maryellen2u

I bought my first embroidery machine about 10 years ago because I had always wanted one and I found a great deal. Then computers changed etc. and my machine could no longer talk to my computer. Now I have a brother which is big and heavy but I still enjoy it. When I hit a slump with the quilting I drag out my embroidery unit and create away. I think it is my anti-dementia medicine! It a different way to be creative and you can go as crazy as you want with it. Watch the sales and coupons at JoAnn's for the stabilizer, buy the freebie designs online to start. Join a class, take workshops and just don't buy everything they want to sell you.Be an informed consumer! Learn before you spend. Anyway, what are you saving your money for? So your kids can spend it on what they want? You only go around once! Enjoy yourself! Good luck!

Reba'squilts

I am on my fourth embroidery machine. I love to embroider on quilt blocks and other crafty projects. I traded up each time. Love this new epic by Viking. Will probably not upgrade again. It is an expensive way to go...but so is quilting. I have had 3 Vikings and still have a Mickey Mouse brother that works great for the grand original price of 500 dollars.

MaggieLou

My suggestion if you decide to purchase a machine is the Brother PE770. It's a good intermediate machine. If you buy one that the largest hoop size is 4x4 you will quickly want something larger. The PE770 has a 5x7 hoop and is plenty large enough for most designs. As you get more skill you can then decide if you want a machine with more needles or a bigger hoop size. There is a learning curve but it's not that difficult.

Rhodim

It is great for making gifts!

tlpa

I had a Bernina 170 that did embroidery. I only used the embroidery part for the lettering (which it did beautifully), but when it died I knew I wanted the option of embroidery even though I knew I would primarily sew/quilt with it. I wanted the option of lettering for initials & monograms for gifts etc. I purchased a 2nd hand Janome 12000 at an excellent price. I have had it a year now and have only done one embroidery project. For me, I haven't invested in the myriad of threads and stabilizers as I don't use the embroidery part enough to need all that. For the quilt I made with embroidery, I had one package of stabilizer on hand that I purchased for my old Bernina, and the embroidery was one color which I used a silk thread that I had on hand (although I think I will get a thin bobbin thread for the next project). I was happy with the embroidery, and the quilt was well loved by the recipient. Probably because I don't use the embroidery unit that often, when I go to use it I find it a little daunting and I need to refer to the manual and take some time to figure it all out again. But I still want to have the option.

Rennie

I second the notion of the Brother PE770. I can do 4X4, 5X7 and up to 6 X 10 on another machine I have, but I use the 4 X 4 and the 5X7 on my Brother 770 more than any other size. And I do quilting designs in blocks when I have quilts with blocks because there are so many choices and it is much easier than all over quilting. There are so many FREE designs on the internet (or very good designs that are very inexpensive). My only suggestions would be to only buy thread as you go rather than stocking up on it. Otherwise, you will never seem to have the color you need. I love my embroidery machines, and they DO compliment quilting.

mkay

I bought the Brother also my Granddaughter loves it everything in my closet is now embroidered. She took to it like a duck to water. I spend more time reading the manuel which she never even looked at. But it has given the two of us very precious time together . She still makes gifts for everyone with it towels blankets you name it.

quiltingcandy

For years I stayed away from the embroidery machines, just couldn't justify the cost. But then one day when I was having my FW serviced, the owner of the shop showed me a floor model Viking and it came with the full warranty for about 2/3 of what a new in the box would cost. It is a sewing/embroidery machine. It came with one on one classes and a starter thread package and stabilizer. When I told my quilting buddy about it she was as excited as I was and we played around on it for days. Then we started buying designs from Embroidery Library and have been having a fantastic time for three years now. I spend way too much - and there have been some real blunders, but my husband said it was one of my best purchases since it has given me so much pleasure.

My friend ended up buying the Brother PE770 because we wanted to buy the Disney designs.

Bneighbor

every hobby is going to have expenses. There are some people who make quilts with the simplest of tools, others have to have every gadget on the market. Sewing, the same. Some will use only the basic machines and tools and others have top of the line machines and every foot/accessory that is available.
some people take to embroidery very easily, for some it is a learning curve, some want nothing to do with it because it does not fit into their repertoire of "crafts".
With any "craft", just because someone else does not like it or think it is "too hard" or "too expensive" is no reason to limit yourself or shy away from trying.
i personally see no need (for me) to own a quilting machine and frame. Why? Because I do most of my quilts (which are a limited amount since I do other "sewing " stuff) on my embroidery machine. But for someone else, is is absolutely nessary. Who I am to say they are nuts to spend that kind of money?
i own 3 embroidery machines. A Baby Lock 10 needle, a Baby Lock Destiny and a Baby Lock Aventura (a small version of the Destiny). The Aventura travels in my motor home with me during the summer. I use my machines daily, and enjoy them with no guilt for what I have spent.
i own several different embroidery and quilting software programs, threads and stableizer for almost every application, and I am happy to show anyone interested, and share ideas with them, to help them decide they want to embroider.
i am not offended if they decide it is not for them. I have taught the software and the machines and some people have difficulty. But if you want something bad enough, you will work at it.

Rose Marie

Mine is a Brother that only does a 4 inch design. I downloaded Teddy Bears, Mother Goose and some pretty designs that are in circles. I thought about a bigger machine but I dont sew anymore, just quilt. Made some 6 inch blocks with the 4 in designs on them. Made a table topper with a leaf design on the blocks and a 4 patch in between. Love it.
I dont really want any bigger. It was only around 300 dollars and it was worth it. Bought Ped Basic with a memory card. Another hundred but needed. Havent used it in awhile but will when the mood strikes again.
I bought a long arm table several years ago but cant afford the machine. Been thinking about the Block Rocket that is 3200 dollars. But havnt been in the mood to quilt in almost a year.