dnd

I am a beginner quilter and being offered a Brother PC8500 for $500 (including a large sewing cabinet). Is this machine's technology too old to even consider?

LindaR

I bought a 8500 on ebay about 5 years ago for $900 with the embroidery attachment and all feet plus walking foot and another serger foot? never tried that one. I really like it but it is so heavy. I can take the embroidery arm off and its not too bad to lift. my main machine is in a cabinet so I use this one on the dining room table to embroidery only. had it checked out after 2 years and was told it was in very good shape. I think you will like it...

CoyoteQuilts

Yep, worth the money. Is the software included? If so a great deal. Yes, it is an older model. You will have to have the card, card box and some form of software to go with it to do any designs off the internet. The newer models have floppy or 'stick' ports now. No, you can't update them. The nice thing about Brother is that they didn't change the design of their design cards that fit in the machines (or hadn't the last time I checked) so you can still get the Brother cards for these machines. If you want an embroidery machine these were a great machine and went for around 3 thousand when they came out. If I remember correct this machine has a 5x7 embroidery frame, which is the largest for that machine so you would have to watch the size of your designs. The designs keep getting bigger and bigger.

Good luck!

QuiltnNan

I have this machine and love it... only use it for embroidery, though. There is a larger frame that goes on the machine, which I have, but have never had the need to use. Can't recall the size. But you have to reposition it for the larger patterns. You will not be able to run the software without the card reader plugged into your USB port.