The "Which Embroidery Machine Should I Buy?" Thread

[hardkandi]

I’m looking into embroidery machines and I’m stuck. I’m looking for one that I can draw a very simple picture and have my machine stitch it out for me. Someone told me I would have to buy additional software for “seven fifty.” Now I thought she meant $7.50 but NO she meant $750.00!!! I wanted to die! Or laugh in her face…or both. Is this true?! Help me please!!

[stacysews]

there are less expensive versions out there.  It's been ages since I've kept up on this, but the first one that comes to mind is Embird (embrid.com).

[ghilie]

Ok!  So my dh bought me a Futura for Christmas, and yes, I know it's November!  I have had it for all of six hours and I like it. 

When I was looking for an embroidery machine I went to a shop and asked the people who worked there what they thought about the Futura.  They told me I would be throwing my money away and showed me a $3000 machine that threads itself, and ONLY does embroidery.  (For $3000, it better also do the dishes.)  So I ran into a lot of snobbery about sewing/embroidery machines.  But I got the Futura anyway, keeping my fingers crossed that it would be a good machine. 

So here's what I like about it:

1. Contrary to what I heard, it does have a zipper foot and a foot pedal.  Whew!  It also has a blind hem foot, which I like.  Never had one of those before.

2.  It has a lot of neat stitches already programmed into it.  As a sewing machine, I am quite pleased with it.  It has an automatic (not electronic) needle threader, which takes a bit to get used to, but once you do it's nice.

3.  I can convert anything into an embroidery pattern using the free auto punch software that comes with it.  I haven't actually embroidered anything using auto punch, I will include a picture when I do. I did, however, make a pattern for the claddaugh.  I will try that next time.

4.  I generally like Singers.  I have had Singers for the last 12 years and will probably continue to have them. I like the easy, drop in bobbin.

5.  Here's a picture of the sample, first time, getting to know you embroidery:

Not bad.

Something that annoys me is you gotta have your laptop plugged into the machine and your machine set up for embroidery before it will let you open the Futura software on your computer.  So no surfing the web in the spare time and transferring images to patterns.  poopie.

Now, if you are about to start an embroidery business, then no, go get yourself a $3000 machine.

If you are like me and just wanna embroider curse words and silly pictures, and your hubby wants to get you an expensive toy, go ahead!  I don't feel like I "threw my money away".

[owl be there]

thats cool --- you can make your own embroidery patterns out of pictures and it will sew it for you!?

[ghilie]

yes, I haven't tried it yet, but I have one ready to go.  I will post the picture as soon as it is done.

[frankandcathy]

Hi all. 

I am in the market for an embroidery machine and am super confused about what to look for. 

I understand that there will be big differences in machines depending upon price. 

What I can't figure out is: do ALL embroidery machines sew as well?  Are they all fully functional in that the plate height may be changed, needle position changed, button holes sewn, tension and stitch length adjusted, all different foot attachments may be used, etc? 

Also, I read somewhere that there is a software that you can buy to create your own custom designs of any size or shape but that it runs $1200.  I just can't believe that this is true.  Surely there must be a software cheaper than that.  And if so...will it work with any machine? 

I just can't figure it all out.  Please help. 

[SpottedFrog]

No, not all embroidery machines double as regular sewing machines, but many do.

If you do heavy duty sewing, many embroidery capable machines may be too delicate.

Some embroidery machines come with disks or set programmed designs & only their brand of stuff is useable in those machines (usually the less expensive ones). Most machines that have the flexibility of design require a program in your computer & either a hot wire connection or usb to travel the designs from computer to sewing machine.

Yes, most design programs are pretty pricey. Basicly they are a translator, from picture to machine language. They have come down considerably in the last ten years, but the lowest I've seen recently was $600 US for a design program.

If you do a lot of sewing or particularly heavy duty sewing (tote bags & such) you might prefer an embroidery only machine. This frees up a good deal of time as you can be sewing parts together while something else gets details as well as the time switching needles, threads etc.

The least expensive machines with embroidery bits added are pretty limited- look hard before spending the money.

[Shelichan]

I just got a Singer CE 100, and you can get software for it (or get the CE 200 which comes with it) for $200. I just got it tonight... Im going to exchange it for the CE 200 which has less complaints and comes with the software.

[smarmyclothes]

Yep, the CE-200 will allow you to create your own designs with the software that comes with it. It's also a "combination" machine which means that it's also a regular sewing machine, I'm not sure if that's something that's important to you.

[Yarn or Fabric]

I have a Janome 350e - which is just the newer version of the 300. I do love my machine and will be happy to help in any way I can!

Embird is the way to go - and when you do decide to get it, please get it from www.cara4webshoppin g.com - that is sewknitter's site - she's a great Craftster and she also discounts the cost of it as well.
She is fantastic to deal with...

Okay.  I sound like a sales pitch...

Also - there is a thread started to request a machine embroidery thread...
please pop in and voice your yeah! this would be fantastic!  There are a lot of Craftsters here that do have a machine but just don't share their works/joys/frustrations/questions/advice... and I would love to see it happen - but until the numbers look better it won't happen... hopefully we can spread the word and - word of mouth can go a long way even if it takes a long time!

http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=221955.0