Embrodery machine Help....
 

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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!

I would recommend one in your price range that had a hoop that is larger than 4X4.

A lot has been said about the Brothers and looks like it is a good one to look at. Does anyone have a Janome -- big or small that can comment on how they like them.

I have the Husqvarna/Viking Topaz 20, it is an embroidery/sewing machine. Depending on what you want to call mid-range, I got a deal on it since it was a floor model. It has been replaced with the Topaz 25 - I do love it because it has the 200mm x 260 mm hoop which does what I want it to do. I also have 2 smaller hoops but they are rarely used.

My friend has the Brother PE770 - she got it primarily because Disney allows Brother to do their designs. But hers will not take the larger hoops. Hers will only do the 5 x 7 and she learned embroidery on my machine. So if she wants something larger, she comes over and uses my machine.

Just know that whatever you buy you need to invest in an embroidery program. And when you do - make sure it works with the computer you own. (Mine was not Mac friendly, so I had to buy an HP laptop. As it turned out I needed it for other reasons so not a bad thing.)

Go visit the dealers and if possible go to a quilt show where a bunch of dealers are all in one place.

What s your budget? "Medium priced" is vague. ;)

sandy

I love my Janome 9900. I upgraded from the Janome 9700 because I wanted the USB . The color screen is great. It "remembers" where you left off in the design stitch out even if you turn off the machine. It is a combo machine. MSRP is $4999.00. I purchased the floor model for much less than MSRP. I bought Embrilliance for the software. I do not digitize. Too many nice designs on the market.

Sandy

Husqvarna Viking recently came out with an entry level embroidery/sewing machine. It is the Jade and has a 240x150mm (9 ½" x 6") hoop. Looks like a pretty sweet machine.

Quiltingcandy said you need to invest in embroidery software. This is NOT necessary unless you want to create your own designs, and there are thousands of designs available at reasonable prices. I buy most of my designs from embroiderylibrary.com when they are on sale or I have a "coupon". I save the design on my computer by emblib number and name, print the picture along with the color change sheet and save the printouts in binders. When I want to embroider the design I download it to my USB stick and use the color change sheets to tell me when to change thread colors. I tried a free introductory offer on a very expensive software and found that I didn't need it so I didn't buy.

I, too, have the Brother PE770. I also have another model of Brother machine (sorry, don't remember the model #) that only accommodates the 4x4 hoop, so I now have one with the 5x7 hoop, which I recommend. My DH just got it for me for my b'day, and he paid $570.00 off the internet....

I did have the Janome 350E embroidery ONLY machine & it was okay but only did small designs. No larger than 4 x 4 (I think) it may have done 5 x 7 but I can't remember. I wanted a more advanced machine (when I could afford it) so finally sold the Janome & just purchased the Husqvarna Epic, the new sewing/embroidery machine from Husqvarna. It is not for the feint of heart though as it is very expensive. In Canada, it costs almost as much or more than a small car. For once in my life, my hubby told me to "go for it" which I did. It is an absolutely AWESOME machine. It does everything except put dinner on the table!! LOL I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my Epic.

I believe Walmart has a Brother(?) machine that has a 5x7 hoop. If you are just looking to do simple red work look at it.

I to have a Janome 12000 and absolutely love it, but if you are just looking to do red work start with the inexpensive to see how you like it.

A lot will depend on the size of the hoop. It could be a good machine but if you get a lower priced one it may only have 4x4 hoop and you'll get bored really fast. Get the biggest hoop as you can.

I agree with others, it depends on what you call med priced. for me that would be between 3and5 thousand.
Viking has some great ones and it comes with an organizer that allows you to do a few things with your designs as well as organize. I just bought the Brother Innovis 3500D for around 3200 and it does the Disney designs and has hoops around 6x12. If you aren't doing digitizing you don't need digitizing software. There are some that will alow you to change the size, etc for not too much money.
You might also consider a slightly used one, that comes from a dealer so that you'll have support and warranty. Good customer service and classes are great. I've really enjoyed going to Brothers website and doing the tutorials and downloading free designs.

Look around and see what fits your needs, see what features you want. I love needle up/down and scissor cut and auto tension set.