Any suggestions on an embroidery machine?
 

I would really like to have an embroidery machine that would allow me to design my own things and then embroider them. The machine I have is an old outdated Viking 1+ with embroidery but while it will do a few little things, it's not capable to do the things I want to do.

So, I was tempted by a new Viking sewing machine with embroidery. The extra designing component would add to the cost and I'm not ready to spend $9000 at the moment.... maybe later in the year. A friend told me I should be looking for an embroidery machine and not a combination one. I haven't looked at those. I have plenty of sewing machines and don't really need something to sew with. So here is my question......

Would it be better to look for an embroidery only machine? If so, what brands do you suggest I look at?

Or, should I still be looking at a sewing/embroidery combination machine? I'm pretty sure I'd want a Viking if that's the case.

Thanks for your help. I need to start doing some research so I'll be ready to purchase when I can let that amount of money go for a new machine.

My friend that got me interested in machine embroidery has the same machine as you. She has given up on machine embroidery. My first HV machine was a Designer 1 - still have it. Think it was 10 years later when I bought my Designer Diamond - still have it. Bought the Designer EPIC a year after it was introduced. Love all of them. Have upgraded my embroidery software as new software has been introduced. Know that HV makes embroidery only machines; however, love the new features on the combination sewing/embroidery machines.

Are you talking about digitizing your own designs or designing your own layout? Designing your own layout can be done on any embroidery machine that has merging capabilities. Digitizing is not something a machine can do, you would need to learn how to digitize and have the software to do that. There are some software programs that do auto digitizing but the results are not that great.

Janome embroidery only machines are very good. I would check them out. There are different levels of software out there, you don't have to get the big programs if you are pretty sure you will not use all of those features. A dealer should be able to help you figure out what you need.

I've only been embroidering for a few years, but early on decided I wanted to create my own designs using my own artwork. My machine came with IQ Designer that does quite a bit including being able to scan in designs, but I wanted even more control so bought Floriani's Total Control U. I also bought Sketch to Stitch which is software that will convert line drawings to embroidery. I have a lot of pencil drawings that I'm going to convert so I can stitch them out.

I purchased a couple good digitizing software packages to make my own designs. I also make my quilt labels from a design I digitized. The software is sold separately. There are millions of designs available and I love the ability to change from one format to another. I do not have an expensive machine. The digitizing software makes it possible to divide larger designs into sections so I can make my in expensive Brothers do just about any design I choose.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention. The brothers machines are workhorses! If the machine fails after several years of working continuously, buy another and then another and then another one each time new models with more upgrades. You are still ahead of the game. How much money do you want to save. Oh another things many software packages offer free upgrades.

Here is how I think it out. Software about $500. Inexpensive brothers embroidery machine under $400. Compare to $9000. Results and satisfaction to be able to do it all... priceless.

I like the Brother and Babylock brands, inexpensive and definitely workhorses. My suggestion is to buy an embroidery only machine. You have sewing machines, you can sew while your embroidering machine is stitching out the design. Most machines have a lot of capabilities but if you want to digitize and create your own designs you will need to purchase software to do that. My suggestion for software is Embrillance, it is inexpensive and sold in modules. You can purchase the basic program and then as you decide what you want to do you can buy the modules. embrillance.com is their website, take a look and see what you think. If you sign up for their e-mails you will get coupons, not a bunch of junk mail or spam.

It depends on how much you want to spend. It is a lot cheaper to buy digitizing software to create your own designs then transfer them to your machine rather than buying a machine that you can create designs on and stitch it out.

I have a Bablylock Destiny2 and you can create designs with it and stitch them out too, but it costs about the same as a small car. I don't use it to work with designs...create, resize, change color, set density etc....becaue I prefer to use the big screen on my computer's monitor so I can see everything as large as I want instead of the small sewing machine screen. I also find the computer software is easier to use the computer in the sewing machine. I use EMbird's software, but there are many others out there.

Pfaff girl here. I traded my Creative Sensation Pro for the and I love it! This machine has everything on it I can think of. The software allows you to digitize your own designs if you want to.

I've owned a Janome 15000 for 6 or 7 years and recently purchased a Janome S9 to take to classes. Both are great combination machines and have low maintenance, great machines, and I love them. The 15000 has larger hoops and one hoop is made to hoop a quilt for quilting (a main reason I purchased it).

For digitizing software, I have owned Janome MBX 4.5 for 5 years and even though it had a steep learning curve, I used it to create the designs I used to quilt my quilts as well as labels for them. This month I purchased the Janome Artistic Digitizer and I'm blown away with it's capabilities. I can bring in a picture, clip art, or drawing and it will digitize it for me. It will work with other brand machines, but is fully integrated with the Janome machines.

Here is an example of my first attempt with Artistic Digitizer taking a picture and changing it to redwork in the Artistic Digitizer. It's a picture of the farmhouse I grew up in that I made into a pillow for my brother. This software is a game changer for me.

this is terrific! I looked up the software and one of the questions was whether this was possible. the answer was 'maybe not'' and referred the questioner to DRAWings PRO XI 11 instead.

