Originally Posted by jewelps
I am looking to buy a embroider machine and I want to know what machine would be the best to buy and also should you always wash your material before you sew it? Is there a smaller machine that can embroider and quilt?
Best advice is to determine what you can afford first (these machines can be 10k new for a high end one) and how large an area you need/want to embroider. Then, if you have never done this before, go to every local sewing machine dealer and look, play and ask LOTS of questions. The answer to your last question is yes. Piecing and free motion quilting can be done on almost any machine. Almost all embroidery machine (except for a few small specialty machines) are sewing/embroidery machines. Good luck on you search!!