The biggest hoop my older machine has is a 5x7 my big machine has a 7 7/8 x 11 7/8 hoop on it, and it is most definitely a little more than that, I am not sure how big some of the hoops are on the newer ones, but I think that 5x7 is the biggest for them but could be wrong, check the brother site out, they will have all of the information as well as some pricing,

Thanks for the great info!

Now, thread! What is the best to use for machine embroidery? If I am putting embroidery into quilts, I don't want it to be too heavy or thick.

Diane

They come in two weights, 40 and 60, I use isacord, I find it durable and a good quality and I get it pretty cheap, but I am also in canada, so not sure what stores sell it there, I also use Gunold but it is more of an industrial one, if you don't want it to be to heavy or thick you would pick the design best suited to what you are doing, there is simple line designs, to full filled in heavy designs, it can be very versitile, there are a lot here obviously that do embroidery that can help with specifics when you are trying to work things out, feel free to pm me anything, I may or may not be able to help, I have been at it for a bit, my first embroidery machine was a janome 16 years in Feb. check out the site www.emblibrary.com for ideas and what there is out there, they have a very large supply of designs and they are pretty reasonably priced and continuously go on sale, the quality of the design plays a large part in out it will turn out, I have not had any issues with their designs or their customer service, they are alway friendly and helpful when ever I ask a question, they have a lot of projects as well on their sister site.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-28272-1.htm

if you would like to see some of the things that I have done with the machines, I have done this and more, it is a lot of fun once you get into it, and the best part is if you still have another machine you can piece and do other things while it is working away.

Thanks Cutebuns!

I went to emblibrary and that is what got me hooked on the fact that I need an EM! The designs are fabulous, and I love everything patriotic and saw so many great designs that I would love to use.

So, if I have this right, first the machine, then the software, a computer for downloading and 30 hour days to have some fun using it! LOL!

Diane

yup, the good thing is that while the machine is doing it's thing you can go and do other things so it stretches your time somewhat. it is very addictive, it gives that professional look to all sorts of things, I did some really nice tea towels before Christmas as well, took some inexpensive towels and customized them, it is easy and really once you get into it it can be pretty cheap, it costs me about 50cents in supplies to do them and once you have some patterns, the more you use them the less it costs, people thought I was nuts to have the machines that I do but I more than have paid for them as well, if you looked at the brother site, I have the PR620 which is just the one before the one show at the top of the embroidery page, it has 6 threads and a bunch of cool things to play with. as well as a double set of hoops including a hat hoop. it is faster than most of the domestic machines, you save time not having to stop and rethread for every color change, the only thing I wish it had was the jacket back hoop, they don't have one that big yet, and the machine is less than some of the domestic machines that I have seen, I worked it out that I could buy it and a regular sewing machine for less than a combo one that does both, thing is that you can't use it for both at the same time, it is one or the other, so this way I would get two for less than one, and it isn't hard to learn how to use.

the odds are that for the first bit you will get stuck watching that needle go up and down, it happens here all the time when I get comapny, they are fasinated with watching the design appear,

the brother sewing and em combo that has the largest size is the Quattro 6000D with 12 x 8 working field. This is at the high end cost wise.

The Brothers that have a D are liscenced disney designs so you are also paying for that.

I bought the Innovis 4000D about three years just as it was being discontinnued so I got a great deal. have not done any EM as of yet.

OK - Just a note of caution - the sites listed above are pretty good sites - BUT sometimes you get what you pay for in embroidery designs. Some of the free stuff is not digitized very well and some of it is great. Always stitch out a sample design.

Also - the major companies such as Viking, Pfaff, Janome and singer have free designs. They are clearly in different formats but if you have software you can convert them. If not, many of us have software and could help you.

http://www.husqvarnaviking.com/us/2894.htm
http://www.pfaff.com/global/4704.html
http://janome.com/index.cfm/ProjectC...embroideryid=2
http://www.singerco.com/downloads/?content_block_id=13

I have a Pfaff 2144 with all the upgrades to make it equal to a 2170. I love it. The stitching is beautiful!!!!

I have a Pfaff 2170 for about 2 years. I LOVE it! This is a Dakota designs 'Tara Reed' coffee cups, and chose the colors to match the fabric.