sewing/embroidery machines... help!

Hello everyone!!!

There had been a thread I started some months ago, but I do not know where it is, so I went ahead and started this new one.

Here's a question:
Which Sewing & Embroidery machine is the best? *note* all three models listed ARE computerized, since that I would require to use a computer to transfer the embroidery designs I want to do.

Baby Lock : Pro Line Embroidery Machine, Model BL60E
Brother/Disney Embroidery Machine Model SE-270D
Singer futura CE-100 Sewing & Embroidery Machine
OTHER please list

I need to know which machine is the best for working capabilities, and also I *think* these all come with the cards that you can transfer images from your computer onto.

Thank you all in advance!! Hopefully I will be able to find a favorite among you all, and perhaps be able to get it. THAT would be awesome.

God bless!
~N

 

Well, a few years ago I got the Viking Desginer I. The newer models use memory sticks to transfer the designs over from your computer. They seem to get great reviews, but I have not really explored the embroidery capabilities fully.

I'm not familiar with the other machines, I'm sure they are also good. I'd just make sure you test drive them as sewing machines if you intend to use it for both sewing and embroidery. Some embroidery machines have very wide feed dogs which is a great feature for embroidery, but not great for day to day sewing when you need to be doing narrow 1/4" seams, zippers, straight even top stitching, etc.

 

The best Viking machine right now is the Designer SE. http://www.husqvarnaviking.com/us/445.htm

I have the old Designer 1 (w/o the USB, have to get mine upgraded).

For the Viking machines, you buy very expensive software that you load on your PC and then transfer the completed stitch pattern over to the machine. Or you use the stock designs that come with the machine or that you buy.

I did quite a bit of research before I picked the D1, and my pick was based on the large hoop size**, the wide decorative omnimotion stitches (in sewing machine mode) and the auto tension adjustment. I do know someone that was considering a D1, but ended up going with a commercial machine instead, since they only wanted to do embroidery and not sewing and embroidery.

The D1 an D SE are NOT inexpensive machines, but after seeing how much work it takes to split designs and rehoop, I decided I wanted to go with a machine that has a large hoop size.

If you are thinking about getting an embroidery machine, visit all the dealers in your area and get demos of the different machines. Then narrow down you list and go back and test drive a few of the machines on the short list.

My D1 does everything I want it to, now I just have to learn how to work all the stuff (*mumbles to self about going to the classes and learning all the software*)



**Standard Hoop for designs up to 4'' x 4'' (100 x 100 mm). Large Hoop for designs up to 9 1/2'' x 6'' (240 x 150 mm). Mega Hoop for designs up to 14 1/4'' x 6'' (360 x 150 mm).

Edit: There are some reviews of embroidery machines here: http://sewing.patternreview.com/EmbroideryMachinery/
http://www.joann.com/catalog.jhtml?CATID=169774 has reviews in the listing for each Singer machine

 

I have a Baby Lock and love it.
That model I"m not too familiar with. Just make sure that if you plan on making your own patterns that you would get the kind that can interact with the Pallet software (which was $1200 last I knew). WIthout that, you can't make your own patterns.

Brother machines are very close to the Baby Lock. Some are really the same machines with different names. You can get the ability to take a picture and have the computer convert it to stitches much more affordably with the Brother than with the Baby Lock. Some machines even connect to a disc drive directly rather than having to do it through your computer. But you don't have any control over where the stitches are placed and can't alter things after they are digitized.

Singer...meh. I don't think they make the quite the quality that Brother or Baby Lock does.

I guess it really boils down to what you want to do with the machine. Pretty much any embroidery machine you look at is going to claim to be "computerized." That doesn't always mean that you can create your own or alter patterns. If you want to buy patterns pre-made and not alter them at all, most of them would be fine. If you want to make your own designs in a computer design program (like Photoshop or something) and then have it all done automatically and don't need to control or change the end-product, some of the higher-end Brother machines are fine. If you want to make your own designs from scratch and change what kind of stitch is used, go with the Baby Lock.

