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Machine Embroidery with the Husqvarna Viking Designer Ruby Royale

by Elaine Theriault

It’s time! Let’s discover machine embroidery with the Husqvarna Viking Designer Ruby Royale.

My sewing history tells me that I’m unlikely to become a frequent user of machine embroidery, but I would not be without the ability to do machine embroidery. What that means is that I need the machine embroidery to be pretty intuitive so I don’t have to relearn the process each time I decide to machine embroider something. 

After playing around with the Ruby Royale –  the embroidery component of the sewing machine is perfect. You can do some pretty amazing things with machine embroidery, yet it’s extremely easy to get started.

Today we’re just going to look at the physical features and things required to do machine embroidery with the Ruby Royale.

Husqvarna Viking Designer Ruby Royale with embroidery unit attached

Husqvarna Viking Designer Ruby Royale with embroidery unit attached

The embroidery unit is easy to put on. You simply remove the toolbox or the extension table. There’s a connection socket in the back of the sewing machine behind the arm. Slip the embroidery unit onto the free arm of the Ruby Royale and click the end into the socket. It’s that easy!

You can see from the picture above that the embroidery unit has legs to support the unit.

Connection socket for the embroidery unit

Connection socket for the embroidery unit

When you toggle between Sewing Mode and Embroidery Mode (more on that tomorrow), you’ll get a pop-up message reminding you to remove the hoop (if there’s one attached), clear the space around the embroidery arm (so it doesn’t hit something and get damaged) and to attach the Sensor Q-foot to use for machine embroidery.

Yes – we need to be reminded. If we don’t do these things  – especially remove the hoop and clear the area around the unit, you can badly damage the embroidery unit and/or sewing machine and that would not be a good thing.

Pop up message when you turn on the Ruby Royale with the embroidery unit connected

Pop up message when you turn on the Ruby Royale with the embroidery unit connected

When you toggle into the Embroidery Mode on the interactive touch screen, the feed teeth are automatically dropped.

Feed teeth automatically drop when Embroidery Mode is engaged

Feed teeth automatically drop when Embroidery Mode is engaged

You will need to install the Sensor Q foot for machine embroidery

Sensor Q foot

Sensor Q foot

Two hoops come with the Husqvarna Viking Designer Ruby Royale.

  • DESIGNER Splendid Square Hoop (120 X 120)
  • DESIGNER Royal Hoop (360 X 200)
In case you’re wondering about those numbers – yep – those are metric measurements for the hoops.

There are a variety of other hoops that can be purchased through your Husqvarna Viking dealer. Check the link to see some of the other sizes and different styles such as an Endless Hoop.

DESIGNER Royal Hoop (360 X 200) and DESIGNER Spendid Square Hoop (120 X 120)

DESIGNER Royal Hoop (360 X 200) and DESIGNER Spendid Square Hoop (120 X 120)

These hoops are very easy to use. There’s a Quick Release on the lower right-hand corner as well as a screw. You simply open the Quick Release and loosen the screw. Hoop your fabric and stabilizer, close the Quick Release and tighten the screw. It’s that easy!

Inner and outer parts of the DESIGNER Splendid Square Hoop

Inner and outer parts of the DESIGNER Splendid Square Hoop

A very important component of the machine embroidery process is stabilizers. Without a layer or two of stablizer under and sometimes on top of your work, the project will be a mess. The embroidery stitches are very dense and without stabilizer, the stitches will pull up the fabric. Trust me – it isn’t pretty!

There are many different types of stabilizers. I’m not going to get into a discussion about the various types of stabilizers in this post, but if you’re going to get into machine embroidery, it’s imperative that you check them out. Here’s a link to the Inspira Stabilizer.

There’s also a brief description of general categories of stabilizers in the User’s Guide.

For the projects I worked on so far, I have been playing around with these two stabilizers  – one is a Black Tear-A-Way and the other is Fast and Easy Tear Away. I have been working with cotton fabrics only and both of these products performed quite nicely.

Inspira brand stabilizers: Black Tear-A-Way stabilizer and Fast and Easy Tear Away

Inspira brand stabilizers: Black Tear-A-Way stabilizer and Fast and Easy Tear Away

The stabilizers come in various colors (black and white) and in various widths (8″, 12″ and 20″). The 12″ roll is just the perfect width for the Designer Royal Hoop.

Don’t you just love how versatile we are? Our hoops are in millimeters, yet we buy stabilizers in inches. And don’t get me started on fabric buying. I just love when we do all our calculations in inches, then convert it to meters to buy! Someday – everything will be in the same numbering system, but for now – we make do!

