The Sewing Place

Machine Talk => Embroidery Machines => Topic started by: Marniesews on March 18, 2017, 20:25:52 PM

Title: Perhaps I need an embroidery machine after all! :o
Post by: Marniesews on March 18, 2017, 20:25:52 PM
Well, I never expected to be saying this but I need to consider the prospect of an embroidery machine after all. I've always thought they looked fun but the amount of applications that I'd have for them was so limited that I couldn't justify checking it out. That's just changed however as I've discovered FSL (Free Standing Lace) which looks to me like I could use to make motifs that I could sew onto dance dresses.

I've spent hours searching for them but they're usually the wrong size, the wrong colour, the wrong style, far too expensive, in China etc etc. Thanks to an innocent SG member's reference to FSL I'm now getting very hot and bothered about the possibilities!

I've no planned budget for this and the OH is still blissfully unaware so I probably need to look at trade-ins and auctions which means I need to have a good idea of what I'm looking for and I haven't...at all. I'm thinking that I'll need to know
It's a lot to ask, I know but I'd be very grateful for any shared knowledge and pointers towards good sources of information/advice.   :) :D 0_0
Title: Re: Perhaps I need an embroidery machine after all! :o
Post by: Bodgeitandscarper on March 18, 2017, 21:10:28 PM
I got an embroidery machine a few weeks ago, and it's main use is for adding interest to plain fabrics/garments - I'm doing a great line in stylish fleece jackets currently.
I'm really wanting to try FSL, mainly for things like Christmas decorations, I've downloaded lots of designs, but I'm too busy to actually try any.
I got a Janome 350e, as it was a balance between price and hoop size.  You may think you only want to do small FSL, but you may easily get sidetracked when you start looking at embroidery design websites...
My avatar is a machine embroidered design on a hi-vis flag I made for a friend's recumbent trike - see, the possibilities are endless :-)
Title: Re: Perhaps I need an embroidery machine after all! :o
Post by: sewmuchmore on March 19, 2017, 18:20:14 PM
I made loads of FSL box's, t cups and gift envelopes for Christmas and have just done a pirate ship. The dolls faces were done on my machine. I was undecided whether i would get use from an embroidery machine but i am really glad i bit the bullet. I even do buttonholes on it.
My favorite site is Urban Threads, this is a link to there free standing lace http://www.urbanthreads.com/categories.aspx?category=Freestanding%20Lace
I also won the Madeira Machine Embroidery competition a couple of years ago, with a montage of cheeky postcards.
Title: Re: Perhaps I need an embroidery machine after all! :o
Post by: Marniesews on March 19, 2017, 20:08:52 PM
I also won the Madeira Machine Embroidery competition a couple of years ago, with a montage of cheeky postcards.

Ooh you little minx!  :devil:

Just spotted on a previous thread that you got an Innovis V3. What about you Bodgeitandscarper I don't need a top of the line machine but my instinct is not to consider machines retailing new under £500, just judging from what I see in ordinary sewing machines. Or am I not looking for much sophistication just for FSL? Most of the motifs I'd be making would fit within a 5x7" hoop.

I'm not averse to buying used but with anything computerised I suspect I'm better going for a mid to high end model for quality reasons too. However, I'm assuming with older models I'll need to bear in mind software issues, especially software upgrade options (if any) and compatibility too. Any suggestions?
Title: Re: Perhaps I need an embroidery machine after all! :o
Post by: Bodgeitandscarper on March 19, 2017, 20:15:21 PM
I've only had my Janome 350e a couple of months, but it seems fine so far.  It comes with two hoops, the biggest is 140 x 200mm.  I'd rather like the 500e, with a bigger hoop size, but that's a lot more money.
I know you're looking at FSL, but you may well be easily tempted to do other stuff.   :D
Title: Re: Perhaps I need an embroidery machine after all! :o
Post by: Marniesews on March 19, 2017, 20:48:15 PM
There were 2 Janome 350E's on Gumtree last night for £550 and £350, the latter being in my county and the former including lots of threads etc but I wasn't going to jump until I'd done some research. Both are gone today!

