You may want to take a look at Viking/Husqvarna. They have a variety of machines available that use several hoop sizes. If you want to see the design show on the embroidery machine I would suggest the Ruby or Diamond. The Ruby may be a bit more affordable. They are having a special sale on the Diamond and Topaz 20 and 30. Topaz does not have as nice machine display.

My technician likes Brothers ULT series, they have big hoops too, not sure the measurement. I was thinking about the Viking topaz 30, but I will be very careful, Viking and singer are made in China; I will buy another Brother if I have the money LOL

I have the Baby Lock Ellisimo Gold..love it...it is the sister machine to the Brother Quattro...can't say enough about the camera and scanner that allow you to have PERFECT placement of your designs EXACTLY where you want them...even if you hoop your fabric crooked...the camera and scanner realign the design so it is perfect...I find it truly amazing...

I agree with dragonflyer. If you can afford it, go with the Babylock Elissimo Gold. You seldom see them being sold or people complaining about them needing frequent repairs. If you are in doubt, I recommend you going to as many dealers as you can easily drive to so you can test the different machines. Let us know what you decide to purchase.

Whatever you do, do a lot of research on line, and test drive all the machines at a dealer. Talk to a lot of different dealers, and talk to the customers of those dealers! I have a dealer who is honest, offers fair prices, trade ins, free classes, free extras, will help over the phone, fixes my Janomes on the spot half the time, the owner is the repair man and is dynamite, and both he and his wife are angels to work with. That is Super Stitch in North East, PA. They also offer used machines, because often people trade up to what they really wanted in the first place, and the trade machine is hardly used, and the rest of the warranty intact. But all dealers are NOT created equal, and I've heard horror stories from some of the Cuties, too, about dealers who just grab your money and forget you when it comes to lessons or service. I love my Janome, and it's an embroidery only machine, I already have 2 other sewing machines. I like being able to embroider and sew at the same time, actually, so it's perfect for me. That depends on what you want. I'd go with the big commercial multi needle, if I had the money. Bigger hoops, less thread changing, faster sewing speeds. And, whatever hoop size you get, you must know by now it still won't be big enough, hee hee hee. I want a hoop that's about a yard square, myself, hee hee hee. Anyway, best of luck, do your homework, let us know what you narrow the choices down to when you see what all's out there. Hugs, Marji

I have a Viking Ruby. Bought it because of all the hoop sizes and because we have a dealer that gives lesson and also fixes machines. I have many hours on it. Love to embroider and sew. This is my 6 Viking. So you can tell I trust my dealer. Good luck in finding your perfect machine for you.

Right now, I have a basic Janome sewing machine which works fine. I also have a brother PE700II with 5 * 7 stitch area. I bought it last November and as you gals know, no hoop is big enough. I have soon wanted to upgrade.

My budget could be enough for either a high end combo or a 6 needle machine (still a little bit sweet talking will be needed).

I do want all the nice features of a high end combo. I know people complain about not being able to sew while a combo is embroidering. Since I have another sewing machine, this is not a big problem. And I do still have my brother PE700 as back-up embroidery machine.

However, 6 spools of thread would be convenient. And I'd like to embroider on caps easily. However, I have a feeling if I get a 6-needle, I would want the 10 needle or even 15 needle. I mean, I always regret when I didn't go for the top of the line. After I got my janome, I regretted a lot. I haven't regretted a second for getting the best serger on the market (my Baby Lock Evolution)! It is still my best purchase ever!

Right now I cannot afford 10 needle or commercial machines. But I could get the nicest brother combo. I would be happy with the sewing part for a long time and I could get the 8 * 12 hoop.

Maybe in 3 years when we pay off our mortgage, we could afford a nice commercial multi-needle machine (used). Also that's the time I start buying again according to the agreement with hubby! lol

I am looking at the babylock 10 needle, and comparing it with my 630 Bernina. I want the multi threads, and a large stitching area, but not sure I can justify the cost.

i just have bought a brother v3 hoop size up to 7 x 12. i love thise machine. it has a coloured large display which is easy to handle stitches very quiet and fast and i use fufu thread without any complications.

Hi, I have a brother combo and just purchased a regular sewing machine. That way I do not have to mess with tearing it down, even though I could stitch small things I would still have to change the foot. I know it doesn't seem like much, however to do it back and forth is no fun. If I were you I would, and I have been thinking about this a lot is look into the 6 needle Bravo machine(starts at 8,500 and is upgradeable) and get an afforable regular sewing machine.

The Viking Diamond Delux is wonderful with lots of hoop options and it does all kinds of general sewing as well. As a backup I have a Viking Designer 1. Viking is coming out with a new machine in a month or so, therefore you might get a good deal on the Diamond or Ruby.

I have a Quattro - and I do not use it for sewing (like cfidl - don't like to putz with changing it over). I upgraded from a PE780D - which has a max size of 5*7. I have a babylock sewing machine for sewing. I like the Quattro VERY much and got it over a multi needle because of space - I don't have a place where the mutli needle machine will fit. And, I have not come across a design that I "needed" bigger than the 8*12 the Quattro will do so that has not been an issue for me. If you want to do caps then the multi needle is the way to go (if you can). The baby lock and brothers are very much twins - main difference is the brother has built in Disney (and you can get more from ibroidery.com).