I think I've been stung.

Darn it! Not something that will help my budget.....

Now, I need info and opinions....if you have an embroidery machine, what kind do you have, do you like it/use it often?, why do you like it, what kind of price did you pay? I'm trying to find something in the mid price range..not too high (can't afford it), and not too low. I've seen some around in the 1K (give or take) range that seem pretty nice. If I spent more than that, it would have to be a combo sewing and embroidery machine...

ALL input appreciated!!!!! Thanks so much!

I have been wondering the same things....

look up dealers they may have a used one then check to see if it is a good machine also a good price

I have a Viking Designer 1. It is the floppy version and I love it. I bought it used, but it had very few hours on it. It has been pretty easy to learn. My last machine was a Singer Touch N Sew that I bought in the early 70's. I would visit dealers and try machines out. I wasn't looking for an embroidery machine when I bought my machine, but once she showed me what could be done and the great deal that I got, I couldn't pass it up. Good Luck!!

I started out with the 605 Rose by Husqvarna viking in 2000.
Then in 2004 I bought a Designer 2 by Husqvarna viking.
You can use larger hoops on Designer 2. I love to do machine embroidery. Have not had any problem on either machine. You can go to my webshots and see some of my embroidery projects under embroidery wall hangings.
The url is below:
Dreamboat

I have a Janome 350E that I love. I use it all the time. I make quilts, embroider t shirts and sweatshirts, anything I can think of! Did I mention I love my embroidery machine????

check the size of the hoop area[bigger the better]----how the design moves to the machine[ease of transfer a must]----if the designs can be edited /combined[gives you more design options]

I have the Janome 300E and I love it. I use mine quite a lot, and have embroidered on just about everything. My mum uses it alot too, and its very easy to use, and mid range on the price scale. Im not sur eif they make them anymore though, as mine was a runout model, but I know you can get the brand new on Ebay in the US.

The next one up is the 350E, and that is essientially the same, but has a USB slot for your designs so you can transfer designs onto your machine with out the use of the PCMIA( I think thats what its called) adaptor.

I usually buy used so here's what I can tell you.

The lowest level machine you can get is the PE-150, very basic,used runs around $150. It's the same machine no matter what brand you buy. These are very dependable machines and have a good resale value. Takes cards and PED Basic software.

I own both the Bernina 600 and 650. These are embroidery only, will take cards and PED Basic software. Also very basic machines, the difference between the two is there are more patterns on the 650. Used you shouldn't pay more than $300 for the 600 and $350 for the 650, unless they are including bunches of accessories and/or software. It takes cards and PED Basic software. These also are dependable machines with good resale value.

I owned a Brother 8500D, which I paid $2800 for new. It was a great machine, no problems whatsoever, a combo sewing/embroidery machine. I never sewed on it. It takes cards and PED Basic software. I owned it for 3 years and sold it for $1500, including the PED Basic software

My newer machine is a Brother Innovis 4000D, which is also a combo machine. I paid $5000 for it nearly 4 years ago. I love it, it works great, but if I had it to do all over again, I would look for a machine that is not a combo. I will probably never sew on it, when I sew I always have the embroidery machine going at the same time. This machine takes cards, PED Basic software, and has a USB port.

If you find a machine that you are interested in, go to http://sewing.patternreview.com/ and look for embroidery machine reviews and see what others have to say about it. This is a great site to get reviews on embroidery machines, sewing machines, and sergers.

I have the Brother Se270D it is a combo machine - uses Ped basic and has some built in designs . i paid 350.00 for it from Walmart about 4 years ago . I have never used the sewing part of it, just the embroidery. It had the small hoop 4x4. I love it and it is easy to use :thumbup:

You will find many different suggestions. I would check out local dealers and see if you ca test drive some . Also most dealers give you lessons which are great , as embroidery can be tricky with what stablizers to use , how to use them , etc.
Good luck and happy shopping :mrgreen: