Embroidery machine

[Cobern]

Hello everyone! I would love to get an embroidery machine and start making some items for my family for our trip in January. Problem is I know NOTHING about machines and every time I read reviews for every good review there is another bad one.

Basically I need to know what would be a good starter machine for embroidery? I don't feel like spending thousands of dollars on a machine but want something that can do a variety of things.

Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you!

 

[jgottlob]

Hi! I just got my first one for the very same reason! We are going in November. I got the Brother LB 6800 PRW; it sews and embroiders. There is a similar model that isn't Project Runway that is sometimes cheaper on Amazon. It is very user friendly and through YouTube videos, I have learned quickly.

One major drawback to this model is the limited size if the embroidery hoop. It is only 4x4, so your designs can be no larger than 3.9". I would suggest looking into a model with similar features but a larger embroidery area.

Once you get started, it's addicting! Everything that's not solid surface is being monogrammed, appliqués and embroidered!

Best of luck!

 

[Cobern]

Hi! I just got my first one for the very same reason! We are going in November. I got the Brother LB 6800 PRW; it sews and embroiders. There is a similar model that isn't Project Runway that is sometimes cheaper on Amazon. It is very user friendly and through YouTube videos, I have learned quickly.

One major drawback to this model is the limited size if the embroidery hoop. It is only 4x4, so your designs can be no larger than 3.9". I would suggest looking into a model with similar features but a larger embroidery area.

Once you get started, it's addicting! Everything that's not solid surface is being monogrammed, appliqués and embroidered!

Best of luck!

Thank you! I am leaning towards a brother just because it seems like that brand gets the best consistent reviews

 

[jgottlob]

My pleasure! Tat is the same reason I went with Brother. I don't know how much monogramming you want to do, but you should also look into monogramming software. I am currently considering Monogram It and Embird. It's all so overwhelming!

 

[Cobern]

My pleasure! Tat is the same reason I went with Brother. I don't know how much monogramming you want to do, but you should also look into monogramming software. I am currently considering Monogram It and Embird. It's all so overwhelming!

Not a whole lot of monogramming. I was mostly interested in appliqué. How hard was that for you to do? I have no sewing or embroidery knowledge so I am a clean slate.

 

[jgottlob]

If you applique using a design you purchased(froufrou by Heather Sue has fabulous ones, along with many, many designers, on etsy), it is idiot proof, providing that you the the orientation of your item being appliqued right. I have been practicing and twice started out with the design in the wrong direction.

You thread the machine, select the design, press start and it does a tacking stitch, which is like an outline. The machine stops itself and you then lay your fabric to be appliqued over the tacking stitch and press start. It then does a few more stitch types. If the design requires a thread change, the machine prompts you. If there are multiple elements, like the outline of a mouse head and the bow, it will complete each element separately.

The Brother machines stop at the end of each stage and you just have to know what to do. I watched a You Tube video on how to applique and it demonstrated everything very nicely. I really needed to see it in action! I think it was pretty short and helped me understand that there was a tacking stitch and some others before that final satin stitch that looks so nice.

I'm a novice embroiderer and a total beginner at sewing (we are talking straight seams only!) and I was amazed at how easy it was. My husband was looking over my shoulder today and said,"Wait,you just sit there and change thread or add material??" That's it!

 

[Cobern]

If you applique using a design you purchased(froufrou by Heather Sue has fabulous ones, along with many, many designers, on etsy), it is idiot proof, providing that you the the orientation of your item being appliqued right. I have been practicing and twice started out with the design in the wrong direction.

You thread the machine, select the design, press start and it does a tacking stitch, which is like an outline. The machine stops itself and you then lay your fabric to be appliqued over the tacking stitch and press start. It then does a few more stitch types. If the design requires a thread change, the machine prompts you. If there are multiple elements, like the outline of a mouse head and the bow, it will complete each element separately.

The Brother machines stop at the end of each stage and you just have to know what to do. I watched a You Tube video on how to applique and it demonstrated everything very nicely. I really needed to see it in action! I think it was pretty short and helped me understand that there was a tacking stitch and some others before that final satin stitch that looks so nice.

I'm a novice embroiderer and a total beginner at sewing (we are talking straight seams only!) and I was amazed at how easy it was. My husband was looking over my shoulder today and said,"Wait,you just sit there and change thread or add material??" That's it!

Thanks!!!

 

[sallij]

You are getting my very, very first post



I have a Brother SE400 and a Singer XL550. The Brother was easy to use straight out of the box, but is limited by a 4x4 hoop. I got the Singer for the 6x10 hoop. Unfortunately it isn't as intuitive as the Brother, but I've had it for awhile and we've managed to get through several projects together.


At this point, were I to get another machine it would be embroidery only. I will switch the Brother out to sew on occasion, but I typically use a separate machine to do it because of the hassle to switch. It's easy and really doesn't take that long, but since I have another machine I get lazy I HATE sewing on the Singer, so it just stays set for embroidery.

If you are going to do them, I highly suggest making sure you get them from a decent digitizer because some designs just don't stitch well. I'll be happy to recommend some of my favorites if you'd like to PM me.

I'd also suggest some practice! Happy stitching!

 

[cmdrutzler]

love my brother se400....very new to sewing and all but wow it is great! makes me look like a pro already!
happy sewing!!

 

[Cobern]

You are getting my very, very first post

I have a Brother SE400 and a Singer XL550. The Brother was easy to use straight out of the box, but is limited by a 4x4 hoop. I got the Singer for the 6x10 hoop. Unfortunately it isn't as intuitive as the Brother, but I've had it for awhile and we've managed to get through several projects together.

At this point, were I to get another machine it would be embroidery only. I will switch the Brother out to sew on occasion, but I typically use a separate machine to do it because of the hassle to switch. It's easy and really doesn't take that long, but since I have another machine I get lazy I HATE sewing on the Singer, so it just stays set for embroidery.

If you are going to do them, I highly suggest making sure you get them from a decent digitizer because some designs just don't stitch well. I'll be happy to recommend some of my favorites if you'd like to PM me.

I'd also suggest some practice! Happy stitching!

Well now I feel honored .

I am going to hold off for a few months and revisit it then. I guess I never realized how much space they would need and in our tiny home that is not going o work without a major furniture reorganization.

Is the singer really that bad for a beginner?