The Husqvarna VIKING DESIGNER EPIC 3 | Navigating the JoyOS ADVISOR

It’s great to be back to explore more of the Husqvarna VIKING DESIGNER EPIC 3. Starting tomorrow and throughout the week, we’ll check out the projection system in both sewing and embroidery modes. I’m excited to explore and share with you the great things you can whip up with this feature.

Today we will explore the JoyOS ADVISOR, which we didn’t get an opportunity to do last time. This built-in help system is a treasure trove of information that will help you navigate and explore.

Nothing is more frustrating than not unleashing the full potential of our sewing/embroidery machines. If we are lost in a sea of tools, we can get frustrated and think our machines are too complicated. Fear not my fellow creators! You can do this if you take the time to explore and understand the extent of the AMAZING tool you have in front of you!

I recently taught an in-person class, and we were experimenting with stitch lengths. One student was making changes yet didn’t see any difference. When I watched her more closely, I realized that what she was changing had nothing to do with the stitch length! It was such an easy fix.

I bought a new car and the first time I parked it in the garage was very unnerving. Various bells and alarms telling me I was too close to walls or garbage bins had me backing in and out of the garage several times to get it right. It took about five different tries, but I now glide into that garage like a pro. So, dive in, play with those features, and do not be afraid to experiment – sometimes all it takes is a few tries, and you’ll get the hang of it!

OK – let’s get started!

On the bottom of the home screen, you’ll see the JoyOS ADVISOR tab. It’s large, so you can’t miss it. Just above that to the right you can also access the User’s Guide and search by the index, the table of contents, or a specific word.

When you touch the JoyOS ADVISOR, you get access to eight categories of information. Inside each category, you’ll find tutorials, product information, and machine features. If you select a specific technique, you’ll get access to the stitches or designs pertinent to that technique for sewing or embroidery.

If you choose the stabilizer guide, you’ll find several different categories of stabilizers each with information about the different weights and styles. All of the stabilizers featured in this guide are from the Husqvarna VIKING line. Be sure to ask your dealer about these stabilizers, which come in different lengths and widths.

Understanding this information is crucial to the success of your project, particularly if you’re doing machine embroidery. The question of which stabilizer to use is quite common. Having that information right at your fingertips is handy and for those who don’t know what a stabilizer is, this is an excellent place to start.

Within the guide, you’ll find descriptions of the various kinds of stabilizers.

TIP Choose the stabilizer based on how you plan to remove it from your project and based on the type and weight of fabric you’re working with, whether it’s tearing away, cutting away, washing away, or a specialty type, such as using heat, these are some factors to consider.

You can also change the size of the pop-up window on the screen, minimize or move it, and even browse through multiple pages. The interface is clean and easy to read with a changeable font size, which is fantastic for those who need reading glasses!

You’ll also find a section on accessories including three categories – Machine, Embroidery, and Quilt. They outline any optional accessories available for purchase. By exploring the videos and tutorials, you’ll get a great idea of how the accessory works, which helps inform your decision on whether to purchase and once you have it in your hands you will already know how to use it.

I love the Multi-Function Foot Control (MFFC), which allows you to program specific functions into the foot control.

When you plug the Multi-Function Foot Control (MFFC) into one of the TWO USB ports on the DESIGNER EPIC 3 a pop-up menu appears.

Each of the three designated spots can be touched to open a menu, providing the opportunity to select the desired function. In scenarios where extensive applique work is involved, rather than manually selecting functions on the control panel, a simple touch with your foot on the MFFC can activate the intended command. This streamlined approach is particularly useful for programming Stitch Restart, Tie-Off, and Scissors functions tailored for applique tasks.

You can use one, two, or all three locations for programming – the left or right wing and the heel. Of course, the MFFC also has the tap function, an invaluable feature which advances the needle by half a stitch.

As you can see, mine isn’t sitting in a box, and I LOVE it. It stays put, the programming is an excellent feature, and well, don’t take my Multi-Function Foot Control away!

Under the Quilts tab, there’s a menu for optional quilting accessories, such as the ruler foot, templates, and the quilt binder. Remember, there are tutorials for each of these accessories, so if you already have one, be sure to check out the tutorials to learn how to use them. I LOVE these tutorials.

