My Bernia 730E had the option to purchase a Mega Hoop which I LOVE. I think it's about 6 X 15. I just wish it was wider. I would like a hoop about 11 X 11. That's my dream hoop size. Does anyone know of a machine and approx. price of one. At least close to my dream hoop?

My latest is my favorite by far. A Brother Quattro 2 6700D. The hoops are huge. The camera is just the best feature ever. I can do yards and yards of lace all connected so easily with the camera.

Many built in designs including Disney. Also many decorative stitches too.

A really neat feature is a button you can touch and it changes a single design that has multiple colors to stitch in all one color without stopping or me having to change all the colors. No stopping between what would have been color changes.

It came with a box of extra feet for various applications. I have always had to buy walking feet for my machines but the Quattro has one with it.

The 2 USB ports are nice too. The top is a high speed USB for loading designs. Below that is another USB so you can use the mouse instead of the touch screen. It also comes with it's own mouse. The bottom connection is for connecting to the computer to send designs using the cable that also comes with it.

My ULT 2001 would start giving 'low bobbin' warnings way too early. The Quattro is perfect. It using up all but about 20 inches of the bobbin thread and then stops for you to change the bobbin. That feature is a super improvement. If it stops and you get the warning on the screen for low bobbin you know you only have inches left.

It will create an applique from any design but I have not tried that yet. I hope someone else with a Quattro will tell you about that feature.

Mine came with the drawing pad but I haven't ever used it yet either. In fact, I have a long way to go to try all the features this machine has.

It truly is a dream machine.

My commercial Amaya XT now does all the huge designs like using the 16 X 17 jacket back hoop while the Quattro does a lot of miscellaneous things.

The Quattro really is a dream machine.

Marcelle

I have a Brother Quattro Duetta. It has a 7x12" hoop. Personally, I could not justify the need for the camera of the next generation (or the price). This machine does just about anything I would like it to do. It hums along with heavier fabric (denim especially) without a hiccup. Can I suggest that IF you decide to get a machine with the big hoops, that you use something that will hold the fabric taut while it is stitched in the jumbo hoop? I use the Glad Press n Seal, sticky side out, to wrap my hoops. It doesn't create bulk, but helps everything stay put, so the design stitches out the way that the digitizer intended. I LOVE being able to make large designs in one hooping and not have to futz around with lining up the marks, etc. Mine will stitch the whole back of a denim jacket in one hooping. I would NOT trade it for a lesser machine, even though I don't often use the biggest hoop.

wow this is a really good question. you are getting alot of good answers! GOOD LUCK

I have the 15 needle Barudan Elite Pro.I absolutely love it!! It is truly a work horse!I have the set of fast frames so I can do any size design from tiny socks to huge jacket backs.It embroiders on any thickness within hesitation;i have done many Carrhart jackets with it. Hve owned it since 2003 and have never had a breakdown with it.

I have a Pfaff creative sensation. Purchased this machine in Aug 2011. I just love it. My biggest hoop right now is 360 X 200. The largest hoop for this machine is 360 X 350. I will probably get the largest hoop down next summer. This machine just runs itself. Love it!
Cindy B

If you visit a Brother dealer and look at the Quattro be sure you have them show you how the 'edge stitching' feature works. I never could sew an absolutely straight seam but my Quattro will do it automatically for me now.

Marcelle

I Have a Bernina 830
I love it because it is a wonderful machine
and can embroider large designs.
Hugs
Doris O

marcelle can you explain the camera, please & thank you

To answer your camera question I am putting this in a separate reply so it won't be cut off.

An example would be for FSLace. I stitch my first section of lace. Slide the badgemaster up leaving about an inch of the bottom of the lace showing in the hoop. Activate the camera and it will scan the hoop and put the scan on your screen. Then using the move function move your next piece of connecting lace in position to stitch connected to the previous one you stitched.

Even if the stitching starts in the middle of the next piece it will be in perfect position. It is very easy using the camera. It can be used for many placement tasks not just for FSL. If you want to see what your design and the colors you selected will actually look like on your specific fabric just can the fabric and you will see it on your screen with the design on it before you stitch anything.

You can get the machine for much less than you mentioned. And I know Brother dealers are having a special through the 22nd that includes 48 months no interest financing.

If you want one (And I know you do) go for it. You will be so happy with it and it will open up so many new things you can do.

It is a very quiet machine compared to any of my others.

A net feature too is that the Quattro has a button you can touch which moves the embroidery carriage out of the way for regular sewing. You no longer have to remove the embroidery attachment to do regular sewing. That is another great feature.

It comes with a 2 cone thread stand you can attach. I use mine constantly.

There are so many automatic features I can't even being to tell you about. This machine speeds up everything I do.

I also got a free padded cover and padded rolling cart during the promotion when I purchased mine. Ask about that too.

Marcelle

My new machine is a Babylock Ellisimo Gold. While I use it everyday - I have so much to learn about it. It came bundled with a continuous border hoop - that makes it very easy to use the camera and scan the design to find where to add the next length of border. Thank goodness, it also came bundled with 3 years of free cleaning and repair of the Ellisimo. It even has a pen and pad for drawing your designs. It is so wonderful and I was lucky enough to get it at a wonderful end of the year discount plus, having purchased it in Delaware, it was tax free! Sorry, about going on and on about it - I guess I am thrilled with it!! The largest hoop I have is 8x12.

wow I like the sounds of dailylaundry, let us know what you decide

I have looked on line for this too & I must have seen the same price as you did because it was $9989.

I have a Babylock Ellegante2 and the hoop size is 7 x 11.75 inches - it gives me more freedom to do larger that 5 x 7 inch designs.

I just got my stitches magazine newsletter and the Quattro 2 6700 D was reviewed in this issue along with many single head commercial machines. It was the only sewing/embroidery machine reviewed.

There is a promotion right now thru tomorrow the 22nd for National Embroidery Month where you can get 48 month interest free financing. Here is the link to read about the machines included in the promotion.

One other great thing is what they call the 'runway lights' that light the entire embroidery area. They are LED and super bright. No need for any extra lighting.

Marcelle

Here's the link.

I have the 6000D - which is the Quattro before the Quattro 2 out now - I can get all the upgrades for it (like the tablet, the extra font, the continuous hoop, etc.) but I am not planning on them (don't think I will use them enough to warrant the expense).

Yes, it is an expensive machine, but I decided to get it all at once rather than outgrowing machines every year (and not getting much in trade).

If you want something close in hoop size and are willing to sacrafice some of the "fancier" things (like the snowman, camera, tablet, etc.) you might look at the machine right under the Quattro - I think it may still be called the Duetta.

Also, the Quattro is a twin to the BabyLock Ellisimo and the Duetta is a twin to the BabyLock Ellegante. They are basically the same machine with a different name on them and Brother have the Disney designs (not sure if that is something you would like).

I do not use my big hoops all the time but it is sure nice to have them when I want them.

I do love the machine and have no regrets.

I have been very interested in reading your comments as I want a machine with bigger hoops Would prfer embroidery only and at least a 11 x 11 hoop