Combination machines
 

My 26 yo daughter has recently expressed an interest in buying an embroidery machine. I figure that's only a hop, skip, and a jump into sewing/quilting! I would love to go machine shopping with her, but she lives out of state now. I have always liked a stand alone embroidery machine (I have an old Deco 600) because it just seemed like a pain to attach/detach the embroidery unit, but then again I never actually have used a combo machine. She's asking about a combo machine now, and I'm curious about those of you who use them. Do you ever wish you had a stand alone embroidery machine? Thanks for your input!

First of all, I know nothing about an embroidery machine!

However ... when I was at my dealer recently, I met a lady who had purchased the Bernina 830 (combo) and had traded it in for an 820 (no embroidery) and an embroidery machine. I asked why? ... she told me embroidery takes so long to work thru the design, that she can get a lot of sewing done, while that happens! She's close enough that if something goes wrong, she can deal with it. Otherwise, with the two machines, she can be doubly productive!

Made total sense to me ... and if I were ever considering an embroidery machine, I'd take heed of that, and at least consider how that factored into my end decision.

i have a babylock esante and a Janome 8000 & 9000 and i like them very much.. if she is going to use it, go for it.

My first purchase was an affordable combo sewing/embroidery machine (the BROTHER LB6800-PRW which is the same as the BROTHER SE-400). It did a wonderful job sewing/piecing AND embroidering up to 4" x 4" (and it really wasn't all that difficult to attach the embroidery unit). I embroidered EVERYTHING that first week!

HOWEVER, as I began to taking sewing lessons, embroidery lessons and then quilting lessons, I decided I really enjoyed quilting. Since the machine doesn't have a lot of area, I decided to do "COTTON THEORY" or "QUILT-AS-YOU-GO" or "FOLD-AND-GO" style quilts. Ran into trouble with my very first quilt sandwich. Even with a dedicated Brother Walking Foot, it simply could not go thru the many thick layers required for that style quilting and/or keep an even stitch. I was getting so frustrated and naturally thought it was a user problem (me!). I asked a couple of my instructors from my quilting classes to give it a try and see what I was doing wrong - it wouldn't work for them, either. They finally brought out a Pfaff Ambition for me to try using, and that machine purred right through the thick layers without blinking an eye!

So I had to make a hard decision - was quilting or embroidering more important to me - this particular combo machine was not going to allow me to do both.

I decided I would use the sewing machine more for quilting (and other sewing). The dealer allowed me to trade/upgrade my Brother LB-6800 to the Pfaff Ambition 1.0 and I haven't been happier! Absolutely no frustrations. And I'm saving up for a stand-alone Embroidery Machine (with a bigger 5x7 hoop area).

Good luck to you & your daughter!

I've used an embroidery machine for many years now. Can't do without it. I also have a mid arm, a Janome Gem, and a Viking Mega quilter .. not to mention a serger as well. My embroidery machine is a Janome 12000 but I believe a Pfaff or a Babylock embroidery machine is just as good, or maybe better.

I, too, have the Janome 12000 and love it. I also have the Janome 8900 and love it. I've gotten where I mainly use the 12000 for embroidery and quilting. I use my 8900 for piecing and quilting, especially if I'm embroidering something else at the moment. Also, the embroidery arm on the 12000 doesn't have to be removed to do straight stitching like other combo machines. Both my machines sew like a dream and their attachments are interchangeable.

I have a stand alone Janome 350e & like it.

I have the combo Janome 10001 and like it very much. I also have the Janome 9000 which is a combo and have not trouble using both for which ever I feel like doing. but in all honesty she should go to a dealer and get all the information she can on different machines. Everyone has different ideas on what and how to use a machine.

I had a sewing/embroidery machine (Viking) purchased back in 1999. I had to have the embroidery unit fixed after the 5 year warranty on that part expired and when it broke again, I didn't bother with it. I do use it for sewing which is fine. It might be better to get two machines...one for embroidery and one for sewing.

Thanks so much for your replies. I know that she will purchase from a dealer since this will all be new to her. The Bernina dealer was the closest and she also checked out Vikings at Joanns. I suggested she also find a Janome dealer and Brother/Babylock dealer. That should keep her busy! She