Special embroidery techniques await exploration, with some requiring specific accessories. These optional additions can be easily located in the Embroidery section under the Accessories category on the JoyOS Advisor.

You’ll see which technique requires which accessories, and behind each one of those buttons is a step-by-step tutorial, often with a video to guide you through the setup of the sewing/embroidery machine and show you how to be successful with the technique.

It’s akin to having a knowledgeable teacher right beside you, offering guidance and support.

Here’s an example of the tutorial for the Ribbon Embellishment Attachment, with step-by-step instructions on installation and usage. The convenience of this tutorial is noteworthy, and I must emphasize the remarkable patience exhibited in all JoyOS ADVISOR tutorials. Whether you need to replay the video multiple times, it’s a hassle-free experience.

A handy toggle function enhances your user experience, enabling you to effortlessly switch between viewing the tutorial, transitioning back to sewing or embroidery mode, and then seamlessly returning to the tutorial within the JoyOS ADVISOR.

The organization and thoughtful design of menu screens and information contribute to a user-friendly interface. The ease of moving from the JoyOS ADVISOR to your work and back, coupled with the flexibility of the pop-up menus, shows the high quality of this system.

There’s even a dedicated section on needles! While many of us may think we have a good grasp of sewing machine needles, the wealth of information available here might just surprise you. Here, you’ll uncover details about sewing machine needles, as well as insights into various types, including Utility, Embroidery, Heirloom, and more. You can request these at your local Husqvarna VIKING dealer.

Under the Needles Overview tab, there’s an explanation of the color-coding system, which helps to identify the needle type and size. Both are equally important to the success of your project.

While we do not need to become super technical on needles, it’s essential to understand how size and type can affect the outcome of a project. When I bought my first “grown-up” sewing machine over 25 years ago, a valuable tip stuck with me. Many issues could arise from an improper combination of needle and thread. At the time, I was skeptical, but that dealer’s advice proved to be correct!

Oh, here’s something exciting I just stumbled upon in the JoyOS ADVISOR! I discovered a QR code that grants access to the complete book of embroidery designs stored internally in the Designer EPIC 3. What a delightful surprise! In this ever-evolving digital era, we’re well aware that a printed book can quickly become outdated. The ability to save this book of designs to my smart device means I can peruse designs even away from the embroidery machine—perhaps even on the bus during my commute to work! Now, isn’t that just exciting?

While most people are familiar with basic embroidery techniques involving thread or machine embroidery applique, the Designer EPIC 3 introduces over 30 different embroidery techniques to be explored. Comprehensive instructions, tutorials, and corresponding designs for each technique are conveniently housed in the JoyOS ADVISOR.

I also love that when you select a technique, you can open a menu of designs for that technique. You choose one and start stitching. No need to search! It’s a convenience that I’m sure you will truly appreciate!

Exploring the subcategories within each top-level category is a great approach. Taking the time to experiment with simple samples provides a hands-on understanding of the capabilities of the DESIGNER EPIC 3, allowing for valuable learning experiences.

In the Machine Features category, for example, you can explore the applique techniques for machine embroidery such as the tool Create Applique with two explanatory tutorials. It’s an excellent opportunity to enhance your skills and unlock the full potential of your embroidery machine.

I had loads of fun creating a sample of each technique, and I keep them in a binder to allow me to refer to them when needed. It’s also a good idea to make notes for these samples – stabilizers, needles, thread, fabric type. Then, if you want to recreate that technique on an actual project in the future, you have the information and don’t need to reinvent the wheel.

The more we experiment, the more we learn, and the better we become at sewing and machine embroidery.

There is a wealth of information in the JoyOS ADVISOR of the Husqvarna VIKING DESIGNER EPIC 3! Taking the time to work through the content and understanding how to navigate the screens is a key step in unlocking the machine’s capabilities.

TIP Don’t hesitate to touch a button! Experimentation is a great way to familiarize yourself with the system. Touch a button, see what happens, and soon you’ll become comfortable navigating. Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can confidently move on to learning new features and techniques.

I can’t wait to play with the Projection System in sewing mode, so be sure to check back tomorrow.

Have a super day!

Ciao!

This is part 1 of 5 in this series

Go to part 2: The Husqvarna VIKING DESIGNER EPIC 3 | Using the Projection System