Hi Guest, Welcome to the quilting forums, register now —or—

Results 1 to 8 of 8
Like Tree2Likes
  • 1 Post By Papa
  • 1 Post By Cat n bull

Thread: Embroidery machine that works with Mac?

  1. #1
    Lightwriter's Avatar Lightwriter is online now Senior Member
    The Guild President

    Join Date
    Sep 2013
    Location
    In the middle of nowhere, Virginia
    Posts
    941
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Embroidery machine that works with Mac?

    I am researching embroidery machines and even spent some time chatting with a shop yesterday when I took my machine in for its fall cleaning. All they knew was that the machines all seem to work with Windows. They tried to call the manufacturer, but just got voicemail. Not very helpful.

    I don't know if I am really serious about a purchase or not but would like to know if any of the machines can work with a Mac. I saw one Mac software on the Internet, but have no idea if the software has to be purchased separately or how that would work.

    I love my Mac and would hate to have to purchase a Windows laptop just for an embroidery machine. I don't live close to any shops, so it is difficult to "shop around" for information. I am reluctant to branch out to embroidery due to the situation....especially as it would be difficult to get to classes to learn to use the machine/software. I thought I would ask here and perhaps get some guidance. Maybe someone could point me in a direction of a machine or company I could check out.

    Thanks for any guidance.
    Connie

    Our lives are like quilts – bits and pieces, joy and sorrow, stitched with love.

  2. #2
    Hulamoon's Avatar Hulamoon is online now Senior Member
    Missouri Star

    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Location
    Kauai
    Posts
    13,674
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Re: Embroidery machine that works with Mac?

    I was thinking it's not the machine you have to worry about it's the format. So I found this.

    Mac Embroidery

    I didn't read it all the way through, so I hope it helps.



    Lorie

  3. #3
    Granny Fran's Avatar Granny Fran is online now Senior Member
    Missouri Star

    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Location
    Miami Township, OH (south of Dayton)
    Posts
    2,113
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Re: Embroidery machine that works with Mac?

    Just looked at your link, Lorie. Where do you find this stuff? It's great info for future reference. Thanks.
    Quote Originally Posted by Hulamoon View Post
    I was thinking it's not the machine you have to worry about it's the format. So I found this.

    Mac Embroidery

    I didn't read it all the way through, so I hope it helps.

  4. #4
    Papa is online now Senior Member
    Quilting Guru

    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Posts
    182
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Re: Embroidery machine that works with Mac?

    I use Truembroidery software on my Mac. I got it with my Pfaff embroidery machine as part of a package. It is very expensive to purchase by itself. Most owners and employees of quilt shops will run and hide when you mention you own a Mac. The software is necessary if you want to digitize your own designs but you can get by without it. I download designs off the internet to my Mac and transfer them to a usb stick that goes in the embroidery machine. Just be sure that the design you download is in the proper format for your machine. Most designs are offered in multiple formats. I can hook my laptop directly to the embroidery machine but I just use the usb stick instead. If your Mac has Bootcamp, you can run Windows on it or you can purchase Parallels and use it to run Windows. It really helps if the shop you buy from offers classes on whatever machine you buy. I have taken 4 classes and will take more.

    TruEmbroidery™ Software for Mac - Professional Embroidery Software
    Cat n bull likes this.

  5. #5
    Cat n bull's Avatar Cat n bull is online now Senior Member
    Missouri Star

    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Posts
    1,858
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Re: Embroidery machine that works with Mac?

    A computer is not necessary to run an embroidery machine! I have never once connected either of my machines to a computer.

    A computer is necessary for purchasing downloadable embroidery designs, and for doing any editing beyond the capabilities of your machine. You transfer the designs from your computer to a usb, then the machine gets the design from the USB.
    Sandy Navas likes this.
    Cathryn

  6. #6
    GinnyKNC is offline Senior Member
    Missouri Star

    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    Huntersville, NC
    Posts
    1,731
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Re: Embroidery machine that works with Mac?

    Viking works with Mac
    Thank you,

    Ginny K

  7. #7
    Lightwriter's Avatar Lightwriter is online now Senior Member
    The Guild President

    Join Date
    Sep 2013
    Location
    In the middle of nowhere, Virginia
    Posts
    941
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Re: Embroidery machine that works with Mac?

    Thanks for all the info. I know a computer is not necessary to run the machine, but I knew it was necessary to transfer designs to the machine.

    Seems like the real problem is the machine accepting the files from the USB...a quote from the article... "Owners of Viking Designer 1 machines can write both floppy and USB sticks using a built-in CIM utility similar to your Disk manager program!

    Baby Lock, Brother and Janome machines which usually do not like Mac-written USB sticks will work with Convert It, Mac! This works because CIM can remove the hidden Mac OS files from the stick which often confuses those machines. "

    Food for thought....
    Connie

    Our lives are like quilts – bits and pieces, joy and sorrow, stitched with love.

  8. #8
    Papa is online now Senior Member
    Quilting Guru

    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Posts
    182
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Re: Embroidery machine that works with Mac?

    Just format your USB stick in a Windows friendly format. Your Mac will do that in Disk Utility.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •