So what can you do with a hoop that is 4x4? I want to make a quilt with embroidered blocks.

I totally agree shop around, do tons of research.
Go to dealers and "test" drive the machines. Set
a budget and do not let sales people talk you into
something more than you want to spend.

I have 2 machines now, my first machine had a 5x7
hoop as the largest and at first it was fine for me. But
after a couple years I started seeing designs that I really
wanted to get and make but couldn't because I didn't have
a larger hoop.

In January 2012 I purchased a new machine that has a 6x10
hoop and I am much happier (for now at least LOL).

Both of my machines are Brother's and they are fairly user
friendly and they are both combo machine meaning they do
both embroidery and sewing.

If you have a fantastic machine already that you like you may
even consider going for an embroidery only machine.

Just do your research and ask lots of question. Make a list of
features you want from the research you do.

Good luck and let us know what you get. We are here to help
you as much as we can.

There a TONS of designs made for the 4x4 hoops, but to be totally
100% honest I have only used that size hoop maybe 4-5 times since
I got my first machine (in 2007). I am not a big fan of hooping all the
time I would much rather try to embroider 2 designs in my 6x10 hoop
as to set up a 4x4 two times.

Of course not many people are crazy for doing things like that.

I have the Viking Designer SE that i would like to sell as i have three of them and wanting to sell one so i can get a ten needle machine . It takes (100x100) 4x4 hoop and (150x240)5.9 x 9.4 inches hoop and (150x360) 5.9x14.2 inches. All three comes with the machine. If interested pm me.

Totally agree especially with the dealer support and also classes can be invaluable. I have a Viking Diamond Deluxe which currently is there top one, I did have a Ruby and it was also great, the Diamond has a very large hoop. I love my Vikings and have never used a 4x4 and rarely used the 5x7 hoop. I will hoop multiple designs if I have smaller ones, instead of doing them one at a time. All of the Vikings I've owned have been really great and you can use any thread. I would be upset at paying thousands of dollars for a machine and then have to only buy certain threads because it didn't play well. The only other emb machine that I've sewed on was a Brother and that was in class. While it did a good job and there are features that I liked about the machine that mine doesn't have mine has features that Brother doesn't have that mean alot to me. Vikings come with an organizer software that is a powerful tool and will help you alot with not only organizing designs but you can do some editing like adding the cutting jump stitch command. Love that feature. I would suggest though to go to several shops and try out the machine and when the feel of the shop's atmosphere and the machine feel right, you know you got it. I travel about 1/2 to 45 min to my store and it is so worth it. The teacher listens to what we need and want and incorporates them into our classes. The store has even now started not only the embroidery classes but using the sewing side of machine and all of it's features. This is great because you've paid for these features and you might as well know about them and how to use them. I love learning new things. Caution: no matter what machine you get, it's addicting and that's one of the biggest reasons to try out the machine and also to have some of the larger hoops available so you don't become bored or frustrated due to limitations. Good luck on your search and enjoy.

this is totally me too. I don't use the 4x4 or the 5x7 hardly at all. I'm saving up now for the biggest hoop that goes with my Diamond Deluxe. I have one that is over 13 in and I use it the most and do more than one design at a time if I have room. But if someone knows the want to embroidery on a quilt; I'd go with larger than the 5x7 even because you'll be constantly rehooping. This weekend I'm getting my endless hoop out and do the tutorials for it. Its been hanging on my wall way too long without being used.

I made lots of 6 in blocks with my 4 in designs. All red work designs. Teddy bears and nursery rhymes for baby quilts and pretty square designs for adult quilts. My machine is a very cheap Brother but is a workhorse. $300.
Someday hope to get an embroidery machine big enough to quilt a quilt with.

I love my Babylock Spirit. It does 4x4, 5x7, 6x6 and 7x12! I agree with Louise though, I use only two of the hoops in order for me to squeeze in more designs so I don't have to rehoop most of the time. Mostly I do lace work but for some swaps I have used the embroidery for tea towels and quilt tops. Quilty-Louise I have never seen a roll of Floriani that large! Can I come over and play?! :D

That roll of Floriani Wet n Gone would have cost me $135, but I
got it when they had a 35% off Floriani stabilizer sale last year
so I got lucky and got it for about $87 plus tax.

