When things are a little quieter on the sales front, I try to use the time to experiment rather than endlessly refreshing the order notifications (although I still do!) 😅

One thing I really enjoy is going back through embroidery designs I've created for previous projects and seeing how they could work in a completely different way.

This tiger was originally created for a jacket that I made for myself, so I decided to restitch it and turn it into a banner — paired with Wild & Free. I love seeing how much the same embroidery can change depending on the fabric, colours and finished product it's used on.

It also means quieter days still feel creative and productive, which is always a win!

For those of you who embroider for work or just for fun — what's your favourite thing to stitch when you're completely off the clock and can make whatever you want?

Hi everyone,
I recently purchased a Ricoma SWM-2002-10S dual-head embroidery machine, and I’m still learning how to use the full embroidery area of the machine.
According to Ricoma, the machine can achieve a maximum embroidery area of approximately 160 × 50 cm when using the large sash frame.
I’m planning a large embroidery project that will be approximately 150 cm long × 40 cm wide, so I would like to use almost the entire available embroidery area.
I have two main questions:
How do I correctly set up/configure the large 160 × 50 cm sash frame in the machine settings?
At the moment, I cannot find this frame size listed on the control panel. Do I need to manually create/register the frame dimensions, change a machine setting, or select a special sash-frame mode?
How does a 150 cm-wide design work on a dual-head machine?
Since the machine has two embroidery heads, do I need to split the 150 cm design into two separate files/sections and embroider one section with Head 1 and the second section with Head 2?
Or can I import the complete 150 × 40 cm design as one file, and the machine automatically knows which head should embroider which part of the design?
Basically, I would like to understand the correct workflow for creating one continuous large design across almost the entire 160 cm sash-frame area.
If anyone owns a Ricoma SWM-2002-10S or has experience with large sash-frame embroidery on Ricoma multi-head machines, I would really appreciate any advice, screenshots, videos, or explanations of how you set this up.
Thank you very much!

Asking reddit because I can't seem to find other sources of reviews online. If you seen my previous post a few months ago I was in a rut with my current machines SWF/B-T601C that were partially working for me. Time has passed and I am currently looking at a new machine lease SWF/KX-T1501. I looked at different models and compared and decided this one. What I would like to know if I should pay the extra for the "training and installation" (leaning towards yes because its might be more complicated than I'm used to). The warranty says 7 years of manufacture defects where there's the 5 year, 3 year, 1 year of certain parts/repairs covered. So there is another optional protection plan for extra purchase (1 year or 2) that pretty much seems to be the warranty but added the cost of technicians travel and labor fee covered(if repair is under qualifying condition) so I'm unsure if I need this protection plan? Because my thoughts would think this is a new machine and I would not need a repair as early as in 1-2 years. The other catch is if you don't purchase the "training and installation" the warranty states that the damage done to machine of 'negligence and misuse of machine is due to purchaser and does not qualify for certain repairs'. And again this is a big deal because of course I want little as possible amount of repairs or even tech support through the phone because I live in Hawaii I want to use the machine for a good amount of years and it is very difficult to find help on your own without the help of a company. So to summarize:

1. Has anyone experienced this machine or own one? (Because I think it only got released a few years ago) Is there any cons to this machine because I can't seem to find reviews of it.

2. Should I purchase the training & installation? Or the protection plan as well? (I might need the training but not the extra protection) The installation does not mean there is someone that installs it in my house by SWF. The movers of the moving company decides if they help bring it in my house to where I want it placed.

3.Technical support that needs physical repair is hard to find let alone pay for, so does this machine seem like it would last quite a while with the right maintenance and care? Or at least not have major problems in the first 3-5 years?

1. I chose this machine because of the new features that are added convenience compared to my old machines, but I looked at the SWFs, and Barudans because I chose those two brands of what I like. Should I look at other machines, other brands, does this new one might have more cons than pros? Or should I start over and search for another machine?

The price plus shipping without "training & installation" and without "protection plan" was about 23k which is doable for me, so other machines might be more but this was already a hefty price for me. Barudans I asked quotes were more expensive and did not have the same features.

Side question: Does this new machine able to use mighty hoops, or Maggie frames? Because I saw videos that showed the machine and what it comes with, and the hoops I saw looked like the older style hoop that's the clamp style that gets tighten by screw.

Any advice would be very appreciated because I am so ready to closing this deal and look forward to a new machine so thanks plenty!