Yes, there are a LOT of choices. Too much to look at.
Honestly I went into the local sewing center, that is a sewing machine dealer and I said "sell me one"
We played with machines, compared prices and functions.
it was a lot of fun and very informative.

I have a bernette deco340, by bernina. I have had it about
a month and so far I really like it.

I have vicking designer SE --Love it

I have viking rose and viking designer 2.
Have done lots of embroidery on both of them.

Mine is a Singer Futura CE-350. It's a Sewing/Embroidery machine, got it for Christmas 2009. It was on sale for $799. I like it. It hasn't given me any trouble that wasn't caused by user error.

Brother Innovis 4500D and Babylock Ellegante

When I bought the Babylock it was the biggest single needle machine, and I embroidered like crazy. Then so I didn't have to keep taking off the emb unit, I bought the 4500D and use it for quilting.

Hi,

I have a Babylock Ellure which embroiders, but I don't use it much for that, it's my take along machine and lake machine, basically.

I embroider on my Babylock Elegante2, LOVE it! Does everything and it also sews/quilts beautifully. I embroider with it mostly. (quilt on another machine)

Bev

I have the H500 class of viking that is pratically brand new and want to sell it. It has everything that came with it (software, CD..manual..etc..) for $600 plus actual shipping. Pm me for any details if interested, and i can email you pics if you want.

P.S i have the designer SE and love it

Mine is a Brother 770 but I still don't know how to use it much and it's been a year. I've made some things but not enough to be able to advise you. It was in that price range though.

I have a Brother 1500D and absolutely love it. It does beautiful work. Haven't done labels yet but plan on learning to do those soon. This machine is usually priced well above your $1000 limit, but check around, you may find a nice used one.