I have the Futura ce100 with the upgrade. That makes it equal to the 250. I can use almost any format. I can add other designs to the one I'm working on--I added ducks to a pond and reeds and flowers. It came out nice. It sews great but you really need a seperate sewing machine if you're going to do a lot of embroidery. It's a good machine. ( For me anyway)
Meri
For the money it's a good machine. It reads most formats. I've had mine since April and like it very much. If I had it to do over again I'd get the 350 so I could get the font software. I've never had or used any others to compare it to. Singer is coming out with a new one the first of 2011. I think I'd rather have that one. Has bigger hoops and more accessories.
I did'nt know about the new one in 2011. of course everytime you get a new machine they come up a bigger and better model. Almost like buying a car. LOl
Bev
I have the 250. It has to be threaded under a guide and if if you don't get it exactly right it beeps at you. It takes some practice before you get it right. Mine jammed up and repairman said something got hot and melted a bearing or something like that. The replacement part was 15.00. but it has been the only service i have had in 3 yrs. All in all i say go for it but do check around before buying. I have seen 2 or 3 hundred dollars price difference. And it's also a great sewing machine but of course you need to remove the embroidery unit, change feet etc. i recomend having another machine just for sewing because it can be a pain switching back and forth. It uses pes format. I think my next machine machine wil be a bernina, I've got my eye on one but am still looking and comparing. happy embroidering with whatever you decide. Also the singer 250 is now made in China.
Bev
Bought one for my daughter for embroidery.Was affordable.She sews and embroiders and loves it.She gets designs on her computer than transfers then to a memory stick.
I have a CE-100 and the singer format is xxx. It will also read several other formats. Connects to computer to transfer designs to machine. Lots of built-in sewing stitches too. There is a singer futura yahoo group that is very helpful.
I really like mine!Have had it almost a year, now. I don't use it much for sewing, but the embroidery is great! I can use almost any format, but prefer PES and HUS. I bought it online from this company. Great customer service, fast shipping.
The futura is a great little machine for the money. I got it a few years ago. It does require a usb connection to embroidery. That to me was a little inconveinent for me. This machine will change any format for you. I usually saved PES and HUS when I had the opportunity. I have the Quattro also so I needed PES for it. The 250 has two hoops a 4x4 and 5x7, the actually size isn't that large but the program does wonders at sizing, just watch the density when shrinking that it doesn't become a hard board design. Hope that helps.
Phyl
It sounds like a great machine, this was all I could find on the internet about it:
All popular formats accepted. Download designs from the Internet or work from a collection on CD, floppy disk or memory stick.
No, I don't know only in Holland it is not the best machine they say. I just bought a Janome (11000) and that one is great easy to use etc. Good luck with your decision, Yvonne