So that means I need advice and NOT from a dealer. I need advice from the experts, you the quilters those of you who use the embroidery machines. I currently have a husqvarna and I love it, but I also like the Bernina, and pfaff. I just don't want to drop all that money on a sewing machine and not get some feed back from you all. I tried to google "most purchased/re-purchased embroidery sewing machine by quilters" but nothing came up. I even tried to look for performance and feature ratings, but still nothing. The dealers all tell you theirs is the best and why.
Appreciate all your in put
peggy

I'll check consumer reports, my hubby has an online subscription. Be back in a minute.

Edit: sorry, they only have reviews on sewing machines, not embroidery. I'm sure that others will advise you, there are tons of sewers on here that have both.

I just purchased a Brother Innov-Is 1500D and I absolutely love it! It can do everything but the dishes....guess you can't have everything. LOL. I really looked around and asked around and this is the one that was right for me. I have little grandchildren and more on the way so I wanted one that is licensed to do Disney products. So if you want to do any Disney characters, etc., then you will need a Brother which is the only machine that is licensed by Disney. Disney products will not work on any other embroidery machine. Good luck. I haven't been able to play with mine as much as I have wanted due to lots of out of town company then I got pretty sick so after the 4th of July I plan on planting myself in front of my machine and watch it embroider tons of beautiful designs. Guess I will be keeping the thread companies in business for a while. hehe

I have a bet Ina 640 and love it. Bet Ina is going to bring out a new machine in July so you can get GREAT reduced prices on th 400 and 600 series. the downside to any computerized machine is that the maker upgrades the software every year, so it costs you. My neighbor loves her Phaff and never has a problem.

That is supposed to be Bernina. Can't find my fingers today!

My next embroidery machine is almost certainly going to be a Brother. Some of the Brothers are identical to some of the Babylock machines. The Brother machines have all the features and reliability of the high-end machines, but they cost considerably less. They take standard needles, bobbins and attachments.

I will probably buy an embroidery-only machine because I have somewhere around 30 machines in the house and almost all of them sew very well - I only used the sewing ability of my Futura embroidery machine once or twice, just to play with it.

Brother has a very good reputation and their machines usually have very good consumer reviews. I have two Brother machines which have been worth their weight in fat quarters for several years - and both of them were very inexpensive.

I doubt very strongly that I would ever buy another Futura embroidery machine - in fact, I don't think I'd ever buy any of the SVP consortium, again. (Singer, Viking, Pfaff)

My Brother LB6800 Runway Edition just got delivered 2 hrs ago. I got bc this could just be a passing fancy with the first grandbaby on the way in December and I didn't want to spend alot of money on something I may only use twice. Got it on amazon.com and it came with a boatload of stuff. Unfortunately it is too heavy for me to lift and set at it's waiting location. I've watched the video, read the book and now waiting for DH to get home to provide the labor needed. I don't think it is hugely heavy but I have a badly sprained right wrist that is useless right now.

Oh! Lucky u! Can't wait to see what u buy!!

I have a Bernina 830. I love it! If you have never had an emb machine before you will need editing software and I highly recommend Embird. I have used it for over 10 years and it is well worth the money. I have also used it with different brands of machines ~ I had a Pfaff before my Bernina.

There are many very good machines on the market. I have always had Berninas and love them. My last Bernina purchase was the new 830. Try out as many as you can from different dealers. Check out the dealer too because their reputation is just as important as that of the brand of machine. They need to have good employees that are friendly and know the machines. They also need to have a good service technician. Would love to see you get a Bernina, but whatever machine you end up with you will have fun with embroidery.

mltquilt

What dealers are close by that would allow you to check the machines out in person? Dealer support is one of the most important matters to consider. Will you be content with a 5 x 7 hoop size (probably the most common size) or do you want to start with some of the larger hoops, in which you can expect to spend more money. Go to www.sewingpatternreview.com and check out the reviews on the machines you are considering.

Do you need both embroidery and sewing capability? That is a major factor also.

I have owned Janomes in the past and love them. However when I decided last year to upgrade to a larger hoop capability, I researched and tested for six months before deciding on the Babylock Ellisimo (sister to the Brother 6000D).

Embroidery is a real passion of mine. I hope you find a machine you are happy with and enjoy it for a long time!

I have a Brother 4500D and love love love it.

robin

I have a
Singer Futura 250 ...love it

When I was shopping around for an embroidery machine, I checked out http://sewing.patternreview.com/SewingMachine/Reviews

Reviews written by users of the machines.

Mary

Bernina Stores are having a sale tomorrow the 25th if you are near one. FYI

A friends Mom passed away and one of her MANY machines was a Bernina 200. PM me and I'll tell you more. I have a Bernina 200/730. I love it. THE most important thing is dealer support. Are they flexible with their classes? What is their turn around time for service and repairs? Do they have an embroidery club? ARE they nice? Seriously, the shop I bought my first Bernina 180E was terrible. They would ignore you had several weeks long turnaround. The only thing was their instructor was FABULOUS! I ended up getting my machine serviced at another shop that had over the top customer service. They took appointments for service so that your baby would be back in your hands quickly.

My friend just bought the Brother LX3125 and WOW it does great emb. and has a large hoop. Really nice machine.

I have never had one but for the past week have heard rave reviews about the Bernina 440 from 2 friends that have them. I agree with karen924, just as important is customer service where you purchase a machine!

I have had the Brother 4500D and now have the Brother Quatro. I think Brothers are the most User friendly machines on the market. They are the same as Babylock but are less expensive.

I have a "bottom of the line" brother and I LOVE IT! i splurged and bought the BES software. I can make my machine do anything I want it to (except clean my son's closet. ugh.)! LOVE my BROTHER!

