I am looking to upgrade my Embroidery machine...I currently have a brother SE-350...I am looking for one that both sews AND machine Embroiders, like the 350 I currently own....

I am looking to upgrade cause i got this as a floor model for very inexpensive and I just want a more stable machine if that makes sense.

budget is possibly under 1000.00

Suggestions???

Thanks
Kimberly

I got a used Brother Innovis 1200. Has a bit bigger embrodery space, and came with alot of extras. I really like it! I also have the Brother SE 350, and they work alot alike, so the Innovis was SO easy to learn on!

I am partial to the brother, I have had a couple, they have several different models that are the combined. Since you already have a brother you are familiar with the operating system as well, most are similar but there are some differences. You won't have to translate any patterns you have either to fit the new machine.

The ones that just embroider and not sew as well are more stable in my opinion, and less expensive, the dual machines tend to be more expensive, so if you have a good sewing machine may I recommend that you by a dedicated embroidery machine, that way you can sew and embroider at the same time.

I have a Juki 98 TQ and am also looking to get a Gracie frame to put that on for machine quilting, so i was kind of hoping not to have to keep taking that off the platform every time i wanted to sew. I am still in the planning stages, so nothing is set in stone yet.

I had the gracie frame for a while and it isn't that hard to move the machine on and off of it, and considering the time that you quilt, sew and embroider, the machine on the frame could be doing the least amount of work. Well, depends on how much you embroider for sure. (I tend to do a lot)

For me it was easier to to the table thing that change the sewing machine from sewing to embroidery. (though that doesn't take long either)

If it is a good embroidery machine it will need very little attention and you will be surprised at what you can get done while it is stitching out a design, especially some of the larger designs or designs that have few color changes.

How did you like the Gracie Frame? I will look into machines that just embroider and see the comparison.

It wasn't bad, but it wasn't the greatest either. for the most part it worked. And it was about 3 years ago so they could have upgraded or changed pieces/parts of it.

The biggest issue is with the sewing area, it became clear early on that I wanted more room to work while quilting, (of course this has a lot to do with the machine as well that you put on the frame) You loose a lot with the rails,

Yet again it depends on how many quilts, what you quilt, whether it is free motion, or set designs.

I have the HQ sixteen at the moment and would love something a bit faster and at least 24" throat.

Tajima is best for embroidery

I love my Babylock Journey, it is an older model, it does embroidery and sewing. It was a trade in and I got a great deal on it. After a few months I got tired of taking off the embroidery unit, changing the bobbin thing, settings etc. Switching it back to sewing isn't hard but just time consuming. So I went out and bought a Babylock Soprano and got a great deal on that. I love both of them, they are truly work horses.

Like you, I have a Brothers S350 and love it . I need a larger hoop space for some things I am trying to do. I will follow this post closely.