Embroidery machines...

[RachelFromTheBlackLagoon]

Are insanely expensive! Holy crap! Anybody know of one that's reasonably priced and of decent quality?

 

[tampitt]

That's why we went ahead and got a used commercial embroidery machine. It was the same price as a new small at home model, we can do up to 11 colors without having to change thread. Ours is a SWF T-1201.

 

[Thomas423]

My MIL has the Husquvana Design Se....it was very expensive and has caused her much trouble. And then the computer program is expensive too and when she got her new puter with Vista she had to buy a whole new program.

But.....she also makes alot of great stuff!!! She uses the designs to make quilt blocks mostly. Beautiful stuff so all in all it's probably worth it.

 

[Thomas423]

Quote:
That's great about not changing the thread so much. What brand is that? Where did you get it? Does it have a computer program too?

 

[Chicks_N_Horses]

IMO You get what you pay for in an embroidery machine. I would defintatly get the best one I could afford to get. The quality of the stitches are better, you can DL from your computer, you can have several sized work areas, etc....the list can go on

If you do small and simple things then a less expensive one would fit one just fine but prepare to get addicted and want an upgrade

I am in love with the Brother Innovis 4000 at this time.

Check out ebay - sometimes you can get a great deal on a machine there! Make sure they have positive feedback (and alot of it

) and that they have a very good seller reputation before forking out big money on there...and pay via paypal which can provide buyer protection.

Check out your local authorized Singer/Brother dealerships and they often have good machines or know of someone who is wanting to sell.

Good Luck -

OR start to hand embroider - no need for a machine and you can do work just as great as a machine...not to mention value of hand made items are wroth more.

 

[greenfamilyfarms]

My mother and I love the Brother machines.

 

[Rosalind]

What kind of embroidery did you want to do? And how much were you looking to spend? Sometimes you can find them cheap second-hand: I got one from a relative who traded it to me for some tailoring on a couple pairs of pants. But lots of people buy them thinking they are going to do all this sewing, and then it sits in a closet, never used, until the next yard sale or whatever. Did you check Craiglist?

(edited for redundancy and because I haz no grammar 2day)

 

[calicokat]

Check Craigslist, Ebay, estate sales, etc. As someone else said, lots of folks get one thinking they'll do tons with it - but then it collects dust for one reason or another. Maybe post a "Wanted" ad on some of the sights that will let you.

And don't forget your local classifieds in the newspaper - ours are just LOADED with all kinds of goodies right now. Folks parting with their toys and goodies to help pay the bills.

Good luck

 

[tampitt]

Quote:
That's great about not changing the thread so much. What brand is that? Where did you get it? Does it have a computer program too?

It's a commercial grade machine. Here's a picture of what one looks like. http://www.alibaba.com/product-free/106307233/Price_Drop_2003_SWF_T_1501.html It's an SWF brand. We got it from a resaler in Fort Worth. You do need a computer program to convert and transfer files to the machine to sew. We are currently using WingsXP.
You might see if there's an ISS Show http://www.issshows.com/ in your area, it's an imprinted garment tradeshow.

Quote:
yes you do get what you pay for. We spend part of my inheritance from my dad on this machine. We can do whole jacket backs, embroider hats, bags, almost anything. We bought it for a home based business, sadly I don't do much business with it.

 

[RachelFromTheBlackLagoon]

Well, the reason I don't want to spend a lit of money on one is because its sole purpose will be to embroider the dog collars I make LOL. Nothing intricate, just names and small designs. Hmm, wonder if maybe I should just do it by hand then.