This is my first question in my first chat room. I want to start/try embroidery so I am looking for a stand alone embroidery machine. I would like something that is a good machine without spending big bucks since I don't know if I will like it or how much embroidering I will do. To be honest with you I hope I love it and get addicted to it. I would like to keep the price under $1,000. My local dealer suggested the Janome 350E but he didn't have any in stock at the moment so I could try it. They use to be a bernina dealer and I think they are changeing over to Janome. Does any one know if Bernina has a stand alone embroidery machine. I currently have a Bernian 1008, I know it's a manual, but I love it. One of the woman at my local quilt shop has a brother, I think she said it was a 770E? I would appreciate any suggestions or thoughts.
GJP, Merrimak NH ;)

I have a Brother PE-750 and love it. Is easy to ue. It comes with a 4 x 4 hoop but you can get a 5 x 7. It will not take any larger, but I have never missed it. I get many designs at www.emblibrary.com

I have a Bernette by Bernina 340 and love it. It has a 4x4 and 5x7 hoop.

Thanks Maride. Did you but it at a dealer? There doesnt seem to be a brother dealer in my area, other than Walmart and Joannes fabric. Neither one of them carrie the PE770. Did you get classes on how to use it? Was it easy to learn how to use it?
G.

I used to have a Bernina deco 340 and liked it, I upgraded to a 640 a year after I got it. It's s good machine tho.

Thanks.

You can also look on Craigslist in your area...
I see that there are alot of machines on there from people wanting to trade up...or try the yahoo group Sewitsforsale...
I would get a machine that was both emb and sewing...good to have a back up...
Kirsten

I have a Janome 350E and LOVE it!!! I use it all the time eventhough I also have a PFAFF 2170 w/embroidery unit which I rarely use (for embroidery I mean). The Janome is more user friendly (IMHO) and I think I paid $1200 from a dealer.

I have had the Brother PE150 the 270D the Ult2003D they are good machines I started out with the 150 from Walmart used it for 2 years before my husband got me the ULT but the 150 got me hook on machine embroidery. I got a Janome 11000SE For my anniversary this year and it is wonderful I had a 10001 I got at a garage sale and it changed me from brother fan to Janome they are just a better machine all round

I got mine at a very small dealer in town. Walmart sells smaller ones but you n only use the 4x4 hoop, and you will outgrow that one very quick. She gave ma a class for about 90 minutes and I never had any other questions. If you go with the Walmart one, make sure you get the highest end possible. My dealer told me that the lower end one, I think is 250, is not very good, but I don't know about it.

The 750 is very easy to use.

Maria