Do you have an embroidery machine?

[southernbelle04]

Well much sooner than I expected, the hubby has given me the go on my very first embroidery machine!!!!! I've been wanting to learn embroidery for years now. I feel so blessed and can't wait to get started!

So.....I figure I'd ask advice from my fellow trusted YT seamstresses! Do you have a embroidery machine? What kind? Do you like it? What advice can you give? Tips, tricks?

What all do I need to sort of start out with?

I'm 99% sure I'm going to go for the Brother PE 770 machine. It's as nice as I can afford at this time and I have been told by local ladies to buy the best you can afford to start. I was first looking at one with only a 4x4" hoop but after much thought I knew I would be limited to what I could do. So I put off the idea of buying one to save some more. This new one I have picked out has a 5x7 hoop. I am 30 minutes away from a dealer. I'm going to purchase there so I can have that added help and service options if need be. Here is where I will purchase mine:

Ken's Sewing Center - FREE Shipping, 30-Day Money Back Guarantee, Financing, Since 1971

I was looking at thus basic starter kit they offer but I wasn't sure.
Ken's Sewing Center - FREE Shipping, 30-Day Money Back Guarantee, Financing, Since 1971

Also I know I want to learn to do fun appliqués from shops online like planet applique. So I think I will get one of these too:
Brother 4GB USB Media Stick at Ken's Sewing Center

Sorry to ask so many questions. I'm excited and wanting to learn all I can. I'm going in to the sewing center this week to talk to someone in there too.

[chattiesmom]

I am not familar with any of the models you have listed. I have a Singer XL1000. The machine does beautiful work, but I would not recommend a Singer because you are required to have a little "Converter" box before you can use any of the nifty software.

I would recommend that before you make such a significant purchase that you actually sit down and use the machine you are thinking about purchasing. It would be to your benefit if there was a dealer and/or repair shop within comfortable driving distance. You will probably have lots of questions and it's a good thing to have local resources to help you with answers.

[chattiesmom]

I forgot to say CONGRATULATIONS! I know you are very excited to get your new machine, but take your time and try to purchase a machine that you can upgrade with software and that will allow you to upgrade with larger hoops.

[horsnaround]

The one my mom bought is so much fun. And I just plug into the laptop and get designs. It is so easy. You can buy cards as well. It is not as fancy as the ones your looking at. But we can buy different hoops for it. I believe it came with the 5 by 7 I am just learning and I think it is very easy. It came with different letter fonts and 77 designs. Happy shopping I have to head out to work. But will be back tonight to hear what everyone else has

[MyDearSam]

Oh you lucky duck! I have been wanting a PE770 since they came out. My regular sewing machine is a Brother, and I don't think I would have anything else.

I can't give you any advice, since an embroidery machine is still on my wish list, but I can give you a link to a phenomenal website:

www.everythingsewing.net

The members are ahh-mazing. Everyone from the rank novice to sewing teachers and professional designers are always willing to help, offer suggestions, and generally cheer you on in your endeavors. There's even a Yorkie or two around!

[mperran1974]

I don't have any suggestions, just wanted to say Congrats Aymee. I can't wait to see your new machine and what you do with it.

[rubymoon2072]

i wish...someday! congrats aymee i cannot wait to see what you do with it.

[Lil Sis]

I have a designer one.... it is quite old. It uses the small disk. I have a converter program and a simple edit program...so I can down load from sites such as planet embroider, bunnycup etc. and convert to my program and edit (add names, change colors, sizes etc.).

I love my machine, but it is old and sometimes I have to "nurse" it along. When I first got it I had to buy embroidery packages, now you can download just what you want. I would love to have a better editing program and do my own designs .. not sure if it is worth it though

[Ldyrev1]

I agree with the YT'er who suggested sitting down at the machine in the store and taking it for a test drive. An excellent suggestion, that's what I did. You will love it and I also am excited to see what you design. Good luck and congrats! This is a big step!

I posted a picture of my sewing room once and in it you can see my wall of embroidery threads. I love embroidery!! I'm sure you will too.

[Lil Sis]

Originally Posted by Ldyrev1

I agree with the YT'er who suggested sitting down at the machine in the store and taking it for a test drive. An excellent suggestion, that's what I did. You will love it and I also am excited to see what you design. Good luck and congrats! This is a big step!

I posted a picture of my sewing room once and in it you can see my wall of embroidery threads. I love embroidery!! I'm sure you will too.

very good point

[southernbelle04]

Thanks for your feedback girls! I definitely want to sit down and test drive the machines like you guys suggested. I'm excited to go try them out. My grandmother has an old school one that takes the little cards too but I believe it's not working. I'm not sure if she's wanting to take it in for a repair or what. I did embroider on it once but that was my senior year of high school, over 10 years ago.

[kjc]

The reason I bought a Singer is that it does all formats... the Pe770 does 2. Check on Planet applique to see what compatible designs they offer. Also, my Singer came with all the software I would ever need. When I was pricing other machines, I would have had to spend an additional $1000.00 to get what came with my Singer. The built in designs are crap (most of them, lol) And 6 is just not enough fonts for me. My Singer can do any font I can find on my PC or the internet for that matter. There are some free programs you can download... I think one review mentioned they needed an editing software...

The model you picked comes with a free memory stick.

[chattiesmom]

Originally Posted by kjc

The reason I bought a Singer is that it does all formats... the Pe770 does 2. Check on Planet applique to see what compatible designs they offer. Also, my Singer came with all the software I would ever need. When I was pricing other machines, I would have had to spend an additional $1000.00 to get what came with my Singer. The built in designs are crap (most of them, lol) And 6 is just not enough fonts for me. My Singer can do any font I can find on my PC or the internet for that matter. There are some free programs you can download... I think one review mentioned they needed an editing software...

The model you picked comes with a free memory stick.

What model Singer do you have?

[southernbelle04]

I'll definitely check into the singers too!

[kjc]

Originally Posted by chattiesmom

What model Singer do you have?

I have 2 the SEQS 6000 and SEQS 6700.