don't let the Disney designs stop you from considering a Brother. I have had the UTL 2002D for about 10 yrs. now. while I have used the D. designs a few times, most of what i use is from emblibrary.com. they are quality designs at an affordable price. i bought mine online and when it arrived i took it out of the box and started using it. there are some new machines that are emb. only now that have a bigger hoop(5x7 i think) that are reasonable. when you do buy, go for the biggest hoop you can afford

There are several things to consider when choosening an Embroidery Machine. Yes the name and reputation are important, but so is the computer software.....some are very easy to use and navigate thru some are harder to get a handle on and some are damn near impossible. Hope size is also important some are limited to only 4 x 4", others you can go way up in size....Don't say to yourself, I will never want to do something that big, believe me you will...and not to be able to will put a frown on your face.....The kind and availablity of designs are also important, you will probably be doing the majority of your shopping and downloading of designs on the internet.....check what type your machine will use, it is an extension like PES, VIP, HUS or SEW....some are readily availble others are not
Another major concern is how the designs get to your machine, do you have to hook up your computer to the machine ,,,, do you have to buy and use expensive speciality 'cards' are can you use a simple inexpensive USB flashdrive.....I personally have a Brother Duetta, my second Brother machine (I also have a Bernina, which I never use as an embroidery due to its software) The other question should be what does your machine come with does it come with the software for your computer or is it extra, that software can cost you well over a thousand dollars alone. Does it come with hoops, how many and what size......

Not all Brother machines have the Disney designs, or didn't when I bought my Brother 3 years ago. But my Brother is identical to my sister's Babylock but didn't cost nearly as much. If I had the money I would update my machine - seriously consider the new machine that is coming out. The new computer features that are available are so worth the money in my opinion. Much the same reason I would buy a new car and not a 10 yr old car.

I wouldn't be too concerned about the Disney Designs. There are soooo many "free" or "inexpensive" great designs available on the embroidery sites on the internet. I have only used about 3 of the Disney designs myself just because my DGD wanted Mickey and Minnie. I use the USB cord to transfer designs although I do have the PED Basic card reader/writer and can use the memory cards also. The only thing I would like to have that my PE700II doesn't is the ability to use a Flash Drive but that's not the end of the world. The other thing I would like is a larger hoop size but for the huge jump in price, I'm just fine with my 5x7 hoop. My sister has the huge PR650 6 thread machine and I don't think she has done many designs over the 5x7 size. That is a $11,000 machine vs my $700 dollar machine (at the time we bought). She also has the Brother 4500D and she uses it basically for regular sewing and that one was not an inexpensive machine either!!

Can you tell I love my Brother PE700II!?????? JMHO!

ETA: Also, I did not purchase the PE Design software...it has a huge learning curve...I have used my sister's. I use Monogram Wizard Plus and Sew What Pro, both relatively inexpensive programs and I learn them both in just a couple of hours. Or my DDIL did and she taught me but both programs are so user friendly.

An embroidery machine sounds in the future for you. Me, I am saving for one next. I just spent $$$ on a Bernina 380 as the best I could afford for a great basic machine (top of the 300 Bernina seires) and a Bernina 1300MDC serger. I am getting aquainted with my machines and am looking forward to expanding my horizons with them. I am especially ready to try the 1300 out doing quilt as you go on some rows I have designed a quilting motif for. I want to get the project done and once the rows are quilted it looks like I can piece and finish on the serger. just have to keep my quilting out of the seam allowance area.

I use my serger alot, and my embrodiery machine now and then. Between the two, I would vote for the serger if i had to choose. I can't imagine not having my serger. I actually have two.

So much to think about! Thank you all!!!!!!

Well, only because I have a Kenmore/Janome machine that has some fancy stitches and really does a great job and for almost a yr now I've had a Viking Ruby and love it so much. I use it all the time. My grandson and granddaughter are both getting presents from it this yr. I get so many free designs on line and then the others are very cheap because I get them all on sale. I take classes at my LQS so that I can keep on learning about my embroidery machine and not get bored. As far as hoop size, the only one that I have never used it the 4x4. My largest hoop is over 14 in long and then there is the endless hoop. This machine makes me very happy and the more I learn the more I want to learn. Now, I just bought the software which does cost alot (there is a basic organizer that is free with it) so now I can design my own and modify others and endless of things to do. I have a really old serger that I used to use and have been thinking about getting it out again to see if it even still works. I want one of the ones that does auto threadding of thread. Yes, a new serger is in my future, I'm getting back into making clothes and want to make doll clothes for my DGD and I also want to make quilts. I've already bought Nancy Zimmerman's book on quilting with a serger; it's pretty neat. Rather I make clothes, decor for my house, quilts, etc I can see having a reqular machine for when my Ruby is busy embroidering, which is alot. I will always now have an embroidery machine and want a serger and will use them all on a reqular bases. It's easy once you see what all people are using them for out there.

If you make bags or any item that might have an exposed seam - an overlock/serger gives the item a nice finish. It definitely takes away the 'home-made' look.

You can always pay someone to do a little embroidery - the serger would actually do more.