Wanabee Quiltin

My DIL now has two Brothers she adores, has started her own business with them. Look at Craigslist because that's where she got her latest Brother and it came with so many accessories at a really cheap price.

quiltnmore

Yes there are a lot of extra things to acquire in addition to the machine. I also did not realize how long the designs take to embroider. There may be 20 changes of thread and an hour or two to finish. They are worth it though.

I like the idea of having a friend who machine embroiders show you what it involves.
Best wishes on your adventure.

copycat

I have the Baby Lock Spirit. You can visit the Baby lock website to view all the models and their features. The sewing center I purchased my machine gave free lessons with the purchase. They also offer classes throughout the year to get you familiar with the world of embroidery. I did need help with the computer part of downloading the embroidery designs I would purchase or get free and how to move the designs from my computer to my machine. It is very helpful to have a sewing center that helps you learn your new machine...or a good friend. Good luck and let us know what you decide to get.

Reba'squilts

I love my Viking Epic. This is my 3rd Viking embroidery machine....probably my last because it does everything. I really like to embroider on quilts. It is an expensive craft when you add all the threads, digitalizing programs ect. I have a little, Mickey Mouse brother machine that I got 10 years ago at Walmart, works really well for small embroideries. I think their bigger machines might be pretty nice and a little less expensive. As previously mention, go drive a few! It is fun to do...I just watch it the whole time like Sandygirl!

mltquilt

You might want to check out Brother, as they have an embroidery only machine that has a larger hoop. I have a couple of friends that have those and they seem to be pleased with them. Machine embroidery is addictive.

Suz

Please consider buying a good used machine. Both of mine will embroider and often have both running at the same time. Both were used and are under warranty by the dealer.

onemoe

my latest and last is the Janome MC11000SE. All you need are the hoops. For me it has the easiest way to attach hoops and I also invested in the clothsetter for aligning your designs.

Bneighbor

I LOVE all my embroidery machines. I have Baby lock machines. I have the 10 needle, a Destiny and an Aventura.
The Aventura has a 6x10 hoop, and it is lightweight, so it is my travel machine. We drag race all over the eastern side of the country, and I would go nuts without my machine to play when we have downtime. This year we have a month long race trip planned, so the Destiny will go. It has so many great features, I will be able to accomplish more while on the road. I plan on working on next years Christmas presents throughout the summer.
the 10 needle is my workhorse. This week it should be running 8 hours a day to finish some of the projects I have on the cutting table.
Check out those previously loved embroidery machines at your local dealer. Even if you have to pay for lessons, that is money well spent. Save yourself agrivation. Work on a good relationship with the dealer, they are your direct source for help and information. Plus, when you are ready for the "big jump" to a higher machine, they know you and will work with you to get the machine you need.
Expensive, sometimes, but no more than any other hobby you pour your heart into.

patricej

i did not use my previous embroidering machine enough to have justified what i spent on it because i was just too lazy to swap out machines to use it. it is a great machine in many ways but i allowed myself to get spoiled when i upgraded to a new non-embroidering machine that surpassed its sewing features. so using the embroidering machine became a hassles instead of a joy.

i have recently sunk a pile of $$$ into a Brother Dream Machine 2 because i will be able to leave that one machine in place and more easily switch between sewing and embroidering. (i don't think the word "extravagant" even begins to cover it. lol?)

the good news is that i know i will be happy for many years to come and i am 99% sure i will get my money's worth. the bad news is that i now can't afford to get my head examined. lol

so, my advice is that if you have space in your work area for only one machine at a time, make sure to choose an embroidery-capable model that also include all the features you want and need for regular sewing/quilting, too. as long as you are sensible budget-wise when you choose you will not regret it.

Dolphyngyrl

You might think you might not use it much but I can tell you it is addicting. You can make bags, do towels jackets, 3d flowers pumpkin, snowman, ornaments and thats the tip of the iceberg. I wouldn't get anything smaller than a 5x7. I was going to but a brother pe770 and ended up going bigger and getting my dreamweaver and don't regret it for a second. you can also piece and quilt in the hoop