MOST IMPORTANT: Get the machine through a licenced dealer. Not on e-bay. Not in Wal-Mart. Not in a JoAnns if you can't get support. The ability to go into your local shop or call them on the phone when you run into a question is INVALUABLE! More than worth the difference in price. Let them know what you want to do with the machine. Make sure you know what other software you would need to get to do what you want to do with the machine. Find out if it even has the capability to work with these programs. Many don't.

BTW--apparently Bably Lock will be having a sale Oct 12-14--saw that when I was looking up the machine on the BabyLock site.

 

Another thing I like about Viking, is the sophistication of their stock designs and component designs (that you mix and match to make designs). http://www.husqvarnaviking.com/us/430.htm Some of the other brands came with very juvenile designs, which are fine if you making stuff for your kids or grandkids. But since I use the machine to make costumes and clothing for historic dance events, I was looking for all the heirloom and more adult designs.

 

Wow, lots of very helpful information!

I intend to use BOTH the embroidery & Sewing capabilities of the machine, if possible. However, if there is a good embroidery machine out there that is under $300 (I hope) I will just get that, as I do have a good sewing machine.

I want to be able to use it to embroider doll costumes--so i don't need a massive area to work in. The built in designs will be mostly of no use to me, as everything I do is movie costumes, or my own designs.

What I am looking for is a good machine, that will be compatible with a computer (I just got Virtual PC, since I have mac, so I have to see which machines will work with that) as I need to transfer over my own designs, and I really would love to pay no more than $300 -- Ebay is an awesome option for that, as well.

Hopefully that will narrow the fields a little--Again thank you all so much for the input in here already!!!

God bless!
~N

 

Nidrail, you should have posted your price range in the original post. We are answering which machine is "the best", and are giving answers for machines and software that cost 10 to 20 times you target amount ($300).

This is why it's important to talk to the dealers and tell them what you want to do and what your budget range is. But from reading lots of review, in the low end/cost embroidery machines, you get what you pay for. I would not buy a machine on ebay, and then not have local support for it. Dealers also might have a trade in machine from someone that upgraded to a better model of embroidery machine.

I don't think any of the low end machines let you do original designs without some add on.

Baby Lock BL60E
http://www.babylock.com/sewing-embroidery/product.asp?Product_ID=BL60E - Lowest sale price I see is $500

I believe you have to buy Paletté to make and transfer you own designs - Lowest I see it for is $700
http://www.babylock.com/software/product.asp?Product_ID=ECS-E1

So that would run you $1200 minimum.

QUANTUM® Futura
http://www.singerco.com/futura/qfutura.html - $799

From reading the website, it looks like you can use you PC to select and send already digitized designs from PC to Machine, but don't see any mention of software to create/digitize your own design.

http://www.joann.com/catalog.jhtml?CATID=169774&PRODID=92388 - $495
Singer® Futura
"Here is one of the first sewing/embroidery machines that use a personal computer to power the embroidery features. Download stitched designs from other CD or floppy disk and embroider! "

Again, only mention of using the PC to download existing designs, no mention of ability to custom digitize.
I think ???? for the Futura's that you just buy what ever brand of digitizing software you want, and then use it, but can't be sure. You will need to research this further.

 

Wow! Lots of information! I would love to own an embroidery machine myself (one day). My mother has owned several ranging in price from $300 to almost $4000. Right now, though, she uses a Viking and really loves it. She did purchase it through a licensed dealer and was able to arrange monthly payments (if you're like me, pinching pennies constantly), 'cause I do remember her celebrating her last payment not too long ago. She also has the Disney machine, which she uses for basic sewing needs and to embroider baby clothes. Her advice to me, though, was the same as what is mentioned above...licensed dealers are a must, and you get what you pay for. Almost like buying a car lol!!

 

Wow--okay, thank you ladies very much!!!

Yeah I kinda had an inkling, but was hoping otherwise
Well, here's to getting a savings account!!

Thanks again, this info is very very VERY helpfull.

God bless!
~N