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  1. #1
    BellasQuilts's Avatar BellasQuilts is offline Senior Member
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    Default Which embroidery machine is the best?

    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!
    Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.
    Maya Angelou

    ~Megan~

  2. #2
    grandmasieg's Avatar grandmasieg is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: Which embroidery machine is the best?

    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

  3. #3
    snowbird is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: Which embroidery machine is the best?

    Quote Originally Posted by BellasQuilts View Post
    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 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!

  4. #4
    Hulamoon's Avatar Hulamoon is online now Senior Member
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    Default Re: Which embroidery machine is the best?

    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?



    Lorie

  5. #5
    Genny's Avatar Genny is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: Which embroidery machine is the best?

    Quote Originally Posted by Hulamoon View Post
    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.
    TODAY IS A GOOD DAY...TO HAVE A GOOD DAY...Genny

  6. #6
    Alpha O's Avatar Alpha O is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: Which embroidery machine is the best?

    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.

  7. #7
    a1angiem's Avatar a1angiem is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: Which embroidery machine is the best?

    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

  8. #8
    momtutor's Avatar momtutor is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: Which embroidery machine is the best?

    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.
    Michele

    She who dies with the biggest fabric stash wins.....

    Life just seems to get in the way of quilting.

  9. #9
    Cathy F's Avatar Cathy F is online now Senior Member
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    Default Re: Which embroidery machine is the best?

    I have a Janome 350E and love it, a real work horse, and very user friendly.

  10. #10
    Claire Hallman's Avatar Claire Hallman is online now Senior Member
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    Default Re: Which embroidery machine is the best?

    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!

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