Question about embroidery/sewing machine software
 

So I'm thinking I want an embroidery/sewing machine combo. I don't have a bunch of money to spend, but have found a few in the 4 to 500 dollar range. From what I'm understanding though, they have a very basic software package and you have to purchase software that could be several hundred dollars. Is that true or am I misunderstanding?
Can you download patterns to the software that comes with the machine?
I have been looking at Brother and Janomes.
Any suggestions?

You don't have to have expensive software unless you want to convert designs or digitize your own designs. I would suggest going to a dealer and let them demo and ask questions, ask questions, ask questions. You will feel better about it then.

There are many sites online that offer free and/or low priced embroidery designs. They are all usually available in multiple formats so you can download them to whatever format your machine uses. Also the brand machine you buy will have a website and some of them offer free embroidery designs as well as great instructions on how to use their product.
Visit several sewing machine dealers and try out their machines. Ask if they have any gently used/reconditioned machines. You might just score a great deal on a pre-owned machine!

You only REALLY need add'l software to digitize your own designs, or to get your designs from computer to emb. machine. But if your machine connects to the computer, or has a port for memory stick, you are good to go . There are many free designs on the internet that you can download..until that day you decide you're ready to create your own. Just be sure you get a machine that has the capability mentioned above. There is a thread here about embroidering and machines--98 pages of good info so far. It might be helpful to read some of the questions & answers there.

Be sure the less expensive machine is capable of using added designs. Some of the less expensive machines only allow the patterns they have stored. Keep your eye open for a used more advanced machine. As the others have said go to your dealer and ask a million questions. If they don't know find another dealer. You will find lots of great machines.

Embroidery software is nice to have. You can download Embird, not free, which is not that expensive. It really does depend on what verson you get. I have 4D from husqvarna but I do a lot more with it then digitize. You can resize designs, make labels any size you want and so on.

The first sewing/embroidery machine I bought came with software and I got hooked. I really didn't know any different so I still use software with the machine I have now.

There seem to be many people that don't use software so depending on your machine, why buy software if you're not interested in using it? I know that the dealer I buy from sells designs that can be downloaded directly to a memory stick and then used in the machine.

Have fun with your search and your purchase. For me, the most important thing has ended up being the size of the hoop that my machine can use. The 5x7 hoop would be the minimum for what I like to stitch.

I was going to suggest that you make sure you get the 5x7 hoop and not just the smaller 4x4. The neater designs are larger, IMO.

Thank you all. And yes, I had already decided that the minimum would be 5X7. I've also considered the Singer Futura. I like it because of the multi-hooping ability, but it doesn't seem to get good reviews.

Please decide what you want to embroider. Do you want designs on bath towels? the neck of a t-shirt? on a block for a quilt? on an applique for the pocket of a pair of jeans? these all will usually do done in different sizes - make sure your machine that you buy will acommodate the size hoops for what you want to do now and in the future. The machines that take a flash drive are the easiest to put your downloaded designs on.