Help me please

juju · June 13th, 2009

I am interested in purchasing an embroidery machine....stickly for fun!!!---I am so confused....I know in my area I am not interested in a Singer nor a Janome....because of the ability to have them serviced only....I think I have narrowed down my search with either a bernina or a brother....I want to do at least 5x7 so can someone give me some pointers.....I want a machine for hobby purposes only...I am so confused

**jstitch** · June 14th, 2009

I hear you juju. I didn't do enough research and I bought a Singer. I'm learning to use it and be more satisfied with it, but I have my eye on the bernina. I just found out recently that brother used to make the machines for bernina, when they were embroidery only. My preference for the bernina comes from two things--my bernina dealer is Awesome, and I don't want to deal with a card reader. I want to be able to use a USB directly from my computer to my machine.

Hope this helps a little

**sharong** · June 14th, 2009

I have had 4 dif embroidery machines, over the last 7 years. First was a Pfaff that did only 4 x 4 , it was far to limiting. Then I had a Babylock with large hoop 6x10 then I got a Brother ULT whose largest hoop was 6x10. I found it dif to secure the fabric adequately in those two machines and ruined many a design and fabfric cause the fabric would slip while being sewn. All of those machine cost several thousand each. I had difficulty with all of them. Last Christmas my hubby bought me a Brother PE700ii. I love it. Easy to use, maintain and seems to just keep going even with near constant use. It was about $800, the largest hoop it takes is 5x7. A couple of times I wished it had a bigger hoop but I can count on one hand the times that has happened. I am going to learn to split my designs for larger. Originally I wanted a Bernina as it was touted as top of the line. I found out my new far less expensive machine is the dream I really needed all along.

**la_cole** · June 14th, 2009

I have been extremely happy with my Husqvarna Viking Platinum Plus (now 5 years old) a combination sewing/embroidery machine. This particular model is no longer being manufactured. It came with a large hoop (150x240) and also accepts the 100x100 square and 150x360 Mega Hoop. The mega hoop uses a clipping system to keep the fabric taut during embroidery. I have not had problems using this large hoop. I also have purchased the Magna Hoop that fits the 150x240 hoop but have only used it only twice with not so perfect results (I'm sure it's from lack of experience, however). I use various weight, manufacturer, and types of upper and bobbin threads all with good results. The machine does not require oiling and is forgiving to lint in the bobbin case. HV is also known for outstanding customer support.

**motoandnutty** · June 14th, 2009

Originally Posted by juju

I am interested in purchasing an embroidery machine....stickly for fun!!!---I am so confused....I know in my area I am not interested in a Singer nor a Janome....because of the ability to have them serviced only....I think I have narrowed down my search with either a bernina or a brother....I want to do at least 5x7 so can someone give me some pointers.....I want a machine for hobby purposes only...I am so confused

I think you could be in danger of getting nearly as many answers as there are emb. machines out there juju!
When I decided it was long overdue to do something that I wanted, I did quite a bit of research, but failed to consider how close the nearest servicer was (so I say well done for thinking of this) the one time I have needed an engineer it cost me as much in his traveling fee as in the cost of the service.
Price is also an issue - this was the first time in my life that I had bought ANYTHING on credit (luckily it was one year interest free!)
I went for the Brother PR600II for my first, (and probably last) machine because it is VERY user friendly, hooks up to the computer with USB cable, has 6needles (so I can change thread colors in one needle whilst the machine is stitching a color with another - and so can do a design with unlimited color changes without a pause), and I have hoops up to 200mm x 300mm (big enough for MOST things I can dream up!) After a while I spent another chunk of money on a set of Magna Hoops for it, and haven't used the 'normal' hooping method since the postman delivered them. The magnets hold anything from silk to heavy toweling without a slip, and NO hoop burn (and they are so much easier to position the project!)
Mine is also for fun - but is good enough for a small business if I could only stop playing long enough to take it seriously!

**kt3234** · June 14th, 2009

Originally Posted by juju

I am interested in purchasing an embroidery machine....stickly for fun!!!---I am so confused....I know in my area I am not interested in a Singer nor a Janome....because of the ability to have them serviced only....I think I have narrowed down my search with either a bernina or a brother....I want to do at least 5x7 so can someone give me some pointers.....I want a machine for hobby purposes only...I am so confused

Well juju the best advice I can give you is to do research on the brand/machine that you are interested in. I researched a lot of machines, from low end to high end machines. I ended up with a Brother and I love it. You have to make sure that the machine you buy does the things that you want it to do. I also read customer reviews and found that very helpful in making my decision. And go to your local dealer and test drive the machine. Wish you all the best in finding your machine, kt3234 Karen

**debi** · June 14th, 2009

sharong

i've been looking into this machine Brother PE700ii myself. i want the 5x7 ability bad. lol.. my question is this though.

do you still need a card to send the designs to, or does it take a usb stick? i keep looking online, and can't find any answers. my machine is in my sewing room, my comp is in my family room, and i am lazy and don't like going back and forth.

debi

**windstar** · June 14th, 2009

I too have been thinking about getting another machine with larger than 5x7 hoop but don't know what I want. I too hate going from the sewing room to family room to write a card...don't want amazing box on my laptop, and you have to plug it up to the pc and a power outlet...but I don't want one that has to be plugged to the computer to use it either.

