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Buying an embroidery/sewing machine.

Ritalyn | Posted in Machine Embroidery on

I want to buy an embroidery/sewing machine. What features are important & what are your experiences with the various machines? Does anyone like Brother? There is a great dealer in my city.

Replies

  1. Pattiann42 | | #1

    Anyone who owns a Brother, loves a Brother, but there are a few who have had problems Brother machines as do users of other brands.

    I have an older Brother that has no bells and whistles that I used for about four years and then decided I wanted the bells and whistles.

    The local Brother dealer was not as helpful as the Babylock dealer, so I bought a Babylock.

    Brother is the parent company for Babylock.

    I wanted USB compatibility, preferably the flash drive/stick and a larger stitching area when I went shopping for the upgrade.

    I do not advise getting a machine that is limited to a 4 x 4 stitching area, or one that requires a reader/writer box for getting designs downloaded from the Internet to the embroidery machine.  The USB port A (flash drive) and UBS port B (cable connection of PC to embroidery machine) eliminate the need for the reader/writer unit.  The cable method requires the PC and embroidery machine sit side-by-side.

    Visit as many dealers as you can and try the machines they are selling.  Buy from the dealer you like best - basically all embroidery machine do the same thing. 

    You will get at least one 'get acquainted with the machine" lesson and some dealers have classes and additional lessons.

    Don't buy any additional software at this time - the need for this can be determined later, after you have used the embroidery machine for a while.  In fact, you may not need software at all and dealer's charge too much.  

    Make a list before you go shopping and take notes as you visit the dealers.

    Best wishes and good luck in your search.

     

     

    1. Ritalyn | | #9

      I bought a Duetta 4500D from Brother on Saturday. The main reason I bought that one was because the dealer is by far the best in my area. Now I have to read the manual & get sewing. Thanks for the info.

  2. Ritalyn | | #2

    Dear Spicegirl1,
    Thanks for the suggestions/recommendations about buying an embroidery/sewing machine. It's a hard decision to make when all of the machines cost a lot of money. Hope to purchase one in the next couple months. I think Viking has a new model coming out at the end of April.

    1. Crazy K | | #3

      Hi just got an email from Husqvarna (I have two SEs) and the new 'unveiling' is actually June 15.  They will start a 'sneak peek' the end of April but I'm not sure how much info will be let out.  I don't think the machines will be available until mid-June..at least if I read the email correctly.  I'm really eager to see what the improvements are so I'll be watching!

      Kay

      1. Betakin | | #4

        My Viking dealer recently sent out his newsletter about Viking having a new jewel coming out and about it being the "Diamond" of all machines, so I am supposing the name of the new machine is the Diamond being there are also the  HV Sapphire models and the Emeralds. I don't know what type of machine the new one will be.

        I see there is also a little Brother combo sewing embroidery machine that is priced under $600 that includes Disney. It is the Brother 900D. I have a stand alone embroidery machine of a different brand but made by Brother and it has been a workhorse and embroidered on some of the toughest of fabrics. 

        I was recently looking at the Babylock Ellure and Ellure Plus models which seem like nice combo machines.  

      2. Ritalyn | | #5

        Hi Crazy K,
        I saw that Husqvarna is coming out with a new machine too. I might have to wait to see it. The only problem with that brand is that locally they are sold in a fabric store. I'm not real happy with learning about a new machine in the middle of all of that commotion. Sales people weren't that knowledgeable about the machines. No local repair.

        1. Crazy K | | #6

          I was most fortunate when I bought my Designer SEs.........they taught the classes in a 'class room' at the back of the store and the instructors were very knowledgable.....one taught the machine and another lady taught software classes.  Very very good.  Now I'm in a quandry........the dealership just recently changed hands and I'm not so sure the same ladies will stay on so we'll see how good service is now.  I have another dealer in a town just a few miles from where I live so I can switch dealers quite easily.........something not everyone can do.  That is a sewing machine shop...........the place where I bought is located in a JoAnn ETC........which is quite common around this area.

          I'm quite eager to see the new model as well..........not sure that I will be eligible for a good deal trade-up but we'll see.  I've had my SEs for over 2 years and usually they do dollar for dollar tradeups within the first year..............guess time will tell.

          K

          1. MaryinColorado | | #7

            I love my Designer 1!  After the new Viking comes out this summer, I will either upgrade to a Designer SELE, buy the new one, or at least pay the $500.00 to have my D1 updated for the USB. 

            I love the 4D software!  The Pfaff and the Viking 4D embroidery software are the same, just different packaging I believe. There was a lady in one of my classes that has the new Bernina software and ended up buying the Viking 4D because it is more user friendly and she loves it for her Bernina embroidery machine.  She never thought she'd be a convert!  Most people either like Bernina or Vikings and rarely seem to convert. 

            The dealer is very important, but with the economy in such a mess, many dealers are closing or minimizing their stock and employees.  I think local dealers that will help you troubleshoot over the phone or in person at no extra charge are important.  Also as many "learn your machine" classes as necessary, local repair so you aren't paying shipping charges and waiting for weeks to get your machine back.  I used a smaller embroidery machine that only had the 4x4 inch hoop for about six years before upgrading to what was the current "top of the line".  Viking is great about upgrading the software and machine at no or minimal cost for many years so far.  Ihope they will continue to do so. 

            I was told the new Viking "top of the line" will be alot like the new Pfaff Creative Vision, but we'll see.  I hope to always be a "Viking Gal" since the feet are interchangeable and I have so many due to my "foot fetish"....

            The machine you buy should be a "good fit" for you, your budget, your location, your abilty to learn from DVDs and manuals that may be available for your choices, where it will be repaired, if you have to send it out of town, what about shipping costs and "loaner" machines?  You might want to get it in writing if they offer free shipping and loaners!   Also do a search heree as there have been alot of discussion of this.  Also try http://www.sewforum.com for machine reviews by owners.  Be sure you test drive!!!  Mary

          2. Ritalyn | | #8

            Thanks for the info. I bought a Duetta 4500D from Brother on Saturday. The main reason I bought it was that the dealer was the most knowledgeable in the area and I like the Disney designs. Now I need to read the manual and get started.
            Ritalyn

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