callen

Does anyone have a recommendation for purchasing an Embroidery ONLY machine? I want to buy one that is not top of the line but a quality machine, easy to operate & download designs & not a fortune to buy. Am considering a Brother or a Janome 350E. Here in Canada the 350E runs about $1800.00 + tax but would like something not quite so pricey. Any ideas????

Plumtree

I love, love, love my Elna 8200. Hubby got it for me for Christmas and its the best present ever. I have both 4x4 and 5x7 hoops it uses a card to move designs back and forth so no usb also no auto thread cutter, so far those are only 2 downsides I have found. Hubby got it on sale for $799 I think, Elna's are manufactured by Janome so it uses a .JEF file Good luck on your search.

Freddie

I have the Brother PE770, machine, embroidery only. It has a 5 x 7 hoopsize. Here in the States about $700.00
Good machine for the price. Only has black and white inmages, but you can download embroidery files with USB stick.
Good luck in your search.

mcwillia

I'm casting another vote for the Brother PE770. You can purchase this particular model on the internet. PM me for the link to the dealer I got mine for $640. The same place has super pricing for stabilizers and prewound bobbins plus free shipping in the US for orders over $20. I use the PE770 for lace work and get beautiful results. Yesterday I discovered that if I download the design as a DST file, the file name shows on the screen. PES is the Brother format and PES shows as a picture. Since the screen is only black and white, the pictures are sometimes useless. I've been running the machine almost daily and using a variety of unknown brand threads - not a single problem
Marilyn

callen

Tks for the info but most U.S. dealers will not ship to Canada. I think I am left with trying to find one here in Canada.
I have heard nothing but good things about the Brother make but of course, there is room for a lemon, one never knows for sure. Tks for your help though.

SuzyQ

I don't know much about embroidery machines, but I will share this one experience. A friend bought a White embroidery only machine, the kind that has to be hooked up to a computer to work. When the computer was upgraded to the newest version of Windows the embroidery machine no longer works and SVP is no longer supporting the machine so unless she buys an old computer with an older version of Windows she can't use the machine anymore.

Suzy

callen

Good to know. Never thought about that. I will make sure I check on that aspect. Tks for info.

almond

That is why I didn't want to spend a lot for an embroidery machine, because any of these electronice seem to go obsolete in just a short time. Love my brother 780. Didn't spend a lot but does everything I want it to do.

Bluebonnet

I got mine from Thomas Sewing Center in Mesquite TX. It was on sale for $999.00 and I know they sell on Amazon. Mine had problems from outta the box, but they were great and traded it for a new machine out of a new box. Whatever, you pick, ask what all extra you will need to buy to make it work, cards, designs, computer software, clothsetter and such. I love my machine and am very glad that I bought one in a shop close to me, as they give monthly classes and they are free for buying a machine there. Look into shops near you and ask if they give classes for buying there. Also ask if they do trade ins, or will give you a break on the tax. Doesn't hurt to ask, I did with good results.

Bobbi

thepolyparrot

I would go for the Brother 770, too. In fact, I'm thinking of adding one to the herd even though I don't really NEED an embroidery machine. Brother makes a really nice product and I've had nothing but good luck with my Brother machines and sergers.