i) Place (SIA) stabilizer onto the Giant Super Double Wide Hoop-It-All and in accordance with the instructions that came with the HIA kit.

ii) Draw lines 3 vertical lines the length of the hoop and one across the centre of the width as shown on the paper template that came with the HIA kit.

i) Create a master block which will be saved and used as a backup copy if an error occurs in the 'play' copy. In this case I will be using Block 1 of the AA.

ii) I used the Mega Hoop in the software and saved the design and when prompted asked for it everything to be saved, even if it was outside the hoop. Save as Master Block AA 1

iii) Now make another file and call it 'Block AA1 copy to play' (Fig 1)
and go and insert the design you made in the Master Block AA 1.

(Fig 1)

i) Decide which object of the 'Block AA1 copy to play' you wish to stitchout first. I chose the centre design # aa01. (Fig 2)

NB: All the objects should be separately grouped and then they won't fall apart when you ungroup them from one another when doing a select all ungroup.

If your designs should fall apart and become ungrouped no need to worry just use the polygon tool and circle them and then press enter and they will become one object again. On no account during this excercise save your file because you want to be able to paste all the objects back again eventually. Also when you come back to the end of the file if you close it say NO to saving changes because it will then revert to the block you originally started with and remain intact.

ii) Select each object you don't want to use and cut it away. You can do a multiple cut if you wish by depressing the CTRL key and using a mouse click and they will all turn majenta one by one and be cut away at the same time when you press the scissors at the top of the program to cut.. After a short interval the software will leave only the central design you wished to remain in place.

iii) Once you are happy that the first aa01 is placed in the centre of the block you send it to the machine using Microsoft Active Synch. (Fig 3)

NB: The software within the PC will then optimise and split the design, (as you are only using one object it does not take that much time). and a prompt will come up on the PC screen to send to machine.

iv) You then depress the option to send straight to the machine which is depicted by a sewing needle. Just press it to comfirm you wish to send straight to the sewing computer and NOT save the file to the computer.

The design will be transferred to the screen on your sewing computer by pressing send see fig (Fig 4 )

A screen prompt will appear and it is at that stage that you can have the option to save to machine or send stitchout straight to the machine. (Fig 5)

v) Press OK and you will see the object within a hoop. Not to worry if the L. Oval hoop shows you can always go and change that within the sewing computer. You should be using a Mega Hoop. The Hoop will find its level and prompt you what to do.

NB: If you get the message 'No Hoop Found' after one or two instances the machine will recalibrate and find the hoop.

Once your hoop is found you will get a message on the sewing computer screen where you should be manipulating the hoop and positioning it. (Fig 6)

You should have familiarised yourself with the 3 positions noted in the leaflet that came with the mega mount bracket so that you can place your object in the correct position using the facility within the sewing computer. You can if you wish on the first instance use the facility to go through the pattern, second icon on the sewing computer above the red question mark. This will give you some idea of where the other end of the object will lie if you are in any doubt. I did this one or twice just to test I had things in the right area. Time consuming I know but worth doing if in doubt. Once you have done this method of placing a few times you will get to know where the designs lay and not have to go into them to search..

You place the designs by moving the hoop logo which lies on top of the red question mark on your sewing computer, when you are actually within the design on the sewing computer. So as long as your designs are sent to the machine within the hoop they can be placed.

(Fig 2)

(Fig 3)

(Fig 4)

(Fig 5)

Pic above showing needle icon at bottom of prompt on computer, alongside the picture of the object you are sending to the machine.

(Fig 6)

My primitive way of marking where the design should go in the first instance, using Aqua Trick Marker Pen. (Disappears with damp cloth)

Once you have finished stitching out the centre block go back to the Bernina software and pick up your design again and this time pick up another object to place, deleting all other objects. If you are wise you can cut in such a way that you can easily just replace one object and then cut the last object you used. It really depends upon the way you personally work around things.

I am working on finding out how to do a vertical hooping as that may be useful too in helping to place designs.

(Errors and ommissions excepted)

This excercise is far more difficult to explain than to execute. Good Luck!

Maureen

(Fig 7)