mmc3673
Intermediate
Member since 10/16/10
Posts: 86 |
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Date: 5/10/11 11:11 AM I am very pleased with my little Brother SE-400 (sewing/emb. combo). It is a great intro machine for embroidery. However, I am currently experiencing exactaly what everyone on these forums warned me about. I thought I would be happy with the 4x4 area and I have been, however I am finding designs that I would love to do that are larger. So....in the future when I get another machine what would be a recommended size area? I know I would at least go up to a 5x7, however wonder if it might be worth the wait to go even bigger.
Other than "get as big as I can afford" can anyone offer me what sizes they use and if they have any regrets not going bigger? Honestly it can be a stand alone embroidery machine or another combo. I do know that it will be some time before I make this purchase and so models and options will change and so will prices so mainly I am concerned about hoop size at this point.
All imput is greatly appreciated. |
OBX
Advanced Beginner
NC USA
Member since 4/23/10
Posts: 148 |
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Date: 5/10/11 11:58 AM I did not feel the need to go bigger than a 5/7" hoop. I have no regrets. It really depends on what you like to embroider. I prefer smaller designs and have never felt limited with the 5/7". If you find yourself drawn to bigger projects as you are shopping for patterns, then you should wait. You probably already know what you want to do. |
ValerieJ
 
Advanced Beginner
PA USA
Member since 6/14/06
Posts: 537 |
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Date: 5/10/11 1:16 PM I have the Brother Duetta 4500D. The largest hoop is 10x8, 11x8, something like that. I have only used it a few times, and that was when I hooped a large piece of fabric and embroidered multiple smaller designs. It was just faster to move the hoop around than to keep rehooping. As OBX said, see what kinds of projects you want to do, and that will help you decide.
Worst case, if you ended up with a 5x7 hoop you could split larger designs if you really wanted to use them. More trouble than I'd want to go to, but that's certainly an option. |
GlButterfly
Intermediate
CA USA
Member since 8/28/08
Posts: 2388 |
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Date: 5/10/11 1:21 PM I'm one of the few who is quite satisfied with my 4" x 4" design area. If I want a larger desgin, I can combine them and even make a picture. It takes a little planning but is doable.
Some who have the 8" x 10" have said that one thing to keep in mind is that it takes a long time for those designs to stitch out and if you have a combo machine, you will not be able to use it for sewing during that time.
Since you are not in a hurry you have time to consider all design area sizes. ------
I have not yet begun to procrastinate |
roostergirl922
Advanced Beginner
USA
Member since 12/31/06
Posts: 9 |
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Date: 5/10/11 1:33 PM I bought the brother pe770 a year and a half ago with a 5X7 hoop and have been 100% happy with the size until recently. I just discovered 'in the hoop' projects and desperately want to make baby bibs in the hoop. However, 5X7 is too small. I'd need at least a 6X10, preferably bigger! So, it really does depend on what you want to do/make.
-- Edited on 5/10/11 1:33 PM -- |
mmc3673
Intermediate
Member since 10/16/10
Posts: 86 |
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Date: 5/10/11 2:24 PM Thanks for the input. Budget will probably dictate that I only go 5x7 since I can pick up a PE770 or PE700ii for a very reasonable price. I have been trying to notate which patterns I am really drawn to and the hoop size necessary to do the project. I just dont want to get a 5x7 and then want the 10x8...I can only con the hubby into letting me get so many machines before I have to return the favor and let him get another motorcycle or handgun  |
quiltingwolf
Advanced
MD USA
Member since 12/15/02
Posts: 4986 |
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In reply to mmc3673
Date: 5/10/11 3:32 PM I don't feel the need for bigger then 5 x 7 anything bigger just takes too long. Even some 5 X 7 designs can take 3 hours. Also just cos you have a bigger hoop there are stitch limits for machines for ex. the Janome 10001 the limit is 72K per design. And also anything with bigger hoops you are probably going up about $1,000 in price for a new machine. When the 11,000 came out before the addition of the quilting package. Even with trade in would have cos me another $4k for a bigger hoop and some minor upgrades it just wasn't worth it. You'd be happy with 5 x 7 and they are pretty reasonably priced. ------
quiltingwolf.blogspot.com |
mmc3673
Intermediate
Member since 10/16/10
Posts: 86 |
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Date: 5/10/11 4:46 PM Thanks a ton. I hadnt even considered the stitch limitation aspect of it all. Seems the majority is happy with a 5x7. The little man will be glad to hear that!  |
Doris W. in TN
Intermediate
TN USA
Member since 2/9/04
Posts: 6741 |
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In reply to mmc3673
Date: 5/10/11 5:23 PM Count me in with those who are quite content with 5 x 7 hoop size. My Bernina also has Mega-Hoop (long and narrow) which I have used a couple of times, but not many. I can not imagine anything I need to embroider that would be larger than 5 x 7. If I do, it can be re-hooped. I'm happy with what I have. |
newmama
Intermediate
SC USA
Member since 6/28/09
Posts: 367 |
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Date: 5/10/11 8:16 PM I have had my machine for almost a year and am still happy with having a 5x7. I use my machine mostly for applique and in-the-hoop projects. I make a lot of gifts as well as some items for sale.
While I've seen a few ITH items that require a bigger hoop and would be nice to make, none of them have wowed me enough to make me regret "only" having a 5x7. ------
angie
http://danikate-designs.blogspot.com/ |
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