I have the Janome Memory Craft 350. It comes with the 4x4 and the 5x7 hoops, but you can buy the larger hoop to go with it which is not very expensive. I use mine frequently, and even though I bought the larger hoop, I rarely use it. The throat space means that you have to rehoop you design using the larger hoop, but as long as you mark your centre there isn't a problem. Its also on the lower end of the price scale - $2500-$3000. I'd love one of the newer machines, but short of winning the lottery or robbing a bank, I'll just have to dream.

One thing I will tell you is don't necessarily buy low end. I waited and purchased a nicer for my first and now that I love it so I am glad I didn't start of with the lower models. I chose brother for my familiarity with the brand and its ease of use right out of the box, really I didn't even need lessons and my machine was the 2nd from the TOL, thats how easy it is. I have always been a brother girl, and owned brother or brother made babylock machines. Some brands are more user friendly so I would keep that in mind as well. I love my large color screen, position feature making hooping for a newbie super easy, I would say hoopsize is a preference while I am able to use a 7x12 I have hardly used it compared to my 5x7 and 4x4 but also would like an 8x8. I do think getting a good software is also important for editing even though I have onboard features I find it easier and software has more fine tuning editing features, especially when it comes to lettering. My advice for software is demo before purchase. There are lots of machines on the market so it can be overwhelming, but I chose my machine mostly for its sewing features. I would write a list of features you feel you must have like screen size/clarity, cutting of jump stitches, onboard editing features you wold like, a budget and try several models, and note which seem more comfortable. For software I would make sure there is an ability to adjust density, and remove overlap because even though my machine has onboard editing I find with resizing I was having a problem with density and overlap which is why I recommend a good software. I have 2, one I hardly use made by the same brand as my machine, and babylock embroideryworks which I purchased later because of my softwares poor editing feature. Embrilliance essentials is the same as embroidery works but you can add features as you go instead of paying all at once, however, the babylock version came with super helpful online classes that really helped me learn it features You can't demo embrilliance but you can demo embroideryworks if you want to know how it works

I totally agree with this.

As mentioned before I'd go with a machine that has the largest hoop I think I'd ever need. Started out with a Viking +1 and within days I traded it in for their Designer 1 back in 2000. I fell in love with embroidery and knew I'd want to do larger designs. I still have my Designer 1 but use it mostly for regular sewing as I love all the features it has. I picked up a Babylock as I didn't need any special programs to get the designs from my computer to my machine as I did with the Viking. Now Embird makes it possible to transfer designs for most all machines excluding Bernina I think.

I'd go for a machine that has at least a 5 x 7 if not larger, needs no special programs and buy from a shop with good customer service and hopefully lessons to show you how to get the most out of your machine.

I have always gone with Pfaff sewing machines (except for the vintage and antique machines). However, when I shopped for embroidery machines, I found the Brother easy to use, but the deciding factor was that it's the only machine you can embroider Disney designs on (as mentioned above). That and the automatic threader put me at the Brother Duetta 4500D. I've had it about three years and still love it.

Have two Babylock embroidery machines. Started with their entry level machine with smaller hoops about 12 years ago. Didn't take long before I wanted to be able to do bigger designs and bought a Babylock Ellegante. As long as I have used quality designs and good threads I haven't had problems. Buy cheap designs and thread and you will have problems.

Great article! Has a lot of great points to ponder on before purchasing a machine.

Too bad you are like 8 hours from me ): I have a viking SE for sale with everything. You could've tested it yourself.

Would love to know which you decide, I to am looking for a new sewing/embroidery machine. I have a Topaz 30 and never have been truly happy. there are so many I look at Baby lock, then brothers(which are really the same company) then today I found Janome Memory Craft very impressive but have which one. I too would be very interested in any advise.

I try to over think everything I do and in doing so I do loads of research. You can go to the Baby Lock site, Brother site, and Janome site and print out the specs on the machines you are interested in making it is easier to compare features, etc. Also if you could get the dealer to throw in some software that could change the whole game plan. Good luck!