patdesign

I have and love the Brother Innovis 1250. I started on a Brother SE350, its limitation was that it only did a 4" hoop, and I really wanted the 5 x 7 capability. The Innovis was a bit more, but, and here is the big plus, There is a lot of free embroidery design out there and with this machine you can download the embroidery to a zip stick, and insert it in the machine. No additional software to purchase. With the capability of 5 x 7 you can produce larger embroidered quilt blocks. It works in a PES format and nearly everyone does their designs in PES even if they do it in other formats. I sold my 350 at almost the price I paid for it and am really glad I went for the bigger machine, I don't think I will go beyond this one since it is easy to use and has been trouble free. If you want the price and where I got it send me a pm.:)

Nanjun

Just be sure you get a large frame for embrody.

quiltnmore

Here is a Brother 1200 on ebay for another day, it starts out at $700. You might check it out if you have tried some machines out. It comes with some thread too!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Brother-Computer...item2c5c41b1be

hexagonquilter

With a 4x4 hoop are you stuck with only that size finish projects? Or can you use a large piece of fabric and just hoop the spot you want embroidered?

978gray

I got the brother prw 6800 last summer and I love it. It was my first new sewing machine in 43 years!

dreamboat

I got a viking rose 605 in 2000 and in 2004 I got a designer 2 by viking. I do embroidery on both machines.
They are good machines. Have not had any trouble with either one of them. I have done lots of embroidery on both machines. You can check some of my embroidery work out on some of my wall hangings at my webshots below.

TinkerQuilts

You can re-hoop to embroider more designs on a larger piece of fabric.

Shorebird

Depends on your budget.....The Viking Ruby is a wonderful machine as is the Designer Diamond. They are coming out wiht a new Diamond this summer, so there are deals on the Diamond now.

rwehavingfunyet

I have the Babylock Ellisimo and I love it -- large design and continuous design capability. It is a bit pricey, but my DH said I am worth it - LOL

JEM65

I have a Janome 10000MC that I got ten years ago for my 15th wedding anniversary. I still love it and use it all the time. They now sell the 11000 Special Edition that is just as wonderful. I have never had a problem in all this time with my machine just take it in to my dealer every year for a cleaning. Check eBay for these machines used at great prices.