I want to get an embroidery machine and would like some ideas from you gals on which one you like or dislike. I do not want to buy more machine than I need since I have never used one before. My local quilt shop that I go to sells Janome so I am looking at a Janome 350E. Thanks for any suggestions.
Beverly (aka Wardfan)
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Embroidery machines
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xteacher
- Posts: 1486
- Joined: Mon Apr 23, 2007 1:14 pm
Re: Embroidery machines
I have the 300 which came out before the 350 and I love it. If I ever have to replace it, I will go with the newest version of that.
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TooMuchFabric
- Posts: 1706
- Joined: Tue Jan 23, 2007 3:28 pm
Re: Embroidery machines
I am a big Baby Lock fan. There are wonderful machines made by several companies with quite a variety of prices available.
The one thing I would be certain of before purchasing any machine is how you transfer designs into the machine and what format is used. Another thing to consider is what type of software it takes to read the designs on your computer. The software is from relatively reasonable to extremely expensive depending on its capabilities.
I have a machine that you can transfer designs by a card, USB drive, and directly from the computer. I use the USB drive most of the time.
One day I was at the sewing store and a woman was there who had purchased the top of the line machine but did not want to purchase the software. She was back in very unhappy because she could not look at her designs on the computer.
Happy stitching!
Jo Ann
The one thing I would be certain of before purchasing any machine is how you transfer designs into the machine and what format is used. Another thing to consider is what type of software it takes to read the designs on your computer. The software is from relatively reasonable to extremely expensive depending on its capabilities.
I have a machine that you can transfer designs by a card, USB drive, and directly from the computer. I use the USB drive most of the time.
One day I was at the sewing store and a woman was there who had purchased the top of the line machine but did not want to purchase the software. She was back in very unhappy because she could not look at her designs on the computer.
Happy stitching!
Jo Ann
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WeeOne
- Posts: 5887
- Joined: Sun Feb 10, 2008 5:21 am
Re: Embroidery machines
Beverly,
Here is a thread that was posted a while back on embroidery machines. May be some info here that you can use. Lyn
http://www.quiltinaday.com/community/to ... 4206#14206
Here is a thread that was posted a while back on embroidery machines. May be some info here that you can use. Lyn
http://www.quiltinaday.com/community/to ... 4206#14206
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Tulpje
- Posts: 11959
- Joined: Tue Aug 21, 2007 1:51 pm
Re: Embroidery machines
I too have been looking for an embroidery machine. Nothing fance, mainly to make nice labels with it. I jope a few more ppl who have embroidery machines will post here as to what to watch for and which brands of machine are worth their money.
*T*
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TooMuchFabric
- Posts: 1706
- Joined: Tue Jan 23, 2007 3:28 pm
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cyberspacequilter
- Posts: 3518
- Joined: Sat Sep 08, 2007 5:34 pm
Re: Embroidery machines
Beverly,
My sister in law comes from the Louisville area to Paducah to purchase her machines from English's in Paducah. They have a place on the lake and she will come down stay there and take classes at English's which she has always liked. She has two Pfaff Embroidery machines and anytime she has had a problem or question, Keith English has made it right and without a hassle. I am sorry that I didn't purchase from him. He graduated from our high school, 4 years before us. They also carry the Brother Machines too as well as some other brands and teach the classes right there. He will probably have a booth at the Paducah show. I had a little, cheap, Brother embroidery machine and one of my daughters says it is hers now. I never used the embroidery feature but she has and has expanded it and just loves it to do monograms and gifts. All of her friends that are having babies love the monogrammed and embelished burp cloths she makes for them. I would not buy a spool of thread from that dealer in Illinois and I know you are aware of whom I speak. My SIL is nanjam62 and I am sure you could PM her about her machines and the service that she has gotten at English's. Be sure and tell him that you know the (my maiden name)'s.
Great to see you post again.
Hugs,
Cyber-Sue
PS...I just read further in this topic and Audreyb posted the Consumer Reports results on the sewing machines and comments on the embroidery too...Take a look at that. It seems you might have been headed in the right direction to start with. LOL
My sister in law comes from the Louisville area to Paducah to purchase her machines from English's in Paducah. They have a place on the lake and she will come down stay there and take classes at English's which she has always liked. She has two Pfaff Embroidery machines and anytime she has had a problem or question, Keith English has made it right and without a hassle. I am sorry that I didn't purchase from him. He graduated from our high school, 4 years before us. They also carry the Brother Machines too as well as some other brands and teach the classes right there. He will probably have a booth at the Paducah show. I had a little, cheap, Brother embroidery machine and one of my daughters says it is hers now. I never used the embroidery feature but she has and has expanded it and just loves it to do monograms and gifts. All of her friends that are having babies love the monogrammed and embelished burp cloths she makes for them. I would not buy a spool of thread from that dealer in Illinois and I know you are aware of whom I speak. My SIL is nanjam62 and I am sure you could PM her about her machines and the service that she has gotten at English's. Be sure and tell him that you know the (my maiden name)'s.
Great to see you post again.
Hugs,
Cyber-Sue
PS...I just read further in this topic and Audreyb posted the Consumer Reports results on the sewing machines and comments on the embroidery too...Take a look at that. It seems you might have been headed in the right direction to start with. LOL
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CoyoteQuilts
- Posts: 2866
- Joined: Sun Apr 29, 2007 12:44 pm
Re: Embroidery machines
I have a Brother 2002D AND the software. Although I haven't mastered the software & digitizing I couldn't use my machine without it. I can use the pre-made cards AND a 3.5" floppy disk. I have never bought a pre-made brother disc, but have hundreds of designs. I use the floppy for storing my designs, loading designs from the internet and loading in my machine. I think they are now using a CD instead of the floppy. I also have a Pfaff, but don't like the software and the embroidery designs are much smaller than the Brother, but I do like the way the Pfaff sews out. The software I have for the Pfaff is a bear and I never got the hang of it. Apparently they have improved the Pfaff software a great deal, which is good.
Just test drive whatever machine you are looking at. Also, remember the different types of thread. That will cost you a bunch. The other main thing with embroidery is the stabilizer. Get classes if possible.
Good hunting,
Sharon V.
Just test drive whatever machine you are looking at. Also, remember the different types of thread. That will cost you a bunch. The other main thing with embroidery is the stabilizer. Get classes if possible.
Good hunting,
Sharon V.
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wardfan
- Posts: 204
- Joined: Mon Nov 19, 2007 3:30 am
Re: Embroidery machines
Thank you for all the info. Our refridgerator went out and we had to buy a new one so a new machine is on hold for right now but hopefully I will be able to get one soon.
Thanks guys,
Beverly
Thanks guys,
Beverly
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geriwood
- Posts: 901
- Joined: Sun Apr 01, 2007 3:14 pm
Re: Embroidery machines
I have the Bernina 650 and 630. Love Bernina. Geri