eMotions: Recommended Accessories

These are my completely biased, non-scientific recommendations on what's worked well with my eMotions machine--I hope it helps you get the most out of your embroidery. =)

• Marathon Thread: you've already heard me rave about this stuff. Everytime I've had problems with thread breaks, it was because I was trying to use a thread other than my Marathon. Those little Sulky spools wind the thread so tight that I think the eMotion's really tricky tension can't take the curlyness as it unwinds.
  
• YLI Lingerie & Bobbin Thread: I only bought this because it was on sale at Hancock Fabrics, but it's really worked well. (What didn't work well? Those pre-filled bobbins with the cardboard sides. I never finished using the ones that came with the machine because they kept causing thread jams.)
  
• HR5 Spray & Stick adhesive from Helmar (bought it at my Bernina dealer--it's an OESD product, I think): fabulous stuff for sticking your stabilizer to your fabric before hooping. I never had a problem with my needle getting gunky from it, and you can reposition things easily.
• OESD AquaFilm Wash-Away Topping: comes in a little roll, but it lasts forever! (Since you're only using enough to cover your design, not hooping it.) Spray a little adhesive on it and put it on top of fleece before embroidering your design--it keeps your stitches from disappearing into all of the fluff. Tears away pretty well, and you can put some water on any film left behind to dissolve it (beware, it may leave the fabric a bit sticky, because of the adhesive).
• Super Solvy Water Soluble Stabilizer: love, love, love this stuff. It tears away cleanly and anything left can be dabbed away with a little water.
• Sulky Cut-Away Plus Stabilizer: great for knits--provides a firm background when you're embroidering but washes up quite soft.

(These last two are sold at JoAnn's--I just always use a 40% off coupon on a new roll so it's much cheaper.)