Embroidery Machine Recommendation
12-02-2009, 07:30 PM
#11
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Des Moines, WA
Posts: 201
I have a Pfaff 2140 (which you can upgrade to 2170...software & settings on machine). You will need software to put on your computer, which can be spendy. I subscribe to Artistic Threadworks for designs. I dont use my machine or software to its max (not enough time) so the smaller designs work for me. Love my Pfaff, love the service I get from my Pfaff dealer.
12-02-2009, 10:13 PM
#12
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 113
When you really get to looking at embroidery machines & what you would like to have, it comes down to how MUCH money you want to spend.
I have a Janome 350E, and before that one I had a Singer XL100 (one of the first embroidery machines made). I'm very happy with my Janome 350E, and if you want to go to my etsy store you can see some of the items I make with it.
http://sewfunquilts.etsy.com
The Janome 350E is an embroidery only machine and does not do regular sewing. It has 5x7 and 4x6 size hooping area, and is very user friendly. It has a card slot and usb port, so I use usb Thumb drives in computer to get designs from my designer library files or the web, then put thumb drive in machine. I buy most of my designs from Embroidery Library and Oregon Patchworks and Advanced designs.
Go to the mfg. websites, and do some reading, looking and comparing of features of what you want to do with it.
Have fun is the main thing.
I have a Janome 350E, and before that one I had a Singer XL100 (one of the first embroidery machines made). I'm very happy with my Janome 350E, and if you want to go to my etsy store you can see some of the items I make with it.
http://sewfunquilts.etsy.com
The Janome 350E is an embroidery only machine and does not do regular sewing. It has 5x7 and 4x6 size hooping area, and is very user friendly. It has a card slot and usb port, so I use usb Thumb drives in computer to get designs from my designer library files or the web, then put thumb drive in machine. I buy most of my designs from Embroidery Library and Oregon Patchworks and Advanced designs.
Go to the mfg. websites, and do some reading, looking and comparing of features of what you want to do with it.
Have fun is the main thing.
12-03-2009, 03:42 AM
#14
Administrator
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Southeast Georgia, USA
Posts: 9,115
there are two ways to approach your selection:
-shop for "must-have" features and then narrow it down to the machine(s) which have them. select based on availability of the post-purchase support you know you'll need and price. test drive if possible. i can guarantee this will be the most expensive method of selection.
-set your budget and look ONLY at machines available at that cost or less. do NOT allow yourself to peek at anything more expensive. (once you do, there's no going back. LOL LOL LOL) narrow it down to the machines offering the most features within the cost limit. select based on availability of the post-purchase support you know you'll need and price. test drive if possible.
when i was searching, it narrowed down to Janome (best prices for available features), Viking (can use the widest variety of file formats), and Brother (soooooo many models to choose from, decently priced, and waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay more FREE patterns available online than for any of the other formats.)
your search may narrow things down to a different list.
above all, take your time. once that craving sets in, it's tough to force yourself to wait until you are sure you'll be tickled pink by your final choice. if you cave in to the craving too soon, you may end up kicking yourself.
it took me more than a year to pick mine. i know i made the right choice for me because no matter what else i looked at, i kept coming back to the one i eventually bought. to this day, i have no regrets.
-shop for "must-have" features and then narrow it down to the machine(s) which have them. select based on availability of the post-purchase support you know you'll need and price. test drive if possible. i can guarantee this will be the most expensive method of selection.
-set your budget and look ONLY at machines available at that cost or less. do NOT allow yourself to peek at anything more expensive. (once you do, there's no going back. LOL LOL LOL) narrow it down to the machines offering the most features within the cost limit. select based on availability of the post-purchase support you know you'll need and price. test drive if possible.
when i was searching, it narrowed down to Janome (best prices for available features), Viking (can use the widest variety of file formats), and Brother (soooooo many models to choose from, decently priced, and waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay more FREE patterns available online than for any of the other formats.)
your search may narrow things down to a different list.
above all, take your time. once that craving sets in, it's tough to force yourself to wait until you are sure you'll be tickled pink by your final choice. if you cave in to the craving too soon, you may end up kicking yourself.
it took me more than a year to pick mine. i know i made the right choice for me because no matter what else i looked at, i kept coming back to the one i eventually bought. to this day, i have no regrets.
12-03-2009, 05:29 AM
#15
Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Lindenhurst, IL
Posts: 39
I have a Janome MB4. It has 4 needles, hoops large up to 9 1/2 x8 I love it. I have had no problems with mine. I help out at a Janome store and would buy none other. Then there is a sewing/emb machine the 11000. I love that one too and it has a large hoop. I use them both with equal results. Both of them are I think, Don't quote me, around 5-6,000. MB might go higher up to 7,000. No matter what kind you get be sure to go to a dealer that will give you free lessons for a lifetime on the machine.
12-03-2009, 04:25 PM
#16
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: New York
Posts: 4,532
WOW-thank you all so much for your input and things I need to think about while deciding. I am so glad that I have found this quilting board. I find all of you to be most helpful and give your honest opinions! Now I am going to research my budget see what I can actually afford and then decide where I can go with that.
Thank you all again!
Hugs
April
Thank you all again!
Hugs
April
12-11-2010, 01:24 PM
#18
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Fayetteville, NC
Posts: 1,812
Originally Posted by PatriceJ
there are two ways to approach your selection:
-shop for "must-have" features and then narrow it down to the machine(s) which have them. select based on availability of the post-purchase support you know you'll need and price. test drive if possible. i can guarantee this will be the most expensive method of selection.
-set your budget and look ONLY at machines available at that cost or less. do NOT allow yourself to peek at anything more expensive. (once you do, there's no going back. LOL LOL LOL) narrow it down to the machines offering the most features within the cost limit. select based on availability of the post-purchase support you know you'll need and price. test drive if possible.
when i was searching, it narrowed down to Janome (best prices for available features), Viking (can use the widest variety of file formats), and Brother (soooooo many models to choose from, decently priced, and waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay more FREE patterns available online than for any of the other formats.)
your search may narrow things down to a different list.
above all, take your time. once that craving sets in, it's tough to force yourself to wait until you are sure you'll be tickled pink by your final choice. if you cave in to the craving too soon, you may end up kicking yourself.
it took me more than a year to pick mine. i know i made the right choice for me because no matter what else i looked at, i kept coming back to the one i eventually bought. to this day, i have no regrets.
-shop for "must-have" features and then narrow it down to the machine(s) which have them. select based on availability of the post-purchase support you know you'll need and price. test drive if possible. i can guarantee this will be the most expensive method of selection.
-set your budget and look ONLY at machines available at that cost or less. do NOT allow yourself to peek at anything more expensive. (once you do, there's no going back. LOL LOL LOL) narrow it down to the machines offering the most features within the cost limit. select based on availability of the post-purchase support you know you'll need and price. test drive if possible.
when i was searching, it narrowed down to Janome (best prices for available features), Viking (can use the widest variety of file formats), and Brother (soooooo many models to choose from, decently priced, and waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay more FREE patterns available online than for any of the other formats.)
your search may narrow things down to a different list.
above all, take your time. once that craving sets in, it's tough to force yourself to wait until you are sure you'll be tickled pink by your final choice. if you cave in to the craving too soon, you may end up kicking yourself.
it took me more than a year to pick mine. i know i made the right choice for me because no matter what else i looked at, i kept coming back to the one i eventually bought. to this day, i have no regrets.
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