Hi everybody,

I have two brother machines, my first was a 4x4, hoop and I love the machine, but wanted a bigger hoop, now I have my second 7x5 hoop, and I am still no t happy with the hoop size, I have the inov750. and inov 950d. the machines work well , I would say that the display on the machine is in black and white, and if I put like three different designs on the display on either machine I have a megger job seeing what is what.
So to sum it all up . Brother yes, have the biggest hoop you can afford, and try to get one that has a good display, the more money you spend the better you get. hope this has helped.
Hugs Pam.

I had a Janome 5000 as my first EM and hated it! I have a Brother Quattro and it's a dream to use. My dealer is a sweetie and always is there to help me; she's become a good friend through the last 7 years!

I have a Brother INNOV-15 1500 & I LOVE it !

I agree with the others who are advising an embroidery-only machine and a separate normal sewing machine. I have a Husqvarna Viking Designer Quilting/Sewing/Embroidery machine and found that I was using it for its embroidery stitching mostly - awful waste of money??... I don't really know but I didn't know anything when I bought it and I got a great deal on it as a second-hand machine. I went ahead earlier in the year and purchased a Pfaff Ambition 1.5 to do my normal sewing. That was a down-step from the joy of using the extras that the HVDII could provide like automatic cutting of thread and the sensor that starts the machine with the press of the foot pedal, leaving both hands free to control the fabric.... However... the Pfaff has proven to be a lovely machine with a beautiful stitch and does all I want, and using the up/down lever for the presser foot soon became an automatic process again very quickly, reminding me of all my earlier machines.
This leaves my embroidery machine ready and set up for use for embroidery at a moment's notice and I don't have the, sometimes annoying, need to dismantle the embroidery unit to use the normal sewing facility for a small job.
This really is a good point to ponder and if you can go the extra mile and have an extra sewing-only machine you'll find it very useful in the future.
I don't know the Brother brand at all but I've heard good reports and my tuppence worth of advice here is for you to consider two machines if you can.
AlmaG.

The Brother brand is a great machine. The first machine embroidery machine I purchased years ago was a Brother, and it is still working great today! Never had it serviced, just gentle maintenance done by myself! I would suggest an embroidery only machine rather than a combo (sewing and embroidery). You can always get a really good sewing machine at a reasonable price. I found that I used my combo machine for only embroidery. Always get at least a machine that will stitch a 5x7 size design; you will want to upgrade quickly from a 4x4 size!!
Hugs, Angel

1 comment

by mccoyw 28 Oct 2013

thanks for the tips

I have two Brother machines and love them.

1 comment

by mccoyw 28 Oct 2013

good. thank you

I think it really depends on what you want to do---and how much you want/can afford to pay----I prefer embroidery only Brother machines---I bought a Brother PE780D---It was great until I got the needle jammed down in and got it loose myself---it has not worked right since---4 repair persons---headed 2 hours south sometime in the next few weeks to try and get it "FIXED" by a NEW repairperson--If that doesn't work===========sledge hammer----I have purchased Brother SE 400---for a friend---as far as I know it works great--only has a 4x4 hoop---there again it depends on what you want to do with the machine....I don't have a desire for the larger Brother machines that sew and embroider---too much too go wrong----good luck!!!!!

1 comment

by mccoyw 28 Oct 2013

thanks for the highlight

Brother is a good machine, but as Sue said, you need to try the machines at your dealers to see what you like. Test stitch all the makes and models and pay attention to what the dealer offers and check to see what experience others have had with the machines you like.

1 comment

by mccoyw 28 Oct 2013

thanks

Welcome!
What a question! There are fans of all makes and models of embroidery machines here so you will get a huge amount of advice. I have no personal experience of the two machines you mention. My advice would be to try and see them, and comparable machines by other manufacturers, demonstrated so you can see what they can do.
Good Luck!

1 comment

by mccoyw 28 Oct 2013

thank you