Embroideryis an ancient stitching art dating back to China in the 5th–3rd century BC.                       I Learned the basics of the art at a very early age. The sewing and stitching arts were essential in my Artistic Family and all of us (even my brother) learned them all (sewing, knitting, needlepoint, crochet, Embroidery, cross stitch, crewel, quilting, rug making, patchwork, weaving, appliqué, beading, macramé and felting).I liked the colorful and fragile threads used in embroidery and I always created the brightest designs. But embroidery was slow –one stitch at a time- and my impatient youth demanded things to be Fast! So I left embroidery and became a very speedy sewer! Over the years, I have sewn everything from entire wardrobes for myself, clothing for my children, costumes for stage productions and slipcovers for couches, quilts for beds, umbrellas for patios and even Rugs for patios, living rooms and bathrooms. Needles and Thread are the Tools I live by!!

So, in order to take my sewing talents to the next level, I invested in an Embroidery Machine!!! No easy fete in learning this Ricoma machine! I knew it would be a learning curve! But, going from everyday use of a regular sewing Machine with one needle, to a machine with 15 needles and high stitching speeds AND a computer… well let's just say it has been very interesting!

Ricoma is a great company with incredible support and training! The first session was held on line and there were 4 in the class. It lasted for 6 hours and although we learned how to thread all 15 needles, adjust tension and balance our colors, we were introduced to so many other features that this training could go on for months! Ricoma has published a 97 page step-by-step book that takes in every facet of the TC-7S machine! Reading through the instructions, I feel a bit like I am a first grader learning the very basics of mathematics! I’m sure, by mid-summer, I will look back on this blog entry and laugh and be amazed at how far I have come and how much I have learned!