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Embroidery Machine Looking for something simple and inexpensive
Sillymom   Intermediate WI Member since 4/15/07 Posts: 7	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 10/31/12 11:48 AM I am considering purchasing an embroidery machine, but all I would like to do with it is very simple embroidery, mostly monogramming - names, etc., so I don't want to spend a lot of money. It doesn't need to do regular sewing - I love my sewing machine. Any suggestions? ------ Perfectionism leads to procrastination which leads to paralysis...
PattiAnnJ   Advanced OH USA Member since 12/3/06 Posts: 4970	Login to reply to this post In reply to Sillymom << Like this post Date: 10/31/12 12:50 PM What is a lot of money? The least expensive embroidery machine is going to be around $500 and then you add in the additional software or be satisfied with the built-in fonts. The lower level embroidery machine may also limit the embroidery area to 4" X 4", which requires re-hooping for additional letters. For larger designs; software that splits the designs into two or more sections and re-hooping. There are hoops for these lower entry machines where the hoop can be moved instead of the fabric being re-hooped. Add in the stabilizer, machine embroidery thread (polyester if the garment will be in contact with chlorine bleach), machine embroidery bobbin thread (lighter weight than the top thread) and machine embroidery needles (designed to better feed thread at the high speed the machine runs during embroidering). There is no such thing as inexpensive machine embroidery. If you do not want to spend at least $1,000, then you may want to consider doing appliqued letters with your sewing machine.
Sillymom   Intermediate WI Member since 4/15/07 Posts: 7	Login to reply to this post In reply to PattiAnnJ << Like this post Date: 10/31/12 1:09 PM Thanks - I think deep down, I knew that - perhaps I'll stick to embroidering things by hand. ------ Perfectionism leads to procrastination which leads to paralysis...
schmammy   Intermediate TX USA Member since 12/5/06 Posts: 466	Login to reply to this post In reply to Sillymom << Like this post Date: 10/31/12 6:33 PM If you change your mind, look at the Brother PE770. It was my starter machine and is impressively versatile (4x4 and 5x7). Two years ago I paid about $700, but I think the price has come down some. You might luck into a used one. Many stabilizers are available on bolts (buy what you need) at the chain fabric stores, so you don't need to buy huge rolls of it if you will be a casual embroiderer. As for software, prices range from nearly free to crazy expensive. Most of the better brands offer a 30 day free trial. The one thing I would have done differently is to go ahead and buy the TOL software because I knew I was going to do this for a long time. I piddled away some money thinking I could do what I wanted to do with the lower end programs. Want a quick gift idea for the holidays? Buy a bunch of the fleece scarves at Old Navy for about $2, then monogram them! -- Edited on 10/31/12 6:53 PM -- ------ Indecision may or may not be my problem. -Jimmy Buffet http://chihuahuaonmylap.blogspot.com/
heathergwo Advanced Beginner CA USA Member since 11/14/11 Posts: 766	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 10/31/12 9:56 PM The other somewhat inexpensive embroidery machine is the Babylock Sophia 2 or its Brother twin the 950D. They might be just out of your budget range (not sure what you want to spend), but they are great little combo machines but max out at 4x4. ------ Brother Innovis 1250D Singer Curvy 8763 Brother 1034D Janome 385.19606 Brother 2340CV
Grandma52 Intermediate USA Member since 4/24/02 Posts: 132	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 10/31/12 10:13 PM Silly Mom, I have TONS of thread and stabilizer. TONS of thread! And I will share to help you defry the cost a little. If you decide to go for it PM me and we can chat. Grandma -- Edited on 10/31/12 10:15 PM -- ------ Janome 12,000 Bernina 1530 Elna Carina Elna 704
RipStitcher Intermediate Member since 5/28/12 Posts: 1401	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 10/31/12 10:24 PM I'm with Shmammy on this one... Go look at the Brother units on Amazon. A month ago, I bought a $350 SE440 (or was it SE400?) Brother on Amazon to see if I even liked doing embroidery at all. Never done it before. That little machine, for what it was... was AWESOME. One of the main questions you should ask yourself is how large of an embroidery area are you going to want/need? If you can live with a 4x4 design area, then even that little SE400 was great. Go with the PE700-whatever (can't remember the exact model numbers) if you think you want a 5x7. The 5.7 area is plenty for most things. :) In the end, I returned the SE400 because it didn't have a USB port for a thumb driver (aka: memory stick) even though on the Brother site it said it did. UPS picked the machine up at 5pm on Monday, and by Wednesday morning, I already had a credit on my debit card. (Love Amazon!) Just sayin'... it's worth tryin' one out if you don't want to spend a bunch o' money. :) ------ nightowlsally.com On my radar someday: Babylock Serger, and some machine for travel. My dearest wish is to have Bernina come out with a machine that doesn't give me a reason to *not* buy it. 2012: New Elna Lotus (mostly for granddaughter), Red Elna Press, Horizon 7700, Gidget 2 Table, Babylock Ellisimo Gold 1970's: Elna SU62 & ElnaPress
Sewmissy2   Advanced MO USA Member since 12/5/10 Posts: 94	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 11/1/12 10:19 AM The Baby Lock Sophia 2 has an optional repositionable hoop that would allow you to do split-hoop designs. It is 4x8 or so.. You just do one half of the lettering or design and then move the hoop down to the next set of pegs. It is a wonderful little machine for the money. You can definitely do names and things with built in fonts, but the best thing about the machine is that it has a usb port so that you can add lettering or designs from other sources. Maybe Santa will bring it to you?
LuceLu   Advanced Beginner NY USA Member since 8/4/06 Posts: 1385	Login to reply to this post In reply to Sewmissy2 << Like this post Date: 11/1/12 10:58 AM That Sophia is really adorable. And it is compact enough to take for classes and sew alongs. I almost bought one but decided to stick with my older generation Janome.
heathergwo Advanced Beginner CA USA Member since 11/14/11 Posts: 766	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 11/1/12 10:28 PM Yes, the Sophia is SUPER CUTE, lightweight and does a lot for it's compact size. I ended up going with the next step up (BL Ellure Plus/Brother 1250D) as I wanted to have the larger hoop ability, but that little Sophia was awfully tempting!! ------ Brother Innovis 1250D Singer Curvy 8763 Brother 1034D Janome 385.19606 Brother 2340CV

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