I am in the market for an embroidery machine with a bigger stitch area. Right now mine is 5*7. I've looked at brother machines with 8 by 12 hoops. I am fascinated by their quarttro 3 and Dreamcreator (7 by 12).

I have a Quattro - and I do not use it for sewing (like cfidl - don't like to putz with changing it over). I upgraded from a PE780D - which has a max size of 5*7. I have a babylock sewing machine for sewing. I like the Quattro VERY much and got it over a multi needle because of space - I don't have a place where the mutli needle machine will fit. And, I have not come across a design that I "needed" bigger than the 8*12 the Quattro will do so that has not been an issue for me. If you want to do caps then the multi needle is the way to go (if you can). The baby lock and brothers are very much twins - main difference is the brother has built in Disney (and you can get more from ibroidery.com).

3 comments

by babolucia 13 Aug 2013

Thank you for the info about the hoop. I guess with the easy positioning, rehooping wouldn't be a big deal even if I had to.

I do wish my current sewing machine has more nice stitches so I could do crazy quilt, heirloom stitching. Automatic thread cutting would be nice. Other than that, my Janome is doing just fine.

Now I am leaning toward 6 needle again! I do want to do caps and tote bags. I guess I could trade it up when I need to.

by pcteddyb 13 Aug 2013

Best advice - get what you really want - even if it means waiting a bit to gather money. I think you lose money in the end by trading up (I find they don't give you much for your old machine).

by babolucia 13 Aug 2013

I agree. I always regret when I didn't go for what I really want and settle for what is more affordable.

The Viking Diamond Delux is wonderful with lots of hoop options and it does all kinds of general sewing as well. As a backup I have a Viking Designer 1. Viking is coming out with a new machine in a month or so, therefore you might get a good deal on the Diamond or Ruby.

1 comment

by babolucia 13 Aug 2013

Thank you! The reviews I've read seem to mention that the threading system is not too good and the own "end up threading manually 90% of the time". Do you own a Viking Diamond? Have you had that problem?

Hi, I have a brother combo and just purchased a regular sewing machine. That way I do not have to mess with tearing it down, even though I could stitch small things I would still have to change the foot. I know it doesn't seem like much, however to do it back and forth is no fun. If I were you I would, and I have been thinking about this a lot is look into the 6 needle Bravo machine(starts at 8,500 and is upgradeable) and get an afforable regular sewing machine.

1 comment

by babolucia 13 Aug 2013

Thank you! I already have a regular sewing machine. Nothing fancy, but does almost everything I want to.

i just have bought a brother v3 hoop size up to 7 x 12. i love thise machine. it has a coloured large display which is easy to handle stitches very quiet and fast and i use fufu thread without any complications.

1 comment

by babolucia 13 Aug 2013

Thank you for the info. If only the hoop size was bigger!

I am looking at the babylock 10 needle, and comparing it with my 630 Bernina. I want the multi threads, and a large stitching area, but not sure I can justify the cost.

1 comment

by babolucia 13 Aug 2013

yeah...and with that money, you could probably get a real commercial machine used.

Right now, I have a basic Janome sewing machine which works fine. I also have a brother PE700II with 5 * 7 stitch area. I bought it last November and as you gals know, no hoop is big enough. I have soon wanted to upgrade.

My budget could be enough for either a high end combo or a 6 needle machine (still a little bit sweet talking will be needed).

I do want all the nice features of a high end combo. I know people complain about not being able to sew while a combo is embroidering. Since I have another sewing machine, this is not a big problem. And I do still have my brother PE700 as back-up embroidery machine.

However, 6 spools of thread would be convenient. And I'd like to embroider on caps easily. However, I have a feeling if I get a 6-needle, I would want the 10 needle or even 15 needle. I mean, I always regret when I didn't go for the top of the line. After I got my janome, I regretted a lot. I haven't regretted a second for getting the best serger on the market (my Baby Lock Evolution)! It is still my best purchase ever!

Right now I cannot afford 10 needle or commercial machines. But I could get the nicest brother combo. I would be happy with the sewing part for a long time and I could get the 8 * 12 hoop.

