I need help choosing a machine. My main goal is to monogram the kids clothes and bags, so I was thinking the Brother pe500, but it only comes with a 4x4 hoop and I've got friends saying I'll want bigger than that.

Ask the dealer about their trade in or demo machines. You'll be able to get a bigger machine for less money. With so many home and quilt shows going on now there will be lots of demos.

The Brother 770 is very good. It also can take a repositionable hoop for longer designs. 12" x 5"
Love doing edges on pillowslips with that hoop.
If I was to start out again. I would wait and buy a machine with a bigger screen and one that could combine designs.
At least I now have my Embrilliance software (you buy it in packages or all at once in Aus). It is fabulous and much cheaper than other brands and suits the Brother machines well. It is a USA company.

I am glad you have decided on a machine. Looking forward to seeing what you do with it. Don't forget to post in Projects.
Also if you Google your machine there are You Tubes showing you things you can do with it.

I sent you a pm (message). Look at the top and click on your inbox to read and reply.

I have a SE400 and I love it. Actually it's my 2nd - having literally worn out the 1st. For the price could replace it 3 times for the cost of a more advanced machine. The built in software allows for some adjustments. Highly recommend it.

My advice would be to NOT buy a machine without at least a 5x7 hoop, and a machine that is embroidery only is usually much cheaper than a combo sewing/embroidery machine. This I learned from experience!! Good luck with your purchase, and embroidery adventure!!
Hugs, Angel

1 comment

by bevintex 29 Feb 2016

lots of designs won't fit the 4x4 hoop, most start at 5x7 and get larger from there

I've all but settled on the Brother se400. I'm looking at paying approximately $275 USD for this machine. It starts with a 4x4 but it has a 6 3/4 x 4 hoop that you can buy to go with it.

If I wanted to do a larger pattern, could I not just adjust the location of the hoop on the fabric to add more letters?

I've literally never done this before, but my goal is to put monograms on my kids clothes and school stuff if possible.

To answer a few questions, I'm located in the southeast United States. I've looked at sewing/embroidery combination machines mostly. I am literally looking for the most affordable option that has a usb port to link to the computer, has fonts installed on the machine, and has the automatic winding and threading.

2 comments

by spendlove 29 Feb 2016

You can indeed reposition the hoop to add more letters.
Good luck and enjoy your machine. Don't forget to show us what you have made! Also, have a good look through the projects section to see all of the things which are possible!

by baydreamer 29 Feb 2016

I would check it may be like a mega hoop where you have to flip the hoop to due the embroidery. You still would not be able to due anything larger that a 4x4 design.

That was my original idea but I soon discovered that in order to do full names on towels the 5 x 7 hoop was a better way to go. I bought my janome 350 used and it has been great. It gave me a very good start to embroidery and was much more affordable. I even bought a bulk lot of new threads for less than $1 a spool on our local gumtree. I can do names on towels for gifts for when kids go to birthday parties. Most kids usually beg their parents to use them that night! Names bigger that 5 or 6 letters would end up too small of fiddly to do with the 4 x 4 hoops.
Research lots and look for a good bargain used to keep your costs down. You will love it. If you can get 5 x 7 it will give you room to grow and learn loads

1 comment

by katydid 28 Feb 2016

I agree!

Also, don't let a dealer persuade you that you can't use the machine without special (expensive) software. They are just trying to get more of your money! You may buy software at a later date if you want to get more complicated.

Start shopping , but don't buy the first thing you see. Find out what dealers are close to you as they are a God send. Never buy a machine that has to be mailed in for repairs. Too costly!! Look at dealers trade- in's verses their new machines and buy a machine with a larger hoop than a 4x4. By all means buy an embroidery software. many dealers sell their own brand of soft ware. if you see something that you are interested in , by all means ask us cuties to give an opinion as we are so many , that surly some one has had experience with that machine. Good luck, Kay

I still have my original machine but every day I wish I could do larger designs. You may want to look around for a previously owned machine. Some people buy machines and don't enjoy doing embroidery. A dealer is important but so is a quality machine. I hate to put this in writing but I've had my Baby Lock Ellure for 15 years and it still works great. It takes a 4x4 and a 5x7 and you can get a larger hoop that will stitch up to 5x10 but you need software to split the designs to fit that hoop. You can spend a fortune on this hobby but I also know people who only buy 1 set of threads from one company in their most popular colors and only use those thread colors. Start out a set of thread from one company that has a range of colors and learn how to do the embroidery well. Once you are doing well stitching embroidery, maybe you can sell some finished items and start saving for your next machine and more colors. Don't overfill you home with embroidery 'stuff' because it discourages you from doing any stitching. jane

Also, you will want a software program for doing fancy fonts in. Most machines come with 3-4 fonts built in and they are not pretty in all 3 sizes offered. (Voice of experience.) I started with Monogram Wizard and have now moved over to using mostly Floriani Total Control Universe. Mono Wizard will cover you for several years!

