craftgrrl | Machine Embroidery/Sewing (Reply)

Sooooo... I have been lurking here for a longggg time. And basically... I LOVE crafting. I haven't really been able to do anything in a VERYYYYYYYY long time due to work and school conflicts, but seeing as I am done with school and my work enviornment has changed a bit... I have the time again!!!

So... my husband is pretty crafty too, and we've decided to try our luck with flea markets. So I want to try to do some easy-peasy crafts that sell well. Maybe some of the ribbon key chains, check book covers, hair bows, some wood crafts my husband does, some bulletin boards.... lots of cutesy kinda stuff...

But to my point.... I haven't used a sewing machine in QUITE some time. I know the basic functions and operation. But if anyone has any good sites and/or books for beginners, that would be excellent!

And my even BIGGER point... I suck at hand embroidery. And I MAINLY need to monogram, rather than embroider. So I purchased an embroidery machine. And I have NEVER used one. I watched the video that came with it and I understand how it works and everything. My questions are more of... what fabrics require what thread tension and what kind of backing (or whatever its called) should be used with what fabrics... I have NO idea! Any good suggestions? Websites? Books? Anything? HELP!!