freehand machine embroidery

Hi Hazel8, if you want to do a machine set zig zag but guide the fabric at the same time you must disengage the feed dogs , if you can't drop or disengage them, you need to purchase feed dog plate which slips over them and has the wide mouthed opening. I used to "write" my childrens names inside the backs of their jackets and coats using satin stitch. 

You use the term free hand, well I suppose "writing in satin stitch" could be called free hand, but the term used now is free motion embroidery. I started doing this in the late 50s, any robust straight stitch machine will do. If you intend doing a lot a decent sized motor is a must as you'll be hammering the motor. I had to return my powerful machine to England for repair from abroad and bought a new standard domestic machine. It over heated and complained after an hour. For really good results you need a cork lined adjustable steel embroidery hoop, failing that a wooden embroidery hoop that you tape the inside ring to preven fabric burn. The fabric has to be taut as drum skin as you wont be using a foot. You drop or cover the feed dogs, or set the stitch length to zero to stop the feed moving. The latter is ok but not the best method. You remove your presser foot set top tension at your normal sewing tension raise the presser bar.  Raise the needle to it's highest position and slide the hoop under it. Watch you don't snag the needle tip. Lower the presser bar as this engages the top tension and the feed dog connector arm under the machine bed.

Now turn the fly wheel by hand to catch the bobin thread and ull the bobbin thread to the top. It's very likely you'll have to adjust both tensions, so now hold both top and bottom threads and the side of the hoop, with your finger tips on the outside. make two or three stitches to lock the thread ends. Now start stitching and at the same time guide hoop around under the needle. You are using the needle as a pencil tip to draw. make two or three lines about then stop stitching. Your first few attempts will be jerky and awkward. raise  the presser foot nd slip the hoop out from under the needle. cut the threads and look at the stitches. if you see tiny loops on the surface or tight little knots, your top tension is too tight. if the top looks ok, flip the hoop over and check the bobbin side. Any little loops or knots, if so your bobbin is too tight or the top tension too loose. Use a different colour top thread to help you see.

Make your first tension adjustment to the top tension and repeat the same again looking at the result. It takes a little time but it's worth it. I have two bobbin races, one set for standard sewing the other for free motion embroidery. When you think it's ok, practise doing straight lines, then loops and circles. You stitch fast guide slow, keep your hoop movements smooth, and watch your fingers and the hoop rim.

Enjoy.