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My Bernina does simple embroidery with the free software, but I can't pay $900 for the paid version. Does anyone have a dedicated embroidery machine that is not too expensive that they like and what can you do with it?
All ideas, suggestions, etc. are welcome!
I have a Brother PE700II which is an embroidery only machine and I love it. I've had it for about 6 years. This summer I bought a used Brother ULT2003D which is embroidery/sewing and I love it also. The ULT has a bigger field (6x10) than the 700II (5x7). The ULT also can embroidery Disney designs. I've always had a Brother embroidery machine and started with the 270D which only had the 4x4 field. I can hook the 700II up to a computer or use my Ultimate Box and card to transfer designs. The only software I have is Letter Works III which I use a lot. It's good for not only doing lettering, but also editing designs and combining designs. You can get a Brother embroidery only machine with a 5x7 field for $500-700 and can buy them cheaper used if you can find a good deal on CL or Ebay.
Hugs!
Debbie
I believe no matter what embroidery machine (embroidery only or combo unit) without software you are limited. I suggest contacting your LQS as someone may have traded-in an editing program and you may be able to purchase for a much lower cost than new. Also, whatever editing program you purchase be certain it is compatible with your computer's OS. When I purchase the newest version of Palette a couple years ago, I ended up having to buy a new computer which I did not anticipate - chalked that up to another life's lessons learned!Quote:
Originally Posted by BellasQuilts
When I bought my babylock the software came with it as a special deal they were having. You might want to look for something like that. But I agree you can't get away from the software. Do you have many shops you can call to ask if they are having a deal like that?
I purchased a new Babylock Ellisimo Gold 6 months ago from a dealer and it didn't come with software. I just ordered the Edit N Stitch 2.0 from Amazing Designs for $200.00 and am anxious to receive it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hulamoon
Which Bernina and what do you want to do?
There are a couple of new softwares out, plus Embird for working with designs. Embrilliance is one.
Your Bernina will use EXP files, so any software should work. I use Babylock with Pfaff, and I helped a lady convert her cards from Brother (Bernette PES) to EXP when she upgraded to the Bernette USB embroidery machine. Did that with Babylock software. (She bought the cards, she had a right to the designs) and the dealer asked me to.
That Edit n Stitch is pretty good.. I've played with all those and they work at a decent price. Didn't know Babylock still had it. I have the old Customworks and Masterworks, and can compare. It's fairly intuitive.
If you want a larger hoop or more bells and whistles, that will be different. Test drive, then any machine you are comfortable is the best.
Sewforum run by Allbrands has a really good section on machine embroidery. It's free, just register, and you can read it and ask.
I have a Janome 350e and it's great. Has a 5x7 hoop and a 'do it in 2 steps' giga hoop. I just use Embird to see & print out designs - you just add the components you need and it's not too expensive. I bought 2 fonts to stitch in addition to what's included on the machine. Works great for me and I love it! Here's my overview video of the machine, plus samples of what I made, if you're interested. I have many more samples on my blog.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySMV7KGAkO8
Over the Kitchen Counter: Angie's Place for Cooking and Crafts: Embroidery
I have a small Brother HE 120 sewing embroidery combo, that can only do a 4 * 4 field. This was a great starter machine that read a card only. I felt like I was very limited to what I could do with it.
I just recently upgraded to a Laura Ashley because I wanted to be able to many other things with my machine.
While looking at new machines, I found many of the Brother machines that are available now are great starter machines.
My suggestion to a newbie with an embroidery machine would be:
1. Be able to use 4x4, and 5x7 fields as a minimum.
2. Try to get one that reads a card and either plugs into a computer or reads a USB stick.
3. One that has an easy to load bobbin with embroidery work still on the machine.
My suggestion is find a LQS that sells them and spend lots of time with them looking and trying out the machines they have.
have fun. Having a new machine is alot of fun.
Good Luck,
Megan
I just use my SEW What Pro software that I got from an on-line company to do my designs and then I load them to a USB or a card using a card reader and put them into either of of my machines. The software is not fancy but it can do a lot and it was not expensive. I have not had any problems with any of the designs I have purchased or downloaded working in my program.