Having read up about it more it looks like they may well have been fine for me but I've learned it's essential to be patient (and wary) when looking for used machines.
Title: Re: Perhaps I need an embroidery machine after all! :o
Post by: SewRose on March 20, 2017, 06:56:08 AM
I had a 350e for 6 years and used it nearly every day. It is a great machine. I now have a 500e which has bigger hoops. Be careful if going second hand as if the machine has been heavily used it may have issues. :( If you are planning to sew mostly FSL you will need lots of soluble stabiliser, which is not cheap. Janome or Brother are probably the best makes to go for.
Title: Re: Perhaps I need an embroidery machine after all! :o
Post by: sewmuchmore on March 20, 2017, 17:33:01 PM
I started with a Brother 750E (no longer made) which came with free digitizing soft ware, but quickly found i wanted to do bigger embroidery designs hence the upgrade.
The machines are an investment and as you say you need to research what is available. From my own experience consider the size of the designs the machine will sew before making your choice. Plus you may well find that the middle price range onwards will often come with free soft ware, which is often worth £400+
Title: Re: Perhaps I need an embroidery machine after all! :o
Post by: Marniesews on March 21, 2017, 17:43:12 PM
I've joined an FB group trying to get more embroidery input. There's been a suggestion that Brother may be more user friendly than Janome although that may be because the user had a sewing/embroidery machine whereas their Brother replacement was embroidery only. It may also make a difference if you've used Janome sewing machines before - which I haven't.

Any thoughts on that?

Two companies have also been suggested for refurbished trade-ins. One is David Drummond of whom I've heard several previous mentions regarding machines in general on TSF and the other is Lords Sewing Machines - they're new to me although I may be able to pop into Oswaldtwistle in a few months when we visit family & friends  in Lancashire although a second visit would be many months later, possibly not until next year.

Neither are particularly convenient but I'm going to ask BSK in Bedford if they resell trade-ins. They only stock Brothers but it's a convenient place to start looking at machines.

Any ideas for other dealers in used embroidery machines only an hour or two away from Bedfordshire or Northamptonshire as we're there each week?
Title: Re: Perhaps I need an embroidery machine after all! :o
Post by: Bodgeitandscarper on March 21, 2017, 18:11:59 PM
I'd not used an embroidery machine before, and found my Janome very easy.  I've not tried any others so can't help with comparisons.
And no idea on dealers, sorry  -<
Title: Re: Perhaps I need an embroidery machine after all! :o
Post by: Maximum on March 21, 2017, 18:16:59 PM
I know nothing about embroidery machines but I did phone David Drummond when I was researching Coverstitch machines. After several conversations I negotiated to buy his Bernina L220 demo model. What impressed me even more was that his staff solved a problem I was having with my Bernina sewing machine that I had bought elsewhere and the Bernina/Bogod head office in London had failed to solve when I went for my training day. Excellent old fashioned service and I wouldn't hesitate to buy from them again. Can't say the same about the company in Bedford, but might be convenient to try machines there. Sew Northampton were also helpful for CS machines but at the time they had nothing in the shop to try.
Have fun researching and playing :D
Title: Re: Perhaps I need an embroidery machine after all! :o
Post by: Iminei on March 22, 2017, 06:57:53 AM
My avatar is a machine embroidered design on a hi-vis flag I made for a friend's recumbent trike - see, the possibilities are endless :-)


OOOOhhhh Bodgeit..... I don't suppose you could make me a colourful Day of the Dead type, Jolly Roger for Captain Birdeyes 'Im indoors's boat as a birthday pressie???
Title: Re: Perhaps I need an embroidery machine after all! :o
Post by: supergran on March 26, 2017, 19:30:57 PM
I also found out recently that you can quilt motifs on the Brother embroidery machine. Don't know about any of the other makes though.
Title: Re: Perhaps I need an embroidery machine after all! :o
Post by: Ohsewsimple on April 02, 2017, 13:04:18 PM
I've only just spotted this thread so coming in late.  :P
Brother embroidery machines are definitely the most user friendly and their offers are better than other makes.  Offers change each month. 
I would be wary of buying one of these from someone I didn't know.  I have seen several people ripped off buying machines at inflated prices  that are basically junk and needed so much work doing they were regarded as beyond economical repair.  Second hand from a reputable dealer is fine.  And buying from a local dealer will mean you can get some help if you find it difficult to use. 
Title: Re: Perhaps I need an embroidery machine after all! :o
Post by: Marniesews on April 02, 2017, 19:09:44 PM
There are a couple of places nearby that I can try Brothers - I'm not wild about them as sewing machines but it's becoming very clear they have a great reputation with embroiderers.

