I have always had Brother Sewing and Embroidery Machines. I trust them, but now I want to upgrade to a model that has a larger embroidery field. It's so frustrating because I can't make an informed decision because Brother doesn't allow their Dealers to post prices on the more advanced models. My nearest Brother dealer is over an hour ride away. I just can't take an hour trip to find out that nothing falls within my budget, and then drive the hour home.

I was brave and today bought a Janome Memory Craft 500E with 3 hoops (largest 200x280 mm). In comparison to my Brother Super galaxie 3000 the Janome has so many fantastic features. It is silent and gives lots of comfort. Also it has a very reasonable price in comparison to my Brother and 5 years guarantee. I also asked the Cuties here for their opinion. If you want to read go to embroidery and you find a conversation thread under "grossfamilie" just from yesterday and today. Looking forward to receiving my second and big embroidery machine and so happy. Wishing you much success with your project - Hugs Maria

3 comments

by grossfamilie 12 Jan 2017

It should not be a problem to convert. If you have order history at Embroidery Library or Urban for example you can go there and just click to your other format and redownload. Also I have a conversion programme which does it easily in an instant. Good luck!

by waterlily 12 Jan 2017

Thanks so much! I will look up the conversation and see what I can learn. I was looking into Janome machines as well, but I didn't know much about them.

by Patricia109 15 Jan 2017

Waterlily, with a Janome machine you need to buy the Janome software. With the brother, you can use any software which makes it so you are not stuck buying a more expensive software.
The reason you NEED the Janome software is some files, even when downloaded as a Janome file (can't recall the extension) need to be saved in that software to run.
Learnt this in class with other ladies having heaps of problems.
I love my Brother and will not be swapping brands for nuts. If I had been shown a Brother machine properly in the 1990s instead of being told how marvellous it was to embroider Disney stuff, I would have bought one then.
I am even saving to replace my sewing machine with a new Brother. And if I can afford it a Brother embroidery machine with a bigger screen. Do not like the little screen I have to work with now.

Changing formats is easy if you have a program to do so. Most Vikings will change the format (or read a pes) for you. The newer pes ones they will NOT do! :-( That said, I have 2 Vikings I like a lot...however, they were both made in Sweden and I'm not too sure about the newer models. I used to always tell people to buy Viking, but I'm afraid to now after reading problems people have had. Of course, I'm reading problems with all machines! Pick a dealer close to you & gives good service!! Can you call your Brother Dealer & have them give you a price over the phone??

1 comment

by waterlily 12 Jan 2017

I actually called a dealer and all they would say was that they did have few machines within my budget. They said I needed to "test Drive" them like I would test drive a car. SO... I'll be making a trip next week to check out my options.

I think what they do to make you want to purchase a more expensive machine is that they include larger hoop with the expensive ones. There is no reason that they can't enable any machine to accomodate large hoops by enlongating the base, but they don't. So, decide how much you can spend before you go shopping. Once you get there, you may be seduced into buying a more expensive machine to get the hoops you want. I think it is most important to stay within your budget than.

1 comment

by waterlily 12 Jan 2017

Yeah... I already have my eye on a machine that I know is not in my budget. I need to be very careful not to be "seduced" into it unless they bring the price down to meet my budget. I'm honestly going there hoping to find that they may have one as a Demo that they are willing to do a fair price reduction on. Otherwise, I know there are other models I like but I don't know if they are in my budget, either.

You can switch to baby lock,,, Very similar to Brothers... Bigger sewing hoops I have all babylocks for years and I love them.

1 comment

by waterlily 12 Jan 2017

Thank You! I will certainly look into that brand. I hadn't heard much about them. Thanks for letting me know!

While I have always been a HusqvarnaViking girl myself, I always encourage to stay with the same brand if you are happy with it. That way there is only a small learning curve, and usually the accessories (feet, etc) are interchangeable. In my opinion, it would be well worth the trip to the dealer to talk as well as test driving any new machines. Also developing a good rapport with the dealer will result in them looking out for you. Good luck with your search. Hugs. Nan W

1 comment

by waterlily 12 Jan 2017

Thanks for responding. I actually did call the closest dealer and I will make a trip next week.

I have a brother 800e, 6x10 frame (not sure how large you want) in aus it was $2500, I am very happy with it I also have only had brother...wendy

1 comment

by waterlily 12 Jan 2017

Thank you! 6X 10 or 8 X 12 is about what I'm looking for. It sounds like the 6 X 10 is within my budget.

