Help a newbie? Advice on Embroidery/ Sewing combo?

[BubbeSue]

I want to buy an embroidery machine to make things and be able to monogram them for DD and to make things for family and friends. I am a basic sewer, but I can follow a pattern, cut out the fabric and sew it together. I am thinking of making simple things like Christmas stockings, play aprons, tote bags, maybe a baby blanket quilt. I know what will make me really have fun with it is the embroidery part of it.

I was thinking of buying this machine, http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog.j...ery%20Machines but having never owned or operated an embroidery machine, I wondered if anyone has any advice about this machine or just embroidery machines in general? I would like to buy a combo machine because I got rid of my very basic sewing machine when we moved cross country. I need to keep the cost around $500. TIA for any replies!

[sabrinat]

Your link doesn't work.
Is $500 your top budget? What size embroidery field do you want? Would you consider a used machine?

[BubbeSue]

Yes. $500 is my top of my budget. This is a new hobby for me, not a home business, so I can't justify spending more than that. I would consider a used machine if the person selling it to me was willing to tell me why they were selling (i.e. not because it broke down and is not able to be fixed. I would not be able to tell that because I don't know much about them. I would also want them to be willing to answer questions I might have in the month or so after I bought it from them. I don't mean to sound overly picky; I just don't know much and would like to be able to ask questions. I would feel less awkward asking a store because that is the business they are in, KWIM?

The model I tried to link to was the Brother LB6770PRW. I have been told by a couple of friends/ aquaintences that brother is a basic brand, not professional grade. That is ok with me as long as it is a good hobby grade machine. I don't know about specs or even how you transfer the designs, so any info would be much appreciated. TIA!

[sabrinat]

Originally Posted by BubbeSue

Yes. $500 is my top of my budget. This is a new hobby for me, not a home business, so I can't justify spending more than that. I would consider a used machine if the person selling it to me was willing to tell me why they were selling (i.e. not because it broke down and is not able to be fixed. I would not be able to tell that because I don't know much about them. I would also want them to be willing to answer questions I might have in the month or so after I bought it from them. I don't mean to sound overly picky; I just don't know much and would like to be able to ask questions. I would feel less awkward asking a store because that is the business they are in, KWIM?

The model I tried to link to was the Brother LB6770PRW. I have been told by a couple of friends/ aquaintences that brother is a basic brand, not professional grade. That is ok with me as long as it is a good hobby grade machine. I don't know about specs or even how you transfer the designs, so any info would be much appreciated. TIA!

You might try patternreview.com to get reviews on that particular machine. Brother actually makes machines at all price points, from inexpensive entry level machines to professional 6 and 8 head embroidery machines that cost thousands of dollars. I am actually a big fan of Brother. I think you get a lot of bang for your buck.

There are a few machines in your price range that are combo machines. They may have some limitation such as stitch field size and ability to transfer designs. You may need a separate box to be able to transfer designs since most machines in your price point will not connect directly to a computer using a usb cable.
I mentioned used machines since you may be able to get a much better, feature packed machine for the money. You can check ebay, craigslist and sewing machine shops. The other factor that you haven't mentioned so I thought I would is that embroideyr is quite an expensive hobby. It requires special thread that is a different weight from sewing thread. It requires stabilizers and unless you have digitizing software or get the designs for free you will need to purchase designs.
I have an embroider machine. I chose one that had a 5 X 7 stitch field and I got it on sale, but it was still about $1000, I spent an additional $300+ for stabilizers and thread. I watched sales, but it still adds up.

[shepremiers]

I bought the Brother SE-350 from wal mart for 370ish and I love it so far. A lot of people don't like the new electric machines but I do! It has a touch screen and it embroiders, I have not used the embroidery yet though. I am a novice sewer as well and this machine has been great!