Prism99

Does anyone know of a Cyber Monday sale on embroidery machines? I would like to be able to make permanent labels for my quilts and have been thinking about getting a small embroidery machine for years, but I am always held back by so many unknowns.

For example, is a 4x4 hoop area big enough to make attractive and informative quilt labels? Or would I be better off spending twice as much to get a bigger hoop size?

I am looking at the Brother SE-400 and the Brother PE-525 online. The former is a combo sewing/embroidery machine so I would also get some stitches I would like to have for machine binding. My Bernina 1230 is a great machine, but it doesn't have the wavy kind stitch I would like to use on binding so my little "blips" in alignment are less noticeable. I haven't compared the features closely, so not sure what I would be giving up in the embroidery only machine in order to get the decorative stitches.

I will soak up any and all advice.

Edit: I just had a thought. If all I want to do is embroidery names, dates, etc. maybe I should get a low-end sewing machine instead? Mostly what I need are good fonts and ease of programming (my Bernina 1230 has only a block font and it is a horror to program). Maybe then I could also get the decorative stitches I want for binding, all at a lower price. Any recommendations?

quiltingcandy

I know that you think you will only use the machine for labels but you might want to really consider going up to the Brother PE 770, you can use a 5 x 7 hoop or the 4 x 4 hoop. The more you use it the more you will want to do more. My friend has the PE 770 and loves it. I really like my Husqvarna sewing/embroidery machine - but I do have another machine that will sew decorative stitches so haven't used my Husqvarna for anything but embroidery for a long time.

Sewing Machines Plus has been sending me a lot of adds not sure what it is going on. But they do a lot of on-line sales.

If you check out Amazon you never know what you will find.

Good luck! I love having an embroidery machine.

Cybrarian

On Amazon they are both $299.99 right now. Personally, I would go with the combination machine, you're getting more bang for your buck. I couldn't determine if you can get an upgrade which would allow you to use a bigger hoop if you wanted more flexibility down the road. That would be a question I would want answered before I purchased. Happy embroidering!

PaperPrincess

Getting an embroidery machine may not solve your horror of programming. Depending on the amount of info you want to put on the label, the built in fonts may not be small enough, so you may need to buy a small font, then you would need some sort of embroidery program on your PC to layout the label. Just re-read what I wrote. Sorry it sounds so negative, but you do need to do a bit of research. I have an embroidery machine and love it! I would go for the largest hoop size you can afford.

mannem38

Like you, I wanted an embroidery machine for labels and bought a 350SE Brother. It comes with a 4 x 4 hoop and no USB port. Those little pattern cards are not cheap. Very soon I wanted to embroider everything and now I have one with bigger hoops. My suggestion? Buy the machine with a bigger hoop, you will want it. Metro threads are very affordable and work well on Brother machine in IMHO.

justflyingin

I would not go with a machine that was only 4x4 unless it was a gift. I'd save up and get one that allows you to do 5x7. If you get one that will only do 4x4, it is for sure that you will immediately fall in love with bigger designs.

Most of my labels are larger than 4x4.

The advice to get the one with the biggest hoop you can afford is good advice.

ManiacQuilter2

Prism99, I just looked at your machine. I have a Bernina 1530 which has more stitches but I don't use them especially the lettering. I just use the basic ones which it seems your Bernina has like the buttonhole stitch. You really need to to your research and see if you even would LIKE to have an embroidery machine before the big sales are running during the holidays. My best friend got a used one last year for Xmas. She's disappointed that the software works with XP Windows and doesn't like having to change the thread so many times and is still trying to work out the kinks in learning how to manage the machine. So go out there and test drive these machines and have fun. There will always be another sale.

Stashelf

you will quickly outgrow the 4x4 hoop. There are not many designs for 4x4 anymore. Go with at least a 5x7. I have the Brother Dream Machine and I cannot remember the last time I used the 4x4 hoop. This is the 3rd Brother machine I have gotten (I keep trading up) Brother is easy to use and I have never had to take any of the machines in except for its yearly cleaning. Brother always has something on sale so check with a dealer and they usually have financing of some sort. Enjoy whatever you buy.

imsewnso

If you only want to make labels.....just hire someone to do it for you.....in the end it will be cheaper. If you want an embroidery machine, the brother is really user friendly. Purchase from a dealer that you can has great customer service Lessons and is friendly and knowledgeable IMHO the dealer is more important than the machine.

Prism99

Okay, I have been convinced to go with the larger hoop machine. The Brother PE 770 seems to have everything I could want except possibly for the lack of color in the display. Been comparing prices online, though, and there don't seem to be any Cyber Monday sales going on for this machine. Think I will just wait awhile and watch prices before I make the leap.