What kind of embrodiery machine suggestions
 

If I need to buy a new embrodiery machine what kind should I consider and why? My current machine has been giving me fits and I have had in the shop twice and still not right. I am a bit frustrated right now so I may consider another machine. Two embrodiery machines wouldn't hurt my feelings when one is in the shop I would still have another:sew:

Find a dealer you can work with....who offers service, classes and even hand-holding, if you need it.
Buy the highest grade and style that fits into your budget. Buy the one with the largest hoop you can buy, you will outgrow a 4x4 or even a 5x7 hoop. A color screen is nice, and absolutely a USB drive to transfer designs. I never cable my computer to my machine, I am fearful of a virus transferring to my embroidery machine.
I rcently purchased a Baby Lock Aventura to use in my motorhome. I have a Baby Lock Destiny, but she is too big to take on the road. The Aventura has many of the features of the Destiny, and has a 6x10 hoop. Many of the standard feet are interchangeable between the two machines (saves on buying duplicate feet). Fairly lightweight, about 30 pounds.

Thanks Bneighbor! yes, a bigger hoop would be a great idea. My largest is the 5x7 currently. Currently, I use the compact flash, so USB would be super nice.

You don't mention what brand you currently own, because it is nice if they can use the same programs and learning the new machine won't be so different. Luckily I can change the extension on my designs, but I think if I were going to buy another machine I would still stay with Viking/Husqvarna because I am already familiar with how they work. My friend has the Brother 770 and it had a bit of a learning curve since she was used to using my machine. Also, my machine has a larger hoop so she is now wishing she had the bigger one.

I have Baby Lock, Pfaff and a Viking. They all do a great job, but the Baby lock is the most user friendly.

Lynnie, I have been considering the brother pe770. So this is a decent machine for a home hobbist? I currently have a Janome and it has given me more headaches than I can take. My support on this has not been there. I have heard good things on the brother. I would need to buy a software to convert files too. True Sizer perhaps?

I would like an embroidery machine that I could quilt the blocks in a quilt with. Anybody do this?

Yes, Rose. I use a Husqvarna diamond embroidery machine and will use patterns from emblibrary. I can then quilt the block and then sash together (sort of like computerized quilt as you go method).
works quite well!

I have a janome 11000 and I`m quilting birds through all 3 layers




Gale

I have the Brother PE770. I only do machine embroidery occasionally, so it suits me fine. I've never used/had another embroidery machine so not sure how it stacks up, but seems easy enough to use. So far all of the problems I've had have been user error (wrong fabric for the design, wrong stabilizer...etc.)

The only gripe I have about it is the screen. It's a tiny little monochromatic screen, and it's nearly impossible to tell what design it's showing you. I "solve" that by keeping my designs on my PC and only putting the few designs I'm going to immediately be using on my thumb drive. That way I'm not trying to browse though a bunch of designs on that tiny screen.