Question regarding embroidery machines, I have a Brother se-400, and wish to buy an other machine.

I started with a 5*7 embroidery only and really liked embroidery a LOT - enough that I spent a bunch of money are the Quattro (that I only use for embroidery - I have a separate machine for sewing). That said, machines with bigger than a 5*7 hoop start geting really expensive and I find the 5*7 size is very popular - even for ITH designs. I think it will come down to how much you can afford to spend, and how much you think you would do bigger than a 5*7 (and that is the smallest I would buy - I would not recommend another 4*4 as there is a bunch more that can be done with the 5*7).

1 comment

by loosie 27 Jul 2012

Thanks

Do not part with your Brother se-400 great for taking to workshops you will be sorry if you do.I have Brother machines innov-is I with 12inx8in hoop and 4000d 10inx6 hoop still would like a larger hoop both very heavy can just about manage to take the 4000 to workshops but not the innov-is.good luck with your search.

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by loosie 27 Jul 2012

I never thought of that, thanks!

My dream is that they would make inexpensive frames in a dozen different sizes that you could buy to go with your machine instead of one or two frames that cost an arm and a leg. If the machine you buy doesn't automatically come with frames, and you already have a machine that will do 4x4, I'd get a 6x8 or close to it as it a useable size and won't waste too much stabilizer. If you can afford it, get the next size larger too. I wouldn't get rid of your old machine either. Two come in handy!

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by loosie 27 Jul 2012

Thanks!

I too am limited to a just under 4x4 sewing field. I find this is just too limiting! There is so very much we misdd out on. I have done lots of research while I am saving for my new machine and have decided that for me at least 5x7 just won't be a big enough sewing area either. I love to sew and quilt all sorts of thing so bigger is definately what is in my plans when I purchase mine.
I have my heart set on a Husqvarnia Desinger Topaz 20. I'd like to get the 30, but being without a job to provide a steady income, getting enough moeny together to get the 20 is a agonisingly slow challenge. I'm still $1000 away from what I will need to get the Topaz 20, the 30 is another $3000 past that. :(
Diane

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by loosie 27 Jul 2012

I see your point, good luck with your purchase, and thanks for your input

Bigger.....get as big as you can afford! You won't be sorry...I have an 8x12 (200mmx300mm) and I still wish I had a bigger hoop...

1 comment

by loosie 27 Jul 2012

Thanks

I think bigger is better, but I'd want the biggest sewing field, not hoop size, they're not the same. I have Janome's 300E, embroidery only, and love it. It does 5x7, and the Gigahoop will take it half again as large, but it requires splitting the design & turning the hoop, too much monkey business for me. I didn't spend the money for the
Gigahoop. I'd like bigger than 5x7, but all in one hooping. I love the embroidery-only feature, because I can sew on my other machine & embroider on the 300E at the same time. I don't have to mess with tension, different needles, different bobbins, etc. I'm purely lazy, set it & forget it. Perhaps you could get a trade in for a good price from your dealer, maybe somebody traded up and you could ged a deal on the trade-in. My dealer has some real bargains like that sometimes. Best of luck in your search, hugs, Marji

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by loosie 27 Jul 2012

I think I will leave my name and info, when a used one is traded in for an up grade I may get lucky enough to get one used. Thanks for you input

I agree with Sue, you always want more!!!! I to have the Janome & I have all the bells & whistles I love my 8x8 hoop & I use it fairly regular I also have the mega Hoop & I have not yet used it but I'm sure that one day I will. Buy the best you can afford! & A PS. My hoops are the ones turning not the designs sew it is quite easy to do this, good luck Lucy Hugs Loralye

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by loosie 27 Jul 2012

Thanks! Loralye

You will always want a bigger hoop!
It seems to me that some makes of combo machine are more complicated to convert than others. I use Janome and I only have to change the foot and press a button.

3 comments

by arsenio 27 Jul 2012

Sue do you have Janome machine which model is it? I have Janome 9500, 200E and Mc 11000. And what software do you use?

by loosie 27 Jul 2012

Thanks!

by spendlove 27 Jul 2012

I have MC 11000. Scottie has my old MC 97000 and my neice now has Songthrush's 200E!

I would buy the largest I could afford EXCEPT that I'm not all that impressed with the mega hoops that have to be turned. I have the Viking which has the 13 x 14 hoop but designs have to be turned. But yes..the 5 x 7 is great and a 6 x 10 is really great.

2 comments

by loosie 27 Jul 2012

Singer XL400

by linda8450 27 Jul 2012

I have the Diamond 13x14 and the software will split the design, just turn the hoop and press start..design flips automatically! Lines up perfectly, did a Hebrew version of the 10 Commandments for friend's bat mitzvah and it worked great!

Hi loosie,
I have two Brother machines.

My first one is a 4x4 embroidery combo. But I found it annoying to have to change everything, feet/needles & sewing surface just to do a design or visa versa to do normal sewing.

So I have also purchased an 'embroidery only' 5x7 and have invested in a large multi hoop.

I'm thrilled to bits to have both.

2 comments

by kitty2011 27 Jul 2012

Oh and I'm finding the 5x7 hoop plenty big enough for me :)
hugs kitty

by loosie 27 Jul 2012

Thanks, a flower for you!