I've seen a few apparently good buys on ebay for Janome 350e but I'm loathe to risk it with my lack of knowledge. I've had some good buys on sewing machines previously but they were all mechanical which makes a huge difference. I'm not too far from Theobald's of Luton and he has a huge stock of used machines so I may ask him to look out for a good one for me while I bide my time.

I want to keep it fairly simple, I'm not interested in children's motifs at all but I do fancy the lace effects, including the simpler embroidery on organza that would be just as good as FSL to embellish with rhinestones for ballroom & latin dresses. The alphabets would have applications for me too as the ones on sewing machines just aren't up to it (including my Pfaff Performance 5).

I need a hoop around 7" x 5" but nothing huge. I will get to a dealer shortly but in the meantime could you possibly suggest a model number as a starting place to look? I always like to have read up a bit before I go to a dealer.
Title: Re: Perhaps I need an embroidery machine after all! :o
Post by: Iminei on April 03, 2017, 07:08:16 AM
Oooh Me Miss, Please Miss.... (shoots hand up in air)

Whilst at Exeter I saw the top of the range Brother Sewing/Embroiderers with....

LASER SIGHT!!!!!

aaaahhhhh!

The lady, well girl, child really on the stand even offered me a go!!  :D

I had to refuse, not in my lifetime will I own a machine costing 4 1/2 or even 6 1/2 K

and it would've been foolish to try it out, but oohhh!!! those Summmerr niiiiigghts laser sights!!!
Title: Re: Perhaps I need an embroidery machine after all! :o
Post by: Ohsewsimple on April 03, 2017, 08:07:57 AM
Hahahaha.  I know the Brother rep.  Ruth does look very young and is lovely. The laser is interesting but I'm not convinced by it.  However the camera would be awesome for those of us with old eyes and for positioning embroidery precisely.
Title: Re: Perhaps I need an embroidery machine after all! :o
Post by: Ohsewsimple on April 03, 2017, 08:14:07 AM
It's difficult to suggest a machine model.  If you're looking at s cond hand you will just have to look at what is available.  The 800e is a nice machine and I think it has the size you need.  Don't go smaller than that.  Many of the designs coming out are being digitised for larger hoops and they are starting to ignore the 4x4 a bit more. 
The nine thing I would suggest is that you make sure it has a USB port so you just need a memory stick for it.  If it only has a card slot it's a very old machine and you would need software to get designs onto the machine. 
Title: Re: Perhaps I need an embroidery machine after all! :o
Post by: Iminei on April 03, 2017, 10:11:55 AM
the camera would be awesome for those of us with old eyes

Its got a CAMERA ????!!!!

Next thing you'll tell me is that it makes your tea and butters your toast!

Sorry if you felt I insulted your friend. She was very nice but did look awfully young to be demoing these machines.

What they really need is someone more in their demographic who has in depth knowledge of the machine because she got to take it home for 6 months.......oh go on then, a year!

Brother??? Are you listening?? My home phone is 0125........

I love the world I live in! no sharp edges or dangerous objects!
Title: Re: Perhaps I need an embroidery machine after all! :o
Post by: Ohsewsimple on April 03, 2017, 13:52:09 PM
the camera would be awesome for those of us with old eyes

Its got a CAMERA ????!!!!

Next thing you'll tell me is that it makes your tea and butters your toast!

Sorry if you felt I insulted your friend. She was very nice but did look awfully young to be demoing these machines.

What they really need is someone more in their demographic who has in depth knowledge of the machine because she got to take it home for 6 months.......oh go on then, a year!

Brother??? Are you listening?? My home phone is 0125........

I love the world I live in! no sharp edges or dangerous objects!


Hahahaha.  No she's not a friend.  I know her through work. And it would help if I got her name right.  0_0. She,s Rachel. Don't know where Ruth came from :|

Yes the TOL machine has a camera so you can focus on the stitching area where the needle is going in.  Sadly none of the machines makes tea etc.  Waiting for one that makes coffee on the end of the machine. Might find the money then.  But this machine does take up a serious amount of room. Looks great at a show etc but get it home and ????  I'm not sure have room

Title: Re: Perhaps I need an embroidery machine after all! :o
Post by: Iminei on April 03, 2017, 13:56:06 PM
Yeah I noticed the humungosity of it ... and mentioned it to RachelRuth.

But in the end I was completely honest and said there was no way I could afford it so I'll take a rain-check...
and RachelRuth was fine, not p*****d off that I had wasted any of her time at all.