With so many designs at your fingertips, there are plenty of options for making unique patterns, and customizing a variety of designs with an embroidery machine. Thes products are becoming increasingly popular as the demand for unique gifts and finishing touches increases. They can be used on a variety of fabrics and when you have a versatile product, it makes it so much more rewarding.
The problem is, there are plenty of sub-par products on the market. This makes searching for the best embroidery machine an issue, and that bit more challenging. Since we have taken a look at numerous products, we have compiled a list of the machines worth considering. With something for every budget, there is no reason why those designs in your head can’t become a reality.
The 6 Best Embroidery Machines
#6 Janome Memory Craft 500E Embroidery Machine
Another large field embroidery machine, it has an embroidery area of 7.9 x 11 inches and comes with 160 built-in designs. The LCD screen is bigger and better than most, providing more options for customization as well. The on-screen editing functions are great, but it is possible to upload designs then tweak them on the screen.
It makes monogramming and embellishing designs easy and there are 6 monogramming fonts and flexible stitch traveling options. There are also 4 embroidery hoops included as well as a softcover and everything needed to get started. It is a step up from a lot of the basic embroidery machines, but one that will deserve quality thread to make the most of every design.
#5 Brother Sewing and Embroidery Machine
Although it is a novelty product in some ways, this is a fun embroidery machine that is capable of unique designs. A lot of the included features center around Star Wars of course, but it can do a lot more. There are 3 interchangeable Star Wars themes faceplates including Darth Vader, R2-D2, the Star Wars logo, and Princess Leia. It comes with 80 included designs that are not Star Wars themed and 103 sewing stitches so there are plenty of ways to use it.
With 10 autosize buttonholes included and a large 3.2-inch color touchscreen, it is easy to make changes to every design. The 4×4 inch embroidery field includes an embroidery hoop and 7 presser feet. This same machine comes in a Marvel theme and is also capable of getting plenty of sewing done as well as embroidery.
#4 Brother PE535 Embroidery Machine
With their name always near the top of the lists of best embroidery machine, it is no surprise to see another Brother on our list. The PE535 boasts a neat 4 x 4-inch embroidery area complete with hoop and 80 built-in designs. There is scope for plenty more though as the USB port allows the user to upload new ones.
Its 3.2-inch LCD color touchscreen display allows you to view and amend designs to get them perfect before the machine does its thing and there are 9 built-in fonts to add a bit of flair to every project. We like that it is still easy to use, and the automatic needle threader is one neat addition that takes the strain off of getting started. One of the better options for making patches, it even allows you to drag and drop designs.
#3 Brother PE800 Embroidery Machine
A quality embroidery machine that has a variety of features and is known for its usability. With no fewer than 138 embroidery designs built-in and 11 fonts available, there is plenty of scope for adding some personalization and a bit of flair to every project. Its large LCD 3.2-inch color touchscreen display makes it easy to customize and make small amendments to get designs just right.
Because it has a USB port, this machine makes it possible to upload new designs so the possibilities are pretty much endless. The embroidery field is a reasonable size and comes with a 5 x 7-inch hoop which is more than enough for most people. It has an automatic needle threader and a 25- year warranty making it one of the best all-round embroidery machines, and one that is easy to use.
#2 Janome Horizon Memory Craft 12000 Embroidery and Sewing Machine
What can only be described as a high-end embroidery machine, can do it all. With the reputable Janome brand name behind it, this is an embroidery and sewing machine in one. There is a space of 11 inches from the needle to make plenty of room for a variety of projects and makes it easy to upload and customize designs.
The small edits that can be made make a big difference but it is so versatile that it can also be used for quilting. It’s fast and has an easy to use stitch composer system for changing the settings between designs with ease. There are over 40 accessories included, such as 4 embroidery hoops and a top speed of 1,000 stitches per minute. With 10 LED lights in 5 different positions, it is a well thought out, and elite embroidery machine.
#1 Brother SE600 Sewing and Embroidery Machine
For anyone on a budget or looking for a quality product, this is the best embroidery machine for the money. It includes 80 free designs and over 100 built-in stitches so there is plenty to get going with. There are also 6 fonts to choose from when it comes to adding a name or a little customization. The 3.2-inch color LCD touchscreen makes it easy to make small amendments and view every design before you commit.
The maximum sewing speed is 710 stitches per minute which is plenty enough for most and with an automatic needle thread and top drop-in bobbin, it is easy to use and jam-resistant. The 4 x 4-inch embroidery field includes a hoop and there are also 7 additional presser feet to make it easy to tackle new fabrics and designs. With a 25 year limited warranty to top it off, this is an excellent product to consider for the experienced and those looking to start embroidering their own designs.
