Hello
I currently have a husqvarna Scandinavia 300 embroidery machine. I am fairly new to quilting. I want to buy a new machine as well as a new surger. I got some inheritance money. I have NO idea where to start and I don't want to get taken by a "dealer specific" store. I will be fed a line of bull from all of them trying to sell their machines. SO-O-O, I am asking all of you for advice from this board of quilters who use their machines daily. The wealth of knowledge here is grater than any I will find in any sew machine store. The amount I have to spend is $3,00.00 for both. Doesn't mean I want to spend all of it, but I will if I need to. I just want an awesome EASY embroidery machine and surger.
thanks
peggy

I have a Bernina 440QE with the embroidery module. I absolutely LOVE it!! I wouldn't trade Bernie in for anything.....except maybe the bigger model! :lol:

But seriously, it is really easy to use and I haven't had one bit of trouble with her in two years.

I don't have a serger, so I can't help you out there.

Good luck!

thank you PS Stitcher
peggy

Don't rule out a great deal on one of the "big" embroidery machines. My big one is soooo much easier to use than the embroidery module for my sewing machine and right now there are some great deals out there on the Brother PR600.

I am a huge fan of Janome. I have Janome everything due to they are a workhorse as well have had no repair issues. My embroidery machine is a 350E, love it. My serger is a 1100DX,in issues. I can't say enough good things. They are user friendly. Also have a 6600P, 2007DCLE and 2008 Heart Machine. NO complaints.

I got my Janome 9500 used and love it! I would only get a different one if it was the Janome 11000 with an even bigger hoop. No matter what you get, do not get one that only has a 4x4 hoop. Get at least a 5x7 also. Get the biggest hoop you can afford and don't be afraid to buy a used machine from a good dealer. Mine gives me the same warranty as a new machine. And I can trade in old ones and save even more money.

If you need occasional help with your machine, getting one with a reliable local dealer is a must. I, also, am a Janome fan and find that they are just workhorses!! They are reliable and very user friendly. They also come with lot of feet included and so you don't have to buy them after purchase of the machine. My suggestion is to go to Janome.com and check out the Horizon 7700 which I have and see if it will meet your needs for regular sewing. If you get a machine with a combo sewing and embriodery, if one part needs repair, you lose the whole machine. I also have the 9700 embroidery machine that sews and embroiders and thus if one is out for repair I still have the other for regular sewing. A back up machine is really nice. Have fun and try lots of machine before you invest, they all have some unique feature that sets them apart - you must decide which features are important to you. Also, if a friend has a machine you are considering, go over and try it out. Do a test run and see what you think. This is a lot of money to spend so do it wisely!!! Good luck!!!

uglycook what do you mean by the "big embroidery machines"?
peggy

I started with a Singer XL6000, which I just loved. I started wanting to do bigger stuff and getting requests to do logos on shirts, so I dove in bought a Brother PR600, with 6 needles. It easily paid for itself in 2 years and now I just added a 10 needle.

I was completely amazed at how much easier an embroidery-only machine is! It's a much simpler set up. AND I can sew on my sewing machine while my embroidery machine chugs away.

Brother Innovis 1500 run about 2000 are very nice