I have a Janome 350E and love it, a real work horse, and very user friendly.
I have to agree with everyone about getting one that will work with a USB. I also think you would be much happier with the option of doing designs at least 5x7. I have a Brother that I am happy with, My friend has both a Jenome and Singer that she loves.
There is a free software called Wilcon Truesizer. I am not sure what all it can do but I have used it to change formats and enlarge designs. My [used from Craigslist] machine came with PEDesign lite which is not user friendly for this user at least but can be figured out to do a little merging.
There is lots of information re embroidery machines on www.sewforum.com that might help you with your decision. Have fun!
I have a Babylock Esante. I do however have to connect direct to my laptop to transfer designs, but that's not a problem.
I have hoops from 1" X 2" all the way to the 6" X 10". I love that versatility of 4 hoop sizes.
It is a beautiful machine to use.
For editing software, I use Sew What Pro ($65.00) and Sew Write ($40.00) from S&S Computing ( S & S Computing - Quality Affordable Software ).
The price is good and it is actually quite a powerful editing program.
I know there are bigger editing programs out there, but for me just starting out, this is working great. I can re-size, merge patterns, cut out parts of the design, rotate image and the list goes on. It's worth taking a peek at their site.
I could only spend $4,000 but really wanted to spend $12,000 on the Elisimo. Maybe later.
I have a Janome Memory Craft 9500 sewing/embroidery machine. I really love this machine and it has proven to be a workhorse. When I make things I tend to make them by the dozen. Sometimes my machine runs 8-10 hours a day. I have to download my designs onto a Flash Card and insert them into my machine, but once I learned to do this it's not been a problem at all. I wish I had a larger sewing field, but it came with a Giga hoop for large designs. I use the SewWhatPro64 ($65-see post above) and love it.
Hmmm, I have to/ look into these software programs to see what I'm missing! I don't have any but do quite a bit of projects on my machine.
I am very fortunate to have a really experienced embroidery machine gal at my local quilt shop who has the same machine as I do and she' a wealth of information and help when I need it. They even will split my patterns for me when I want to do one that's too large for my machine to do.
Thanks so much for all the great ideas! I will check them all out. Does anyone have a Bernina and do you use a non-Bernina software with it? That is really my issue. I want to be able to buy patterns and then embroider them using my Bernina, but the software is horrendously expensive. So, perhaps that is the better question: What non-Bernina software works with a Bernina?
Most software works with any machine. Most machines will take EXP. I have a 7 yr old Pfaff, and I can put almost any format in the machine (I usually use PES) and the machine converts it. I'm using Babylock software and it will save into every format but ART. So does the Viking/Pfaff 3-6D software. Go check out the Embird users. There is a dedicated forum on Yahoo (compusew with Jan) and Sewforum also has a lot of users. Most are very good about answering. I've also used the Brother PED software with the Pfaff.
The Bernettes used EXP. The machines were made by Janome for Bernina. The first small machines that Bernina had were made by Brother and used PES.
I have a Brothers 180D stand alone embroidery machine. I love it but I honestly wish I could occasionally make larger items since I am limited to 4x4. My size is perfect for quilt square centers, quilt labels, lace ornaments and other small projects.
The software can be pricy. I use Embrid and it costs $164 for basic which is plenty for me.
Main Features
I also needed a card and a box to transfer files from my computer to the embroidery machine (mine does not have a USB port). I have Amazing Box II but I bought it over 8 years ago. Here's what they offer now:
Little MAX with Card
Investing in an embroidery machine is not cheap. Between the machine, hardware and software you are at $1,000 and you do not have any designs, thread, stabilizer or bobbins. I love my machine and I have done so much with it that I have received my monies worth from. It is just not a cheap hobby.
I have a Viking Designer SE and did not buy the software. I bought Embird which is very affordable and it does everything I need. I think they have a free trial version that you can play around with for a few days to decide if you like it before you buy. It's limited but is enough for you to decide if you like it.