Nesie

After thinking about getting an embroidery machine I finally purchased one this week! I needed a relatively portable machine ( other than my Janome 6600 not portable lol) that would also sew. I bought the Brother 1750 D. I went to my dealers training class yesterday and I'm in love with the machine so far.
My question is this: The machine comes with only a 4x4 hoop, which I was aware of. It seems after talking to others that maybe I should consider embroidery only with a larger hoop. I really quilt mostly and so wanted the
Embroidery function for labels and small monograms only. (Not interested in quilting with it per se.) My dealer a!lows a no loss trade up if done within a reasonable amount of time.
Should I forget about the sew function?
Don't really have room for 3 machines.
Thanks! Sorry for the long post.

GEMRM

I would say to try out this machine right away with the items you want to use it for, to see if it will "do the job" for you. Then you can decide if you need more....also, as I'm not familiar with this machine, could you add additional larger hoops?

mermaid

could you add additional larger hoops?[/QUOTE

No. The hoop size is built in and pre-determined by the harp size. I have 4 computerized Brother machines and an older straight stitch only. All embroider, but I truly love sewing one them. One of my combo machines is attached repair right now ..I so hope it can be fixed.

Rhonda K

Another recommendation to trade up if you can. What projects do you want to do with your machine? Are you planning on taking the EMB to class? You may want to ask about project and design sizes for the classes. If you are interested in designs considered ITH (in-the-hoop) you will probably need a larger hoop.

I started with EMB only machine instead of a combo machine. I didn't want to change back and forth between features. Jumped into the Dream last year and it's really not so bad after all.

Macybaby

I have my straight stitch machine and serger, and find I rarely need to use my embroidery machine for anything other than emboridery. And when I do, it's not that big of a deal to convert it. The hard part is finding a large enough open space to put the embroidery arm (my machine has a large hoop).

I've found my favorite hoop is my 9x9. I can honestly say that I have yet to do any project that would have fit in a 4x4 hoop. I've not made any labels yet, I do them with permanent ink so far. Though I did make a purchase of super fine thread (60 wt) that was designed specifically for use with delicate or small work (IE small letters). I saw samples of the same work done this read and more "normal" weight and the letters were so much clearer.

I also believe in "buy once, cry once". Meaning stretch a little bit to start to get more, because it will only cost more money (and more crying) in the long run if you cheap out to start with ( and I do mean that -when you decide to go cheaper for cheaper's sake - not because you really can not spend more).

Nesie

Thanks everyone for your thoughtful replies.
I've taken your suggestions and am going to use this weekend to really give my machine a workout. We are expecting 6-12 in. of snow here NE PA so unless we lose power
I'll be busy! ( Don't think operating on a be stator will work well lol. ) My guess is that I will wind up trading up but who knows? I'll keep you posted.

toogie

Nesie, all my embroidery or sewing and embroidery have been the lower cost kind, meaning I didn’t want to spend the jump in price for a larger than 5x7 embroidery field. I love mine. I bought my first 4x4 BrotherSE seems like it was a 270D at Walmart for about $400. It only embroiders up to 4x4 field even if a larger hoop fits on it. It’s only programmed to read 4 x4 size. I wore my first one out but because I sold projects, it paid for itself, was able to buy another 4x4 Brother at Walmart again and still have spending money.-loI have a Brother SE425 now. SE means sew or embroider. I use it mainly for sewing my quilt tops or any other sewing, bc I purchased a Brother PE750D later.PE meaning it just does embroidery ( don’t know what the P is for, unless personal.) Anyway, while I loved my 4x4 I found I wanted to make ITH zipper bags so I got the 5x7 field. It does all I have wanted to do.
I mainly make for my family or my niece. She had a tour bus and still host for tour bus company. She plays games on long trips and I made prizes for her. She has 40-45 passengers and wants 2 gifts per passenger so I would make 80-90 gifts a trip. You see now why I could wear out a machine-lol
I am not complaining it wore out bc it serviced me well.
I didn’t want to spend high $$ until I found out if I really enjoyed it. I did is why I bought the 5x7 machine. I bought it used from a real, ‘little old lady’ that only embroidered crosses on bibs for christening. I paid $350 for it and have had it quite a few years now.
I would caution you about buying used though. Go and try it out. My hubs and I drove an hour and half one way for a machine listed in perfect condition. To look at it, it looks Ed perfect. However, I wanted to test it. It was knocking so bad, if it had been a car, my hubs would say motor was fixing to throw a rod.
I use to want a larger than 5x7 embroidery field but could never justify the cost. If money isn’t a concern for you and you find you love it, then I suggest at least move up to the 5x7 to start. Remember though, they usually only embroider. if you wanted a machine for sewing too then keep the one you have if it sews and embroiders.

QuiltMom2

I have a sewing/embroidery machine combo and to my shame I have never used the sewing part! My dealer once offered me an embroidery only machine and I turned it down, which was a mistake. I grow too soon old and too late smart.

Snooze2978

You might want to trade up to one that will give you at least a 5x7 or 8x8. I embroider all my labels and I use a 10x10 hoop as my labels go at the corner of my quilts so 2 sides get stitched when I stitch down the binding. I made a template on my Embird program so I know just how much space I have for wording, then I delete the outline as I don't need it afterwards.

4x4 restricts you more than you realize.

cashs_mom

I also suggest using it for a while. What you have may be all you want or need. I bought a Bernina years ago and paid a lot of money for the embroidery unit. It hasn't been out of the bag in 20 years. I discovered, I really didn't like the look of pre fab embroidery all that much so I don't use it.