Originally Posted by Quilty-Louise

Embroidery machines are so much more than simple embroidery
these days.

You can get embroidery only machines, or you can get combo
machines that will do BOTH sewing & embroidery (I have 2 of these).
Both my machines are Brother and for the money I have NOT been
disappointed with them.

My recommendation is to research, research, research, and buy a
machine with the LARGEST hoop size you can afford, but if at all
possible try to get at LEAST a machine with a 5x7 hoop.

The first machine I bought had a max hoop size of 5x7, but it didn't
take me long to realize that I wanted a bigger hoop, next machine
was a 6x10 hoop,,,, but now I want a multi-needle machine....