I think this has been asked before but there are new machines out there so here goes. I'm looking for a moderately priced embroidery machine that is user friendly. I'm not very techy. I don't necessarily need a large hoop just something easy to use. Thanks in advance for any advice.:)

I just bought a brother SE270D and love it. It's my first machine so it is very friendly right now. It only uses the 4x4 hoop though so you might want to consider getting one that can use different sizes. You might not think you'll need it now but you'll want it later.

i am almost completely satisfied with my Singer CE 100 upgraded to 200, it was around $500 a few years ago, works off my computer
the ones that have their own computer builtin will be more expensive
mine has a 4X4 and a 5X7 hoop, the designs have to be 1" LESS than the hoop size

If you get one there are online sites which offer free designs which is good to start with and also Artistic threadworks has a reasonable monthly price $7 but you can download as much as you want for that $7. (at least it was $7 when I signed up). To give you an idea of what they offer go to:

https://www.artisticthreadworks.com/members/login.cfm?hpage=main.cfm]https://www.artisticthreadworks.com/...hpage=main.cfm[/url]

Just make sure you can download from the computer to your machine. Designs are expensive and some machines don't have a way to use computer designs. Also you will almost certainly want bigger than 4x4. That's all I have and it's not big enough. Buy a little more than you think you'll need because you will grow into it. Like pants! LOL

I have the Janome MC350e. It is an embroidery machine only. It comes with a 4x5 and 5x7 hoop and you can get a 2x2 hoop as well. Very easy to use. Only drawback is it is around $1000.

Hi: I just purchased the SE400 Brothers Sewing/Embroidery. I am really enjoying using this machine..........Still in the learning mode, but so much this machine has to offer.......CD, manuel so easy to read and understand, simple step by step visual instructions.........
Good luck with your decision.

as a few have already said there is a couple of things to watch for, I would say you will want to get at least a 5 by 7 hoop, you will out grow a 4 by 4 fast if you like embroidery at all, and if you don't get a machine that will down load directly from the computer you have to have a converter box to put the design on the machine card. Easy to do by more expense. I out grew the 5 by 7 and went bigger, I love the embroidery machines!

I have the same machine and love it. Very user friendly, has the USB port for a flashdrive or computer hook-up, thread cutter different sizes of hoops. I also like the fact that I have used all brands of threads and have had no issues with them, this machine is wonderful.

Thanks for all the advice. Keep em coming.:)