NZquilter

I'm sure I'm not the only who watches Craigslist all the time, for no real reason. I have been seeing more and more expensive embroidery machines being sold, for at least $1000, most for more. One just today says its only been used a few times. I'm just wondering, why is this? Is it because people are upgrading to the 2018 models? I'm just curious I guess. If I spent that much money on a embroidery machine, I would probably want brand-new.

greensleeves

My guess would be either upgrading or found interest was not in embroidery.

lynnie

new ones cost upwards of $10,000.00 for the fancy bells and whistles

quiltingcandy

Most people think that getting an embroidery machine is all there is to it. They get it home and realize there is a lot more to it. My dealer was very nice but didn't really explain about the designs worked and picking thread needs to done with care. I went to a couple classes but they were more for the entire use of the machine not just embroidery. I needed a special class just to learn how to convert a pattern from a dvd/cd to my program for my Viking and then to the machine. Some machines come with very limited programs - so there is another expense. And there are different stabilizers and learning which one is best for the project can be a trial and error process. I call my embroidery machine my spoiled brat - it works fine when I am attentive to it - but let me leave the room or maybe sew on my other machine and it will misbehave. Not always - but enough that it received the title.

I have heard more people say it was more than they wanted to do - thread changes also annoyed people - and just put it in a closest or sold it. My friend and I figured it out together - it was so much more than I ever thought it would be and probably if I didn't have my friend, Carol, helping me out I might not have fallen in love with the machine like I have. Carol bought the Brother PE 770 after we got confident on my machine.

NZquilter

Very interesting, quiltingcandy. That probably explains it. Thanks!

terriamn

I had the PE 770, user friendly and loved it. Decided to upgrade and oh my what a learning curve. If I had bought this machine first I know it would gave been stored in the closet and eventually sold

Rose_P

Maybe one of the problems is that most of the people who can afford these machines have full time jobs that don't leave them enough time to get into it. When you first look at how they work it seems almost as if it should be as easy as operating a printer: plug in the design and load the fabric and thread, then hit go. However, there is a whole lot more to learn, and the thread and stabilizer you will need cost a lot more than typing paper.

The other aspect of it is that it can seem rather boring because after you set it up you sit back and just watch it stitch. You have nothing much to do except change the thread as each color is sewn. Many of the more elaborate designs can take a long time to stitch out, and if you happen to decide it's going well and you can maybe duck out for a cup of coffee or a pit stop - Bam! These machines somehow know when you have turned your back and that's when something will go wrong every. single. time. You'd better hope it's just a thread break and not your beautiful, expensive, almost-done project jumping out of the hoop and being destroyed or possibly damaging the machine. (You can and should pause the stitching if you can't be there.) In short, this is not a process that will appeal to everyone.

If you are considering buying a used one, this is one thing you should get from a shop because the warranty and instruction that a shop can give you are important for safeguarding your investment and helping you make the hobby fun rather than frustrating. At very least be sure there is a nearby shop that will service it because shipping it off to be serviced would be very cumbersome. Also, before you buy look online for video demonstrations of the machine you're considering and also try to find a pdf of the manual and read it so that you will know how to test it and how to check the "mileage" before you buy.

Rose_P

I'm back after taking a quick look at Craigslist. Just have to point out that someone on there is selling (or trying to sell) a used PE770 for more than they cost on Amazon. Caveat emptor!

Chasing Hawk

I have notice this also with Embroidery machines. I put my Bailey up on CL and I got a couple of calls asking if it does embroidery.....lol

quiltybarb

Im going to sell mine because I pd $1,500 for a Janome and I only use it to do a few labels for my quilts. Never used most of the attachments and found I really dont like embroidery....I do feel bad about the wasted money tho;.