While these terms are often used interchangeably, there is a big difference between software updates and software upgrades. If you don't understand the difference, here is a brief summary that should help.

Software updates are normally minor releases that fix bugs found in the program or add some additional minor features. As an example, Embird denotes all of their updates by build number. Embird 2006 build 7 would indicate a minor update to Embird 2007 build 6. Updates normally include all previous updates, so if you had Embird 2006 build 5 you could update your software with build 7. That would also include the updates from build 6 as well.

Most software companies offer updates to their programs free of charge. Normally they have a link on their web site where the update can be downloaded and installed on your computer. Some programs require the complete removal of older versions before installing the update, some do not. The installation wizard should guide you.

Software upgrades are brand new versions that can include many major new features and program functions. Using Embird once again as our example, Embird 2006 was a major upgrade from Embird 2004 and all previous versions.

There is normally a fee involved to purchase upgrades to the new complete version, but most of the time special pricing is offered to registered users of older versions. As with updates, some software requires the complete removal of the old version prior to installing the new version.

To keep your software up to date you should download and install all updates as they are offered. Whether or not you wish to purchase a brand new version upgrade is up to you. Reading about the newly added features on the company's web site can help you decide.

You don't always want to personalize an item. Sometimes you simply wish to add a subtle feature that conveys a unique theme or idea. To that end, we have just released a new set of Embossed Singles in a variety of themes. They are perfect for adding a bit of flair to towels or fleece blankets.

No doubt you'll find plenty of uses for these unique designs. Each design comes in two sizes. One for the 4x4 hoop and one for the 5x7 hoop.

Embossed Singles - Click here to see them all

If you digitize and are still considering a pen tablet to replace your clunky mouse, here's a new item that might fit the bill.

The Wacom Cintiq 12WX is little brother to the Cintiq 21UX pen tablet. It contains much of bigger brother's functionality, but in a much smaller size.

The Cintiq 12 WX has a 12.1 inch diagonal screen, native 1280 x 800 screen resolution and weighs only 4.4 pounds. That's light enough that you could hold it in your lap while digitizing.

Not only is it a great tool for digitizing, but it can be a real plus when working on photos or images in your graphics program.

Price at under $1,000.00, this could be the answer to your tired wrist and carpel tunnel syndrome. Naturally it's not for everyone, but if you really want to get away from the mouse when digitizing it's worth a look. Visit Wacom's web site for a complete list of features and product specifications.

Here's a question submitted to Ask Mary! from an embroiderer seeking advise on using basting stitches and topping for towels.

Question:   What do you think about basting as an alternative to hooping on t-shirts or towels? And what kind of stabilizer do you use on top of a towel?

Answer:  Everyone has a preferred method for hooping various items. Using basting stitches as an added measure is one method some embroiderers prefer. Some like to use an iron-on stabilizer for shirts, while others use regular stabilizer. There are no hard fast rules. You can use what ever method works best for you.

I would suggest basting as an additional precaution rather than an alternative to hooping. I don't feel a basting stitch alone will sufficiently stabilize the fabric, particularly with knit shirts. They will stretch a lot more than shirts made from woven fabric. One key element is to not hoop your shirts too tightly. If you stretch them in the hoop they will be more likely to pucker when released.

As for towels, any good quality water soluble stabilizer (WSS) should work quite well. Normally I hoop the WSS with the towel. Doing so better helps to hold down the high nap fibers while sewing the design. You can simply float a piece on top, but I haven't found the results to be nearly as good.

Understanding stitch density is important, particularly if you digitize some of your own designs. There are basically two methods used to denote density. The first method measures the actual distance between rows of stitches in milimeters. The second method denotes the number of rows of stitches in a given distance such as lines per milimeter or stitches per inch (SPI).

Your digitizing software will use one of these methods. The graphic below shows three different density settings using method number one. The numbers show the actual distance between each row of stitches in milimeters.

The image on the left is an example of a stitch segment set to a density of .40mm. That means that each new row of stitches will be sewn at a distance of .4mm from the previous row. The center image shows the same segment with the density lightened slightly to .50mm. The image on the right shows an even lighter density set at .80mm.

