29801
Well as I have said before, I first saw a embroidery machine in action about 10 years ago and was instantly hooked. The cost was way out of my purse at the time but I was able to borrow a machine from time to time.
A few years ago my oldest friends mum died and out of the blue I was sent a cheque and a letter which said go and buy that machine that you are always talking about. This gift is for all our years of friendship. There was enough money for a new Brother Galaxie 2000. But I decided to get a second hand 3000 which had hardly been used. I think of my friend often when I sew. She actually bought my little Frister & Rossman Cub 3 that I bought with money received for my 21st. I sold it to her as I really wanted a Berrnina minimatic. To this day she says I cant think why you parted with that machine. (and it still sews well)
About 18 months ago my friend came to stay and I was able to show her the machine in action. She too was amazed by it but has not bought herself one, she can borrow mine should she feel the need. I have felt I would like to get this friend something special and it is being sorted at the moment in greatest secrecy with assistance from her brother and husband. I will say it is not a embroidery machine
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115778You are now hooked with the rest of us that bought one years ago. Have fun with it.
4969I've always used sewing machines, since I was about four years old and did hand embroidery on the garments. When the grandchildren came along, about the same time as the new home embroidery machines,I really convinced myself that I needed to do ME on their clothes - that didn't happen.
My 70th Birthday was approaching fast and DHDon decided that I needed a new machine... I didn't need it at all, really, because my trusty old Bernina bought in PNG in 1973 was still going strong. Our daughter told him that I needed an embroidery machine so I was set the task to research online, find and organise the purchase of one. DHDon was not an internet person at that time - nor was he conversant with the price of the machines. (Too much information can cause headaches!)
He thought he was going to buy me a new $500 embroidery machine and feel chuffed at such a grand present!!!
I found a second hand Husqvarna Designer II sewing/quilting/embroidery machine, with the Quilting Kit and several d-cards, in perfect and almost-new condition at the Adelaide Sewing Centre. Yes, that sounded good, says DHDon, go ahead and order it. Ha ha!!! I also ordered the 3D Professional Embroidery Kit and a Reader/Writer unit. It all came to just over $5000 and DHDon paid up, like a lamb... more like a stunned mullet, really.
Sandy, our daughter, had the shop fill a big basket with machine embroidery notions, threads and stabiliser as part of my present.
My new machine arrived for my 70th Birthday and then I was too scared to open the new boxes for three whole years - but I did love the new HVDII and its sensor attributes. Eventually we retired and on April 30, 2009, the 'Grand Opening of the Boxes' happened and the rest is history. I took to ME like a duck to water and discovered a whole new world of wonder and delight.
AlmaG.
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by asterixsew
22 Feb 2011
Alma this is great reading. I am sure your husband never regrets the cost of your machine
by mi30kaja
23 Feb 2011
My DH would be pleased that I am making use of my machine that we bought when I was looking for DMC thread.
17214I use to watch sewing programs on the PBS stations and just loved the embroidery they would do....I've wanted a machine for years and about 4 or 5 years ago I bought a Janome 350E and love it....hubby wanted me to get a more expensive machine but I'm quit happy with what I have.....I also bought the 8x8 hoop and have yet to use it (shame on me)....I love making gifts for people and now and then I'm blessed with a project that I get paid for....great question.
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by mi30kaja
23 Feb 2011
John and I stood outside a shop in England and were fascinated with a machine just stitching away by its self. Think that is one reason why I didn't have to talk long and hard to get my machine.
8647I kept on asking a friend of mine if she could embroider a little something on clothes I was making. I paid her each time and was fasinated watching her machine sewing all these amazing designs. One day I was in my local Bernina shop and the sales lady mentioned that she was selling her small embroidery machine as she had upgraded. It seemed a good price so I bought it on the spot. My husband thought I had gone totally mad saying that I would never use it and that it was an impulse buy. He doesn't say that any more as it is used non stop. I would dearly love a better machine but I do not think that will happen. Great question and some wonderful comments.
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255054My first embroidery machine (4x4) was a combined one, just in case I didn't like it, I could still sew. A few months later came a 5x7...I MUST have L*KED it...ROFL ;D *2U
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63126I just love embroidered clothing, if I saw something I just wanted it really bad so when we found out I was going to be doing chemo for lung cancer hubby said we could buy me a machine to keep me busy with something I didn't have to do much work with. I love my machine but wish we could have afforded one with a larger hoop. That was a little over a year ago.
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by mi30kaja
23 Feb 2011
When I bought my machine I had two Hoops came with the machine. Wanted a 4X4 and they are not cheap. Mostty use my 5X7. L
33580Since the 1970's I always had names or initials inside my coats, on the front of dresses, pockets, etc. Then in the 90's bought many clothes, particularly embroidered jackets. Loved wearing embroidered clothes. In 2000 I heard about the Brother ULT coming out that had a floppy drive to load designs to the machine instead of the 'very expensive' cards. I ordered one and it still sews beautifully today. Upgraded in 2007 to a commercial Amaya XT because I wanted speed, auto tension, and auto thread color changing. I started digitizing and was quickly hooked on the digitizing part.
