Embroidery Machine Help

[Master James]

I bought the wife a Singer CE-100 embroidery machine because it was a good price and seemed to do everything we wanted.  I then found out I needed more software so I bought the AutoPunch software, which is supposed to make embroidery from your pictures.  I want it to do blackwork and the AutoPunch software doesn't seem to do that.  They do have a Crosstitch program for it but I can't find out if it lets you make your own, creates them from pictures or just gives you ready made and that is it.  Does anyone know if the Crosstitch program for this machine will work for Blackwork?  Thanks for the help.

[Lady Grape]

I can't help you, but I would love to know the answer because I am looking for a good embroidery machine that will do the pictures I want it to do not just the ones they have to choose from.  I was looking at the Singer CE - 250 because it says that it does have auto digitizing.  Although i'm not sure if that is what I want.

Somebody answer please.....

[Cilean]

I have a Viking Designer SE and I have the software for that machine which is the 4D software. We have picture design and it is pretty simple to digitize and we have a cross stitch program I am still working on the kinks in my own blackwork designs, it seems my system is 1 millimeter off so I am checking on how my system actually is pixelating correctly.

Have you all checked out the Corel draw program? Or the Generations program?


Cilean

[Rowan MacD]

  Bumping this thread-
  I'm looking for a machine to do basic, simple embroidery (does not have to be seriously elaborate) along the edges of sleeves, cuffs and collars.  since I'm not doing this professionally, I don't want something that costs thousands. I would prefer to keep it under 500.00.  I already have a basic sewing machine, that does not do any fancy stitches, and I like it.

  Can anybody recommend a decent, basic machine? What is your favorite for a beginner?

   

[Cilean]

I hear this often as I am a Manager for Viking/Husqvarna. I have stated over and over in this forum, the need to not jump for a cheap machine but do research and check everything out.  

#1. The Machine means little, when you are designing it is all about the software.

#2. Software is a language and it takes months if not years to understand it and get what you want from it, and I am speaking of the new varieties, in the past it was even harder!!  You need to research!!!

#3. Singers are not the same company of the past, they were sold back in 1989, are pieces of crap made in China, if you have one that works? Consider yourself above the curve, you don't know how many are returned per year.  But because they are cheap (Due to being cheaply made) people will go out and spend the money on it, only to find out they are limited!!!! In the Extreme!  They are limited both in their software and ability of hoop space.

#4 Please research to see what speaks to you! Because one of them will! Try: Pfaff, Husqvarna (Viking), Bernina, Babylock, Janome, you need to take the time to check out the machines in person, use the fabrics they have and ask them how easy it is to get the design into the machine. Speak to the people in the shops for they will be the ones giving you classes.  If they don't know something? You will NEVER know as they give the classes.  

#5. So when you go out to check out machines, ask about the Embroidery Software.   Ask the people at the stores how it works, what support to you get from the shop and how many free classes and purchased classes are out there for their Software, ask if any design with the software and IF they teach the classes.

Here is an example of my Blackwork done by my machine:




So please? It is not the machine but the software, however I could not have made the size of the design, showing without the ability to hoop that size.  So that does mean something, I have a Designer Diamond, and I adore it, I have the 5D Embroidery Software....because it works for me and it makes sense to me in the design possibilities.

Look save up and choose -not out of price point but that you have picked one that works for you, you can get great deals on these machines if you speak with the shops.  They have some that have 3 hours on them but have to sell them as used, and you get all of the warranty.

Good luck!
Cilean

[Dinobabe]

I agree with Cilean, if you want to do major stuff, do high quality, and have a ton of features then really research and don't skimp on the cost.
With that said....

I have the Singer Futura and I LOVE it!  It's the industrial version so it has a steel body, not the cheap aluminum (it weighs a ton!).  The autopunch software enables you to make any design you want (I tend to make the design in Photoshop first because I work with adobe a lot, but the design software seems to have all of the tools you need).  The stitches aren't quite as clean as say an embroidered shirt you buy but not by much and you really have to look to see it.  Yes, the hoop size is limited but for what I want to do it's no problem.  There is a learning curve to using the machine and the software but once you get past that it's great (the thread tension can be a bit finicky).  The nice thing about the Futura is that it does keep the cost down but keep in mind that you MUST have a computer to run the software, it is not internal.  Luckily, we have an extra old laptop and that is the only thing it is used for.  It stays plugged in to the Futura all of the time.  If you don't already have a Costco or Sam's membership it's worth it just to purchase an embroidery machine (like Singer, Brother, etc.) to save on the cost.  I got mine at Costco.  The machine was much cheaper (more than by half!) and I basically got all of the software for free (4 softwares, at $200 each normally).  I haven't used the crosstitch yet, I really should try it out.

The deal, style, and brand seems to change a lot but..

These are the current machines at Costco
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11602760&whse=BC&Ne=4000000&eCat=BC|90608|28071&N=4047457&Mo=10&No=0&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&cat=28071&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&topnav=

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11528279&whse=BC&Ne=4000000&eCat=BC|90608|28071&N=4047457&Mo=10&No=1&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&cat=28071&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&topnav=

This is the current machine at Sam's
http://www.samsclub.com/sams/shop/product.jsp?productId=175919&_requestid=242814

I've never actually seen a machine in store, I had to order mine online.

Good luck!

[Rowan MacD]

   Thanks for the input!

I'm looking for something cheap and simple, if it exists.
 

[Dinobabe]

   Thanks for the input!

I'm looking for something cheap and simple, if it exists.
 

Not to be discouraging but an embroidery machine isn't cheap.  Plan on spending at least $500 on a "cheap" machine.  Then buy software or designs.
Although I had a friend that managed to get a fairly nice machine because an order that was placed was never picked up and the company wanted to get rid of the machines taking up space!

Keep your eyes open for deals and ebay may be the place you need to go.  Get that machine that someone paid $1000 or more for and couldn't figure out how to use so they gave up and want to get rid of it!