccar]

Dont forget bobin thread, thats quite important to each machine, i think the janome takes 60wt bobbin thread. (brother 750e is 90wt)

(you dont use the same thread as the top thread like you do with a sewing machine)

[wayupnorth]

To reduce the number of variables I purchased a Janome thread starter set with my machine.

This book explains a lot if you are using difficult materials:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0896 ... ge_o04_s00

Get one of these to make changing needles easy:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00J ... ge_o02_s00

What software did you end up with ?

[windyash]

To reduce the number of variables I purchased a Janome thread starter set with my machine.

This book explains a lot if you are using difficult materials:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0896 ... ge_o04_s00

Get one of these to make changing needles easy:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00J ... ge_o02_s00

What software did you end up with ?

Cheers for the advice

Just got the JR software free with it , going to try the Embird trial as it seems pretty popular choice

[Limara]

Backings are really important, personally I prefer stiffy iron on, you can easily distort garments with the slightest stretch, the iron on eliminates that.
You also need a topping for anything with a slight plie, velour, towels etc, I use solvy water soluble.
Regards to threads don't by cheap threads, the large reels on e bay at a bargain price can be really troublesome and some will not stitch at all.
All machines can be a bit "thread pickey" so you may find one brand of thread will preform better than another so don't buy huge bargain packs untill you test out one reel, you may find your machine will prefer a different brand thread. I have Kingstar threads that my Janome refuses to stitch more than 20 stitches before the thread breaks and My brother PR600 stitching at a lot higher speed really loves it.
The 350 machine will also prefer to have a blue tip needle for metallic threads ( some machines are quite happy using a regular needle)
As Viccar said you do need a dedicated bobbin thread, many people try using top threads, you can use any weight though as you can change the tension if you need to, I use a very fine bobbin thread as you get considerably more to a bobbin.
Get to know your machine before you start your embird free trial, you will love it and your machine and you are getting it in plenty of time to knock up some Christmas gifts lol!