Does anyone have an opinion on which emb only machine I should consider. I don't want to spend alot. If I can get it used that would be even better.
I only need a 5x7 field for quilt labels and ribbons

I have a Brother PE-780D. I love it. Of course you could get the non-disney version and save a little.

I just got mine. I have only made one design so far. Been busy getting my outdoor chores done. So I can get busy playing catch up on a few projects in my sewing room.

My Brother PE 770 (embroidery only) came with the 5x7 hoop. It retails for $800.00 so I don't know if that is in your price range.

Good luck on the search !!

800 is not going to happen. Maybe I need to find used one. I would love to get Disney. I have a 5 yr old.

anyone selling one? :P

pretty please

check ebay -- and also your local shop -- she may have trade-ins she could sell you?

I went to my local sewing machine shop where I'd purchased my machine, my serger and my 2 daughters a machine and explained I didn't want to spend a lot. Knowing that I was a faithful customer they gave me a deal on a trade-in that he had refurbished and they even gave me a 1-year warranty on parts and labor. I walked out with a Janome 300E with 2 hoop sizes and only spent $500. I absolutely love it and don't even plan on upgrading any time soon.

well i had a janome 350E a few years ago, and I sold it! DRATS. i should have kept it.

I think I rather have the disney designs, I think Not sure how the stitch quality is.

Called my dealer they have j 300 e for 500 but there is no USB. Abd brother 500 for 600 thsts too much for used

Walmart has a Brother that does embroidery for about $400.00. You can have it shipped to the store so there is no shipping cost.

I would be careful of the walmart machines
the brother dealers here would not service or work on them.
Just a thought.
I would check about a warranty on used machines
I mean there is used and USED!
I have had mainly vikings and they have a use function that tells how many hours of sewing and embroidery time has been clocked on the machine.

oh well i will just keep looking.

If I were you, I'd save up my money and get either the Brother machine or the Janome. I started off with the 350e. I would not get a machine that doesn't have the needle threader or the usb. Those memory cards are just not worth it.

Contact your local dealers though. They do take in machines on trade all the time. If you let them know you are looking for one, I'm sure they'll call you to let you know.

The Brother will run you about $800. The Janome will probably be more - a few hundred more - keep in mind though that there is a big start up cost even after getting the actual machine. You'll need stabilizers and thread too.

You also have to change your needles every 4 or 5 hours of use to keep a good clean design. I buy my needles from Discount Embroidery Supply. They are fantastic and have great prices. You can buy a lot of 100 needles for almost what it costs to buy 10 at the stores.

I have the Janome 300E and I love it, yeah it doesnt have the usb, but I have no problems with the Flash card or adapter. No worries gettin the designs to my machine form my pooter.
If you have a look on ebay, you can get them for a reasonable price, new.

Try the Yahoo group...
Sew it's for sale
They are always selling things sewing related.
Kirsten

Oh!
I wouldn't go with just a 4x4 field for embroidery.
I have a 6x10, 5x7 and a 4x4 on my Brother and I use them all.
Kirsten

Babylock has a machine that is called Emora. I had a Ellure Plus & up graded to the Ellageo for the 6 x 10 field & more options. Love Babylock machines. Check real close because I think the Walmart machines only do 4x4. Look on Overstock.com they always have some good deals & Allbrands.com out of Baton Rouge, LA. You will have to spend a little money though to get a decent one.

i never heard of Emora, is that new?

They aren't showing it anymore. The Ellure & the Sophia is the bottom of the line now. Sophia only does a 4x4. The Ellure Plus does have USB port not sure on Ellure. Look on their site & then do a comparison & see what you want. You can find the Emore if you look in past machines. Since it is a close out you might find a dealer selling them at a good price.

It is the Baby Lock Emore, and I bought it couple years ago. It is a wonderful little work horse, and it has USB.

I do embroidery on my husband's company work shirts and other odds and ends like paisley work up leg of jeans.

Think they discontinued, but you should still be able to find it!

Good Luck!

I have all Babylock machines except for the 2 Kenmores that I started with. I just got the Babylock Audrey. It's a small machine-12.8 lbs to take to retreats. I also have a Babylock serger. I have had no trouble with any of my machines. Just keep checking. This is the most fun I have ever had.

