Questiions about purchasing an embroidery machine.
 

I am on a limited budget and am wanting an embroidery machine. I have no experience with an embrodiery machine. Hancock has the Brother HE1 on sale for 299.99.
What can you tell me about this one?

I currently own my second Brother embroidery machine, I love mine. I also have a Bernina, but she is a little harder. What I love about my Brother is the software which is simple and straight forward. YI...you use the software on your computer when you down load designs off the internet. Then you use a USB flashdrive to take the designs from your computer to your machine....Look to see if this machine comes with any type of software (can be expensive) and if it has a USB flashdrive port....

I don't know about the brother, but based on my experience, I cannot recommend Singer embroidery machines. :(

I keep on recommending that anyone wanting to buy a machine go to your local sewing machine stores and TRY out anything you want to buy. Don't overlook the gently used machines that many stores sell. Some stores provide machines for schools so they have an abundance of used machines for sale in the summer months. You might score a great bargain!

Yes, you need to go to a store with machines and have them demo, there are some techniques to machine embroidery... stabilizer, thread, designs.... that can be a "gotcha" Do some research then make your purchase, there will always be a machine out there you can afford... Brother has done some very nice things with their software (the machine is basically a computer, nothing more) Each machine will have a proprietary interface.
If you do a little research before you make your purchase you will be much happier in the long run.

I would not hesitate to buy a Brother embroidery machine, but I am right there with you on the Singer. My SES 1000 (Similar to the Futura 250, but sold on HSN) has spent more time in the shop than it has embroidering. It goes through bobbin cases almost as fast as bobbins. Loosy LEMON is her name.

Never again a new Singer.

THe initial cost of the machine is minimal compared to all the other stuff you need, tear away, thread, buying the patterns to download off the computor. the various stabalizers not only for under the fabric but also on top if you emb. towels or knit shirts etc. It becomes quite costly so go to your local shop and get all the information before making a decision. I have two Janomes an like to do it.

I guess I am one of the "unwashed"...I have a Singer Futura and I love her...I've had her for about six years and no problems (yet)...but I understand there are lots of folks out there who have not had good luck with theirs. Don't know what to say about that...maybe the luck of the draw?

I own a Brother embroidery machine and I love it. My has a card where the designs are transfered to from the computer. But I also had to buy the Ultimate Box to be able to do that. It also came with some built in designs. It does cost a lot to get the other things you need to do embroidery. The shades of the colors of thread alone can be costly...but they do last me awhile. If you really want to embroidery then buying a machine is the first step!! You don't have to buy everything all at once.

I bought all of my machines from here and the delivery is free and they arrive in about 4 days. Check out this machine....
http://www.allbrands.com/categories/...-se400-with-no

Good luck with your search! You will love doing machine embroidery.

I always Google for user reviews on specific models. Try Amazon; if they carry it, the reviews can be quite enlightening. http://www.patternreview.com is another good source for user reviews. If you register (which is free), you can look at their archived reviews as well as their most recent reviews.

Good advice. I have had three embroidery sewing machines and all have been gently used. I always go to the same dealer and trust them. The software is extra.

I love my Viking. I've heard good things about Brother. Ask Hancock's return policy in case you get it and decide you don't like it. The main thing is what is the largest size hoop it will take. You'll get bored with a 4x4 or even a 5x7 really fast. Ask what support they have if you have questions. You can normally find some store that does classes. Our Viking store accepts anyone with any machine as long as you know the basics of how to use it. Check to see how you download designs; USB, etc. This is really important.

I agree, I got mine at a great price and it only had 7hours of use on it. The newer computerized ones will show how much they've been used. No matter what; try it before you buy it and find out the return policy

I agree, just trying to build up your thread it self is costly. I've gotten to that when I buy a color I buy another one a shade different than it is incase I need it for shading or highlighting. This has always been the case for the designs that I've gotten. I use more water soluable stabilizer than anything else. I check sales and find different ways to make things work. I but the 12in wide roll of stabilzer and then on my larger hoops I run a row of blue painters tape down each side to make it hold better to the hoop; it makes it just enough without buying the really long rolls and wasting part of it. I also save my scraps and patch in some things. I'm doing a project where there is lace which uses 2 layers of WS stabilizer, I hoop one layer and then only put the second layer where the lace is. I can spritz it with 505 and it stays in place. You learn and shop wisely once you start seeing how much you can spend.. Of course then there is the software, that really set me back a pretty penny. My Viking, my software and all of it is so worth it because of the joy I get from creating things now.

I have a Baby Lock Ellegante which I bought in '07, I think. A very good machine, but my problem was that I got bored with embroidery within a couple of years. Got tired of putting embrodery on everything. Wish I had several of those thousands of dollars back to buy quilting fabrics. Just something else to think about.

My BFF has 3 Singer embroidery machines and uses all of them constantly with no complaints. I use a Viking Designer SE LE myself.