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The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
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From: heartland
Date: 10-11-2006, 01:58 PM (1 of 15)
I am thinking about buying an embroidery machine. What are some of the things that you crafty people do with one, other than making quilt lables?  I have looked at a HV 955E. I talked to a Janome dealer who had no machines on hand to show me, but gave me info on the 300. Does anyone have any feedback on these machines, or others? Donna
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User: heartland
Member since: 05-23-2001 Total posts: 88 
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From: MaryW
Date: 10-11-2006, 06:01 PM (2 of 15)
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Do you think you would use it a lot for embroidering? What would you embroider? These answers might help with an answer. Hi Heartland, it's been a l-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-ong time. 
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: heartland
Date: 10-11-2006, 11:03 PM (3 of 15)
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Hey, Mary! Did you miss me? I got a job in a new quilt store.  Life is good! We have requests in the store for quilt lables. Leave it to me to think.....I could do that! I'm trying to decide what machine would be the best for me at this time. 
Donna
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User: heartland
Member since: 05-23-2001 Total posts: 88
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From: MaryW
Date: 10-12-2006, 10:09 AM (4 of 15)
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I think I am about the only one on this planet who doesn't have an embroidery machine. I know some of the other girls will respond with help.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: weezyrider
Date: 10-12-2006, 10:18 AM (5 of 15)
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The new thing is projects embroidered in the hoop. There are Xmas stockings, little gift bags, ornament covers. Also Free Standing Lace. Check out Secrets of Machine Emboidery or Embroidery Library for suggestions. Weezy 
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User: weezyrider
Member since: 08-19-2003 Total posts: 218 
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From: JustSewCrafty
Date: 10-12-2006, 10:28 AM (6 of 15)
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I have the Janome 300E and I love it. There are lots of good machines out there. I bought my machine to embroider shirts, hats, blankets and all kinds of stuff...and never once did I think about quilt labels. Thanks for the idea. hehee May your bobbin always be full-
Stephanie www.chasingthreads.blogspot.com "Sewing is the new black" |
User: JustSewCrafty
Member since: 10-04-2006 Total posts: 168 |
From: sweetpea1
Date: 10-12-2006, 11:02 AM (7 of 15)
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Donna, I had the Viking 950E and loved it. However, I upgraded recently to the Designer I USB because I like the flexibility of seeing and working with the designs on the machine's screen. However, my 950E was wonderful and I had reservations about trading it in. It was a great machine. By the way, the 955E is a great sewing machine as well as embroidery machine. I think its a good choice -- plus you get free lessons on how to use the machine to sew and embroider from your dealer. They have a wonderful trade up program too. As far as projects go, I'm made baby shower gifts with coordinating designs on fleece blankets, bibs and burp cloths. Also, satin pillows, used designs for quilting, designs on towels, monogramming on towels and totebags, pocket toppers on shirts, free-standing lace bookmarks, felt bookmarks, tiny lace ornaments that I made into earrings, wallhangings, decorated table linens, pillow cases, photo frames, and so on. Definitely check out http://www.emblibrary.com/el/elprojects/default.aspx for great project ideas. Also, as mentioned by another reply, Emblibrary.com is a great site for designs. Watch for their sales. Its the only way to buy. Here's a link to a couple of my projects. I only wish I had more posted. Enjoy whatever machine you decide on and keep those creative juices flowing. http://s84.photobucket.com/albums/k13/sweetpea1000/ SweetPea |
User: sweetpea1
Member since: 10-10-2005 Total posts: 56 |
From: mozeyrn
Date: 10-13-2006, 12:51 PM (8 of 15)
Mary, you're not alone in not owning an embroidery machine. Every time I think I have enough to get one something happens and the $$ goes elsewhere.  Every time I walk into a store that has embroidery machines (especially Viking and Janome) I feel like the Dalmation on a commercial salivating while looking at a little girl eating an ice cream cone! - Maureen.
