What is the best embroidery machine that is not overly expensive. Just for personal use not commercial. Thank you for any suggestions.
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What is the best embroidery machine that is not overly expensive. Just for personal use not commercial. Thank you for any suggestions.
I have a Janome 350....it was about $1500 if I recall correctly. There's also a Brother (?770?) that's a bit less, maybe $8-900 or so (maybe less, I really haven't priced them). You can also get one of the Singer ones (I have an old Singer Futura CE-150 as well) for about $600 or so. They're good machines but have a steep learning curve and lots of idiosyncracies peculiar to that system. So the cost pretty much runs whatever you're willing to pay. Also look into a used one...sometimes you can find a good deal. Hope this helps a bit!
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Momto5
I just bought a Brother HE1 on sale at Hancock's + a coupon for $255. Now it doesn't have all the bells and whistles but, since I don't know if I'll even enjoy doing embroidery, I thought this was a very economical way to find out. I've read the manual but I have not had a chance to set the machine up yet. I was looking at the Brother Designio but decided to try the HE1 first before making a larger investment.
I have the Husqvarna Topaz 20 - they are Topaz 25 now. But it cost almost $2,000.00. That is before thread and an embroidery program. It is the program that gives you the versatility in designs. My friend got the Brother PE770. She loves it - and she found a program for around $100.00. I would recommend you find a thread package with a nice variety to start otherwise buying one color at a time you are paying top dollar.
what do you mainly want to embroider? what hoop size do you want, do you want embroidery only
Brother XL-3500i, SQ-9050, Dreamweaver XE6200D
Check out some of the LQS to see what brands they sell and if they have any reconditioned or "school" machines for sale. You can usually get a good deal on a quality machine that way.
The most important thing is to decided on your hoop size. Once you done that, there is not way of upgrading.
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I have a Janome 350E, but I have to say that I think they must be about to come out with a new one--the technology is old now and while I've not had problems with it, it is time they did upgrade this model--$1500 is simply too much for this machine anymore.
Look for a used one--maybe someone who is looking to upgrade. Unless you already are SURE You want to embroider, don't spend $1500+ on a first machine.
I have a V/H Designer I and love it. I bought it used thru a dealer several yrs ago and have had no problems with it. With the proper hoops, it does larger designs. I think I've seen them on eBay for around $600 recently. (Mine was $2000, used, several yrs ago) I'd definitely recommend buying it thru a dealer!
I used to be a professional embroider. I did caskets.
my home machine is the Brother pe770. about 799.99 retail, does a lot for a little amount of cash.
put off till tomorrow what you can do today, and if you procrastinate long enough, you may never have to do it.
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