Stefani
I am in the same place you are. I wanted an embroidery machine but can’t afford the cash right now and I don’t want a loan for a sewing machine. I also don’t know if embroidery is my “thing” what if I only use the machine 6 or 8 times a year. Not worth the expense when there are people out there that can do the one or two items I need. I have brother machines and would love to have a brother embroidery machine too. But I don’t want to spend the money to get just the basic machine. So I’ve been doing a lot of research. I’ve been to several shops and test-drove and asked a lot of questions. The only machine I didn’t see was the singer. But that’s the one I bought.
Here’s what I have learned about the Futrua. The price is right. If you find that you want to do more and bigger then you can sell it and upgrade. It includes the software packages. Do you know that every other machine out there the software is extra? Anywhere from $400 to $899 extra. The Futura is a fussy machine. Everything has to be just right. But once you get it just right everyone loves the machine. The biggest issue people seem to have is an error message that says the thread is broke when it’s not and needles breaking. Both, again from my research, seem to be mostly user error. Not threading the machine right or using the right thread/bobbin thread and stabilizers for the project they are working.
There is a yahoo group that has rave reviews. From the machine reviews I’ve read many have said to seek out and join this group. It is
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FuturaEmbroidery/ or if your can search the groups look for FuturaEmbroidery all one word. They will require that you register at the www.singertexas.com web site before you join. This site is owned by people who have worked with and troubleshoot for others these machines.
And worse case, you have a 30-day try period. If you don’t like it after you get it...send it back. No questions asked.
Those are the factors that help me decide to order the furtura.
Send me a pm if you have any other questions. :)