I have the same Brother machine as you, & always wanted to do larger designs. I just purchased a Singer XL400, Its largest is 6 x 10, but with the multi-hoop method, you can do as large as 11 x 19. As with a lot of the new machines, you use it with the computer. I've only had it for a month & 1/2, but I love it!!! I think the price was right, $598, & free shipping. See it @: sewingmachinesplus.com. Good luck to you, I hope you find a machine you will also love. Hugs, Tammy

1 comment

by loosie 27 Jul 2012

Singer XL400

i started weth 4x4 then got big disney and found it to heavy to take to classes so it is my home machine only my 4x4 goes on holiday with me then i got a novis so i could take to class and i do want the big big one but i think that is only a dream at this time.and i love the fact that with emb pluss sewer you can create your own decorative stitches on your machine for general sewing.

1 comment

by loosie 27 Jul 2012

Thanks, a flower for you!

I have just bought myself a second machine because I found the 5x7 too restricting. So try to go as big as possible. I also went with the Pfaff Creative 2000 as this came with a 200 by 260 hoop. It works lovely!

1 comment

by loosie 27 Jul 2012

Thanks, a flower for you!

go as big as you can. you can allways do a small design in a big hoop but never a big design in a small one I had a janome that had the 5x7 hoop and wanted a larger one but janome with a larger hoop was way over my budge. i decided to get me a Phaff that has the large crown hoop. and am so happy i did, I know there are larger hoops oit there but this was as much as i could afford.
i can get several designs into the large hoop so save on stabaliser and time hooping up.
I can then order the threads so all of #one colour sews out and then all the next colour sews and so on. again this saves me time in keep threading up but all the designs are finished correctly

1 comment

by loosie 27 Jul 2012

Thanks, a flower for you!

I have the Brother 1500D with the 6x10 hoop and I use my editing program to put ALL sides plus base of bowls into one hoop. I 'separate all items' then arrange the sewing of colors together for one continueous sew out making my jumps in the blank spaces to keep them out of the sewing range of other pieces, I'm talking FSL of course as it's my passion. I do make 'scenes' in my 6x10 hoop and I just love the size.

1 comment

by loosie 27 Jul 2012

Oh i see what you mean...Thanks, a flower for you!

I have a Brother 1500D and I love the 6x10 hoop for towels. It comes with 4x4, 7x5 and 6x10. I like big designs so do not use 4x4 much. Use my machine for emb only as I have an old Janome for any stitching I need to do. Bought my at Xmas one year and there was a $1000 price reduction. Marg

2 comments

by dollygk 27 Jul 2012

As was my machine but I bought it during the summer months in 2009

by loosie 27 Jul 2012

Thanks!

I would say: the bigger the hoop the better! If you like to embroider doilies, as I do, you will love the larger hoops. By the way, you would be able to use the smaller hoops as well.

Hugs, Lidia

2 comments

by lidiad 27 Jul 2012

Forgot to say that I prefer a sewing/embroidery machine combo, as I don't sew often and one machine takes less space than two.

by loosie 27 Jul 2012

Thanks, a flower for you!

I have had both types of machines--stand alone and combo. I prefer the combo because it is a space saver, but I wouldn't trade my stand alone Janome MB4 for anything. I have the versatility to do small to large my largest frame is 9x9-also have the quick snap frames, sock frames and hat frames. If you can afford the price and are not concerned with space, go for the bigger stand alone.

1 comment

by loosie 27 Jul 2012

Thanks, a flower for you!

I got the big brother and now I want the hoop it all! Never big enough! lol! Live Laugh Download Stitch!

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by loosie 27 Jul 2012

Thanks, a flower for you!

i would definitely go bigger! I have a Viking Designer 1 and have all the hoops that go with it. Yes, I bought the extra hoops. Well worth the money.I love the Mega hoop even though I don't use it much, but it is nice to have around when I need to do a big design. Being limited is no fun. go for it girl! Roberta

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by loosie 27 Jul 2012

Thanks, a flower for you!

I have a Brother 4000 with a 300 x 180 (12x7")hoop. This is my 4th Brother & I just love him to bits. The only thing I wish he had extra is a 200 x 200 (8x8) hoop. My advice - buy the biggest & best you can afford. Good luck. Lyn. xx

1 comment

by loosie 27 Jul 2012

Thanks, a flower for you!

I have a machine with a maximum 8x10 hoop. And to tell you the truth, most everything I do is 4x4 or 5x7. I've used the large hoop maybe ten times in 15 months. It all depends on what you would like to make with it. I get frustrated with the big hoop because the design slips around more than the smaller hoops. That is just my opinion though.
I don't know about the sewing vs. stand alone embroidery. My machine has a lot of decorative stitches that are real nice. I considered a stand-alone when I was buying, but decided that I liked the features of the sewing machine too. Again, just my opinion.
Good luck with your shopping.

1 comment

by loosie 27 Jul 2012

Thanks, a flower for you! I have to see what I can afford I may be able to trade up too, if the store gives me that option...

I AGREE WITH KAY... THE BIGGEST THE BETTER... NOW DO NOT BUY A SINGER EVEN THE FUTURA THAT SELLS FOR A 6X10 IS A LITTLE SMALLER THAN THAT, MY 5X7 BROTHER CAN DO DESIGNS ABOUT .5 INCH BIGGER THAN 5X7....

1 comment

by loosie 27 Jul 2012

Thanks, a flower for you!

I do not have brother machines and I know all machines are really expensive now, but if you can afford to buy a machine with a 6 x 10 hoop , it will give you a lot more options. Kay

2 comments

by loosie 27 Jul 2012

Thanks, a flower for you!

by desotoginny 27 Jul 2012

I have had both types of machines--stand alone and combo. I prefer the combo because it is a space saver, but I wouldn't trade my stand alone Janome MB4 for anything. I have the versatility to do small to large my largest frame is 9x9-also have the quick snap/free-arm hoops and also hoops for socks and hats. If you can afford the price and have the extra space go for a larger stand-alone and have a sewing machine on the side.