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The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
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retired in August 2007. It is being provided by
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From: Lackey
Date: 02-01-2007, 01:48 PM (1 of 20)
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I am a long time sewer. After sewing for many years, and not seeine a need for it, I broke down and bought a serger. I love it now that I have it. Well I am about ready to start embroidery. I would like to know if anyone can give me some guidance on chosing a home embroidery machine. I am a die-hard Singer fan and want to try their machine. I do want to purchase a reassonable (in expensive) machine. I will be learning how to use the machine and I need something that wouldn't break the bank, or my spirit, if I broke something. My second choice is the Brother270D. Any thoughts? Sandra 
Syd & JuJu's Nana
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User: Lackey
Member since: 01-19-2007 Total posts: 8 |
From: material_pakrat
Date: 02-01-2007, 04:04 PM (2 of 20)
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I am at the same stage as you - looking for an embroidery machine. But at the same time I would also like a new machine that I can quilt with. A freind has the "disney" Brother embroidery machine and she loves it. She has also just got the card writer, but I haven't heard any feedback on that yet. The main thing I have learnt - unless you are paying top dollar, don't buy a machine that says it can do too many things - ie, quilting, embroidery and normal sewing. Try and stick to a machine for the specific type of sewing. Hope others can help, as I will be following this thread closely (but I must admit I am a Janome girl.) Cheers, Soph.
I'm happiest when I am sewing! |
User: material_pakrat
Member since: 12-13-2006 Total posts: 220 |
From: paroper
Date: 02-01-2007, 04:44 PM (3 of 20)
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Singer is Tom's area...hopefully he'll respond. A lot of people like the Singer CE200 (I hope the letters are right). I don't know a lot about the Singer machines. If I were a quilter and I had the money I'd look at the Bernina 440 QEE as a starter or the Bernina 630 (like the hook system on the 630QEE). THey are middle of the line but great machines. Some people would tell you to look at Pfaff...I never really felt comfortable with my Pfaff machine...it was lovely but it didn't feel like it would take the torture I put a machine through. Brother machines certainly have a large following as do Babylock. If it were me, I'd make up some swatches of fabric in several packets and go hunting at all the local dealers. What do you need to know? Well, first you need to tell them what you plan to do with the machine and in what areas you plan to use it..embroidery,quilting, general sewing (what kind of sewing). Embroidery and quilting or embroidery and sewing are not such a big thing but if you plan to sew more than quilt or vice versa, there are special machines that speak to those needs particularly. Don't buy any machine the first time you see it...get quotes, make notes, compare to other machines. EVEN IF YOU ARE SURE, walk out the first time and get some air and compare compare compare! The salesmen are very good, their machines are awesome and it is easy to be talked into something....you need to clear your head before you make that final decision....even if you go back after drinking a cup of coffee and buy. You just need to make sure that you are not making the decision because of a good salesman, not because you'll love the machine. When you find your machine, you'll probably know it. It isn't necessarily a matter of price. It is a matter of it fitting your needs. Ask about service, is it inhouse? Ask about turn around time for cleaning (and add a week to what they tell you). One thing you might seriously want to think about is that most people want a larger stitch field than they purchase almost instantly. A 4X4 can be very limiting and many times you either cannot find designs you want at that size or you have to split them (not necessary easy, depending on the design). I would encourage you to at least consider a 5X7 stitch field. To save a little money, Brother and Janome both make good embroidery only machines that you can probably get for around $1000. The stitch field is a little larger and they are good machines. Many people find shortly after they get the embroidery machine that they would like to sew while they are embroidering. This affords you that at a reasonable cost and they have a decent stitch field. Once you buy a machine you will soon need some sort of software...leave room for that on your wish list. You'll also need quite a few thread colors and you'll need stabilizer and needles. You use a lot more needles in embroidery than general sewing (more stitches). You'll also go prowling for designs. Each company has its own format. The most common is PES because it is used by Brother and Babylock (related companies.) Good luck in this adventure. pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: lizzybugsmommy
Date: 02-01-2007, 11:04 PM (4 of 20)
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I spent the majority of the day at the Brother dealer. They said they are comming out with a embroidery only 5x7 field usb port in the next few months. It will be under 1,000. I have a se3 by simplicity, a Brother 270 d, and aPE150. I love my Brothers but....... They all have 4x4 stitch fields. I want a 5x7. I guess I have already picked out my next Christmas gift. As for the card writing I have the PED Basic purchased from Walmart for $150.00 or less. I love it I have every free design you can think of. I like the Brother because most of the free designs are in pes format I hate having to convert them even though there are free converters. I just dont have time to learn how to do it right now. Too busy sewing and embroidering. I eventually want to get a digitizing program so I can do my own art work. Right now I have to pay someone to do it for me. Shhh dont tell my husband. Anyway do what Paroper said about trying the machines out and then thinking on it. Do Not buy the first one you see. Also on the Disney machine you can not sell anything with Disney on it. You will also find you wont use the disney designs very much unless you are just addicted to Mickey moue.LOL Good luck and let us know what you decided. If you get the Brother I may be able to help if you get stuck anywhere. Catherine
http://www.photoworks.com/share/shareSignin.jsp?shareCode=A0E42A2C202&cp=ems_shr_a lb_pml&cb=PW Husbands gone fishing..... I've gone fabric shopping |
User: lizzybugsmommy
Member since: 05-20-2006 Total posts: 207 |
From: paroper
Date: 02-01-2007, 11:19 PM (5 of 20)
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Any machine that will directly download from the computer without special cards, or boxes rate higher on my list. Just under those are the machine that only use Flash drives for transfer...both of those are more up to date, least likely to be discontinued (anytime soon) types of transfer. My machine takes direct transfer, Flash drives, CD (with its own CD reader) and Artista Cards. I've never used the cards for transfer. The CD drive is very nice if you don't have a computer handy, but so is the flash drive. Some machines like the older Janome also take flash cards like you would use in a digital camera (mine does not take this.)
