Embroidery Machines

Sewing machines specialized for embroidery

The creme de la creme of sewing machines are those that have hoop embroidery features. Most have a number of preprogrammed embroidery patterns, but offer additional patterns purchased on a memory card. Many allow you to download patterns from the Internet to memory cards that you can insert into your machine. Some let you scan an image into your computer and digitize it for embroidery. Reviews emphasize that machine embroidery can be an expensive and time-consuming pursuit. Aside from a pricey embroidery machine, you'll probably want to buy additional memory cards, and you'll need special embroidery thread to make the most of a design.

Checking out a machine in person is more important with embroidery machines than others. It's a good idea to see an in-store demonstration of each model you're considering. These machines entail a learning curve, and it's important to see the embroidery process in action. If you get a model that can take advantage of downloaded designs, you'll need a computer, software and perhaps a scanner.

We didn't find many comparison reviews of embroidery machines but we found a few interesting write-ups at PatternReview.com. ConsumerReports.org tests three embroidery machines in its latest report. What we've included here is just a taste -- it's important to test-drive these machines and sit with a dealer who can show you all they can do. The models mentioned here are but a few possibilities.

The Janome Memory Craft 9700 (*Est. $2,900) is one of the less expensive embroidery machines. With a backlit LCD touch screen, the ability to upgrade software, automatic thread tension and automatic feed-dog drop, and instant switching from embroidery to sewing and vice versa, the Janome does well in reviews by professionals and owners. Sharon Darling of QuiltersReview.com is impressed with the Memory Craft 9500's automatic tension, which works well for almost all threads. (The 9500 is a similar machine one step down from the 9700.) Its hoop size is 5.5 inches by 7.9 inches (most embroiderers say a 5-by-7-inch hoop is a good minimum size to consider) and it has a decent speed of 400 to 650 stitches per minute. Stitch speed becomes important for embroidery machines, since you'll be waiting for the machine to finish stitching your chosen design. While the Janome Memory Craft 9700 doesn't have a direct link to a PC, most embroiderers find it acceptable to save downloads to a memory card and transfer them to the embroidery machine.

The Bernina Aurora 440QE (*Est. $4,000) is one combination model that fares particularly well in recent professional testing. Testers said its overall sewing performance is excellent, and it performs well on all types of fabric. Although this is a quilter's model, this machine has an embroidery unit available and can function as both a sewing machine and an embroidery machine. Professional reviewers say once you learn the embroidery functions, which always involve a learning curve, the machine is extremely easy to use. The Aurora 440QE comes with 379 stitches, including three alphabets and seven buttonholes. It has memory so that when you alter length, width and/or needle position on a stitch, it remembers the change until the machine is turned off. It's loaded with the usual convenience features such as stop/start button, automatic threading, needle up/down and adjustable presser-foot pressure.

The Bernina Stitch Regulator (BSR) is a feature that makes free-motion quilting easier, and most owners concur that BSR is very helpful, although some say it doesn't work as well as it could. Some owners complain that the needle threader doesn't work well with thinner threads. The Aurora 440QE comes with nine presser feet and a good variety of accessories.

Some other top-end machines are the Husqvarna Viking Diamond (*Est. $9,500), Husqvarna Viking Designer SE Limited Edition (*Est. $8,000), Brother Innov-is Duetta 4500D (*Est. $8,000), Brother Quattro 6000D (*Est. $7,500), Baby Lock Ellisimo (*Est. $8,000) and Janome Memory Craft MC11000 (*Est. $8,000). We could only get MSRPs for these models; dealers say you can expect to pay somewhat less than retail price for these machines. Owners discuss the pros and cons of the different high-end machines on message boards like PatternReview.com, where you'll find that each model has its strengths and weaknesses, but most owners are satisfied with their top-of-the-line combination embroidery and sewing machines.