**debi** · June 14th, 2009

windstar,
lol.. great minds think alike!
at least you have the laptop, i would have to buy one of those eventually. i know i would, cause its the pits to have to go from the machine to the comp when there has been an "error" (me) in the thread order.

do you have a 5x7 area already? and are you looking to go larger? if so, how much larger? i only have 4x4 and definately am ready to go UP.. lol.. i just don't know what questions to ask. and finding info about brother machines is the pits... you see all the pictures, but it doesn't give a lot of info such as:

send to usb device or save to memory card
memory card is included
pe card reader is included

and of course, they always give a big write-up about includedin box:
screwdrivers, spool pins, etc...

duh!!! those aren't freebies, those are necessities... lol.

not making much sense here, need more coffee so will get off for now...
debi

**windstar** · June 14th, 2009

I have a pe150 4x4 and the pc6500 5x7 combo. I want to go larger altho I did get to do a larger design by splitting it, so I did do something I wanted to do which was do a larger design. When I had 4x4 only I saw plenty of in the hoop things for 5x7 and eventually bought a 5x7. So now I'm thinking a little larger.

Luna · June 14th, 2009

I would say....go to the Dealer's and try out a few machines.Check out the used ones w/ warranties(some are very reasonable).
By "Dealer's"....I mean a few different ones, if possible(Viking,Brother,etc...) if you are not really sure what you want.
I did my research and did not realize the Viking Dealer(close by) would be as difficult as they are to deal w/ until after the purchase.I wanted to stay "local." Fool me once...
Now my Brother Dealer is more than 2 hrs away and is wonderful, incl'ing help w/ the Viking.He is a phonecall away and/or a day pretty much spent if I need to go there.
Everyone else is giving you pretty good advice.
take your time and good luck w/ it.

Luna

I have had a hard time w/ the mega hoop also...slippage problems.I keep trying.

dicepouch · June 14th, 2009

I've used a Brother PC8500 for as long as I've had my small business, and I just purchased a Brother Innovis 900.

I service my machine (now machines) annually with a dealer on the other side of town. There are closer dealers to me, but I echo what others have said; it's the service that drives my business after the purchase.

The PC8500, if you can find one used, is a workhorse. When I take it in to be cleaned/serviced, the ladies always comment on what a dependable machine it is; I have to agree. I've replaced some of the moving parts over the years, but as much as I use it, I would expect to be doing so. Mine came with 4 hoop sizes; small,medium, large and one that's... 11.8 by 5.1? I've never used the "jumbo" hoop, nor the teeny tiny round one; the vast majority of my embroidery is in the 4x4 size. And a nod to the sewing capabilities of this machine; more than sufficient for my needs. It does require a card; you can't hook it directly to your PC.

The Innovis 900 is more limited than the 1200, but for my purposes, again, as a backup machine for my business, an embroidery machine that does 4x4 is all that was required. This machine does hook directly to a PC via USB.

I agree with the poster who suggested you visit Dealers. Use the machines on the show floor, and listen to how the employees treat the customers who come in while you're busily test driving.

All the best!

**lmtaylor6** · June 15th, 2009

Juju...I have a singer futura ce-150 and I LOVE, LOVE it..this was not my first choice, but it was what my $$ could afford at the time. I like it because it does the 4 x 4 and the 5 x 7 and you can purchase larger hoops to go with it (which I did). The main reason I settled on this was because it was a USB direct to the computer...NO CARD READER! You can download direct to your computer, turn on your sewing machine, open the program on your computer (software comes with machine) and start embroidering.
I had owned a brother HE-120 prior, but that uses a card reader, which is normally sold seperately for approx $100-$150 depending on which one you purchase, there are some that are sold with it as a package deal but it will do the 4 x 4 and the 5 x 7 and there are other models out there depending on your $$ range. This machine worked perfectly, the only thing I did not like about it was the card reader.
Hope this helps you out some
Michele

**jstitch** · June 15th, 2009

lmtaylor, where did you get larger hoops for your Singer? Are they the mega hoops?

**debi** · June 15th, 2009

ok ladies, i have questions

i see online that the brother 700ii takes a usb for around $800. what it actually says in the info is that a usb cord is included.
does this mean you can use a usb stick?
or that you have to connect your computer up to the emb machine with a usb cord?

i would like to just plug in a usb stick, download the designs to it, and then take it to my sewing room and plug it in to the emb machine. is this possible without spending thousands? because i really don't have that kind of $$$$. at all. but, i really want to be able to do 5x7 designs. i am pretty anal when it comes to math. i don't like math. i hate math! and placement is math! i want it done for me so i can play, not think about playing... lol...

debi

**lmtaylor6** · June 15th, 2009

Originally Posted by jstitch

lmtaylor, where did you get larger hoops for your Singer? Are they the mega hoops?

No, I purchased the hoop it all for the singer...I got it on sale for 120.00 when they were running the sale, I think it was 40% off. They range in price but I just did the 12 x 23 size with the table and I picked up the SIA since the sale was so good.

**lmtaylor6** · June 15th, 2009

When it states that the USB cable is included it means that it is the cable to plug into your computer...what i do not know is if the machine needs to be hooked up to the computer because of software in order to work or if it is the same set up as the singer futura where no card is used. This would be a question maybe one of the other ladies could answer or possible the sellers or brother themselves, Sorry.
Michele

**lmtaylor6** · June 15th, 2009

ebay has a singer futura ce-250 which is the exact same setup as mine, you can download the embroidery files to a usb stick if you want and then just open the files in the futura program on your computer and stitch this way. the price is more than reasonable at 405.00 at this time (its an auction) and it comes with the autopunch software which can run about $200-$300 dollars on its own. If you want the web address, PM and I will send it to you or you can just enter the info in and search. It ends in about 2 hours or so.