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: craftedbylouise
Date: 02-02-2007, 07:58 AM (6 of 20)
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Depending on how inexpensive you want to go, below are the 2 machine I was looking at before I broke down and decided I would be better off spending more money and getting a more updated machine. I spent $1200 (plus taxes) on the machine I ended up getting and now kinda feel like I am outgrowing this machine after only 7 weeks. The machines I looked at first are: Singer Futura CE-100 $496.77 Brother SE270D - $434.72 Both of these machines are at Walmart.com Louise Louise
Brother nv1000 since 12-15-06 http://craftedbylouise.hobby-site.com |
User: craftedbylouise
Member since: 12-25-2006 Total posts: 19 |
From: paroper
Date: 02-02-2007, 08:41 AM (7 of 20)
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I "think" that you can get the 5X7 Brother PE700 (soon to be Brother 750) for about 799 or so; if that is true, you'll find that you'll be much more satisfied with the embroidery field. $300 can be like a million, but that embroidery field can keep you satisfied a whole lot longer than the 4X4. I didn't realize those two machines were quite that high. Most people who compare the CE100 and 200 or move from the 100 to the 200 are happy that they went to the 200 (but if the 100 is $500, you may find the 200 closer to the price of the Brother). I've heard that the CE100 and I think the 200 also require that your machine be attached to the computer to work.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: Tom Land
Date: 02-02-2007, 09:57 AM (8 of 20)
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Be sure to check out the European brands. You will find their prices comparable to the far-east machines with a much higher quality. If I were looking at machines from the far-east Janome is the only one I would consider.
Have fun or don't do it, Tom
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User: Tom Land
Member since: 09-21-2005 Total posts: 514 |
From: paroper
Date: 02-02-2007, 01:00 PM (9 of 20)
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WARNING WARNING!! On another forum a contributor was told by her dealer that the 270 by Brother's threading cartridges have been discontinued!!! Check this out! If this is true, you sure don't want to buy a machine you can't get important parts for!!!!
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: Tom Land
Date: 02-02-2007, 08:13 PM (10 of 20)
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I hadn't heard that yet Pam but it wouldn't surprise me. Brother has a reputation of doing that with a lot of their products not just sewing machines. I don't know many dealers that will work on the 270 anyway. Louise be sure to check with your local Singer dealer to make sure they will service a machine bought on line. I can't remember a Singer dealer in Englewood (sales tax is so high that everyone was moving out) but I think there was one in Littleton.
