I have been a commercial machine embroiderer for (gasp) 40 years! Back when I started all work was done on old Singer freehand machines, took a bit of practice. Over the years the machines became mechanised, then computerised, with many sewing heads. Where I used to work we had a few 12 head machines and it was a task keeping up with hooping, trimming etc. I was fortunate to learn digitising on the job. Eventually my husband and I set up business from home; we purchased commercial software (lots of $$$) and a 9 needle single head machine. Later as our business grew we purchased a 15 needle 4 head machine.
About 10 years ago I bought a domestic embroidery machine (my toy) a Brother Super Galaxie 3000. I quite like it and use it a lot, but the commercial machine stitched better and had nice big hoops, about 11" x 15".
I used the commercial machine to embroider larger designs on quilts, and for quilt motifs.
We sold our house back in 2009, and all our business equipment except the digitising software, which I still use.
Sorry this is so long. The first pic shows quilting done on the commercial single head machine.
The other pics are recent projects all done on the Brother.
Pillow covers, one for granddaughter, one for grandson.
