My husband is looking to buy me an embroidery machine as a belated Christmas present. I think we have narrowed it down to the Brother PE770 and the Janome 300E. Both offer 5x7 hoops. My question is, do I really need the larger hoop or would a machine that does 4x4 be sufficient? I have never embroidered in my life but have always wanted to learn. I would like to embroider squares to make quilts and maybe embroider on dish hand towels. Thanks for any suggestions. :)

Maybe once every other year or so I use a hoop smaller than a 6 x 10. Nearly everything I embroider is in that size, but I also do a fair amount in my larger hoops as well.

Definately go with a 5x7. You will be able to do SO much more. IMHO, a 5x7 is more useful. :)

I have the Brother SE270D - the hoop is only 4x4 and I am glad I have it just wish I had the bigger hoop :? More and more designs are going to the larger size, so if you can afford it go larger :thumbup:

It just depends on what you want to embroider. I use a 4 x 4 hoop, but I don't do a lot of embroidery. It would be nice to be able to do large quilt blocks, but the machines are out of my budget.

IMHO a 5X7 is a good size - I occasionally use my 4X4 hoop but most of it is done on a larger hoop. I have the grand hoop for my Pfaff - but only occasionally use that.

Go the largest you can afford. You will regret it in the future if you don't.

Truly, bigger is better, you will use it often.

Definitely get a machine that has at least a 5x7" hoop! I started with a machine that would only embroider a 4x4" area and it wasn't long before I was wishing for a larger hoop! I now have an upgraded machine and can go to many of the larger larger sizes. The ones are use the most are the 4x4 and 6x10! You'll be glad you got the larger hoop area because embroidery is almost as addictive as quilting!!

I agree! Go with the larger size hoop if you can afford. I started with a 4x4 hoop size and when I noticed more designs were going up to 5x7 I decided to upgrade and I never looked back. Unless you'd rather stick with smaller designs you are limited on the 4x4 size.