You will also notice that changing the fill stitch density did not alter the density of the underlay stitches. Changing the density of the underlay would be done the same way, but as a separate operation. Depending on your software you should be able to alter underlay properties as well as fill properties.

As you can see, the larger the number the lighter the density when using this system of measurement. Lowering the overal density can save you a lot of stitches in your final design. As long as you have good coverage and no show through there is no reason to increase your stitch count by using a higher stitch density.

You should thoroughly familiarize yourself with the method your software uses to denote density. Experimenting with various settings will help you create better and more efficient designs.

Designed to get you in & out of the kitchen fast and back to your embroidery machine.

Recipe Name:  Tater Tot Casserole

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Serves: 6 to 8

Ingredients:
1 lb. ground beef
1 package tater tots
1 can cream of mushroom soup or golden mushroom or tomato
chopped onions to taste.

Directions: Press ground beef into 9x12 pan and sprinkle with the chopped onion. Cover with tater tots. Stir soup in can and spread over the potatoes. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes and enjoy.

Submitted by: Lettie W.

I haven't talked about this for a while and I thought you might find it interesting. We have been running a poll on our web site for quite some time asking our visitors to select their favorite home embroidery machine. Shown below are current poll results as of March 13, 2008.

I have closely watched this poll since the beginning. For the longest time it changed very little. The number of votes increased, but Brother remained number one with Baby Lock and Janome running neck and neck for second place.

But now the results are quite different. Brother remains the number one favorite, but Baby Lock has slipped from second place to fourth place behind Janome and Viking. I began to notice the first big change shortly after the release of the Janome Memory Craft 11000. Janome began to take a firm hold on second place with Baby Lock slipping to third.

Eventually Viking took control of third place and dropped Baby Lock even further down the list to fourth place. Why this is I don't know as Viking has not released any major new models for some time. Their top of the line embroidery machine remains the Designer SE.

Keep in mind these results do not atest to quality or price. They are not an indication that any one brand is better than another. The results denote favorites chosen for unknown personal reasons.

If you haven't added your vote and would like to do so, you will find the poll on our home page.

Our thanks to Frances De Lair for submitting this helpful embroidery tip:

When using spray adhesive, I cut the top and bottom off of a half gallon milk carton and put this over the area I want to spray. This prevents spray from getting all over the hoop.

Want to win FREE designs? Submit your tip or trick to us. If we publish your tip you will win your choice of any downloadable design or design set from our online catalog.

Tips submitted by our readers have not been tested by us. We make no claim to their viability or usability.

• American Embroidery Conference - March 26-30 Atlanta, GA
• Original Sewing & Quilting Expo - March 27-29 Cleveland, OH
• Quilt, Craft & Sewing Festival - March 27-29 Sacramento, CA
• Decorated Apparel Expo - March 28-29 Minneapolis, MN
• Sewing Stitching & Handicraft Show - April 4-6 Auckland, NZ
• NNEP Network 2008 - April 10-12 Columbus, OH
• Original Sewing & Quilting Expo - April 10-12 Worcester, MA
• International Quilt Festival - April 11-13 Rosemont, IL
• The Original Creative Festival - April 17-19 Tucson, AZ
• Creative Sewing & Needlework Festival - April 25-27 Mississauga, ON

Two (2) lucky winners in every isssue!

Today's lucky winners are:

If your email address is shown above, you have won a complete set of our extremely popular Retro Restaurant Advertising design set. Please contact us by email within 5 days to claim your prize. Be sure to let us know what format you need so we can get the designs on their way to you.

Others interested in this very popular set can see it here. Be sure to visit our customer showcase while you're there. See some of the creative ways other embroiderers have found to use this set.

Two colorful sewing baskets for the 4 x 4 hoop. Please enjoy them with our compliments.

Available to subscribers only. Not available through the Archives.

Not a subscriber? Sign up here to receive these designs and all of our upcoming FREE designs. Your email address will also be entered in our prize drawings.