When I decided I was going to purchase an embroidery machine I did a lot of research. I spent a good 6 months collecting information and learning about all the machines. I spoke to embroidery clubs, went to sewing machine stores, read every bulletin board I could find and searched the net for information.
It's way different than actually using a machine, but I was able to collect facts about features and prices. Because I was limited on the amount of money I could spend and I wanted a separate sewing machine that my daughter could use, I opted for the Singer EU.
The main reason I decided to get the EU was because you don't need to purchase a second product to connect to your computer to be able to create your own designs. The EU costs about $800 delivered... NEW. The other machines I was interested in run from $900 to $3000 and don't connect to your computer without purchasing a second product that runs around $800. For me, the one $800 purchase does everything I wanted an embroidery machine to do. The only two draw backs that I can see is: 1. It is slow compared to most of the other machines. It uses a finer thread and the detail is unbeatable. I'm told that is why it runs slower. 2. There are far less free designs available on the net for the .csd format, which the EU uses. That is unimportant now as I have BuzzTools and it converts all the designs into the .csd and .xxx formats that I use.
I find the software for the EU very easy to use, and I only had it two weeks when I created my first 4 designs. My first two creations are available for your enjoyment on my page: Embroidering with the Singer EU and have been recently updated. It is going to take practice to learn the little quirks of digitizing... like overlapping! The areas need to be over lapped a lot more than I realized to get complete coverage. Getting the shapes is the easy part. Deciding where to start and end is another. You need to LAYER your design, figure out what areas are on the bottom and which go on last. I find that the best way to start is to do it on paper first. The extra time spend doing that can save you a lot of time and frustration in the long run. Also, I try walking stitches from one area to the next to save having to do a lot of cutting afterwards. (To you experienced digitizers this must seem like pour common sense).
The biggest problem I see most people having is getting their machines connected to their computer. This is the case with all the different machines. I had a little difficulty but got it resolved in minutes... but then I'm more comfortable with a computer than I am with a sewing or embroidery machine.
I'm very happy with my purchase and decision. I have a friend, an embroidery teacher, who owns one of the best machines on the market for home use and she is actually envious of my little machine! The quality is truly unbeatable and extremely impressive. <g> It really is a great little machine, especially for the price!
I purchased the Singer XL-1000 because I began making my projects to embroider. Lots of gift items and quilts. I also love the large hoop and the flawless multi hooping capability. It is a really easy machine to use and complements my EU. I couldn't pass up the price I got from George at Crafty Stitchers. Together, I have machines and software that give me the ability to do what most professional machines can do. I'm having a great time and highly recommend the machines and the hobby.
When my mom passed away, I became very depressed. Like a lot of people do when they get depressed, I went shopping. I purchased the large Babylock EMB6. It’s a 6 thread professional embroidery only machine. The only real advantage I see in this machine is that I can leave it while it stitches out the first 6 color changes. It is a stronger machine and handles the heavier materials better. Truthfully, it does not embroider any better than the machines I have. The EU does the most precise stitching and best overall quality, but it’s harder to use because of it’s thinner thread. The XL-1000 does a very nice job, but you have to hold the heavier fabrics carefully, and the needles do break occasionally. The Babylock rarely breaks a needle, but is difficult to thread and expensive. So don’t be fouled by a sales person. Do all the steps yourself, from the very beginning and see how it feels to you. Price is not always the best way to determine the best machines.