My old Singer Golden Touch & Sew died a few years ago and I bought a plain Janome to replace it just for mending & a little sewing so I don't mess up the timing on my ULT. A cousin advised me not to do sewing on thick fabrics with my embroidery machine and to just keep my old sewing machine for regular sewing.
I have enjoyed reading all the answers you got to your question. Glad you asked it.
Marcelle
http://embroideryavenue.com/
http://embroidery.gotop100.com/
6340
62461I spent much time shopping for a new sewing/quilting machine and saw embroidery combos at the same time. Decided "oh, I would not do embroidery that much".... Bought the sewing/quilting machine only. And... six months later bought my first embroidery machine - and the sewing machine has gathered dust ever since. Then, just last month, I upgraded my embroidery machine - and it is a combo so now the sewing machine will be sold (the old embroidery machine is already up for sale) or gather even more dust! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE embroidery.
PS: In my home-ec class 2nd semester we got to chose what we wanted to make for the fashion show and then model it. I did a ruffled pinafore in a blue chambray type fabric with fuzzy red flowers on it - wow was it a chore! I was able to get it done in time though.
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11271I went in and looked at the machines every week for probably a year. I was just amazed and was drawn to it. I wanted the machine for quilting and quilt labels. Finally my husband said to buy it. I waited another year before getting the software and computer.
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23222well at least all the storys are the same we are hooked lol but i love it :):)carolyn
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360671The whole reason I bought one initially was because my Grandmother used to LOVE decorated garments and things with some bling. She had alzheimer's disease and couldn't have her jewelry anymore (since she kept giving it away). I bough the machine to "decorate" her wardrobe so she would feel classy and sparkle a bit. :-)
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by mi30kaja
23 Feb 2011
She would have loved all of her new BLING. My Mum would have loved my machine as well.
33575one day while channel surfing i saw an embroidery machine on the home shopping network. As soon as i saw it i knew I wanted one. They were on sale for 5 monthly ez payments. Called in and ordered that day. Now on machine # 2. I'm glad I was watching that day!
Bev
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67271I wanted to add some personalization for my GS quilt. I went to Joann's and they did have what I wanted. Talked to lady at Joann's Viking. Did some research and found that I could easily buy a Janome. The rest is history and now I have 2 a Janome 350 and a Janome 11000.
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8047Never owned a sewing machine in my life. Had the required semester of sewing in high school and hated it...LOL! My hubby bought me an emb. machine for Christmas 5 years ago and the addiction grew from there, have even upgraded it and started digitising.......I still dislike regular sewing though........LOL!!
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by bevintex
22 Feb 2011
I remember high school sewing in home ec. You were to sew and model a garment. Mine was such a mess there was no way i was going to put that on. I think it ended up in a trash can. But when I was 17 I had other things on my mind besides sewing. LOL
Bev
by basketkase
22 Feb 2011
Yes, Bev, same here, we all had to wear them on the same day and they were red chinz type material the most horrid thing I have ever seen....scarred me for life...everyone is school made fun of us, at least there was a group of us, which is probably why I don't like to sew!!
by basketkase
22 Feb 2011
Tomato red, Bev, not sizzing red and then shiny so we really were seen....Scarred for life!!!!! Post Tramatic Stress...because I'm still talking about it........LOL
261163Almost 13 yrs. ago our first grand daughter was born. I had said I was getting the Viking Rose if the baby was a girl! Started with the Rose and have upgraded alone the way and now have a Diamond and an SE. Love my hobby!!
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35675OOPS! Forgot to say WHY I bought that first machine. I had seen machine embroidery & thought it was BEAUTIFUL. I guess I was curious to see what I could do with a machine that embroiders. I have embroidered by hand since I was a child. The instant gratification of the machine embroidery is addictive. I LOVE IT. My favorite thing to make is Lace!
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544I bought my first machine embroidery machine from a JoAnn's Fabrics. My second was purchased from the man who services all of my machines. I upgraded from a 4" x 4" field to a 5" x &' field. I still have both plus 2 sergers & 3 other sewing machines. LIFE IS GOOD!!!
igetpaidtodrinkcoffee.com[2] http://zurispridenaturals.ecrater.com
zurispridenaturals.ecrater.com
544I have always embroidered a lot by hand but 6 years I has a fall (slipped over wallpaper paste) and broke my thumb joint. I was in a plastercast for 12 weeks but it has never ehaled properly. The result was that i could not hold a needle (nor a pen) for any length of time. So after a lot of debate I decided to give myself a present and bought my first Bernina. I was addicted fron the word go but have only recently reduced my working hours and have more time to give in to my adictionHooray!
