Upgrade to what emb machine?
 

I currently have a brother PE770 and love it. But it has it's limitations and so I want to upgrade. I dont want to spend over 2500-3000.00. Any thoughts or suggestions on brand and model? Thanks!

I really love my Viking Topaz - a new one just came out, so you could check out Viking. But if you like the Disney designs you will need to stick with Brother - they are the only one that has the Disney agreement.

Love my Janome 9900. You will have to negotiate on a floor model to get the price down. I paid $3,000 for mine. It was a gently used floor model. No issues! I wanted the lower price. MSRP is $4999.00

sandy

I just bought a Viking Designer SE with lots of extras off Craigslist for $700.00. That was a bargain, bargain, bargain. I used to work for a Viking Dealer and about 9 years ago I bought the regular Designer 1 for the employee price of $3000.00. That was half price. This was a great find. It works perfectly and the embroidery has been flawless. I didn't need the software - I already had it. That can add to the cost if you can't find used. I always, always, always try to buy such things used if I can.

The machine I used before this one was a Singer XL 6000 I think. Gosh it is sitting on my sewing room floor. Again, off Craigslist paid $500 for it with thousands of dollars in extras too. Worked perfectly, still does, I simply just love Vikings and saw this one and got it.

If it is Disney you wanted, you don't have to buy a Brother, you can just buy the Disney designs from the Brother site. There are tons of options for converting your designs to the format you need. I'm not much of a Disney sewer - my kids are grown but no grand kids yet. I use to own an Embroidery Shop and if you need help finding designs or such, I can help.

Just keep in mind if you move to another DSM from what you currently have, you will need to purchase all the accessories like bobbins and feet. I upgraded with another Bernina which uses the same feet and bobbins. Just something to think about.

Wanting to purchase a new DSM is like buying a new car. You have to go out there and test drive them all to see what works for you. Good Luck and have fun!!

Brother is coming out with a new embroidery only in october with more features, color screen, 6x10 field should be in your range

Thanks everyone! I'm anxious to see the new brother! A larger hoop would be great. And I def would like a better screen.

Does anyone know ~ how much the brother dream maker embroidery only machine costs? It looks great.

One dealer quoted me $4000.00 and currently has it in his store.

Since brother and baby lock are both bringing out new machines, your dealer will have lots of gently-loved trade ins. You go to your dealer and tell them what you are looking for in a new machine and the price you want to pay. They want to work with you and will they will most likely have a machine come in as a trade. My dealer services those machines and sells them for great prices. Worth a try, talking to several dealers. My dealer is actually taking names and information and is setting up appointments with those who are looking for used machines, matching that information with what inventory comes in. You may be able to get a Quattro or Elissimo Gold, with the camera and upgrades, for at a price you are able to work with.

I was just at a Brother dealer yesterday and the newest sewing/embroidery machine will run about $13,000! Way, WAY beyond my budget! It is supposed to eliminate a lot of the digitizing, editing software as that is already built in. It is also a lot bigger machine lengthwise. The comparable Babylock is running around $15,000 for basically the same machine. I have owned a Brother 270D (first embroidery machine I owned), a Brother 1250D, and now a Quattro 2. Got the last one at an estate sale for $2000 and it only had 22,000+ stitches so it was like a new machine. I really love the ease of using the Brother machine and the fact that you already own one is a plus as far as familiarity. Before buying new(which I wouldn't rule out), I would look at Craigslist or at estate sales because bargains are out there. You just have to be patient. A friend just purchased a gently used Babylock Ellegante for around $1200. Which was another bargain! You also might go to a dealer and test drive some to see the features and explore if the dealer might have a gently used machine. Good luck on your search!

I have a Janome 9900 I'd be willing to part with for $2300 -I want to move up to the $12000 It's about 6 months old and in perfect condition. PM me if you are interested.

my dealer sold 30 new Brother Dream machines so far, that means they have at least 25 used machines. They will clean and service all trade-ins before they put them up for "adoption". I'm trading in my quattro. It has all the upgrades so for the value of an original quattro, you would get a quattro 4, it most likely more than you want to spend but people are trading in all level of machines for the new one. I know my dealer is willing to work with folks to get them to buy from them. Buying from a LQS or dealer means customer service and support. My dealer does monthly projects on the machines free for anyone that bought their machine (new or used) from them, its the best way to learn a new machine. The quattro and now the Dream machine have so many features, the camera is my favorite, that you need these classes to learn all the things your machine does.

I just ordered a Crescendo and saw the new BL, embroidery only machine that does big embroidery and it would be my choice. I think it is $3500 from this dealer but it looks great and the sizes are so nice and I love Baby Lock.

HOLY MOLEY! great price!

sandy