Maybe in 3 years when we pay off our mortgage, we could afford a nice commercial multi-needle machine (used). Also that's the time I start buying again according to the agreement with hubby! lol

I have a Viking Ruby. Bought it because of all the hoop sizes and because we have a dealer that gives lesson and also fixes machines. I have many hours on it. Love to embroider and sew. This is my 6 Viking. So you can tell I trust my dealer. Good luck in finding your perfect machine for you.

1 comment

by babolucia 12 Aug 2013

I think the Joann a block away has Viking machines. I'll go there and check it out. I love the big hoop. But I also love brother's camera for perfect positioning. It also has laser for straight sewing, sideway sewing. You can also draw on a pad with their pen, and the machine will transfer your doodling into embroidery design...The new feature is color shuffling, which also seems very exciting.

What nice features does Viking Ruby or Diamond have? Online I don't seem to see many in the description.

Whatever you do, do a lot of research on line, and test drive all the machines at a dealer. Talk to a lot of different dealers, and talk to the customers of those dealers! I have a dealer who is honest, offers fair prices, trade ins, free classes, free extras, will help over the phone, fixes my Janomes on the spot half the time, the owner is the repair man and is dynamite, and both he and his wife are angels to work with. That is Super Stitch in North East, PA. They also offer used machines, because often people trade up to what they really wanted in the first place, and the trade machine is hardly used, and the rest of the warranty intact. But all dealers are NOT created equal, and I've heard horror stories from some of the Cuties, too, about dealers who just grab your money and forget you when it comes to lessons or service. I love my Janome, and it's an embroidery only machine, I already have 2 other sewing machines. I like being able to embroider and sew at the same time, actually, so it's perfect for me. That depends on what you want. I'd go with the big commercial multi needle, if I had the money. Bigger hoops, less thread changing, faster sewing speeds. And, whatever hoop size you get, you must know by now it still won't be big enough, hee hee hee. I want a hoop that's about a yard square, myself, hee hee hee. Anyway, best of luck, do your homework, let us know what you narrow the choices down to when you see what all's out there. Hugs, Marji

1 comment

by babolucia 12 Aug 2013

Yes I know what you are talking about. My Janome dealer was awful. I loved the Baby Lock dealer where I got my evolution serger. However, I am going to check out the brother dealer because I want the disney designs that come with the machine.

I agree with dragonflyer. If you can afford it, go with the Babylock Elissimo Gold. You seldom see them being sold or people complaining about them needing frequent repairs. If you are in doubt, I recommend you going to as many dealers as you can easily drive to so you can test the different machines. Let us know what you decide to purchase.

1 comment

by babolucia 12 Aug 2013

Thank you! I do love Ellissimo Gold/brother quattro! The quattro 3 is even more exciting than before with the new features!

I have the Baby Lock Ellisimo Gold..love it...it is the sister machine to the Brother Quattro...can't say enough about the camera and scanner that allow you to have PERFECT placement of your designs EXACTLY where you want them...even if you hoop your fabric crooked...the camera and scanner realign the design so it is perfect...I find it truly amazing...

1 comment

by babolucia 12 Aug 2013

I urged my wealthy friend to get a Baby Lock Ellisimo Gold 3 years ago, and it has been my dream machine. I did not start to embroider back then and couldn't justify such a big purchase. It's the same machine as Brother Quattro. Brother has disney designs--and I have a one year baby!

My technician likes Brothers ULT series, they have big hoops too, not sure the measurement. I was thinking about the Viking topaz 30, but I will be very careful, Viking and singer are made in China; I will buy another Brother if I have the money LOL

2 comments

by mary51 12 Aug 2013

You could check Paff and Bernina, they are made in Europe , at least the last time I checked I read Bernina is very good, and it comes in large hoops machines, good luck!!!!

by babolucia 12 Aug 2013

I researched Bernina a little bit. They are a lot more expensive(highest end 12999) than Brother/Babylock(8999). They do have a larger hoop, but they don't have other nice features Brother/Babylock have.

You may want to take a look at Viking/Husqvarna. They have a variety of machines available that use several hoop sizes. If you want to see the design show on the embroidery machine I would suggest the Ruby or Diamond. The Ruby may be a bit more affordable. They are having a special sale on the Diamond and Topaz 20 and 30. Topaz does not have as nice machine display.

1 comment

by babolucia 12 Aug 2013

Thanks! I will check it out. I did notice that their largest hoop size is larger.