Help me find a New machine

[Illiamdra]

So i have been looking up and pricing different embroidery Machines. Though i have never used or even seen how to use a machine to embroider (im kinda old school) so i have no idea what to look for in a good one. Have saved up a good chunk of money and i have kinda been leaning towards the Singer Futura CE-250  the 150 is almost the same but it doesn't come wit the software that lets me turn clip art into patterns so i can't add my own unless i get that extra software, the 250 comes with it. however the best price i can find on it is 650 any one have any advice on another machine that will allow me to add my own designs to the patterns?

[amarok]

just get any machine you want (there are millions of threads on that subject here, you can use the Search-feature) and then get a free digitizing software from the internet. you can google "free embroidery software" and get going. that is something you can use the search feature on this forum also.

[Fildrigar]

Quoting myself from the giant thread stickied at the top of the forum:

It is very much worth going into a local sewing machine dealer and talking with them. Many of them have special deals and such. If you're trying to keep the costs low, you do have several options:

1 ) Buy a used machine. Many sewing machine dealers get used machines in, have their service department refurbish them and then re-sell them for a much lower price than new. Quite often they come with a 30-90 day guarantee, in case anything goes wrong.

2 ) Buy a new, but low end starting machine. Many sewing machine dealers will offer you 100% of the price you paid on a machine ( not the extra things that you buy, just the machine ) on a trade in within one year. As an example, a Babylock Sofia 2 costs around 800$. Just shy of a year later, you could trade it in on an Ellure Plus ( usually around 1500$ ) and only have to pay 700$. Then, a year later ( assuming you're still loving machine embroidery ) you could step up another step, and before you know it you're at the top of the line machine. ( The Ellisimo, which is a fantasic ( and fantastically expensive ) machine. )

You really shouldn't consider buying online, even if it will save you a few bucks. ( Unless you know EXACTLY what you're doing, and aren't going to need help figuring out your machine. ) With a local shop, you can always get help. ( My local sewing machine dealer offers free one-on-one training with your machine for as long as you own it. I'd like to see ebay offer that... )

Going to a local sewing shop will also allow you to try out several machines and really see the differences between them.

[Sky is the limit]

I'm also looking for a new machine and was looking at the Singer Futura CE-250. Does anybody know if it's worth the purchase?