I only have a 4x4 and sometimes wish I had 5x7. Having said that I am not too keen on large designs but I would love to make some ITH projects for the 5x7 hoop. I look forward to your replies. Sarah.

Well, the larger the design, the longer it takes to stitch out, overnight sometimes.

My Elna Xquisite machines have 6 x 10 hoops and there is usually some stabiliser waste as most designs stop at 5 x 7. But they are great for those odd times when the design is slightly larger than 5 x 7, as sometimes happens with Embroidery Library designs.

The Viking Designer Diamond jumped from a 4x4 hoop to a 7.87 x 14.17 (200 x 260) and I found I had to buy myself a 5 x 7 hoop.

The Brother 750D only had a 4x4 so I also had to buy a 5 x 7 hoop for that machine too.

I do find the hoops larger than 5x7 are great if you want to stitch out multiple FSL designs or things like the felt napkin holders, but other than that I rarely use them.

That may change if I ever get around to making my Asian designs sewing screen, or if I ever want to embroider a jacket back. It is nice to know I have them if I need them.

I never recommend Bernina because of their "protected" ART format.

I have found Brother machine had bobbin tension problems that a $1,500 machine should not have.

I can't fault my Elna Xquisite machines, but for the lack of support since Elna co was taken over by Janome and they no longer make these machines. Very sad because they were years ahead of their time but very poorly marketed. I loved my first Xquisite so much that I purchased one from the States along with a step down transformer to run it with our power supply.

So that leaves the Viking or Pfaff, which I believe have now merged so you can take your choice.

If JUKI (Japan) ever brings out an Embroidery sewing machine, that would be the one I would buy, but they would need to have service available in Australia. BTW, Juki made the Elna Xquisite machines. They also make Bernette Sergers/Overlockers.

I would think that going from a commercial 15 needle to a single needle would be a slow and tedious change since you would have to stop at every thread change and manually change the thread.
I have a Brother Innovis 4500D, and it seems to do quite well. I rarely use a hoop larger than 5x7, but it is nice to have for the occasional project. My favorite hoop size is actually the 4x4, as anything bigger tends to take FOREVER to stitch out. I also don't run my machine at full speed because if I have a problem, it doesn't grow so quickly. The only thing I don't like about my machine is the large space it takes up; it covers the width of the table when it is set up, and lots of stuff to store.
Have fun shopping. Try them all out before buying. Each has a different selling point, and you won't know what attracts or irritates you till you give it a go yourself.

I have a Husqvarna Viking Topaz 30 and it came with two hoops: 120x120mm and 200x360mm. I love my machine. I have also bought a 200x260mm and a 200x200mm hoops. I almost never use the smaller hoop, I use the large hoops all the time, love embroidering large doilies and recently I have learned to embroider 350x350mm doilies in two hoopings, using the 200x360mm hoop. If I had bought the Diamond I could embroider the 350mm doily in one hooping and it would be much easier and quicker. The Topaz 30 is a cheaper version than the Diamond and it works well. Also there is the Ruby which is between the Diamond and the Topaz. Hugs, Lidia

I would think it depends on what you stitch out the most,
I have the viking ruby, it came with 120x120, 200x360 and I have purchased the 200x260 as well as the 130x180 which covers about everything I want to make. I have to say I use my 200x360 the most because I do a lot of baby items and I group many designs to make one. Having the choices of the others is great though, By the way, I find the Ruby super and more reasonably priced than the viking diamond.
Good luck
Michelle

I have a 4-needle machine, biggest hoop 200x240, which I love and use for anything having not too many colour changes. It's fast and I love the sturdy hoops.
In case of more than 4 colours, I use my Ruby. It came with the 120x120 mm and the 200x360 mm hoops and I still have quite a selection of hoops I bought for my Designer 1, ranging from the round 40x40 spring hoop to 150x240. I must say I don't use the largest one (200x360) very often, but I do use the smaller ones a lot. There are so many lovely designs for a 4x4" hoop (which I no longer have) so my most used ones are the 100x170, the 120x120 and the 150x150 quilt hoop. The Ruby is a lovely machine, reasonably priced (especially when I bought it at an introductory price when it first came on the market in the Netherlands). My Designer1 is 13 years old and my daughter is now using it - only repair has been the replacement of the touch screen after 11 years. I hope the Ruby will turn out to be just as reliable.

It is worth the $$$ to get the larger hoop for combining designs - like alphas - granted I have not done this yet! I also want to make paper dolls! and wardrobes take up so much room! I do not believe I will use the 7 x 12 often, however I really want a large Martine(mops) Chrismas Doily from my favorite cotton "rubber" sheeting! I must be to lazy or not have time to do multihooping and learn embird which are goals for 2012! ! Live Laugh Download Stitch! christine

Many projects are out there for the 5x7 hoop (that was the largest size on my first machine - a Brother 780D) - in fact most of what I do is 5x7 or smaller (even though I have a Brother 6000D Quattro that goes up to a 8x12 hoop). If your commercial machine does the big things you would probably be just fine with the 5x7 for another machine for smaller things. I am happy with both of my machines.

I like my Brother 6500 it is 5x7 hope I could buy a larger hoop when I win the lottery.

When I got my 15 needle commercial machine, I kept my old faithful Brother PC8500D. It has the 4x4 and 5x7 hoops, and has come in handy for stitching on something else. www.kenssewingcenter.com usually has a few gently loved and refurbished machines with warranty at a good price. You may want to check them out, as they are very reputable and customer friendly. Not affiliated, just a satisfied customer!
Angel

I have the Baby-loc esante. I really like mine. I bought it used and it's been a great running machine. I love sitting at it and choosing 1 color at a time and watching the design stitch out.

WOW!!!! Thank you all for the replies. I posted the machine somone in my area has for sale. I'm still thinking about it. By the time I make up my mind, it will be gone...lol

Mary Ann, I have a s Singer Quantum Futura. Sewing and embroidery machine. Mainly, I use my Brother PR 600. It has 6 heads and a lot of extras. I have thoroughly enjoyed both for their individual qualities. Good luck with the hunt!

Hugs, Bonnie

I kept my ULT when I bought a 16 needle Amaya XT and I continue to use it for some things. Mostly 5 x 7 designs. It still embroiders beautifully. Lately I have gotten into lace and ended up getting a Brother 6700D with the camera. I use it every day. Love the machine. Often when bigger designs are stitching on the Amaya I can also be doing lace on the 6700D. My ULT is now sewing my Zundt lace tablecloth squares together full time. My embroidery room really is buzzing these days.

I think you will really enjoy having a single needle machine to go along with your 15 needle. I found that even with the speed of the Amaya I was still anxious to get to the next design. Now I really feel like I am accomplishing a lot.

Please let us know what machine you decide to buy.

Marcelle
Florence, AL