Sheri.a

I've owned a Janome 15000 for 6 or 7 years and recently purchased a Janome S9 to take to classes. Both are great combination machines and have low maintenance, great machines, and I love them. The 15000 has larger hoops and one hoop is made to hoop a quilt for quilting (a main reason I purchased it).

For digitizing software, I have owned Janome MBX 4.5 for 5 years and even though it had a steep learning curve, I used it to create the designs I used to quilt my quilts as well as labels for them. This month I purchased the Janome Artistic Digitizer and I'm blown away with it's capabilities. I can bring in a picture, clip art, or drawing and it will digitize it for me. It will work with other brand machines, but is fully integrated with the Janome machines.

Sheri.a

Here is an example of my first attempt with Artistic Digitizer taking a picture and changing it to redwork in the Artistic Digitizer. It's a picture of the farmhouse I grew up in that I made into a pillow for my brother. This software is a game changer for me.

QuiltnNan

this is terrific! I looked up the software and one of the questions was whether this was possible. the answer was 'maybe not'' and referred the questioner to DRAWings PRO XI 11 instead.

Maggie_Sue

MaryB 119 I am guessing you were going to say Icon, which is usually in all caps. Right? I have the Icon and it is an amazing machine. trying to learn more about it every day!

CMQUILTER

It depends on what you want to use it for. Do you want to embryoid on everything from hats to quilts? Do want to do smaller designs or very large designs? Do you want a very large hoop to create your own embroidered fabric? I read a post from a sewing repairman once and he said embroidery only machine embryoid the best. Don't know for sure myself. I bought the machine because I love to make quilts but hate to quilt them. So part of my plan was to use the embroidery function for quilting the quilt because I didn't have room for a long arm. Now I'm a snow bird and still don't have the room. I have seen people who buy the sewing embroidery machine and never sew anything, just embryoid. So the question is what do you want to do?

You don't need to purchase the top of the line machine for $9000.00 or more, maybe a lower priced machine would be great to start with. You can trade up to more machine or embroidery only machine. Check the dealers for their trade up/in policies.

amycooper

If it you are talking about an embroidery machine, then, I would recommend Brother. If it is for digitizing, then, there are software to get them done. You may have to dig online to find a good one to suit your needs.

maryb119

Yes I have the ICON and I love it!!

ZooAnimals

Hi ..The cost of new single head embroidery machines today even at $10000-$20000 I think is unwarranted..They are big girls toys and the manufacturers prey on all the new updates- flashing lights and fancy gadgets to lure people into buying them ..They still only embroider . I personally would be purchasing 15 head machine if spending that sort of money and would have a business running from output its capable of producing.... I looked at buying a new machine when I became interested in embroidery as my wife wouldn't let me use her machine..just said if you want to play embroidery get your own machine ..I thought the Janome 550 e was very good value for the discounted price Has hoop size I needed 14"x8" and plenty of smaller hoops plenty of bells & whistles including Bluetooth and software to run the big hoop without having to split design which is a plus...The wife has been embroidering since late 90's so she has had several Janome machines 8000-9000-10000 and her current 11000se which she is more than happy with as the newer machines became available there wasn't much improvement to warrant updating so she has stuck to it and keeps it well serviced ..I was impressed with her machine and the service it has given so I found a low mileage well serviced MC 11000 and its been great so far ...Zoo

Ladywingnut

I have been embroidery since 2004. I hAve owned Brother and Pfaff machines and have not been very happy with either one. Last December I bought a Bernina 770 QE Tula Pink, I LOVE THIS MACHINE!! I highly recommend it. Price was about $6K, which is what my Pfaff 2170 cost 12 years ago. BTW, my Pfaff 2170 went thru 3 mother boards in 5 years. Not good, I will never buy Pfaff, Singer of Viking again since they all became one company!

CMQUILTER

Keep in mind that you do not need the top of the line machine. Look at the lower costs machines and determine which features you want.