100 yards goes a longgggg ways LOL. Of course what helps it
to last so long is that I ALWAYS use 2-4 layers of ws for all fsl
designs and I only use 1 layer of the floriani, the other layers
I use the wash n gone from joanns.

I just purchased the embroidery module for my Bernina 640. Our local quilt shop has classes on using it. I am signed up for every one in March and April. No use getting it if I don't know how to use it. Will be taking more classes as they are offered. I will be one busy girl between finishing grandson's graduation quilt and getting things done for quilt show in the fall. It would be great if embroidery people had a special place on board like vintage machine enthusiasts do.

I am looking forward to doing some sewing SOON!

Just got the extra wide extension table and FMQ hoop for
my machine. I found a GREAT deal on it so I purchased it.

IF I had gone to my dealer to buy this ext. table it would
have cost me close to $200, I found it brand new online for
$119. I am excited to try it out.

But I also have some embroidery that needs to get done.
Good thing I have two emb machines lol.

Does anyone have a White 4400 embroidery machine? I don't know what kind of needles to buy for it or how to properly thread it. The owners manual is pretty much worthless!

Thanks,
Suzy

Sorry SuzyQ, I am not going to be much help. I do have this machine and every time I try to use it something goes wrong, I hate it so it just sits here. Hope someone can help.

I just started a class at the LQS and we all take our machines in to the class. I am the only one that has a machine that can do all the sizes, and all the other women were complaining about their machines only doing a 4x4 or 5x5. I think it is a great idea to think for awhile about what you think you will want to do before investing.

Is there a hoop available to use with the Viking Husquvarna 1+ that is larger than a 5x7? I've been reading this thread for several months now and am getting inspired to quit quilting for awhile and start some embroidery.

There is a group on Yahoo for this machine. You should get a good answer there. My first thought was yes because when I bought one a few yrs ago it came with the magna hoop but I've never used it and it's been quite awhile since I looked at the manual. I had issues in the begininng and while waiting for it to be serviced for free I got the Ruby and then the Diamond Deluxe so I've never used it.I just got it back from being serviced and once I have time to test run it, I'm putting it on the sites for sale. I just have to figure out which one is the best.

Here you go. I got this from a website that has some of the older Vikings on it.
It's called; sewmuch4retirement.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Viking1Plus_Orchidea/

This is a thread I'll be following now. I just got a Baby Lock Unity. I love the machine for piecing my quilts and haven't even taken the embroidery unit out of the box. I've only had it a week. My goal by next Sunday is to at least have the box opened :-)

I have a Pfaff 2144 and also the embroidery unit 3D software. I haven't used my 3D in about three years -- learning curve was just too steep when you have babies underfoot. I saw a post on the Pfaff site where you can trade in your old software for new new software and get a $350 rebate. I hate to pass on a good deal, so wondering if I should upgrade to Pfaff 5D or get Embird? Thoughts?

I've had a PE-770 for a few years now. The stabilizer you use will depend on what type of fabric you're using to embroider on. For cotton evenweaves a tear-way is fine, but for knits you need cut-away. It will help you tremendously to attend a seminar on stabilizers. I went to a Floriani thing at a sewing shop, also one given by Bernina, and both were extremely helpful.

For FSl (Free Standing Lace) you need the mesh type water soluble. The film type is normally used for topping on towels and other fabrics that have a deep pile.

I shopped once for the Embird and when adding up all the plug ins to the basic Embird it was maybe if i remember about or even more than $1000 so i went to 5D, but i have the EQ7 which is for designing your quilts and the company just released their newest add on to the EQ7 which is Estitch and it is on special for $150 for now so when you have those two for less than $400 you have the best of both worlds. You can design your quilts and also digitize and use it for embroidery. It is worth looking at.
I just got the Estitch but haven't installed it yet so can't help you much but you can call the company and ask exactly what the software can do fo you.
Good luck

Go to this site; it sells mostly Floriani. They have great thread and stabilizer but you can get stabilizer even from JoAnns, I like to buy it by the yard off the bolt. I do like the stablizer that is for tshirts and sweats. I buy many different kind so threads; Floriani, RA, Jenny Haskins, etc and for my machine, it all works well. If you also go to emblibrary.com under Kenny's Corner they have lots of tutorials on needles, stabilizer, thread, different fabrics, etc. As a matter of fact I check all sites out to see what they use for different projects, etc. Including Viking, this is what I have.
http://www.rnkdistributing.com/cid-3...-Products.html (stabilizer workbood at bottom of page. you can print or safe it to desktop)

For FSL you can use the clear but you need at least two layers and a sharp needle works great.

