Originally Posted by Judi in Ohio

Brother makes machines for Babylock, Bernina is a company all to it's self. Pfaff, Singer, and Viking belong to the VSM group.

Originally Posted by jeank

If you stick to any of the major brands you will like it. They are all good. Find a good dealer and purchase her product. I have Vikings.

My warning (from expierence) is be sure you want to spend the money to do embroidery. It is not just the cost of the machine, that is just the beginning. You then need threads, many many threads, stabilizer, different kinds for different projects, and designs. You will need a computer program to arrange, open and download designs from the internet. Many places for free and low cost designs instead of purchasing those very expensive dealer designs.
This is not an inexpensive hobby.

Jean in MI

Originally Posted by QuilterChick

Many of us quilters/embroiders have the Pfaff 2170 machine, the last and best of the "2100 series". If you quilt and embroider, it is the easiest to switch over from sewing to embr. and takes up less space, and is an awesome machine.

I would suggest whatever you decide on, buy a good used machine that someone has traded in via a dealer or private party that has taken good care of it. A dealer will give you lessons which you might need, and service. No need to buy a brand new machine if you are just starting out. Many of us started out with the "embroidery only" machines, such as the Bernina Deco 500 or 600, and those have a small embroidery field of 4" x 4". You should get something with a bigger hoop so you don't have to keep trading up like many of us have. It's like buying a boat ... you will want bigger and better eventually ... and in that regard, you can get a very good used machine if you look. Brand new Pfaff big bad Creative Vision 5.5 will run you around $7,000. The Bernina 830, (choke) about $11,000.

I'd say go middle of the road with a well cared for used machine and embroider away. Get addicted like the rest of us. :lol: