Sounds like an ambitious project!
I will give you my thoughts on the embroidery machine issue, since I have contemplated getting one too.
Points to consider -
How expensive a machine is required to do what I want to do?
Realistically how often would I use it, other than this project?
What sort of learning curve would I be dealing with?
How far would I have to travel for a class or classes to learn how to use it? (I live in the back of beyond. Lol) and would I actually go to the classes if they are over an hour away?
Do I have the time to devote to this or could it become a burden among the other things I'm doing that have priority?
How badly do I really want it? Is it a momentary "oh shiny" or something I've been wanting to do for a long time?
So far I haven't determined that I really want one bad enough to invest the time and $ required. Of course that could change at any time. Lol!