I am just starting out but can definitely tell it's not a cheap hobby. Just getting enough thread to start out has set me back a good chunk of change. However, I feel it's gonna be worth every penny!

It is alot healthier than drus, alcohol and some foods. A more creative habit.

Just remember to backup all your designs regularly , at in 2 different places so if anything goes wrong all your designs are still available to you.
The money I've spent over the years on different sewing machine ,fabrics etc has saved us money in the long run -clothes ,curtains ,cushions toys the list goes on -all made at a fraction of the cost of store bought & of a higher quality & just as I wanted.
I reckon I am even or maybe slightly ahead money wise.

I've wondered that a few times too - but I think I am better not knowing how much I've spent. The total just at emb library is high enough, then I started buying from other places too.... More recently I have been dabbling with scrapping/stamping and cardmaking as well. I have always loved paper and combining embroidery and card making is great fun :)
I am blessed as my hubby doesn't mind, in fact encourages me because he knows it makes me happy.

I don't think you want to know. I spent so far over $2300 in designs alone, in the past 3 years, not to mention all the notions that are needed, plus clothes, materials, etc...
Sukiray

I choose not to keep track because I think it would scare me to death. It brings me great happiness.

Machine Embroidery isn't a cheap hobby, is it! But, we CAN rationalize it.

1. We use our hobby to make lots of gifts, which otherwise we would probably have to purchase.

2. Using all those rulers and following all those directions keeps our minds sharp - thus holding off cognitive deterioration for at least a couple of years.

3. Sewing usually keeps us at home, if we aren't out shopping in fabric stores or at sewing expos or quilt shows, etc.

4. If we weren't spending our $$ on this, we'd be spending it on something else like ...uh ... uh

5. It keeps us out of the bars - have you ever seen a sewing machine in a bar?

6. It's cheaper than therapy (and other Cuties don't charge for advice!)

7. Husbands may not understand why we need all those colors of thread, but they think we are really cool for knowing how to use all these tools.

8. Designs may cost lots of money, but we can use the same ones over and over again. They are kind of like light bulbs on the shelf. You never know when you are going to need a certain one - and we are Prepared! Besides we are experts at finding tons of great free ones!

9. We never have any boring towels in our houses, or boring tablecloths, or boring tshirts, or boring toilet paper or boring ......

10. IF you run out of tissues, you can always use stabilizer.

11. All the neighborhood birds have plenty of colorful threads for their nests.

12. We keep all the local fabric stores from going out of business.

13. UHhh seems like there must be some more........

Bev - I think it is better not to know, just enjoy.

I prefer not to know, but my DH probably has a pretty good idea...lol.

I also wonder how many years it would take to sew each design just once!

I kept a sheet in Excel, every penny spent on machine(s), yearly service, new hoops and things, embroidery cards, notions (stabiliser, etc), thread, etc., from 1992 until the introduction of the Euro in 2002. And had it automatically give me the totals per column per year. The grand total was rather off-putting.
Have lapsed since then, but kept all receipts.

As you I rather would not know. But I do not regret a single penny as I enjoy doing it.

I am not game to total up. I know I spend a lot on threads. Not that I am using all that I have, but I don't have that colour (it might be just a shade different) so I have to have it.

Hi, Bev....you are so right about all the designs and cost for our hobby with everything that is needed. My hubby bought my 1st emb machine for me for Christmas 4 years ago (I had never even owned a sewing machine b4) and boy did I have sticker shock when I started buying stuff for it, now I don't even think about it, I just buy it, because I need it......and you are so right, it all makes me happy, the digitizing, sewing, embroidering...so here's to us and our smiling faces!!!

everyone's answers are great. I have invested in crafts my whole adult life, which was my sanity. When the husband left, I got the embroidery machine and the sanity continued and does still today. Best investment I made. Now retired, my sister wants to start traveling. I really don't even want to leave my home. It is expensive, watch sales, have people give you gift certificates instead of things you don't need. Be happy.

I love all the answers!!!! They are soooo true, I do not know how much i have spent in all, but I have not regret it, I love this, and it is so true,yes, we do spend a lot on this hobby, but think of the money we have saved every time we we give a gift, every Xmast my home looks like a factory! I spend must of my time doing this, I I really like it!!!!!!!

I really do not want to know how much I have spent on designs! I have said before I have so many I could not stitch them all in a lifetime, but I enjoy looking at them! As I am quite an OLD lady now, I think I will just ask the good Lord to ADD a few more years for "stitching"!! LOL
Angel

I don't want to know the total.... Like you, I purchased a machine last week and that BIG number is still very fresh in my mind - trying to hold off on buying more stuff for a while... BUT.... almost out of vilene and will need more to use the new machine for making all kinds of goodies!

make sure you copy your files every 4 to 6 years thay degrade and computerd crash, it can all go fast, even disks degrade. i lost some once, but it won't happen again. good luck