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Janome 350 vs Brother pe770 vs Deco 340
alissew   Member since 7/20/12 Posts: 15	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/22/13 9:53 PM I want to buy a machine just to use for embroidery. The designs I want to stich out are approximately 2.5 inches by 12 inches; those would be for me to sell. I also would want to do other items for me like monograms etc. I have researched and decided my options are the Deco 340, the Janome 350 or the Brother pe770. I read somewhere that you can get a longer hoop that will fit all three and somehow you can sew out the 3 x 12 design I have in mind. Is this true? Is it difficult-something only a very experienced embroiderer would do? Is this possible on all three machines? If it's only possible on one than my decision will be easy! Is there a big difference in the quality of stitch out between these 3? What is the feature that will make me say" man I wish I had bought xxx instead!?" I hate buyers remorse!!!! Please save me from that dreaded disease!!!
maenad   Intermediate TX USA Member since 9/5/04 Posts: 9	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 1/22/13 10:02 PM I believe the Janome 350e and the Bernette Deco are basically the same. They have a few minor differences. I have a 350e and it has a 4 X 4 hoop and a 5 X 7 hoop. It does have a Gigahoop which is basically two of the 5 X 7 hoops, and you basically fool the machine into thinking it is sewing a 5 X 7 design. You have to split the design using software (most affordable choice is probably Embird). Getting the split design to line up is a bit of an issue. Some users are able to do this with some success, and some have trouble. If you are really looking to resell your designs, I would look for something with the hoop size you need to start with. That being said, I think the Janome 350e is one of the best starter embroidery machines out there.
alissew   Member since 7/20/12 Posts: 15	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/22/13 10:43 PM I was trying to stay under $1700- Is there a decent machine out there with a bigger hoop size in that price range?
PattiAnnJ   Advanced OH USA Member since 12/3/06 Posts: 4982	Login to reply to this post 2 members like this. Date: 1/23/13 0:18 AM Brother and Babylock are always my first choice. The dealer who takes the time to answer questions, demos the machine then lets me try, offer lessons and services what they sell is who I buy from.
sew2006 Advanced ON CANADA Member since 6/24/06 Posts: 1704	Login to reply to this post In reply to alissew << Like this post Date: 1/23/13 9:19 AM It all depends on the type of design. If you're embroidering a pillow case where a smaller motife repeats 4x to up 12" than the Brother/Babylock have a multi position hoop available. It works it stages, but the fabric is hooped for the entire process making matching easier. The design has to be split into 3 parts in order to sew it out. If you are thinking of doing a large scale lace design, where everything has to match perfectly only a few higher end models have a 12" hoop (where the machine can stitch out the entire area all in 1 top to bottom. The hoop it all company also makes multi position hoops, but you use sticky stabilizer to attach material. ------ Janome10001, Babylock ESG3, Brother ULT 2001, White 634D serger, Pfaff 1472, Singer featherweight, Singer 14T957Dc, Bernina FunLock 009DCC coverlock, Brother PQ1500S, Janome CP900.
schmammy   Intermediate TX USA Member since 12/5/06 Posts: 467	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/23/13 9:24 AM I started with the PE770, then bought a used Babylock Ellegante that came with all three upgrades. The last upgrade includes a hoop large enough to meet your needs. Recently I saw an Ellegante with upgrades on SewItsForSale, a Yahoo group, for $2000. If you even remotely think you will adore machine embroidery, I suggest you get the most machine features you can afford. Don't be afraid of pre-owned machines. Of my flock of eight, only three were purchased new. Four came from eBay (yes, I've been VERY lucky), and one, a BL 1550, from Craigslist. Best of luck to you on your quest! ------ Indecision may or may not be my problem. -Jimmy Buffet http://chihuahuaonmylap.blogspot.com/
Mrs.Moos   Intermediate CA USA Member since 11/5/02 Posts: 2340	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/23/13 10:22 AM To start with, I would get the Brother PE770. You can usually find it under 7 $700--Amazon has them for $589 new. You can get a 5"x12" repostional hoop and you would have to split your design. To split designs you would need software-Embrid can be had for apx $160-HERE is a video showing how to split a design. Brothers are good machines for the price. Their hoop mounting system is not my favorite bt for the money... ------ Brother ULT 2002D, Janome 6500P, Babylock Eclipse SX, Juki MO654DE, Janome Coverpro 1000CPX, Singer 15-91
alissew   Member since 7/20/12 Posts: 15	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/23/13 8:24 PM Schmammy, I am glad you mentioned second hand machines and ebay. My daughter suggested buying an older tol that does large embroidery. For a lot of reasons it would make sense, but, I was fearful about buying something used. I am now choosing between the Brother PE770 and a used higher end machine. I have recently seen used Pfaffs and Berninas and babylocks (some with software) for under my $1700 price mark. I may go crazy trying to figure THAT out!!! But they all have really large fields and mega and endless hoop possibilities.One other question- Does the software for Viking or Bernina or Babylock create embroideries that can be read by different machines?
Miss Fairchild   Advanced USA Member since 8/24/02 Posts: 6990	Login to reply to this post In reply to alissew << Like this post Date: 1/23/13 8:51 PM If I were in the market to buy another embroidery machine, I'd buy the Brother 770. I've heard through the grapevine that the Janomes are tempermental, however, I haven't heard anything about the Bernette. I've found more designs online in the PES format, which is Brother. I don't use editing software (can't bear the thought of another piece of computer software to learn...) but use the editing features in my current Brother machine. I like the multiposition hoop, and use it to decorate the edges of sheets and pillowcases. I can sew out a 3x12 design; I just move the hoop down a post when it's finished with one section, and down another for that 12" or so length. ------ "We don't impose our rhythm on Nature. The key is to respect and live within Her." Jean-Charles Boisset, Winemaker "And no, now that you asked, I didn't enjoy that play one bit, and I'd like a refund" Signed, Mrs. Lincoln My Etsy shop: auntmaymesattic My blog: auntmaymesattic.wordpress.com Avatar: First place award for jacket at county fair
Mrs.Moos   Intermediate CA USA Member since 11/5/02 Posts: 2340	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/23/13 11:17 PM I would stay away from the older machines unless they were Brother/Babylocks that take media other than the proprietary cards. The older Pfaffs Vikings etc are not the most used friendly and at the store I work at, we hear a lot of trouble trying to get media, updates and software that will work with them. I would go with that Pe770 ------ Brother ULT 2002D, Janome 6500P, Babylock Eclipse SX, Juki MO654DE, Janome Coverpro 1000CPX, Singer 15-91

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