You don't say what country you are from. I just looked the machine up and it was on sale at Walmart for around $300 but now deleted but the next model which has a 5x7 hoop is around the $600.
I started off with the Janome 300E (still works great) but found myself wishing for bigger hoops fast.
Buy what you feel comfortable with price wise. Try as many different brands in your price range as you can.
Main thing is to get one you feel relaxed using and have fun doing it.

also consider added expenses besides the machine, you will need assorted thread and stabilizers, and how will you transfer your designs from computer to your machine.
Compatible hardware and/or embroidery software that can read the designs FROM the computer and transfer them TO your embroidery machine.
These may include, but are not limited to, the capability to use serial or USB cable connections, a memory stick device, or a reader/writer box such as the Magic Box or Amazing Box
the 4x4 designs are really small and if you get a machine with a 5x7 hoop then you can do both sizes,if you can afford the larger hoop you will be much happier, Look at the brother PE770

I do not know about other machines except Bernina. My first machine only had a 4x4. I now have a 5x7 - fantastic

1 comment

by katydid 27 Feb 2016

I am a Bernina girl, too. They have come out with so many new models that one could pickup a trade in at a dealer with a 5x7 or 6x10 hoop. Go to Bernina website and search for dealer locations. instead of buying a monogram program buy the software program and them you can buy fonts from the internet and make your own monograms. You do need software to do this. Do choose a machine that that will accept an USB stick to transfer designs. Start shopping!! Kay

I agree with dragonflyer that dealer support is very important. Check out dealers that are close to you, go talk to them and try their machines. There are always people turning in their machines when moving up a model, and you might find a good deal there. And at least a 5x7 if you can.
Jo

1 comment

by graceandham 27 Feb 2016

Totally agree. If you buy from Wal-Mart, you may not be able to find a dealer who will support and repair your machine. They claim they're not trained on that "cheap" one. Mostly, they're mad you want their help now but didn't trust them to guide you to a good used or new machine that they would support! My dealer gives 10% off software, thread, tools, fabric FOREVER for buying the machine from him. And free classes or only a charge to cover supplies, FOREVER. This is a huge value.

Don't forget Ebay. Pay with Pay Pal. Then you have Ebay and Pay Pal protection. Only check vendors with 98-100 positive feedback.

I got mine there in 1999 and it is still going.

SQ

2 comments

by katydid 27 Feb 2016

Good idea for Pay Pal. Kay

by derry 28 Feb 2016

I've had Babylock sewing and serger machine for years, love them. I bought my first Babylock "Esante" from Ebay for about $600, 7 years ago. Came with 2x3, 4x4 and 5x7. Loved it, still do. I bought a babylock Ellageo ESG3 with hoop up to 6x10. Both machines still going strong. Fortunately I do have a local dealer/repair. Some sellers will include many extras...designs, software, I even got a giant hoop attachment "Giga Hoop" I think, with table extender. With Paypal and/or your credit card you do have pretty good customer service. Ditto on the 98 to 100 positive feedback.

Welcome, first 4x4 hoop you will not be happy ! Get a machine you can afford , I have only purchased my machines used, and have been very happy. The Jamone 350E is a great machine it was my first, I had to drive 5 hours to get it , but it was well worth the drive.! I love that machine , and since I already had a sewing machine I wanted a embroidery only machine. I believe it has been discontinued, so there maybe deals on that machine when purchasing it new. Contact a dealer, they may have a floor model for sale!
Look on sites like Craig's list, here where I am it's Kijiji . If you have a store near you go in and ask about trade in's or let them know that is what you are interested in .
Good Luck start saving because once you have the machine, you will want every design you see... even if it's just to look at!

If you want an embroidery machine only take a look at the Janome 500E.
It has four hoops (5X5- 7.5X11) and for the money you can't beat it. I read all the reviews before upgrading and really glad I did. I got a lot of help from postings on this group.
Hope this helps.
Doreen in Canada

Hi and big Welcome...you will find lots of friendly and knowledgeable Cuties here...all very willing and able to help! I agree with Spendlove...get a machine with the largest hoops you can afford...I am a BabyLock fan...and make sure you have good support from your dealer...that is a key factor...before you purchase, make sure you do your homework! You can always ask Cuties here about the machine(s) you are considering as many might already have the make and model you are looking at...

Welcome. This is a good place to begin because this group talks about designs, machines, freebies, problems & and any question asked will be answered by many! and you are never alone.

Welcome to Cute and the world of machine embroidery!
Your friends are right! Go for the machine with the biggest hoop you can afford.
All modern machines are very easy to use, but there are important factors to consider before you decide on which make to go for. The most important is how accessible your dealer is. There will be times when you need them!
I'll leave it at that because there are lots of people who will want to advise you! Of course we will all try to steer you towards our own favourite brand - mine is Janome!

3 comments

by Hrmcginness 27 Feb 2016

What is the beginner Janome? I'll look it up!

by spendlove 27 Feb 2016

Embroidery only is 350E at the moment although the 500E has just come out. Do you want a sewing and embroidery machine?

by pennyhal2 27 Feb 2016

Welcome to Cuties! I never thought I'd do anything but monograms, but I found out that I loved doing embroidery and got hooked. There is no reason to spend more money than you can afford. There are a lot of embroidery designs out there that are for the 4in hoop. But, I agree that buying a machine that has bigger size hoop will serve you well in the long run.You also have to consider that you are going to have to buy embroidery thread and stabilizers, both of which are expensive. You can get a lot of designs that are free and look for sales on websites that you like.

I don't know the machine that you are interested in, but you'll want to know how to get the designs you get from the internet from your computer to the machine. It appears to me that you have to send the design directly from your computer via a cable from your laptop. Newer machines may use a USB drive. While this machine has built in fonts, I'd check to see if you can resize them directly on the machine, or if you are going to need software for your computer to resize, rotate, edit designs.