The 12" wide roll of stabilizer is the perfect width for the DESIGNER Royal Hoop

The 12″ wide roll of stabilizer is the perfect width for the DESIGNER Royal Hoop

It isn’t enough to have the stabilizers, but you must use them. In order to use them, you have to know which ones are which! Once the packaging is gone, it’s sometimes difficult to tell them apart. The stabilizers come with an instruction sheet inside the tube. Make sure those instructions stay with the stabilizer. It’ll make your life a whole lot easier.

Roll of stabilizer with the paper instructions stuck inside the tube

Roll of stabilizer with the paper instructions stuck inside the tube

Machine embroidery needles are also very important. They have a much larger eye than a regular sewing needle. If you think of the number of times the thread is going to pass through the eye, you don’t want fraying or breakage in the middle of an embroidery stitch out.

Machine embroidery needles

Machine embroidery needles

Last but not least is the thread. You’ll need embroidery thread which can be rayon, polyester, acrylic or metallic. These type of threads have a sheen to them so they provide a sheen to the stitching. These can also be used for machine applique or quilting. In this case, I’m using Robison-Anton threads – divine.

You’ll also need to use an embroidery weight bobbin thread in the bobbin. This finer thread will prevent a build-up under the embroidery stitches. I also use it in the bobbin for machine applique and I love them!

Machine embroidery thread and a pre-wound bobbin with embroidery weight bobbin thread

Machine embroidery thread and a pre-wound bobbin with embroidery weight bobbin thread

Although it doesn’t really look like it in this picture, the bobbin weight thread is much finer than the embroidery thread. That helps to reduce any build-up with the dense stitching.

Bobbin weight thread compared to a rayon embroidery thread

Bobbin weight thread compared to a rayon embroidery thread

To recap  – if you’re going to do machine embroidery you obviously need a sewing machine that has machine embroidery capabilities. You’ll also need a hoop, stabilizers, machine embroidery thread, machine embroidery bobbin thread, a foot for machine embroidery and machine embroidery needles.

Sounds like a lot of supplies, but you probably have a lot of them around anyway, especially if you do machine applique.

It may seem like there’s a lot to learn about machine embroidery with the Husqvarna Viking Designer Ruby Royale. Once you learn the basics, there’s no stopping what you can achieve with it with little effort.

Tomorrow we’re going to look at some of the software components on the Husqvarna Viking Designer Ruby Royale regarding machine embroidery. I also have the challenge to tell you about.

On that note – have a great day!

Ciao!

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11 comments

Miriam George Goss July 16, 2022 - 11:41 am

I have a Husquavarna designer 11.while doing some embroidery something went wrong l can’t tell what it is. My machine stopped and all buttons stopped working axcept the fix one. I can’t use the machine, the screen is on though! Any suggestions help. Thanks

Reply
Carla A. Canonico July 22, 2022 - 5:13 pm

Hi Miriam, oh gosh, this is one of those situations where it’s best to bring the machine to your dealer to see what’s going on. Thank you for asking!!

Reply
Linda Davis January 5, 2019 - 5:38 pm

I have a Ruby Royale and she is a little intimidating to me. . When ordering a pattern I am not sure how to read the size in millimeters to hoop size. My hoops are 120×120, 200×200, 240×150. Is there a conversion chart that I can use to compare millimeters to inches. Math was not my “subject.”. Thanks for your help.

Reply
Shannon Natale October 10, 2018 - 3:38 am

Do you know if there is a hoop for doing hats that works with this machine?

Reply
Linda Johnson September 24, 2018 - 5:35 am

I really appreciate your efforts. It was helpful for me as a beginner to get started with embroidery.

Reply
Barbara Ianni January 15, 2017 - 9:41 pm

I have a Husquavarna Ruby Royale and my question is about needles. Is it necessary that I use Inspira embroidery needles with my Husqvarna machine? I would like to purchase Schmetz needles in bulk and have plenty on hand and save money, as well. Thanks for the reply.

Reply
Monogramming March 8, 2015 - 4:30 pm

Hi,
I just wanted to add that while some machines do arrives with a starter kit and a stabilizer,
Depending on your project you need to buy additonal units to fully support your creations

Reply
Diane Sinclair Meigs February 7, 2015 - 6:01 am

I love my Ruby and all the new features it has and learning something new all the time,

Reply
Chris February 7, 2015 - 12:16 am

You have great tutorials. I wish I could afford this machine. It is lovely.

Reply
Carla A. Canonico February 9, 2015 - 11:11 am

Thank you! So glad to hear you enjoy it!

Reply
Diana February 4, 2015 - 1:52 pm

I recently purchased the Ruby Royale. I also have the Designer 1. Anytime I can learn something new it is helpful.

Reply

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