How to customize your Husqvarna VIKING DESIGNER EPIC 3

I’m back, and there’s so much to share this week as I explore more of the Husqvarna VIKING DESIGNER EPIC 3 features. I’m super excited, so let’s dive right in.

You can check out other posts on the DESIGNER EPIC 3 at the links below. Each link represents the first day of the week, and you’ll find five blog posts linked to each one, so be sure to advance to the subsequent posts via the link at the bottom of the first post.

Introducing the Husqvarna VIKING DESIGNER EPIC 3

Navigating the JoyOS Advisor and the Projection System on the Husqvarna VIKING DESIGNER EPIC 3

Quilting with the Husqvarna VIKING DESIGNER EPIC 3

Sophisticated software is the key to some fantastic features inside this top-of-the-line sewing and embroidery machine, and like all software, there are updates and changes regularly. Some are bug fixes, and some are improvements.

One of the MANY things I LOVE about the DESIGNER EPIC 3 is the Wi-Fi connectivity because it’s super easy to get the latest updates and transfer embroidery files.

You’ll see a notification at the top of the screen if there’s a new firmware update. Sorry, I didn’t take a close-up of the icon, but it looks like two curved arrows that form a circle, and it’s on the top bar. Select that icon, and it’ll open the menu for the update options. You may download and install the update immediately, download and update later, or defer the update.

You also have the option to load the update using a USB, but I’ve always done it via Wi-Fi and have never had issues. If your Wi-Fi is good, you should be OK, but if you prefer using a USB, go to the main Husqvarna VIKING webpage, and at the bottom, you’ll see Machine Manuals and Updates. That’s where you’ll find the download. Then, follow the instructions to update it. You should also be receiving an email letting you know there’s a new update. If you’re NOT getting that email, you need to go to your mySewnet account and be sure you have selected newsletter updates. And make sure your DESIGNER EPIC 3 is registered!

The most recent update took some time to download and install, and then the DESIGNER EPIC 3 restarts, and I’m all set to start sewing. It’s a good idea to have your embroidery unit attached when you do the update. Otherwise, it’ll have to sync when you connect it after doing an update.

There are some new things to share with you since the DESIGNER EPIC 3 first came out, and let’s face it, there’s so much in this fantastic sewing and embroidery machine that it’s hard to grasp it all at once, so I’m going to review a few things as well.  Let’s look at a couple of menu options.

Here’s what the home screen looks like. I love that it greets me and tells me how many hours we have spent together.

Once you see the home screen, selecting either sewing or embroidery is easy. You can also head to the built-in User’s Guide, where it’s easy to locate information using the Table of Contents, the Index, or keyword searches. Having this tool built-in is phenomenal, as it’s one less thing I need to clutter up my sewing space. There’s access to mySewnet Blog, where you’ll find inspirations for new projects using techniques from the Husqvarna VIKING sewing and embroidery machines.  You’ll also find access to the JoyOS Advisor, which has a fantastic wealth of information.

There’s so much information on sewing, quilting, and embroidery in the JoyOS Advisor. Or if you’re brand new to your DESIGNER EPIC 3, there’s a section on getting started that shows you how to wind bobbins, thread the machine, and so much more.

You’ll also find tutorials on advanced features, like Create Shape and Create Applique. Don’t be afraid to sit down and follow along with these tutorials, as they are patient and easy to follow.

Under the Accessories tab, you can check out the fantastic optional accessories for the machine and techniques like quilting and embroidery. I LOVE the Multi-Function Foot Control. I’ve been working on a significant applique project, and the ability to program some of the functions into the foot control was tremendous. Instead of reaching for the buttons on the Function Panel, I simply swung my foot to the right and left to activate the functions I wanted.

As you can see, it’s well-used. It’s heavy, it doesn’t move, and I LOVE it.

