Okay, okay, I am getting so psyched by all of the embroidery that I am seeing, and have been bitten by the thought of purchasing one. I have a Janome for sewing, a DC3050, love it.....based on that, any recommendations for an embroidery machine?

Don't know about buying one, have you checked out Eddie's PDA? He upgraded his ordinary machine, got a great deal on the price, got an allowance on his trade in, AND got a free embroidery machine as well! Perhaps you should check out what deals there are out there. We certainly don't have any like that here in Ireland.

Guess I had better check it out! Thanks!

Those of you who have an embroidery machine, do you tend to stick with the same brand as your sewing machine, or do you have combinations or several machines that do different things - ie. surgers?

I'll tell you what I was told and have heard many tell the same thing. Get as much of a machine (larger embroidery field) as you can afford.

Reason being is that the first time you do ME (machine embroidery) you'll wish you could do a bigger design... and yes, you can split but it's not so easy.. (I have an design I did when I had a smaller hoop, had to splice her and put her back together.)... her legs are attached, but not quite the way they were supposed to be! :lol:

I quickly moved up to a B/L Ellegante... and haven't regretted it since.. loved it so much I also bought the 4000D Innovis which has been upgraded so it's equivelant to the 4500D. (has Disney and my kids used to love Disney)

Anyways, Brother and Babylock are made by the same people...I know, weird, but that said all my machines previous were Brother's... I also have a B/L Evolve Serger... so it's just what machine brand you like...

I have a Brother SE270D And a Brother 6000 for sewing. I wish I had a larger embroidery area, but then I really don't use mine much . I used it a lot to begin with and bought the PED basic to add more designs, but I am so wrapped up in quilting I don't use as much as I could or should. I do love my "Brothers".
It all depends on what you want from the machine and hwo much you think you will use it and for what type of things you will embroider ? Does that make sense ? Do you want a machine for just embroidery or one that sews and embroiders ? Budget of course will dictate a lot.
Good Luck with the search :lol:

I agree with tuesy, you are limited if you only have a 4X4 emb field.

Don't be alarmed like I was at first tho, you will need some software too.

I would get a machine that you can transfer designs by using a USB stick. You won't need extra things such as a magic box and stuff.

I hope I didn't confuse you. Anyway, I have a Bernina 640. I like the Bernina Deco 340 too, it uses a USB but is a bit pricey.

depends on what you are going to use it for and how much you are going to use it, and that is hard to tell before you start. At a good dealer they will have good used ones, There are a lot of questions that can be asked when looking, like any machine, what do you need in it, it isn't like trying out most of the sewing machines that you can sit down and figure out if you like it, though that is a possibility if you already work with it, you know what for you will be user friendly. Make sure the staff is knowledgable and willing to help you learn, free lessons help,

I have two brothers, one older and one newer, I have the brother 8500 and the PR620 (6 threads)

I started with the Brother 8500D and loved it...
Finally upgraded to the Brother 4500 Duetta...love it and then I got a Pfaff CV 5.0 at a steal....so I love 'em both for all different reasons...
I love the fact that I can sew/quilt on one and emb on the other...
Or emb on both...
I love 'em...
Kirsten