Have fun or don't do it, Tom
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User: Tom Land
Member since: 09-21-2005 Total posts: 514 |
From: paroper
Date: 02-02-2007, 08:20 PM (11 of 20)
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It's sad that so many beautiful places are being taken by the "newbies" and the old time families just can't afford to stay. They keep talking about putting an interstate connection in our area. You know that the farms are the ones that will be taken because you know they won't take out new housing additions. Many of us have had the farms in the family since statehood or near to it. Many dealers won't work on machines purchased online. Some won't even work on machines purchased at Wal Mart or other "big box stores". pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: SandyGirl
Date: 02-06-2007, 10:00 AM (12 of 20)
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Check out the Feb Sew News magazine. They have a matrix of features for over 20 sew/embroidery home machines. A nice, quick way to "compare" them on paper. Talk to people who use the machines, etc. Give them a test drive at dealers. Then, go with your gut! I did, and did not regret it! sandy |
User: SandyGirl
Member since: 09-16-2005 Total posts: 97 |
From: Lackey
Date: 02-06-2007, 03:46 PM (13 of 20)
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Thanks all, for the guidance and updates. I have a great client base for my sewing, but just want to try another phase of the creative process. I am going to go out and do some comparison shopping. You guys are great. Sandra Syd & JuJu's Nana
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User: Lackey
Member since: 01-19-2007 Total posts: 8 |
From: SandyGirl
Date: 02-07-2007, 06:34 AM (14 of 20)
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I have a Janome 9700 sew/embroid machine and LOVE IT!!. I use the Customizer ..I know, it (Customizer) is a pain to learn but once you do, it is pretty easy. Their instruction manual is not that great. I found a mentor on one of the other forums who helped me with the program. I have not felt the need to get Digitizer. There are millions of designs on the internet,etc so I dont' see why I need to digitize my own. I merge designs and use the lettering program for what I need. good luck in your search! sandy |
User: SandyGirl
Member since: 09-16-2005 Total posts: 97 |
From: Collies
Date: 03-03-2007, 02:45 PM (15 of 20)
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I have a Janome 300E embroidery machine and love it. It takes compact flash cards in an adapter. It has just been replaced by the 350E which has a USB port so accepts flash drives / memory sticks. I also have Customiser for merging designs and adding text, the freebies from the net I convert with either Wilcom Truesizer or Tajima Ambassador ( both are FREE )  Hope you get sorted soon, one of the main things to do is test drive the machines and make sure your happy with it BEFORE buying.  Collies |
User: Collies
Member since: 03-03-2007 Total posts: 5 |
From: lady_bug_41144
Date: 03-15-2007, 02:29 PM (16 of 20)
| Eventhough the cartridges may be getting discontinued, it still uses the thread spool and you can use larger spools on it. |
User: lady_bug_41144
Member since: 03-15-2007 Total posts: 4 |
From: bobbinchick
Date: 03-22-2007, 12:34 PM (17 of 20)
 When I first got my machine . I had to save quite awhile for it. A couple of years ago I got a Simplicity Se 3. I love it, but it is a stand alone embroidery machine and I bought it from Allbrands. Piad under $500.00 for it. It has a 4x4 stitch field. I wanted a larger stitch field and decorative stitches in a machine. Last Christmas I got a real nice Baby Lock Esante Ese 2, It has bells and whistles that I never knew a machine could have. . Sooooo now I have my serger, my singer machie that I've had for years and two embroidery machines. I love the 5x7 stitch field and all the features the machine has. Tons of decorative stitches. Next after you decide on a machine, you will want a reader/writer box so you can purchase or download free designs from the net. I have the Ultimate Box. I've had as many as 40 designs on a card. I think it is great. Both of the machines do have some built in designs. But I do have a lot of designs from the EL site. www.emblibrary.com Good luck with what ever you decide to get. huggies, Fay
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User: bobbinchick
Member since: 03-22-2007 Total posts: 11 |
From: paroper
Date: 03-22-2007, 01:03 PM (18 of 20)
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Be sure and check out the need for a read/writer box for your machine. If you do not have extra embroidery cards from another company laying around the house, you won't need to convert those, so that won't be a factor. Many machines do not need a box to get the information to your machine. Just do a little research before you buy it is expensive and you may not need it...also, if you check out the prices of R/W boxes, you can "mentally" deduct those prices from the price of your machine if you don't need one, and add it the price of a machine that does...it is a very important part of the machine purchase if that is how you get your designs to the machine from the internet. The options can be a USB card, flash drive, special design card/box, flash card, CD reader...there are several ways that can be used by the machine, depending upon the company/machine you choose. pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: lendube
Date: 03-22-2007, 02:06 PM (19 of 20)
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Just FYI~ My machine, Viking #1+ was originally about $5000.00 (I got it almost new, cheap, from a friend). I then discovered that I needed the software and reader/writer box to do designs. Many came with the machine on a changable card but to get designs online, make up my own and do editing, etc. I had to have the software setup. Now since I got my machine so cheap ($500.00) I didn't mind spending the $700.00 for the software, etc. Had I just spent $5000.00 and then needed to spend an additional $700.00 I would have been a little p.o.'d.  Just be sure to ask a lot of questions to get the whole picture (so to speak  ). Lennie |
User: lendube
Member since: 08-06-2006 Total posts: 1548 |
From: weezyrider
Date: 03-23-2007, 08:49 AM (20 of 20)
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Like Lendlube, I had the 1+. It is a nice machine, but I missed the Pfaff stitches, so got a 2144 upgraded to a 2170. The machine uses a special USB card to transfer from the pc. You change formats in the software. I had the VIP Suite, and since Viking and Pfaff merged, the software is usable. I also have an Brother 6500 that I bought used. I wouldn't buy a Disney machine as I don't like Disney's marketing practices for anything, My friend has the older Brother 150 that only sews 4X4 but it works well and she likes it. I think the more features that are added and the more manufacturers try to "goof-proof", the more trouble you can have with the machine. Weezy 
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User: weezyrider
Member since: 08-19-2003 Total posts: 218 
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