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Embroidery Machine Buyer’s Guide
When it comes to making unique designs on crafts and garments, there is no better way than using a quality embroidery machine. Many people know of them but aren’t aware of what makes a good product worth buying. This is an issue we are going to rectify.
The following guide details the key features to make sure are available on the machine you are considering. With everything from hoops to built-in fonts covered, you will have the knowledge and understanding to make a sensible decision so you can get on with making memorable designs.
What To Look For In An Embroidery Machine
Embroidery Area Size
Some only come with one, but that might be all they need. Above all else, ensure the product you are considering has something that you can get started with. A common size tends to be 4 x 4 inches but if you think this might be restrictive, then opt for a machine that has a larger embroidery area and included hoops to match.
Built-In Designs
Although most people enjoy the searching and tweaking of new designs, have a decent staple amount with every purchase makes a big difference. When getting started, it is useful to have a fair amount so anything over 100 is the sign of a decent product. Sometimes they can help finish off a design that you hadn’t considered but having the option is key.
USB Port
An embroidery machine must give the user the potential to add more designs. As good as they are, the included ones can be restrictive after a while. Most reputable machines make it easy to upload more and with so many websites no making all sorts of designs, whatever you can think of, the machine should be able to print.
Stitches Per Minute
No one wants to wait for the machine to hurry up during a slow embroidery project which is why it is important to look for a machine with enough speed to make light work of complex designs. Anything of 700 and above should fire through a variety of projects and if you can get over 1,000 stitches per minute, then ever better.
LCD Screen
It is harder to find an embroidery machine that doesn’t have an LCD screen but the better products give you a little extra. This might be a larger screen, with anything over 2.5 inches usually enough to be able to make amendments comfortably. A color and touchscreen display is also going to make life easier, especially when it comes to spotting any areas you wish you change.
Ease Of Use
Although there is always a learning curve when it comes to an embroidery machine, it doesn’t have to be a steep one. Most products come with an automatic needle threader to make it easier to get a new project started and a top drop-in bobbin can help prevent jamming. The LCD screen should also be easy to navigate and remember that having lots of options isn’t always a good thing.
Variety of Fonts
Again it is possible to upload more to most machines, but having a good number to get on with from the start is always useful. Some come with multiple fonts but be careful as not all of them are in English. This means that when you think you’re getting 10, you might only be getting 6.
Is An Embroidery Machine Difficult To Use?
Anything can be a challenge the first time it is tried but an embroidery machine is one of the easier to get to grips with. Because a lot of the process is in the designs, the sewing isn’t so complicated. Most of the time is spent setting up and amending until it looks right on the LCD screen.
With instructional DVDs and the likes of YouTube at hand to offer some help, there is no reason why an embroidery machine shouldn’t be something that becomes a joy to use pretty quickly.
How Much Does An Embroidery Machine Cost?
Although they look as though they are going to start in the thousands, this isn’t the case. A quality embroidery machine can b picked up for half that. These types of products might not have such a large embroidery field but are easy to use and ideal for a beginner most of the time. If your budget allows, a more expensive machine might come with multiple hoops and a larger embroidery field with more options for larger designs.
Also, they tend to come with more designs, a bigger LCD screen, and larger built-in memory.
What Is An Embroidery Machine?
A lot of people want to know how these machines differ from a traditional sewing machine. Some are capable of both sewing and embroidery and are ideal for anyone who wants to save money on both. In terms of embroidery, these machines allow the user to create designs and tweak them before committing them to the fabric.
They can be used to add finishing touches and detail to crafts, pillow, garments, and just about any material. Once the material is fixed into the embroidery area, the machine does all the hard work for you.
What Is Free Motion Embroidery?
This is like an manual mode to the automatic that is an embroidery machine. Going free-motion requires prior skill and experience and although it is rewarding, can take a lot of time. The user will need to closely follow a design, switch between threads frequently. This is why a lot of people opt for an embroidery machine. Not only do they make life easier, but they are fast and allow you to plan for the next project in no time.
Can You Use A Sewing Machine For Embroidery?
Although it is possible to complete embroidery projects and designs on a traditional sewing machine, this will require the free motion technique we mentioned above. This is why a lot of people purchase a sewing and embroidery machine as it can be used for a large range of projects.
If you are due an upgrade on your sewing machine, then it can be a worthwhile purchase. Even if you are looking for a new challenge or hobby, an embroidery machine will be a fun and rewarding device.
