I "might" be looking and was wondering what machines everyone likes for embroidery and sewing capabilities. Did anyone see this add from Joann's and is it a good machine? Reviews are VERY mixed.

http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog.j...d315949#review

I haven't heard too many good things about the Singer Futura machines.
If I were you I would try and buy, perhaps second hand, a reputable machine with one to the better known, sturdier brands.
Such as Brother, Bernina, Husq...
I know I quickly would grow out of a 4x4 emb area and went with a 8500D Brother with a 5x7
Now after learning a bit and wanting more I opted for the Brother Duetta with a 6x10 area. I got a great deal on it.
Try several machines and see which YOU like best.
Hope this helps.
Kirsten

Personally, I don't care for Singer anything! I have seen this singer on HSN for more$ than what is advertised here.

I have a Bernina Artista 640E combo and love it! But then, this is the only brand I have experienced. Mines uses a USB stick to transfer designs.

Keep in mind you can do tons more with a machine that has 2 hoops, generally a 5X7 and 4X4 size, than just the 4X4 hoop.

Also keep in mind that some machines you need extras like a magic box or something to transfer the designs to your machine from your pc.

I personally would look for one that has a USB port (or stick). It is way less costly than buying the device needed to transfer designs.

You may need to get some software to convert the designs to your format too if you want to download them from the internet.

No one told me this info when I got my 1st embroidery machine, so I thought I'd give you the heads up.

Anyway, you will LOVE embroidering!

I have had my Futura 100 for over a year and love it. I use it all the time . One of the thinkgs I like most is its capibilty to use 14 differnts embroidery formats whereas the other brands use only their own. You can get a diditizing program for it a progran to do cross stitches and there are a few others.

I wasn't too concerned buying my first machine with only being able to use one format...there is free programs on the web to convert...
At the time I bought my first machine, it was all cards or floppys...I would buy a machine that had the USB stick...and go from there.
K

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


Mary

Being able to connect right to the computer is one of the feature I like with the Futura I save all my emb in files in my doucuments makes it much easier

I must have missed this one,what kind of machine is it. that sounds interesting about the photo,

Pat

I just ordered the CE-350 with all the software from another company. I haven't got it yet but can't wait. Here are my reasons for chosing this machine:
1. I knew about what I wanted to spend. That really narrowed it down. The higher end, Pfaff, Viking, Bernina...All start at alot more than I wanted to invest. I'm new to sewing/quilting and didn't want to get into a machine for thousands until I know I will use it. I know you can get used but I haven't had much luck in my life with buying used. With things electronic like this, I do better with new.
2. I wanted something that I could do regular sewing, not just embroidery on.
3. I wanted to be able to do my sons tumbling team logo and my bf business logo. The software that comes with it will take jpgs of them and turn them into a format it can use. Yes, you can get freeware on the net but my home pc is slow to download stuff like that. This one connects right to your pc so you don't need a box, card, or anything else with it.
Once I started really looking at them, I desided one that I didn't have to worry about what format I needed would be nice. I looked at some sites that sell designs and some only come in one format. I won't be limited on that. I also seen the comment made somewhere about the Futuras that the reason why they are less money is because you use your own computer, instead of the computer being in the machine. The thought of being able to work on a design the size of my computer screen vs. the 4x5 area on a machine was a plus.
As far as the reviews go, looks like either you love it or hate it. I do want to point one out...it looks like they didn't buy the machine, just put in a bad review. 'This machine I had plan to buy until I read the reviews on it. '. ????

I suggest to be careful getting a machine with such a small embroidery area (4 x 4 is very small, when many designs out there are 5 x 7 and larger) I have a brother PE700 and love it. It works well with Microsoft Office or with Vista, I doesn't sew, but think that you may want to sew while the machine is embroidering, since you don't have to be ther eat all times. It stops if there is a problem with the thread or if the bobbin runs out.

I like to have mine separate also, because I can have one serviced while the other one is still available. This machine is good for begginers, but you outgrow it very fast.

Maria