You can go to EQ's website and they have videos on the new Estitch and what it can do. I have 5D Pro and if I had more money I'd get the eStitch to check it out.

I have the 5D Pro for Viking (same thing as Pfaff). I love it and now with the Sitch Edior Plus upgrade it can do so much more. You can check out mrpatience.com for 4 and 5D. He had video tutorials and also offers online classes which is good especially if you can't get to a class. The next thing that I want to join is the Vantage (think that's the correct name) Viking has it for educational, there are tutorials and you can get questions answered, etc. First, though, got to finish paying my machine off.

Get that baby out and use it I gave my DD one and she is always sewing and embroidery something I kept it for over a year till I got the 11000SE you just can't beat these machines so versitile you can change from embroidery to sewing with a push of a button and changing the foot and the embroidery is beautiful on them right now I Have a Brother 2300 Ult ,11000SE ,and a MB4 plus bROTHER 270D my SIL has right now I have been machine embroidering since 2000 started out with Brother PE150 from Walmart it is addictive and not a cheap hobby

I have a Husq. Viking 1+ and hope to start embroidering again soon. Have concentrated on quilting for a few years now but have enjoyed seeing and reading about everyone else's projects on this thread.

It should tell you what format you machine uses. Embroidery library has great designs that you can down load, I buy from them all the time they have great sales. You will need something to save them on like a external hard drive to save your designs. If you have a problem or want to ask me anything you can PM me.

I have a friend who owns an Elna sew/emb. combo machine and I believe she said its a 2006 but she doesn't have the manual. She l ives on a fixed income (elderly) and I'd like to help her with the embroidery part but I don't know what format Elna uses, i.e. my babylock uses .pes Any help would be appreciated.

If you can find out the model number the Elna website should
be able to help you find out the design format for the machine.

I have seen where some machine use the JEF, others use the
EXP. Hard to determine which one hers will take without knowing
more about her machine.

Quiltnut4ever, I have a friend who owns an Elna. She uses the JEF. format. Hope that helps.

Im finally buying my long loved tajima1201c. Tweleve needle, single head. Prob is the guy im buying it from is old(85) sorry.
so he doesnt remember the format. Anyone know what format to use???its been awhile since i used it. Thanks.

Its a professional machine, im getting it with everything for $6,000.00. A steel it was $28,000.00 new, and im the only one who used it, but i havent orderd designs due to the fact that we have the dakota collectibles disc. Any help would help. Thanks

If your looking for large rolls of topping, backing and such go to hirsch intl. I used to work for them. Im not promoting them coz their cust serv is kinda sucky, but theiris solid. They are in hauppauge, ny ( long island). They sell machine parts, needles, threads, everythingyou might need for emb. Scissors, clippers, oil ect. Good luch to all.their product is tajima machines, but they sell all the other things that we need.

Oh, i forgot to mention, i have hoops for the brother PC8500 if anyone wants extra hoops p.m. me

Thanks Louise and Sandy, I'll check with her to see if she found the manual!

Now that you have had this for a couple months, how do you like it? I'm due for my annual bonus at work, so am looking at this machine next weekend. What did you end up paying for it?

Just found out the tajima may have some problems. What do you all think of the pc 770?

lynnie, don't waste your $ on the PE770. I had one and hated it, sold it after 6 months. I have a brother 2800 now and have had a bernina 640 for 5 years.

i dropped my babylock ellure off for servicing yesterday...got the call today. total cost for servicing will be 188-. this includes a new rotary hook as well as cleaning/servicing. In a way, i can't complain...the LAST time i had this machine in for servicing was in 2004. The machine dates from 1999...