I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my Bernina 440QE with the embroidery module! Now, if I had the money, I would have the 830. And I think that it was mentioned here, but Bernina is having a sale tomorrow, June 25th. If you have a dealer near you, I would definitely go in and test drive one!!

i have a babylock ellago plus and love it

Bernina all the way :).

Yes! 48 mos financing w/0% interest. Tempting...

I have moaned about this before, so sorry to continue: I bought a Pfaff that won't talk to the computer and I'm told I need to spend $2500 to update the software so that it will talk to the computer...I'm reluctant in case I am still in the same position after spending even more money. Therefore, my advice is to make sure that there is more than one way to transfer the information from the computer to the machine. Then you have some chance that one of the methods will work consistently. Check out how much the accessories cost - some brands are much cheaper than others.Also make a comparison as to cost of repairs and if you can do minor repairs or maintenance yourself and are not required to pay for extra services etc.good luck with your selection.

I bought a Bernina Artista 200 used off craigslist when it was 3 years old. Saved oodles compared to buying it new. The owner was even selling her Isacord thread for a $1 per spool.

Since then I have seen about 5 embroidery machines on craigslist.

Be aware that you can spend a bundle on embroidery software. So, if you are able to buy used, it will leave you with $$ to spend on software. :-D :-D

PS: someone mentioned this prior to me but yes, the ins and outs of your computer compatibility with your sewing machine can be interesting. Just check things out carefully. Also, I have a friend who recently bought a Brother due to her budget and she LOVES it.

OK, so there is the embroidery machine; threads; all sorts of stabilizers; software and classes... Cash outlay begins to add up. But, it IS fun to do and there is lots to learn! I am not trying to scare you but rather, let you know what I didn't know going into machine embroidery.

I think I would buy the brand that has a local repairman. I have a Viking Diamond and the dealer has a certified repairman on site. We don't have another brand store in our immediate area.

I have the Innovis 2500 from brothe and just LOVE LOVE LOVE it

I've had my Bernina 500 since it first came out. All it's needed is the usual yearly checkout. I love it. Problem..... Bernina does not make their newer machines or upgrades compatible with older machines. With my Magic Box, I get along just fine for me. It allows me to use designs from other machines etc.

I started out with Bernina 600, Babylock Ellegeo and now Babyliock 6 needle Embroidery Only. I Love my ellegeo, for embroidery and sewing, But now that I have the 6 needle I use the ellegeo for sewing, but it does both extra well. I highly recommend the Babylock- but if money is a large factor, and I had to do over, Brother makes the machines for babylock. so babylock and brother they are so friendly user of a machine. Happy hunting. But do not be shy and ask around and people who sewing will be glad to let you try them out.

I love mine too. I would get one with the biggest hoop I can. I have 4 brother machines...love them all. check on craig list in your area. If you do not purchase from a dealer the warrenty is void. I bought mine from a dealer used and they continued to honor it probably through the orig. owner's name. Happy sewing!

I have a Pfaff 2144 and I am not that happy with it. It was gently used when I got it and I am 60 miles from the shop that I bought it in, so it is not too easy for me to get help. Anyways, I just think it should run smoother. And for those who don't already own an embroidery machine, just beware that you will probably want the extra programming which is quite expensive too. Make sure you ask about it because my shop really didn't say anything.

Brother and Babylock are made by the same manufacturer so I asked my Babylock dealer why would I want to spend the extra money on a B/L. I, personally, think Brothers have great machines (although I've never owned one) but am told the B/L's are built better with more metal parts opposed to some plastic parts on Brother machines. I love my Babylock Esante (an older model) and it's only been in the shop once (this year) for service and cleaning. I broke one too many needles and cracked the bobbin case.

The embroidery section of my machine is very easy to learn and use. the Ellegante II (step down from the Ellisomo) has great editing features built right onto the color screen and uses the jump drive. Mine has to be connected via usb cable.

If you're not going to do a lot of embroidery (like me), you don't need a high-end machine. Babylock has a couple of good mid-range machines (around $1000) that also sew. You could designate this as an embroidery machine and keep it up all the time.

Sorry if I'm rambling but buying an embroidery machine needs different decisions. If I had to do it over again, I would buy an embroidery machine for stand-alone and would probably use it more often. It's a pain to keep switching it around then I can't really sew while I'm waiting for the embroidery to get done.

Hope this helps. Have fun checking out all the cool machines.

I have a Brother pe770 and a Bernina 640. The Bernina is much easier to use as the screen is so clear and I can see it better.

Do your home work 1st, (which you are on the right track) and check out what features you want and make sure it has at least a 5x7 stitch field or you will wish you did (I know from experience).

Remember stabilizers are expensive! You have to use embroidery threads too, not regular sewing thread.

I love my Janome 11000SE. And I hear they are going to have a newer version this fall.

I have owned 3 babylock embroidery machines, I started with the Ellure traded for an Esante and finally my dream machine the Ellisimo. So easy to use and has lots of bells and whistles

I don't know about anyone else but, If possible, get a stand alone embroidey machine. If you do alot of sewing, I think the combined unit gets too much of a work out. That was my take on it anyway. I have a Bernina 820 and a Brother 620. Hope this helps.

You will have to have lots of extra accessories/ attachments for an embroidery machine, add lots of extra $$$, so you might want to look at what hoops, feet, ect, come with the machinne and the cost of adding these extras. Just a thought.

Good luck in your search. It's not a simple one with all the choices and considerations. I have Janome 9700.
Ava

Nothing sews like a Bernina! I love my Aurora 440 QE which does embroidery and has a stitch regulator for quilting.