Entry level embroidery machine
 

I am thinking about purchasing an embroidery machine - I am not really into elaborate embroidery - just want something to monogram with and simple embroidery designs - I am thinking a stand alone embroidery machine. I have a nice sewing machine - Husqvarna/Viking Sapphire 875 Q and I have an HQ Avante 18 longarm - so I have all that covered - I am just looking for a basic machine thats easy to operate and under $500- I know nothing about embroidery machines - never operated one and never looked at one up close. Suggestions please.

As far as I know, the only one below $500 is the Brother PE500. It only has a 4 x 4 hoop and can only use designs from your computer if it's connected via USB. Other than those two limitations it's a very popular machine with great reviews. There's also the Brother PE770 which is about $600 and has a 5 x 7 hoop and can use a USB stick.

Do keep in mind that once you buy a machine, if you want to make your own designs you'll need to buy software, which costs $$ as well. The machine comes with a lot of designs but there are more online that you can buy or find for free. If you never want to make your own designs, and the ones you buy or find for free are the correct file format for the machine, you shouldn't need extra software.

I also wanted to "try" without spending an arm and a leg so I bought a brother PE500. It was under 250.00 including shipping...I got it on Amazon. I don't live close to anyplace where I could see them in action and look at different ones, that would be my first suggestion for you. I can't tell you how I like it because I haven't used it yet so I am no help...sorry

I forgot to mention that I have the PE500 too and so far I like it. I've made 4 quilt labels on it so far. 1 for me and 3 for my sister.

I bought a Brother embroidery machine a few years ago and I love it. It does the 4 x 4 designs which is big enough for my purposes. I mostly use it for baby clothing, tea towels, quilt squares etc. They no longer sell my model but all of my machines are Brother's and I love them. I've never had any trouble. I've purchased all of mine from www.allbrands.com They have FREE delivery and super fast. Check them out.

Maybe look at a trade in where someone is trading up? I got my Platinum 955 for $1100 which I thought was a good buy.I already had the software. I needed a bigger hoop.

I started out with the Brother SE-350, it embroidered a 4X4 area and I always got great results even though I didn't really know what I was doing! I don't think it's being made anymore because I haven't seen it around for quite some time. It wasn't very long before I found I really enjoyed machine embroidery and upgraded to the Babylock Ellegante, which I acquired used from a dealer and I have been enjoying it ever since It has an 11X7 embroidery field and I have done tons of projects on it.

I have the brother from walmart and it works for what you are wanting to do. You can always upgrade at another time if you want to do more after seeing if you like it or not.

I started out years ago with a 4 x 4 field - now I'm up to the largest you can get - don't limit yourself too much. Maybe you could rent a machine to try it out. Are there even places that do that? Get the best with the most options that you can afford.

For around $700.00 (I know you said $500.00 :) ) Some of the less expensive machines only use a 4 x 4 hoop which limits your designs.

The Brother PE770 is a good machine. You can do a 5 x 7 hoop(which is included) and by a hoop kit for less than $ 80.00 on Amazon (last time I looked). That hoop kit includes a 12 x 5 as well as a 5 x 7, a 4 x 4 and a small 1 x 2 1/2 hoop as well as some embroidery thread (6 spools).

It uses a Flash drive which you can download designs from your computer and transfer them on to the flash drive and hook into the machine.