And be sure to check out the information on needles and stabilizers in the JoyOS Advisor. You’ll be so much more knowledgeable after spending some time there. The more I learn, the easier things become! I got a chuckle the other day while browsing in a fabric store when a customer timidly asked me, “Do you sew?” She was struggling with what needle to purchase for her project. Well, it was her lucky day!

I hear over and over that people want lessons. What I find is that everything is so well laid out and easy to access in the JoyOS Advisor (and the other DESIGNER EPIC 3 menus)  that all you need is to be curious!! Get your cup of tea and sit down each day and explore something. You won’t be able to cover it all in one day, nor will you remember it all. But knowing that it’s there, you’ll be able to return and get the information when you need it!!

I’ve moved into Sewing Mode and opened the Stitch Menu, which you can see highlighted on the right-hand side. Remember, almost all selections are toggles – touch to turn on, touch to turn off.

While most functions are easy to explore, there’s one function that I’ve recently discovered that’s a bit hidden, so I’m going to share it with you. It’s called the Canvas/Workspace Customization. Select your Settings Menu (the gear icon in the top right-hand corner) to find this, then select the Personalize tab and toggle the Canvas/Workspace Customization to  ON.

To make it easier, here’s a video showing exactly how to get there. Take a minute to watch the video, and ensure that this setting is ON for your DESIGNER EPIC 3. I’m going to share with you what it does in a minute.

Now that we have that setting in the ON position, you’ll notice that NOTHING happens. Check out this next video to see how the customized feature works with the Tie-off Function in sewing mode. I LOVE this feature and was so excited when I learned how to make this happen.

This next video will share two more functions (Free-Motion and Stitch Repeat) where you can customize the menus if the Canvas/Workspace Customization is ON.

Oh my – I LOVE that feature, and you can be sure that my Canvas/Workspace Customization will always be in the ON position!!

Multi-Function Foot Control

Earlier, I mentioned the Multi-Function Foot Control. I’ve been working on a significant applique project, and I’m using the Blanket Stitch (A.2.4), one of my favorite applique stitches. I programmed the Multi-Function Foot Control for Stitch Restart on the right side and Tie-Off on the left side, which sped up the stopping and starting!  And the resulting stitches are beautiful. I’ve used a 50-weight thread for the top and a Husqvarna Viking prewound (for machine embroidery) bobbin for the bobbin.

If you want some tips on applique, check out this QUILTsocial blog post. I’ve done many posts on applique, so be sure to search for the others.

Magnifying Lens Set

However, applique is precise, detailed work, and let’s face it, my eyes are not as young as they used to be. I’m in total denial about that, but I’ve had to realize that I can no longer see to stitch without some assistance. So I attached the Magnifying Lens Set, and WOW — what a game changer!

Oh my goodness, I cannot believe the difference. I set the camera up on a tripod so the camera is in the same position and has the same settings for the following two pictures.

Here’s what I see without the magnifying lens.

And here’s what I see with the 1.25 lens attached.

It doesn’t seem like a big deal, but it made enough of a difference that I could easily see what I was stitching, and my stitches are beautiful. I was a bit worried that it would interfere with changing threads or bobbins (I went through a LOT of thread changes on this project), but it was easy to swing the lens out of the way when needed.

There are two other lens strengths in the box (1.5 and 2.0), so as my eyes get tired or deteriorate further, I’ll still be able to see and get beautiful stitches. I LOVE the magnifier!!! Right now, it’s set way to the back of the DESIGNER EPIC 3, as I’m working on something that doesn’t require the magnifier.

This week, I’m checking out other fun things about the Husqvarna VIKING DESIGNER EPIC 3. One of them is in sewing mode, which we’ll look at tomorrow, and later in the week, I’ll switch to embroidery.

Be sure to join me as we continue to explore the fantastic options on this fabulous sewing and embroidery machine!

Have a great week!

Ciao!!

This is part 1 of 5 in this series

Go to part 2: 8 Insider Tips for Mastering Guided Pictograms | HV DESIGNER EPIC 3