Carolyn, there is so many factors to consider that it is difficult to get a straight answer on this one. You have to factor in the cost of running your machine and lighting, the thread, stabilizer and wear and tear on your machine. I have my eye on a book that may be able to help work this out but I have not bought it yet.

Tell your DH that a embroidery machine is like hugs and kisses..priceless. And I'm not being smart.

As Fannyfurkin said that is a very subjective question and not easily answered. From an accountants point of view, how much did the machine cost, what is its useful life, what is the cost of repair and maintenance, electriciy, lighting, do you rent space or is it a home office that you expense. The list could be even longer depending on your circumstances. Then you have to add in all the consumables, thread, stabilizer etc. You could come us with an overhead number and add the consumables on a design by design basis for a ballpark number but it is not an exact science and truly depends on the machine and circumstances. Not the answer you were looking for but it is food for thought.
Aileen

My husband would say Priceless!! It keeps us both with sanity. It is my hobby an expensive one but a lot of people get very special gifts just for them. It is probably cheaper than a therapist.

I never figured it out. I just sew.

Trying to avoid all the variables I would tell my husband to run (as in electricity) the sewing machine it would cost the price of turning a light bulb on. lol

OK, well for me in the last three years,

3 embroidery machines, $20,500.00; Repairs & Services $360.00 Laptop and repairs $700.00

Stabilisers, threads, designs and whatnots (from receipts I actually have) $2,054.31
(this is only for 16 months and only the receipts I saved for online purchases) it doesn't include purchases made on Ebay or personal purchases in Australia and definitely is not everything I have purchased as I didn't save all the receipts. I think I could triple this amount without any doubt. It doesn't include digitising programs, books, CD's, electricity, Computer upgrade to handle digitising software and external drive to store designs!
Rough estimate without things mentioned..
DEBIT: $27,722.93

Now, to put a CREDIT VALUE on the friends I have made, the love and support I have felt from those wonderful friends, especially during my two year battle with breast cancer, the laughs, the joys, the sorrows and tears I have shared with all these beautiful people,
well, now, let me see........

What is my life worth?

Could you put a Value on that?

I can't, but every day I wake up knowing I am not alone, there is always a friend just a few minutes away, they may even need my help, so that makes me feel worthwhile, useful, needed...

Total Credit: Too high and far too valuable to put a price on.

On a lighter note, go out into his little work shed or whatever his hobby may be, and ask what it costs him to buy and keep, or run, all his toys. Stand back and wait for the stuttering to subside. hehehehehehehe!

Then share his answer with us so we can all get a laugh. :-)))

Who cares what it costs, we only have one life to live and if we can't get some joy out of it without weighing up the cost of everything, then what is the point.

I say enjoy what you have, while you have it, so long as you don't get into debt to have it.

Merry Christmas, hugs n love, Meganne

PS, I'm supposed to be embroidering, but I just HAD to answer this. LOL!!!

Carolyn, just go with Meganne's answers...love the answers...LOL..it pricless..hugs Sally

Who know's but it keeps me "off the street" and is "cheaper than a psychiatrist". Keep on sewing. Love Marg

what is the price if happiness???

About the same as a power tool or a computer!!!

Well Frank bought the machine for me to keep me quite and busy, so to him it's priceless. hehehe, to me it's priceless too, cause I didn't have to pay for it. hehehehe.... Now I'm trying to get a second one out of him also. But it took four years for the first so I imagine it will take another four to get the second. LOL... Also he told me last year when he bought the machine that it would be my Christmas for several years to come. So I'm not expecting anything thing from him this year. LOL...

Tell him that you can't put a price on a woman's sanity!

John and Carolyn - this is a big subject and it could go in lots of dirtections - but I see you got some great answers - I will just sit back and hope the two of you had a great conversation about this one - Hehehe!

They should tell us like they do on appliances, it cost so much per hour to run it per year. But it your case Carolyn you may have to double that. LOL. Go back and find a electric bill before you had your machine and compare to today. Or I say don't worry about it as long as it makes you happy embroider away.
Bev

Somewhere on the machine there will be a plate saying how many watts the motor is. 1000 watts for one hour is I unit of electricity. Of course that depends on where you are and your supplier how much you pay per unit.

Much less than a therapist!!!! and.......you don't have to leave home for a session.

I guess we do have to face the fact that it is an expensive hobby (or in some cases, business). But, look what it produces: Beautiful designs, happy recipients, and a family from all over the world!! It makes you feel rich!! I love reading the answers to this post!!* hugs, Laura

Perhaps he is JUST curious about the cost of the electricity to run it all day! Quietly, hand him a
few quarters, and keep on stitching! LOL You do NOT
want him to get more curious and venture into the cost of supplies! If he should, just remind him of how "cranky" and "unobliging" you get when you can't
stitch! I bet he will immediately retire to the shed
to play with his TOYS! LOL
Angel

I would have to say, I had 2 machines before I had a husband....they never broke down or complained or fussed or whined or asked for anything except some tender loving care....that is also what my hubby gets...if he doesn't like it.....now I have 7 more machines and the same hubby....so if he ever doubts what I spend on my machines or for my machines.....I will just have to remind him that I had the machines first.......ho!ho!ho!