toogie

Nesie, all my embroidery or sewing and embroidery have been the lower cost kind, meaning I didn’t want to spend the jump in price for a larger than 5x7 embroidery field. I love mine. I bought my first 4x4 BrotherSE seems like it was a 270D at Walmart for about $400. It only embroiders up to 4x4 field even if a larger hoop fits on it. It’s only programmed to read 4 x4 size. I wore my first one out but because I sold projects, it paid for itself, was able to buy another 4x4 Brother at Walmart again and still have spending money.-loI have a Brother SE425 now. SE means sew or embroider. I use it mainly for sewing my quilt tops or any other sewing, bc I purchased a Brother PE750D later.PE meaning it just does embroidery ( don’t know what the P is for, unless personal.) Anyway, while I loved my 4x4 I found I wanted to make ITH zipper bags so I got the 5x7 field. It does all I have wanted to do.
I mainly make for my family or my niece. She had a tour bus and still host for tour bus company. She plays games on long trips and I made prizes for her. She has 40-45 passengers and wants 2 gifts per passenger so I would make 80-90 gifts a trip. You see now why I could wear out a machine-lol
I am not complaining it wore out bc it serviced me well.
I didn’t want to spend high $$ until I found out if I really enjoyed it. I did is why I bought the 5x7 machine. I bought it used from a real, ‘little old lady’ that only embroidered crosses on bibs for christening. I paid $350 for it and have had it quite a few years now.
I would caution you about buying used though. Go and try it out. My hubs and I drove an hour and half one way for a machine listed in perfect condition. To look at it, it looks Ed perfect. However, I wanted to test it. It was knocking so bad, if it had been a car, my hubs would say motor was fixing to throw a rod.
I use to want a larger than 5x7 embroidery field but could never justify the cost. If money isn’t a concern for you and you find you love it, then I suggest at least move up to the 5x7 to start. Remember though, they usually only embroider. if you wanted a machine for sewing too then keep the one you have if it sews and embroiders.