Suggestions for beginer -Starter Embroidery Machine

[mickey-56]

Hello,
I have been quilting for a few years now and hope I live long enough to be able to produce all my ideas. To add to the ever growing list I would really like to start adding embroidery to my quilting. The machines I have been looking at are way out of my price range. Can anyone give me some ideas on what machine to get started on that will not completely empty my wallet? Everyones suggestions are greatly appreciated. Many thanks
Mickey

[Mahoney1]

I have an Brother Innov-is 1200 which was the introductory machine when I bought in 3 years ago. The new one is the 1250. It is easy to use and I have never had a problem with the machine. I use the machine regularly to sew and then just pop the module on to do any embroidery. It is easy to download designs from the net. The one thing it doesn't do is show the design on the computer screen until
it is opened to use. In other words, the design is not shown as an icon, just the name of the design. There are computer programs which you can purchase, but they are costly.
HTH, Karen

[Mahoney1]

I should have mentioned that sometimes you can get a good deal on a used reconditioned machine. That might be a good way to start.
I paid $l,000 for my machine and I think they are a lot more now.

[Oasis]

I am also interested in an embroidery machine that doesn't cost too much for a starter. I'll follow this post along with you.

I have heard nice things about the Brother Innov.

Thanks Karen!

[Ricksbabe]

Mickey,

I started out with a small brother with the largest embroidery hoop being only a 4 x 4. Which isn't very big, and only did embroidery. I knew that I couldn't jump to the largest that I wanted a big pr 600 by brother which costs over $6000. So I just waited and one day DH took me to one of our local shops and said lets just look and see. I found a babylock Ellure plus for around $1500. It does both sewing and embroidery. The best suggestion I can give you is to look around either on craigs list, or your local shops to see what they have that is used first. Only because machine embroidery can become an expensive hobby. Make sure that you are comfortable with the machine before you buy it. I now have 3 embroidery machines and love them all. But there are others like my BFF who just bought on impulse (because I have one)(lol) and she wasted over $3500 for it to just sit and collect dust.

Good luck I hope you find a nice one that you are comfortable with. It can be just as addicting as quilting.

Robin (Maryland)

[TooMuchFabric]

Robin is on spot about looking at used ones. There are lots of people like her friend who buy on impulse then don't ever use them.

The sewing machine store where I bought mine usually have used ones where folks have traded up. The used ones come with a warranty and lessons.

I would look at all of the new ones and check features, sizes, etc. then go on a search for a used one. I know a lady who bought one that had been top of the line about three years ago for about what a starter type costs new. She loves it and it has more bells and whistles than a firetruck!

The machines I have have a stitch count and you can see how many embroidery stitches have been made on the machine. You could have the machine store folks show you where that feature is on their brands then if you look at used ones you can check them to see how much they have been used.

The machines are an expense then you have thread, stabilizer, and designs that become very expensive quickly unless you shop on sale and then they are not cheap. I buy thread when it is on sale for 50% off. You want lots of colors but the design may not use much of a particular color so the thread lasts quite a while.

There is also software involved. You have to be able to transfer the designs you buy or get free on the internet to the machine. There are some free programs on the internet then each machine company offers one which is easier to use and has more options. Some machines require a special card to transfer the designs and that doesn't ordinarily come with the machine.

One of my machines can be connected directly to the computer or use a special card and the other one can have the designs transferred the same way or using a USB travel drive. Some of the older machines use a floppy disk and since the newer computers don't come with a floppy disk drive you can still purchase an external floppy disk drive and make your own disks.

The embroidery machines are great fun and I have seen quilts done using them and they were exquisite.

Keep us posted on what you decide and good luck and Happy Stitching!!!

[Suzquilts]

I'm also an advocate for the used/refurbished machines. I bought a used Husqvarna Viking Scandinavia 300 about 3 1/2 years ago - never any trouble, just regular service. She's made me some money and paid for herself within a year (embroidered items are in demand at craft sales it seems). I bought mine from a dealer, which I would highly recommend, since they will give you a warranty and often have low cost annual maintenance packages as well.

Happy buying!

Susan

[gershwin64]

I bought a little Janome Memory Craft 200E and I really like it ) here's a pic of an embroidery I did last night for my DGD....she watched the video with me and asked me if I could make her the butterfly so here it is )




This is going on the "Summer Porch" quilt I'm making for my Grandma for her birthday )

[lorettav]

That machine does very nice embroidery.