Welcome to Cute. Sorry my machine doesnot have a USB connection. You can use a memory stick/whatever BUT the designs do need to be unzipped first. Someone will be along who will be able to help you further. It is much more fun taking part in the community than lurking in the background. You will already have a good idea as to how the site works. I entered Cute the same way you have. Happy sewing

I have janome 11000 and I use usb but only down load 100 designs to a stick as it takes the machine to long to find any more than that

Good question! I think most of the latest model higher end embroidery machines do have that capability. If they do have a USB port, then yes, you can just load your files onto a flash drive and transfer them to you embroidery machine.

My Pfaff 2170 is a few years old and does not have a USB port. Pfaff's newest enormous model does. I do, however have a wireless connection, separate purchase, that my husband, the computer geek set up for me with much tedious work. It works great once you get it set up properly! Otherwise I would have to directly connect my machine to the computer. My sewing machine is upstairs, and my computer is downstairs, so AAAACHHH!

Others who have different models can tell you more, and someone who has used a flash drive this way can surely give more details.

Definitely have that be one of your questions as you look at different machines.

WELCOME Waterlily *

I have the Husqvarna Designer 1 USB, I load whatever designs I'm working on onto my stick from the computer and then put the stick in the machine and i'm off and running. My machine uses a specific stick from Husqvarna and i know some machine can use any stick you can buy. My machine came with the stick but if I lose it I'll have to buy one of theirs and they are kinda expensive, but as long as I don't lose it I'm set. there are so many good machines out now depending on your budget will depend on how many bells and whistles you get. You can also check your different dealers I know mine carries some 'previously loved' machines at super discounts and they all come with a warranty, so have fun and welcome, the ladies here (and gents) are all super.

I see that your question has been well answered, so I just wanted to pop in and say, "Welcome, and I'm glad you are here!"

W E L C O M E to Cute Embroidery

I believe it would depend upon the machine that you have. I have a designer SE with usb connection. I can work on my computer at the same time that I am doing a design on the sewing machine.

You have good answers, so I'll just say Welcome!

Welcome to Cute! I have a Janome 350e and it has a flash drive conection. I just down load my designs into the software that is available with the machine. then i add them to my USB stick (1gb) otherwise it takes to long to for the machine to read them. The usb sticks are now selling for $5. for 1gb so they are really inexpensive to buy. I hope this has helped along with the other answers.
good luck. Marlene

Waterlily welcome to the cute site, u have excellent answers so hoping to see a lot of designs posted from u. *

I have gradually traded up my machines - all Husqvarna - which I dearly love. Last August I got the Diamond and it is great BUT I had shoulder surgery last May and again last November so am not sewing. About the stick, though, I have used many besides the original Husqvarna. They all seem to work well (my friends that have them agree regardless of model). I've even gotten them free with the purchase of CDs. There are many pre-loved SE's and Designer ls waiting for you. Our dealer goes over ALL trade-ins and guarantees them along with free lessons. I would have kept my SE if I could have afforded it. I got such a good trade-in price, too, but I wanted the big, big hoop. I'll soon be sewing again. Hope you can get what you are looking for. Honestly, I still like the floppy discs, but they are getting harder to get. I think they are easier than the stick (my friends do not agree). Good Luck.

Welcome waterily to the best place on the net. You'll enjoy it here. *4u (Flower for you.)

Welcome to our great site

WELCOME to Cute, the bestest site on the net! *4U

Yo all of you that responded...Thank you so much for the warm welcome, and the wonderful information! I'm deffinately going to get a machine with the USB connectivity! You have all given such good information and helped me make my decision! I would love to respond to all of you individually,but It would be repetitious. SO...A great big THANK YOU to all of you!!

I don't have a machine that is USB capable...So can't answer your question... W E L C O M E to Cute, Grab a Cuppa and stay a while:)