rwbronco
Member since 11/26/12
Posts: 3 |
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Date: 11/26/12 11:45 AM Been lurking for a few months now and even came here first when I bought my wife the Brother HE-1. It's been great so far and haven't really had any issues out of it at all. Being limited to a certain number of designs or fonts wasn't an issue because I'm a graphic designer by trade so when she needs a name in a certain font or a certain design, I can whip one up in Illustrator or Photoshop and digitize it for her.
The thing is - it's Christmas time now and she's used it to make probably $2k-$3k worth of sales (stockings, aprons, etc) and I'd like to get her a nicer one.
I looked at the Brother PE770 and it seems like the next logical step - basically the same thing I have now but with a 5x7 area instead of the 4x4 area. What are some other suggestions? I suppose I could consider options in the $1k+ price range, but I don't want to spend more than I have to as most of the money she makes goes back into fabrics, materials, etc and she'll probably be initially upset if I spend too much on one for her.
So what are some logical upgrades for me? I need USB and I need the ability for her to use it sans-computer (spotted some that didn't have an LCD like a Singler sew/embroider combo) and I need a larger hoop like 5x7 at the smallest. Oh and I'd like to be able to order it. I know some brands like Babylock are brick and mortar only (if I'm not mistaken). |
quiltingwolf
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MD USA
Member since 12/15/02
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Date: 11/26/12 12:29 PM If you look down will see the the PE770 on sale at Amazon but you need to use a computer with it. I would suggest a Janome 350E probably around $1500. But a better machine and doesn't need to be hooked up to a computer to use it. I believe it uses a USB Stick.
Sorry was wrong about the computer hook up thing
Amazon
-- Edited on 11/26/12 12:31 PM -- ------
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rwbronco
Member since 11/26/12
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Date: 11/26/12 1:38 PM and it's fine if it CAN be hooked up to a computer... as a matter of fact I'd much prefer one that CAN be... but there was a Singer I saw that didn't have an LCD on it so it literally had to be hooked up to a computer as best I can guess. With me being able to literally do a custom embroider of anything and export it to a PES file and have the machine do it, PC connectivity is definitely something I need.
Looking at the PE770 with USB connectivity though it looks like it can pull them directly from a flash drive, which is nice. I keep the wife's PES files nice and organized on my PC but she's got a 16gb flash drive and could just basically store them all on there without having to get out the laptop to transfer them to the machine. |
quiltingwolf
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Date: 11/26/12 3:09 PM Well you might not want to store them all on a usb drive. If like other embroidery machines it may slow it down quit a lot (loading the design). They are usually meant for transfer not for storage. I think it's neat you share your wife's hobby/business. I still vote for the Janome though. I have the 10001 a now retired machine but they are made so well. They are worth the money. Especially if she's doing this for a business. ------
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Miss Fairchild
 
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Member since 8/24/02
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Date: 11/26/12 6:22 PM I highly respect Quilting Wolf's suggestions as she/he is very much into embroidery. I've been looking at the PE770, only as a pipe dream, if I ever want to upgrade from my PE150. Why am I staying with Brother? Because I won't have to convert formats from PES to whatever.
As to storage, I have a Brother PE-Basic external drive that I download designs from my computer to a card, which fits in my machine. I keep all my designs on my computer; not on the card. It's much easier for me that way. And being as the 770 uses a USB stick, which my computer has an outlet, that would be a much easier transition for me.
My suggestion would be to upgrade to the 770. You like the Brother product as you have it now, so why change? ------
"We don't impose our rhythm on Nature. The key is to respect and live within Her." Jean-Charles Boisset, Winemaker
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quiltingwolf
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In reply to Miss Fairchild <<
Date: 11/26/12 7:20 PM I'm very much a she Miss fairchild lol. Miss Fairchild does make a good point. And thank you for the compliment.
-- Edited on 11/26/12 7:21 PM -- ------
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RipStitcher
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Member since 5/28/12
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Date: 11/26/12 11:19 PM I just checked out the Brother PE770 on Amazon again....
And I think they've dropped the price on that one, too!
These prices seem to be much lower than they were just two months ago.
I don't know if you looked at this:
4 Hoop Set for PE770
That seems like a super good deal! (I basically paid $75 just to get the 5x7 hoop for my EG) ... I'd recommend getting those at the same time so you don't waste as much money on stabilizer. Having to hoop up the 5x7 when you only need a 4x4 (or smaller) will get really old, fast.
Both of these are Amazon Prime eligible - so if you don't already have a Prime account, you can get a 30 day trial to score not having to pay shipping on the machine and the hoops. :winkgrin:
I wound up keeping my Prime account after the trial - it's been a good value for me. ------
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2012: New Elna Lotus (mostly for granddaughter), Red Elna Press, Horizon 7700, Gidget 2 Table, Babylock Ellisimo Gold
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