Mitty

I’ve heard people say that machine embroidery is expensive and am wondering what makes it so expensive? The machines themselves are expensive, and I’ve see the prices of designs, but are there other less obvious things? Thread? Stabilizer?

sash

Yes and yes, but so worth it.

Cheryl7758

There is also the expense of items you embroider on and mess up! Stabilizers are expensive and you should have several different kinds depending on what you embroider on. Cost of thread is all over the place, along with the cost of designs; anywhere from about a $1 and up. Remember for the most part, you get what you pay for. If buying inexpensive thread, make sure to try it on your machine before buying a wide range of colors. Inexpensive designs can be badly digitized, or be great - also need to try out before buying a large amount from anyone vendor.

Macybaby

Personally, I don't find it that much more expensive than other types of sewing.

Sewing supplies of any sort are expensive. You can easily pay $20 for a nice dress pattern that you may only use once, and the notions (buttons, zippers, elastic, interfacing etc) really add up. And fabric isn't cheap either!

So when someone says machine embroidery is expensive and they are not referring the the start up costs - what are they comparing it to? MY DH has "guy type" hobbies and he can easily spend $200- $300 in supplies for one project. At least he is understanding when I spend that amount to make one quilt.

QuiltMom2

I have been blessed. Yes, I spend more than I should at LQS, quilt shows, etc but it is easily balanced by the fact I use my embroidery machine every day and DH has garden and cars that take every bit as much if not more $.

Rhonda K

Pre-wound bobbins, stabilizers, hoops, and designs do add up quickly. My LQS offers sale days which is a great time to make extra purchases. I consider the expense of these supplies and EMB classes an investment in me.

juliasb

I have 3 different Embroidery machines here and tons of different threads and stabilizers. I use them frequently. I have slowly purchased my threads which I found to be the most expensive. I bought most of them on line and was careful about what I bought. I only purchased one bad batch, that one cost me $12. My quilting machine (mid arm) threads cost me much more than embroidery threads. The most expensive thing I purchased for the embroider was my digitizing software. It cost more than one of the machines! It was well worth the expense. Before you buy your machine however give a great deal of thought to what you believe you will be using it for. I discovered that most of the designs I do are no more that 4" because they are used to accent a piece or be a focal point in a block. Larger pieces can be done by manipulating the piece within a small frame. Of course you can always use the larger frame for larger pieces that is the easy way. I tried both ways as a way to make my decisions. I have made several quilts with embroidered blocks. Mostly for my grand kids who wanted something special like disney characters. I love prewound bobbins too and always keep a supply of them handi. Keep in mind that any project we do when it comes to sewing any more is costly. Our quilts still top the scale as expensive when you figure in the fabrics, patterns and time and quilting expenses. Even your embroidery machine can be used for making a quilt (unless you get just a machine that can only do embroidery work). Happy quilting! (and embroidery!)

SarahBethie

I think the same holds true for other interests. I encountered similar expenses for gourmet cooking and golf. For sewing and quilting, I purchased all the tools and notions first. Now that I’m taking classes the wisdom of that approach is obvious. I can choose better fabrics because I’m not shouldering other expenses.

As a rule, I invest in quality tools that last a long time. I’ll pay more initially but the cost balances out over time.

Grace creates

I'm a fan of hand embroidery, only cost is a needle and thread. It's relaxing

patricej

i think the key word, as sarah has figured out, is "investment."
it helps to figure out which things are purchases and which are investments.
(full disclosure: i still get the two mixed up more often that i wish. lol)

when i got my first embroidery capable machine i rushed online and bought a full set of all colors from an inexpensive brand. the choice of brand worked out just fine. i still order from them and only go elsewhere if they don't have what i'm looking for.

however, years and years later, i still have a drawer full of colors still in the factory wrapping.
now i just buy what i need for a specific project if i can't find it in my stash.
the kicker is that i can rarely find what i need in my stash!