I'm in USA and bought my machine from my local dealer and repairman (Excellent work). However, I bought it when he was having a special event/show and the Brother area supervisor allowed him to offer way lower pricing during his event, plus the dealer gave some nice software bonuses "free" with purchase of machine from the software company sponsoring the event. It was all around a happy situation. I wouldn't give anything for my Brother Dream Machine for ease of use and thread cutting, auto threading and huge hoops (largest 8" x12"). It has given me a bit of trouble this year, which is highly unusual for a Brother, but I have 27 million stitches on the machine. We finally replaced a little bitty part and dealer didn't charge me anything! I am a convert from Janome and they are great machines, too. I was just ready to have big hoops. P.S. This machine was really easy and logical to learn even with switching brands. So, it should all make sense to you from the get-go!

1 comment

by waterlily 12 Jan 2017

Thanks for responding. I'm not thrilled with the idea of switching brands, so I am going to make a trip to the dealer. I hope I can come across some good luck like you did!!

Chris Pennifold wrote under the Q&A post that you first put up

Hi Waterlilly, basically the answer is yes. You can convert files to another format. I also have a Brother and I've got an Husqvarna. When it comes to changing formats when you click on the download box there are many formats listed. I often change mine to VP3 or VP or PES. If I've only downloaded and saved a PES file I then change it over to my Husqvarna preference.

With regards to price, I don't know where you live but here in Australia for the super duper Brother machines they are over $10,000.00 Australian. Any of the "you beaut bells and whistles machines" are well into the many thousands of dollars.

I agree with Caroline (asterixsew) below if you repost this in the COMMUNITY section more people will see it and respond.

1 comment
by waterlily 1h 29m ago
Thank you for replying. I will research how to change the file formats, and I will also re post my question in the Community

1 comment

by asterixsew 11 Jan 2017

Thanks for reposting here and you are getting some useful answers

I Googled Brother Embroidery machines and got lots of prices maybe not in your area but you can get an idea of the cost. I love all my Brothers have used brother machines for years

1 comment

by asterixsew 11 Jan 2017

Brother prices are set by Brother and not the dealers who are selling them but there are often offers on

I would call them and give them your price point range and ask them what machines they have in that range. They would not be quoting direct prices for the machine...I would allow a couple hundred dollars in the "range"...also ask them if they have any demo machines or floor models available that would be significantly less than a new machine...and most dealers will give you the same warranty on their demo machines that are on new machines. You can also check on e-bay or craigs list for upper level models and see what they are selling for there...I would not necessarily buy from one of those sites, but for pricing it may give you an idea of what you might expect for a demo or floor model machine...

1 comment

by waterlily 12 Jan 2017

ohhhh... floor models or demos is a good idea! I will remember that when I go to see the dealer.

i forgot here you can use or buy a demonstrator for way less ask***they always sell them ****

1 comment

by waterlily 12 Jan 2017

I will do that, thanks!

yes you can convert them fast in Sew what pro faster then u can load them i love this program and it was only 65 buck hugs

1 comment

by waterlily 12 Jan 2017

I actually have sew What Pro. If I end up changing brands, that will be very convenient. Thanks for responding.

I would call and explain to them the situation. Maybe they bent. Do have a dealer close by that carries the other brand you are considering? Where do you live?

1 comment

by waterlily 12 Jan 2017

I actually did break down and call the dealer. I explained the basics of what I was looking for, and my budget. They assured me that they had some models that fit within my budget, so I am going to make a trip next week to go look.

Do you have embroidery software? Which one? There are several free programs to view, change size, rotate design.and save in many other formats. For my purposes Artsizer from OESD works real well. It also sends the file to the embroidery machine or a thumb drive.

SQ

1 comment

by waterlily 12 Jan 2017

I have the Sew Iconz, Sew What Pro, and the Sew Art. Software. I find all of them pretty easy to use.

I think most of the software programs will convert formats. I know for sure the Viking does.
I wonder-- if you know the dealer and told them what you wanted and were willing to spend would they say something along the lines, "We have just what you want." or "Perhaps you need to budget a little more money to get those features." Wouldn't hurt to try.

2 comments

by waterlily 11 Jan 2017

I Don't know the dealer, but I have considered making a phone call. It can't hurt to try.

by maisiebo 17 Feb 2017

I looked around and also searched on the internet for info I wanted on machines I was interested in and went to the shop also an hours ride in the car to have a better look then I did a search on the internet in my country for the best price the prices were all over the place for the machine I decided on and I found a retailer selling the machine brand new that I wanted with the same warranty and bought it £600 cheaper than the dearest retailer it was boxed securely for transport and I have been very happy with the machine