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by lindalee757
22 Feb 2011
I too, used to love to hand embroider-I especially loved doing satin stitch designs-never did much with ribbon embroidery. ~linda~
57492When I started my home alterations business I started out with my old singer/merritt machines-as I started establishing myself, I wanted more so I went to the Janome shop about 40miles away-bought my Janome MC6500-followed by my serger then overlock machine then HAD to have the Mc9700-they had a great pkg deal at the time. I hate to say it tho, I don't get much time to use the 9700 because I use my 6500 7 days a week- 10-12 hrs a day for my customer alterations(winter is here so much of the time is replacing jacket/outwear zippers) and hemming.I also have a little blindhemmer. ~linda~
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20173I bought one because I had a daughter who loves POOH and the rest of Disney. I think that was about 8 or 10 yaers ago. For two years I had a Janome 4 needle machine from my HB and we came at cute and there it started. I have a 2nd machine now and make a lot of Wall hangings, Lace etc. lot of fun with it and the day is not good witout sewing, Yvonne
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34172Lyn, we have had the questioned before and wished I could give you a link to it, too.
As for me, my Mother had an embroidery machine - she asked for some computer help - I gave it to her - never saw much of her work - I moved - she came to visit - we went to a couple shops - I liked the ladies at one - later that same year - I wanted to make a baby blanket for the baby I was babysitting - I went into that shop with the ladies I liked - I saw the embroidery machine work - saved some money - - had my first embroidery machine a month later and this is the shortened version and more than likely - better as the result - I have been stitching and loving embroidery work every since and am now with my 3rd and 4th machine, along with my Mother's.
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by lindalee757
22 Feb 2011
My mom has let it be known to me and everyone in the family that her machine and all that is sewing-will be mine-when the day comes-personally, I would like that to be in the wayyyy distant future.
She has a Bernina with all kinds of whistles and bells and just a ton of stuff-it's our obsession that we have in common (my 2 girls have no interest in sewing lol)
by airyfairy
22 Feb 2011
My 2 girls have no interest in sewing either but they love me to make things for them!!!
by shirlener88
22 Feb 2011
Linda, love and treasure what she is leaving you - it sounds like she has the right person to leave them to, as well.
Sarah, my daughter doesn't either - what a shame. My grands used to enjoy coming over and doing projects - but that all stopped a year or so ago.
211079I totally credit my friend with my new addiction.
She has sent lovely gifts to my grandchildren and really enjoyed her embroidery machine. One day she sent me the url for a machine like hers on ebay. On a lark, I put in a bid and the next day I owned it. Once it arrived, I was hooked.
Then came the day when my machine needed cleaning. I was nervous about extended service times and entered the store with that thought in mind.
I exited the store having purchased another machine.
Funny thing.... I had called my wonderful friend during my decision making moments... and by the time I got home again, she had also purchased the same machine on ebay.
Everyone should have a friend like mine. I wish we lived closer to each other, again. Can you imagine the trouble we could get into?
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3075I can't remember why! But after all this time I can't begin to think about not having one. I'm always at least 2 projects ahead in thinking when I'm on it. Would love to have a "better" one. But know that's not going to happen, so I'll just plug along with the Deco 330 that I have.
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2224I saw one demo'ed on TV and decided I just had to try one! Bought my first machine with a lot of Disney designs on Ebay. Loved it so much I had to have another, larger one. Now I'm saving to buy an even larger one! I'm addicted!
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7568I went into the shop to look at sewing machines to replace my very old one. I had no idea what I was letting myself into! I came out with an embroidery machine and an embellishing machine.
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by lindalee757
22 Feb 2011
I just had to do a search-I didn't know what an embellishing machine was-looks like fun Sue-do you use it alot? What kinds of things do you use it for? I am intrigued! =O)
140717Most of my life I have loved hand embroidery, and it seemed to take me forever to get an item finished. I did
a lot of sewing for my three girls (now grown), so I was
visiting Hancock Fabrics to purchase a few items, a few years back. I decided to stop in at a sewing machine store next door to Hancocks after my purchase. I was in awe when I saw a machine that had a most beautiful design stitched onto a hoop! I did not even know such machines existed!! I had to have one! All I could think of was "no more hand embroidery" for ME!! I did a happy dance, but went from a boogie to a waltz, when I saw the price!! LOL
Angel
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125002 years ago this past Christmas (just before the birth of our first grandchild) I asked my husband to put a Bernina brand seam ripper in my Christmas stocking. He came home and said we needed to go over to the store because they had a great price on a used embroidery machine. The rest is history. I asked for a seam ripper and got an embroidery machine! Sometimes life is like that! But not too often.
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by lindalee757
22 Feb 2011
WOW-good deal-so if you ask your husband to go pick up some windshield washer fluid for your car will he buy you a new car as well as the fluid??? LOL-just a thought ~linda~
9983My first emb machine
On my 50th birthday I wanted a
viking 1+.
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186310My Friend, A lady that I have known my whole life, had nothing her whole life. She raised 5 kids, had farm animals and worked like a fool. Has a husband-but- anyway late in her life 70-ish she got an embroidery machine, well, two embroidery machines, because they came into money. When I saw what beautiful work she did and the fun she was having I was hooked. So thats what I treated myself to when I divorced 4 years ago. Fun, Fun.LOL
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41781I got mine as a birthday present from my hubby. He tried to buy me one years earlier but I am a needleworker & felt the machine was cheating. Since then my eyes have gotten to a point that using a needle is hard. Charla
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