Learning something new with every stitch!! Kenmore 16231000 |
User: mozeyrn
Member since: 11-29-2005 Total posts: 349 |
From: GreenDragonLady
Date: 10-13-2006, 06:30 PM (9 of 15)
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Quilts with embroidered blocks are neat (especially kids quilts). I have also quilted wallhanging with my embroidering machine using outline stitches. Freestanding lace things are beautiful too (bowls, christmas ornaments, etc)
photos.yahoo.com/greendragondesigns
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User: GreenDragonLady
Member since: 07-29-2004 Total posts: 495 
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From: Tom Land
Date: 10-13-2006, 11:41 PM (10 of 15)
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Donna, there are a lot of good embroidery machines out there. Shop around and don't buy until you've looked at everything in your area. Don't worry about brands or models you can't buy locally. I would caution not to let price dictate your choice. In most cases with the lower priced ones you will end up paying for a lot of accessories and regret not having the capabilities of slightly higher priced ones. (I don't mean you have to go to the top. Just don't go to the bottom). I would not buy anywhere that doesn't offer unlimited training and have on-site service. If the Janome dealer is just out of them that is one thing but if he doesn't stock it I would go somewhere else. Embroidery is a whole new world of stabilizers, threads, design placement, design digitizing and much more. You will want to make sure you'll get all the help you need. Most dealerships also have trade up policies where you can trade the machine back in within a year and get full credit towards another machine. That way you can start out with a less expensive machine and then trade up if you really get into it or realize you didn't get all the features you want. Have fun or don't do it, Tom
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User: Tom Land
Member since: 09-21-2005 Total posts: 514 |
From: ninifav
Date: 10-13-2006, 11:58 PM (11 of 15)
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Hi Donna, I will echo some of what is said..you don't want a lower end machine because you will quickly outgrow it...but the main thing is: dealer, dealer, dealer...find one that provides service to the machine and lessons...and a good attitude...even if it means having to drive just a little further up the road...I bought My viking Designer 1 about four years ago...and just bought a second one that was barely used (sometimes I need to sew while embroidering...or need two machines going when doing family/seasonal projects!!) I am going to upgrade one of them to the USB... Test drive your machines first...It is waay too much fun...good luck moseryn, you made me laugh...I know the feeling!!! |
User: ninifav
Member since: 09-06-2004 Total posts: 204 |
From: mozeyrn
Date: 10-14-2006, 09:59 PM (12 of 15)
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Now that I think about it, I think the dog on the commercial is a Great Dane not a dalmation.............but you get the idea.
- Maureen.
Learning something new with every stitch!! Kenmore 16231000 |
User: mozeyrn
Member since: 11-29-2005 Total posts: 349 |
From: mamadus
Date: 10-15-2006, 02:55 AM (13 of 15)
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hehehehe... funny commercial that one!!! as someone else said... do a lot of test driving... and definitely buy the most machine you can afford.... so many of us start out with the lower end machines with a 4x4 stitch field and within a very short time, we're wishing we had a bigger field... (ask me HOW I know this!!) so get the biggest stitch field you can afford from the start... and yes, your dealer can be a real help, or a real hindrance...many of us have a favorite brand, so when you ask what kind of machine to buy, you'll get at least a couple answers in favor of each different brand... test drive, both the sewing portion and the embroidery portion... find a machine you feel you can operate without feeling intimidated or fearful... and give a shout out for help when you need it... most of us are more than willing to answer questions about our hobby/addiction!! oh.. One other comment... try to find a machine that isn't going to require specific software and/or reader/writer boxes, if possible... it's nice to have the flexibility to be able to shop according to your own criteria and budget as opposed to being locked in... MO life is too short, not to explore
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User: mamadus
Member since: 12-31-2004 Total posts: 492 
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From: sewin4u2
Date: 11-02-2006, 04:15 PM (14 of 15)
| I have a Singer XL-6000. The endless bobbin feature is the best! I just love it! |
User: sewin4u2
Member since: 09-29-2006 Total posts: 2 |
From: lacicat
Date: 11-03-2006, 05:25 AM (15 of 15)
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Talk about being intimidated, I bought a used New Home (before the name became Janome)about 9 months ago and have not tried it yet. Everyone that knows me can't believe that. I wanted it so bad but now I need to get the courage up to try it. I am going to start with putting names on Christmas stockings. Every year I have a standing ornament order from 2 ladies (20 for one and 17 for the other). It has always been ceramic or wood but this year it's going to be fabric stockings with name and year embroidered. Any suggestions for carrying this out would be appreciated. Thanks. |
User: lacicat
Member since: 10-29-2006 Total posts: 7 |
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