Which Brother do you have, Kirsten? I have been looking at Brother embroidery machines, but haven't found one that takes larger hoops. TIA

I see different machine on craig's list some are emb some just sewing. Just keep checking and you will find what you want or can afford.

Whichever machine that GailR has is the one I want. Have you seen her work?

I have a Brother 150 and it has been a work horse, but on 4X4 design area sooooo i got software and a larger hoop so i just combine the designs while i sew. I now have the Janome 1400 and it has a 5x7 very happy with that too

I have the Brother SE270D (Disney) Combo and the PE700II (embroidery only). I purchased both "refurbished" from Ken's Sewing Center in AL. Both have been great. I use the 700II the most because it has a a5x7 hoop. I can "combine" designs/wording and just re-hoop. The 7000II also has the USB port.

FYI, I just talk to Ken's to see what I could get with larger hoops and the price jumps a LOT!! We had a great "discussion" about that!! LOL

I also know that they have machines that have been put on lay-a-way and left w/o being paid off. Or customer returns for whatever reason which are thoroughly tested for any issues.

I have been very pleased with my refurbished machines and I just purchased a Janome SM (customer return) and a Brother ci6000 (refurbished) and they are both great. I can't afford any of the more expensive machines either!! I would love to have the new Dreamweaver but I'll just keep "dreaming"!!

BTW, Ken's has a website: www.kenssewingcenter.com and also sells on eBay under the seller name: easyterms

Good luck in your search!

I bought a used Janome 300E and love it. It's been a few years now and it's still purring.

I agree; be careful where you buy it from. I learned yrs ago that you can have two machines, same name and brand but one was made to be sold at Walmarts and one at a LQS and the quality is so different. It's the same way for things that are sold at warehouses; if you notice the serial # or model will normally have an extra letter or two or added #s to show what it was made for.
You can't put a price tag on (you can but need to consider) having a good rep/dealer to help you when needed. I've gotten 3 Vikings and the last two have the timer to see how many hours were logged on the machine. The first one, My Ruby had 7 and now my Diamond Deluxe used at the Viking convention and sold as used has 1 minute on the timer. I guess it was a machine set up to use but wasn't; lucky me. I get warranties with them all and classes. I also got my first Viking on eBay, that one I got a 2 yr warranty on and it's a good thing because I had a few problems but they got fixed.

Another thing, check the hoop size. Sometimes people forget about this when looking and price is a big concern. In the past yr I have yet to use a 4x4 or even a 5x7. I love the larger hoops and will do lots of designs at a time. Don't limit yourself too much or you'll get bored and frustrated and the great deal won't be so great after awhile. While Disney does make great designs there are so many free designs out there (or low cost) for kids so don't let that be a factor. I know that Babylock has some emb only machines that are lower priced. I have used the latest Brother and while there are things I love about the machine that my Diamond doesn't have, there are things that mine does that Brother doesnt' and I wouldn't part with. I do love Vikings. Check out web sites for free or low cost designs. I love oregonpatch because they represent more than one company and I get emails each day as to what co has what sales. Like today one has designs for 75% off.

I'm just trying to say, becareful of where you buy, of what you get, if only one thing about the machine is interesting like Disney Designs remember there are tons and tons of places to get free or reduced designs, especially when it seems finances are an issue like for most of us. It may be better to save up to get what you want instead settling. Also, I know that like for Viking (others do too) has a lot of specials in you LQS that are no financing for 36 mos and thats a good deal.

Be sure and check out www.allbrands.com

I purchased all of my machines from them. They have free shipping and super FAST delivery and great prices.

You can get the PE 770 on some online sites for $600...and maybe no tax or shipping which is a very good deal. I bought my 770 for $597 via Amazon a year or so ago. No Disney tho!

My daughter has one from walmart, a brother and it is a nice one.My 11 year old granddaughter is learning to use it and they both really enjoy it. i have a janome and love it but it is expensive.

I just unpacked may new Brother E500. It is adorable. Small, lightweight. Read the manual and seems to be simple compared to more complicated machines. The only drawback is the 4 X 4 hoop but I just dont have the money for bigger.
It is under $300 and Im amazed at the quality and all the extras that it comes with. Even thread and stablizer sheets.
It is computerized and connects to USB computer ports. You can get a longer hoop for it but not wider.
It has 70 build in designs.
Embroidery machines are alot more complicated than sewing machines so this is a learning curve for me.
Great little beginner machine at a great price.