MaryB 119 I am guessing you were going to say Icon, which is usually in all caps. Right? I have the Icon and it is an amazing machine. trying to learn more about it every day!

It depends on what you want to use it for. Do you want to embryoid on everything from hats to quilts? Do want to do smaller designs or very large designs? Do you want a very large hoop to create your own embroidered fabric? I read a post from a sewing repairman once and he said embroidery only machine embryoid the best. Don't know for sure myself. I bought the machine because I love to make quilts but hate to quilt them. So part of my plan was to use the embroidery function for quilting the quilt because I didn't have room for a long arm. Now I'm a snow bird and still don't have the room. I have seen people who buy the sewing embroidery machine and never sew anything, just embryoid. So the question is what do you want to do?

You don't need to purchase the top of the line machine for $9000.00 or more, maybe a lower priced machine would be great to start with. You can trade up to more machine or embroidery only machine. Check the dealers for their trade up/in policies.

If it you are talking about an embroidery machine, then, I would recommend Brother. If it is for digitizing, then, there are software to get them done. You may have to dig online to find a good one to suit your needs.

Yes I have the ICON and I love it!!

Hi ..The cost of new single head embroidery machines today even at $10000-$20000 I think is unwarranted..They are big girls toys and the manufacturers prey on all the new updates- flashing lights and fancy gadgets to lure people into buying them ..They still only embroider . I personally would be purchasing 15 head machine if spending that sort of money and would have a business running from output its capable of producing.... I looked at buying a new machine when I became interested in embroidery as my wife wouldn't let me use her machine..just said if you want to play embroidery get your own machine ..I thought the Janome 550 e was very good value for the discounted price Has hoop size I needed 14"x8" and plenty of smaller hoops plenty of bells & whistles including Bluetooth and software to run the big hoop without having to split design which is a plus...The wife has been embroidering since late 90's so she has had several Janome machines 8000-9000-10000 and her current 11000se which she is more than happy with as the newer machines became available there wasn't much improvement to warrant updating so she has stuck to it and keeps it well serviced ..I was impressed with her machine and the service it has given so I found a low mileage well serviced MC 11000 and its been great so far ...Zoo

I have been embroidery since 2004. I hAve owned Brother and Pfaff machines and have not been very happy with either one. Last December I bought a Bernina 770 QE Tula Pink, I LOVE THIS MACHINE!! I highly recommend it. Price was about $6K, which is what my Pfaff 2170 cost 12 years ago. BTW, my Pfaff 2170 went thru 3 mother boards in 5 years. Not good, I will never buy Pfaff, Singer of Viking again since they all became one company!

Keep in mind that you do not need the top of the line machine. Look at the lower costs machines and determine which features you want.

New to Embroidery
 

I'm new to Embroidery. Which of the following embroidery machines would you recommend: Janome 400E, 500E, 550E or
Babylock Flourish II?

I have the Pfaff Creative Icon. Yes it's expensive compared to my original Pfaff 7570 which I loved. I had so many hours on that machine it would have make your head spin. I agree that the manufacturers are preying on our wanting the bells and whistles. I've hit the point with sewing/embroidery machines as I have cars. 2020 is the year I quit. I purchased the Icon at a good deal with a trade from Performance. Why, internet capabilities. It's also so easy to update firmware. I find it great to have the manual at my finger tips not having to leaf through page after page in a book and still not find what I wanted. I have the capability to do everything that many have many more machines for. I can sew, piece a quilt, embroider, quilt my quilts on my Icon free motion or embroidery or rulers.

I have firmly decided to quit buying sewing machines and cars. I have what I want, My Rav has the bells and whistles that assists a person with a fused neck can drive and see and be safe.

I have no experience with the machines you mentioned. My preference is Pfaff and that's just my preference. If I were new, I'd first look at dealers of machines in your area. You want support and classes. My area has Pfaff, Bernina and Babylock only. If I were to purchase, which I'm not and wasn't going to buy Pfaff I'd go Bernina.

Back in the day when Singer joined Pfaff to produce machines for 3rd world countries things slipped and got a bad wrap. Now that Husquvarna has taken over Pfaff a number of years ago the TOL machines are almost identical with the exception to the integrated dual feed which is exclusive to Pfaff. The dual feed makes sewing and piecing precise because of having even feeding rather than having to use a walking foot. I've never owned a walking foot because of the IDF.

If I were new, I'd have to ask myself if this is the only machine I'm going to own what all do I want to do with it? Keep a list and take that list shopping with you. Be assured a dealer is going to try to upsale you.

Now that I have the Creative Icon which does everything and more that I would want I've stopped. Sure Viking just came out with laser which will soon be on Pfaff if not already. What's it going to do that I can't already do? Probably not much.

I would recommend the Babylock or Brother equivalent. They are both made by Brother. Great machines. Intuitive, shallow learning curve, reliable and a joy to use.