Barbara Wade

I was just wondering if their is a good medium priced embroidery machine on the market ? I'v wanted to do Red work for a long time and I'm looking for a machine...any help would be appreciated. thanks

ManiacQuilter2

The one complaint I heard from my best friend is that they use a lot of thread. I would first check with what machines came with designs you want to use.

lynnie

I have the Brother PE 770. it's reasonable priced, and you can download designs from the net, or use their small memory cards. It's fine for someone like you. I used to embroider caskets, so was used to a 15 needle emb machine with a huge embroidery field, it took me awhile to get used tho this one, but i like it. A lot of people here have one.

MaggieLou

I have a Brother PE770 too. It's great for my needs. One thing to consider is getting one with a larger hoop than 4x4. You will find after time you will wish you had a larger hoop if you start with just a 4x4 hoop.

shasta5718

The machines use suprisingly small amounts to do designs. At least mine does. I have found that the brother is a good value for someone who doesn't want to spend a lot for one and they are user friendly. Your best bet is to visit a sewing machine shop or 2 and look at the machines they have and decide which is best for your needs. Also most dealers offer classes so you can use them easier.

rjwilder

I have a 10 needle Babylock embroidery machine and it doesn't use much thread. I have a Brother 1250D, it is a combo sewing/embroidery machine. It works for me for RVing and I can sew or embroider. Go to a sewing center and test drive all machines in your price range. Make sure you can transfer designs from the computer to a USB stick to the machine. Also decide how big of a design you want to embroider, some of the smaller machines only do a 4x4 and 5x7. Also look at the used machines, if you buy used make sure you get them to throw in lessons as part of the deal.

ShirlinAZ

I also have the Brother PE770. It's a great little machine requiring little maintenance. After 3 years I had to have 1 part replaced. My repairman replaced the original plastic part with a metal Babylock part. Another 3 years has passed and it's still working great. The amount of thread required depends on the designs you are using. Doing redwork only does not require much thread. Solid designs require more, and that varies depending on the designer. Some designs are more dense than others.

Chasing Hawk

I too have the Brother PE 770. It says up to a 5x7 hoop, I also have a 5x12 hoop I use.

I bought mine on Amazon from this seller. http://www.amazon.com/Brother-Embroi...brother+pe+770

Great customer service by the way. I called a couple of times to ask them questions. And they answered each on politely and very professionally. I am still using the box of pre-wound bobbins as well as the box of assorted colors of thread.

I also bought this hoop set too: http://www.amazon.com/Elipse-Embroid...W4096JE5M9J1M3

Now I have 2 of every hoop except the 5x12. I love it especially if I am doing several of the same embroidered designs on towels for example.

DonnaC

I have the Brother PE770II, which is the lower-level model than the ones referenced above:
http://www.brother-usa.com/Homesewin...I#.Vurn7VsUWpo

However (and I say this just in case you are seriously considering it), if I had it to do over again, I would have gone for the PE770 instead. Even though they are basically the same machine, the PE770 can upload designs to the machine directly from a USB stick. Mine has a USB port but you can't upload designs that way, you can only upload them directly from a computer by connecting a USB cable. It seems like a small thing, but it really isn't. I wish I'd spent another $80-$100 and gotten the better model. Both models can also use a Brother embroidery card, but those are becoming harder to find now.

With that being said, I do love the machine! It's very easy to learn and use, doesn't seem to be fussy about thread at all, and the manual actually makes sense. The details on the PE770 are here:
http://www.brother-usa.com/Homesewin...0#.VurpoVsUWpo

Rennie

I, too have the Brother PE770, along with another more expensive Babylock. While I love the Babylock, I mainly use it for larger designs. If my design is 5X7 or 4X4, I prefer the Brother as it is easier to use because of being able to use the USB stick. My Babylock Esante has to have the computer plugged in, as someone else mentioned. Go for it - they are not expensive and you will definitely enjoy it. Redwork is so pretty!