Creating a label is a cinch with the PFAFF creative ambition 640

Yesterday I discussed the key features useful for quilting on the limited-edition PFAFF creative™ ambition™ 640. Today I’m discussing another great feature…an entry-level embroidery machine just perfect for making your quilt labels. After opening the box to your new machine, you’ll find all the information to connect to PREMIER+ 2 Intro PC Software that lets you design labels on your computer. It’s really easy to use and once your label is ready, you simply download it on a USB stick and drop the design into the machine. Don’t have a USB stick? No problem. The sewing machine comes with one that also has over 100 exclusive designs and plenty of room to store yours.

The best embroidery machine to make your quilt labels

I’m telling you, the PFAFF creative ambition 640 is the best and easiest embroidery system for a quilter who simply wants to do basic embroidery designs. But as you grow accustomed to embroidering, you’ll love all the extra features it has to offer.

Here’s how quickly I managed to create a quilt label within hours of receiving the sewing machine. Of course, I had to download the software onto my computer and use the activation code that’s included in the box. Which means you need to be careful when unboxing your new sewing machine. Keep all the papers to ensure you don’t lose the activation code as it’s unique and cannot be found if lost.

3 steps to designing a label

Now, the software is really easy to use when you just want to write a quilt label. It comes with two embroidery fonts each with three different sizes. Uppercase and lowercase letters, plus numbers and symbols are built in to personalize any embroidery project.

Here are the 3 steps to creating your label.

1. Click the hoop icon on the top toolbar, and identify your sewing machine by the following:

a. brand (PFAFF),

b. Machine Group (PFAFF creative 4.5) and

c. Hoop Size (240mm x 150mm – creative Master Hoop).

2. On the pane located on the right-hand side, click on the A.

3. Choose a font style and font size, type in the letters you want to embroider, and click Apply.

The text now appears on the digitized hoop section on the left. You can enter as many sections as you want. I repeated the steps 3 times to get the 3 lines on my label. You can adjust the location of the text as you want. Once satisfied, you need to save the file as a vp3 on your USB stick.

 It’s important to understand that PFAFF is spoiling us with a very big hoop. When looking at the text of the label in the hoop, you might not realize how big the text will actually be. So, it’s a good thing to remember this when creating the design. A good TIP: To get a good idea of sizing, first print the design on paper.

Embroidering your quilt label

 Now for the fun part! The embroidering.

Here’s what you need.

• Stabilizer: Position a stabilizer on the back of your fabric when placing it onto the hoop to support the fabric and thread while the design is embroidered.
• Embroidery needle: The size depends on the weight of the thread, but remember to change the needle every 80,000 stitches.
• Thread: Since this is a quilt label, you can choose a 30, 40 or 50wt thread in either cotton or rayon for your top thread. It’s better to use a 60wt thread in the bobbin in either white or black.

 You now need to connect the embroidery unit to your sewing machine and attach the embroidery/free motion foot. Insert the USB stick into the USB port on the right side of your sewing machine. Use the arrow buttons to select your file and press OK. You’ll then be asked to attach the hoop.

Ensure you have sufficient clearance space around your machine to allow the embroidery arm and hoop to move. Now you’re ready to lower the pressure foot and press the start/stop button. Stay close by as the machine asks you to cut the thread end when needed. This means you have to press the cut thread button, and then press OK for the embroidery to continue. If you designed various thread color changes, the machine also asks you to change the thread color. Once the embroidery is completed, your machine signals you with a pop-up. Press OK and raise your presser foot to remove the hoop. Remember to park your embroidery arm before removing it from the machine.

It’s that easy to make a quilt label when you own a PFAFF creative ambition 640. I guarantee you’ll love this machine. Tomorrow, I’ll show you how to create even more fun items once you’ve mastered the art of embroidering quilt labels.

This is part 3 of 5 in this series

Go back to part 2: More great features on the PFAFF creative ambition 640 [easy to use]

Go to part 4: Embroidery personalizes an essential Back to School pencil case [easy]