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What is the best embroidery machine for a beginner?

November 25th, 2012 Leave a comment Go to comments

My intention is to be able to embroider golf towels for memorial golf tournaments each year and possibly do shirts down the road if I find that it is not to difficult. Can someone please tell me if I am going in over my head here with even thinking about trying to do this? Please help me out here with some answers. Thank you…

Visit as many sewing machine dealers as you can and tell them your interests.

Machine embroidery is easy – the machine does all the work. All you need to do is follow the instructions and watch the results as the machine does it’s thing.

Ideally, you want an embroidery machine that has at least a 5×7 stitching area, USB direct connect or USB flash drive for sending designs to the machine that you have downloaded from the Internet to your PC.

Do not buy an embroidery machine that uses rewritable memory cards and card reader box only – they are becoming obsolete as they are not compatible with Vista 64.

Do not buy software from a dealer – you need to become comfortable with the machine first, and some software is less expensive online.

Embird is one that is very popular and can be downloaded as a free trial.

You will need to also purchase, embroidery thread, embroidery bobbin thread and stabilizer. A package of needles and small scissors will come with the machine.

See this site for tips and techniques for machine embroidery – http://www.emblibrary.com/EL/elprojects/holder.aspx?page=techniques

Forums that are helpful are http://www.sewforum.com and http://www.annthegran.com/

  1. pattiann42
    November 25th, 2012 at 06:49 | #1

    Visit as many sewing machine dealers as you can and tell them your interests.

    Machine embroidery is easy – the machine does all the work. All you need to do is follow the instructions and watch the results as the machine does it’s thing.

    Ideally, you want an embroidery machine that has at least a 5×7 stitching area, USB direct connect or USB flash drive for sending designs to the machine that you have downloaded from the Internet to your PC.

    Do not buy an embroidery machine that uses rewritable memory cards and card reader box only – they are becoming obsolete as they are not compatible with Vista 64.

    Do not buy software from a dealer – you need to become comfortable with the machine first, and some software is less expensive online.

    Embird is one that is very popular and can be downloaded as a free trial.

    You will need to also purchase, embroidery thread, embroidery bobbin thread and stabilizer. A package of needles and small scissors will come with the machine.

    See this site for tips and techniques for machine embroidery – http://www.emblibrary.com/EL/elprojects/holder.aspx?page=techniques

    Forums that are helpful are http://www.sewforum.com and http://www.annthegran.com/
    References :
    Sewing & Machine Embroidery Teacher and Advisor.

  2. csscats2
    November 25th, 2012 at 07:13 | #2

    Hello. I’ve been embroidering for about 9 years now. I would start out on a very basic machine, and then work up if you decide this is something that you will love. I think tho, that once you get started, you will be hooked!!! I love working on the machine, and creating all kinds of neat stuff. I’ve got a Bernina Deco 600, and it is just perfect for the beginner. You can do hats, and towels, and shirts, and just about anything else, once you get the correct hoops. I’ve also heard from other people, that the Brother is a good one to start with. The machine I’ve got has done me well thru all these years, and the repairs on it have been very minor. Hope this helps. csscats2
    References :

  3. agm
    November 25th, 2012 at 07:38 | #3

    Try these sites, they have a tips page with specific details on how to select a machine:

    http://www.dekatzenembroidery.co.za
    http://www.stitchpatch.co.za
    References :

  4. scifig
    November 25th, 2012 at 08:00 | #4

    If you start with the smallest most basic machine, and you intend to do a lot of towels. The machine might be so slow that it isn’t worth the money you have spent on it. Also if you get a small home machine and do "business" on it, and you take it in to be serviced they will assume you have used it for other than home use and often do not want to service your machine under warranty. I have known over zealous grandmothers be accused of this after stitching tons of items for grandchildren. Make sure you ask what the stitch speed is, because if the design is more than simple lettering you might end up spending 30 minutes or more stitching one simple towel.
    References :
    Abbie R
    owner and digitizer
    http://www.sewdragondesigns.com embroidery

  5. Alyson G
    November 25th, 2012 at 08:19 | #5

    I have worked at Hancock Fabrics for 4 years now. We have a Bernina dealer inside our store. Of all the embroidery machines our store has carried, (ie. janome, singer, etc.) I bought the Bernina Deco 340. It was their cheapest machine (under $1500.) plus you get 2 years maintenance on it and free mastery classes to learn how to use your machine. If you offer to buy their display, they may give you a little more of a discount, have the person call and ask their regional owner.
    References :
    Personal experience…

  6. weenies5babies
    November 25th, 2012 at 08:52 | #6

    I started last year with a Singer Futura CE100 & have taught myself to use it. It has two hoop sizes, large & small. It comes with an instructional dvd and has a usb port to download from the internet. It is a great starter machine.
    References :

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