What would be the most economical machine I could buy that would do embroidery so that I could try making some labels for my quilts? I can't afford to spend several hundred dollars on a machine just for labels. But I would like to be able to make some nice looking labels. Sigh.

The cheapest one I have heard of is the Brother SE400 - about 400.00 , has a 4x4 hoop and is a combo sewing / embroidery machine

The Brother PE150 is the bottom of the line starter embroidery machine. For one in good working condition you shouldn't pay more than $150-$200. They are dependable machines and have a good resale value. The PE150 is sold under a variety of names, such as White.

You can get a Bernina 600 for around $300, a Bernina 650 for around $350 in good working condition. The 600 is a step up from the 150, the 650 is a step up from the 600.

These machines may cost more if they are including the PED Basic software, which allows you to download designs from your computer, or design cards.

MOst have to also have a soft ware to design your lables to st out to so that is above and beyond the price of the machine. The hoops that are 4x4 will only st out about 3.5 x 3.5 for you have to figure the foot.
For $300 to $400 you can pay to have a lot of lables done.
Just my thinking.
ConnieF

the best one I think would work is the Brother 270D..4" hoop and you can get them on Ebay cheap...I bought mine at "overstock.com" for $300 and 2.95 shipping. Its my "to go" machine and sews well

I personally would not get a machine with a 4x4 hoop - once you start embroidering, you will want a 5x7 hoop.... Everyone I have known that started off with a 4x4 hoop quickly decided that they wanted the 5x7 one and the 4x4 hooped machines do not have a high resale value at all... not to mention the sewing field is small so your labels will always be very small. A 5x7 hoop will allow for more possibilities and you won't regret the extra money put in to it for that extra ability you will have - you'll start to look at things everywhere and envision designs on them lol. I know I did.

Just my opinion on machines - there is just so much more you can do with the 5x7 hoop that the 4x4 just won't allow.
Brother makes an economical 5x7 machine - just get the one that allows you to use a usb stick to transfer your designs from your computer.

Why buy an embroidery machine for labels? Unless you are going to embroider more. If money is tight you may want to wait.

Labels are extremely easy to make if you have a copier/scanner and a computer with Word or something similar. I can copy a picture or part of the fabric pattern and combine it with print. I design and print my labels using my computer all the time and the results are very creatively pleasing.

ali

Have you a dealer nearby who sells previously owned machines? You can usually get twice as good a used machine for the same $$$ as a new basic machine.

I think someone on this board makes quilt labels & sells them.