Computerized embroidery machine for a beginner?
 

I have accepted an offer for a new position and my goal was to purchase an embroidery machine as a congratulatory reward. I am a 5 month quilter and I have the bug to quilt. When I looked at buying a sewing machine, last year, a week before I even thought I would live to quilt, i tried several machines in my price point and ended up with a Viking Emerald 118, which I love. It s a work horse for sure and a pleasure to sew. When I was looking a machines, yes it was a Joanne's, I saw a Viking Ruby that I fell in love with but knew it was beyond my capabilities and purse...but still drooled over it.

Years ago, I spent $900 ( probably in the late 90's) on a used Janome Memory Craft with an embroidery hoop but never learned how to use the embroidery functions ( shop to far away). The Janome used floppy diskettes and hoops. This machine is in a box packed somewhere in the garage since I moved 2 years ago and never retrieved because the last time I tried to sew with it, which was about 5 years ago, i found that it did not work and needed an overhaul.

so now, I am thinking.....
1. Do I purchase a Brother 300 from Walmart for $600 and see if I really like the embroidery machine and teach myself how to use it; or
2. Relocate my Janome and spend the money to have it rehauled- and try to teach myself how to use it; or
3. Wait until Joanne's( closest sewing store) has a trade in sale and trade the Janome as is without the overhaul for a Ruby with a 60 month payment plan and free classes?

i have seen a ruby for sale on Craigslist but again there are no classes for that and that machine was $3000. I don't want to spend that amount of money when classes are not included.

Please help me sort through the questions I should ask myself when making a decision.
thanks again all- you are all so helpful!

I have a Viking Ruby and love it. Go for it. You won't regret it.

most of the newer machines like the ruby you can probably figure out without classes and most quilt shops have classes that you pay to attend. I have attended quilte a few.

Number 3 would be my choice.

Do you have a dealer near you? What about using your Janome as a trade in? I have the Viking Topaz 20, it was a floor model and can be used for embroidery and sewing - I paid right around $2000.00 for it. I did not have a trade-in.

I had a Ruby and loved it. I now have a Diamond Deluxe and love it. They also have a Ruby Deluxe. You could probably get the Ruby at most stores now gently used. They normally have a warranty and come with classes and normally have no finance charge financing. I would go for it and get the best I could, which is what I did. It's been a struggle to pay for it but so worth it. I could never had gotten one with a 4x4 or even a 5x7 hoop, I'd been so bored. I don't use those hoops, love the big ones and didn't want limitations on what I could do. Go Ruby, Go Viking.

I have a Baby Lock Sophia that I bought as my first embroidery machine, and it is just wonderful. It is limited to a maximum embroidery field of 5x7, but even after I bought my much bigger embroidery machine I've found that in most cases a 5x7 hoop is plenty big enough for 95% of the embroidery I do. PM me if you are interested in learning more about this machine - I might be ready to sell it.

I would wait and upgrade the machine I am so glad I waited for a nicer machine you will use 5x7 the most I also use my 6x6 a lot as well. If you want the ruby don't sell yourself short. However I will say that I love my brother embroidery machine have never used a ruby so can't tell you if they are easy to learn on your own

Rubys are so easy to learn, it was my first. There are so many great features that this machine has. It is so worth checking out.

I appreciate everyone's recommendations. I think I will wait for a significant sale and in the mean time try out various embroidery machines in the higher end range. Thank-you all.