Sewing machine purchase help

I sew and embroider too but I don’t think you’re going to find one machine that will do both well in that price range. That said, I really love my Janome DC2014 for a regular sewing machine. It does have some decorative stitches as well but I wouldn’t consider it an embroidery machine. Mine is now 10 years old (hence the 2014) but there are likely newer models of the same type that are equally good. My guess though is that your dollar will go further with a quality used machine vs. new in the box.

As for embroidery, my DH dropped $1200 on a Brother PE900 earlier this year for DD and me since she really started getting into machine embroidery at school. I realize that’s probably out of range price wise, but again, a used machine from a reputable local dealer might be more bang for your buck. My old machine is a Bernina Deco but it only has a 4”x4” stitch area which was cramping DD’s style, LOL, plus we were having some issues with getting the designs onto the memory card for it. The new one is wireless and has a 5”x7” stitch field but larger designs can be pieced together by using a 5”x12” hoop.

Sometimes you can also find really nice machines at estate sales but when you buy from a dealer you have a better idea of what you’re getting. Good luck! These are fun hobbies when you have the right tools.

Another vote for used from a dealer. They will be serviced and sometimes will include a lesson or two. I’d look at Janome, Brother or Bernini/Bernette.

yes.. go to a dealer. they will have second hand machines, they can help maintain your new purchase and usually will throw in training on that particular machine. like a good auto. mechanic, you want to use the local talent.

buying it online or at a big box store is not the best way.. even if you have to travel a bit.

If you enjoy the hobby of embroidery, you will very quickly outgrow a 4” machine. That space is just not large.

I also recommend visiting a dealer before you buy. Used machines are a great value. I have a brother innovis 4500d.

That machine was $4000 about 15 years ago. Still works great. Just heard of someone buying one on marketplace for $800! Embroidery hoop size is up to 8”x 12”!

Best wishes!

Sorry for typos peaing mobile no time to proofread! Lol

I think it depends on how much you are going to be using each feature. A hobbyist that makes quilts and small embroidery pieces for personal use and gift giving doesn't necessarily need as big a machine as a crafter with a small business/Etsy storefront.

If you are making larger embroidered things for selling or big quilts, you definitely need to go bigger.

However, the Brother would most likely fit the needs of someone who is sewing for personal use.

I have a Brother SE425. The embroidery area is only a 4" square, so if I am making a quilt label with more words, I sometimes have to stop and adjust the hoop. The throat space is a pretty decent size and can accommodate larger quilts, although I haven't attempted anything as big as a king-sized.

So my advice is to take the type of usage into consideration as well.

WHen my husband bought mine he did a lot of research and chose Brother. Something about less plastic parts.

I'll echo what the others are saying. I bought my Janome Skyline S7 about 5 years ago and she said that they don't recommend a sewing and embroidery all in one because you can get an embroidery and sewing machine separate for less cost. But my priceline was different than yours, so that would matter. I wasn't interested in the embroidery feature, so I didn't pursue that discussion any further.

I'd look to see what dealers are in your area. Bernina is probably the best but also the most costly. US Pfaff machines aren't as good as the old ones, but I'd buy an older model in a heartbeat. Babylock is a big name in embroidery as is Janome. Stay away from JoAnn's or a Costco machines for the most part. They won't have the support that you may want as a new embroiderer and their machines are generally composed more of plastic. Having said that, I had a JoAnn's model of Singer (both no-nos even back then) and that machine was a workhorse that lasted 30 years. I definitely got my money's worth!

I wanted to add that when I got my Bernina Deco embroidery machine decades ago, I was pretty quickly dissatisfied by the limitations the 4”x4” design field presented. At the time I didn’t have the option to go any bigger and I did use it some. Embroidered some clothes and some hats, that kind of stuff. These days there is so much more you can do with embroidery and the contemporary designs are so creative and fun. If you Google “in the hoop” designs it’s amazing what people have come up with.

Fast forward to last year when my kid was in a middle school makerspace class where they had a big commercial Melco embroidery machine, and she was in LOVE. It didn’t take long before she too wanted to be able to do bigger projects than what my Deco would do, and having to mess with the outdated technology / compact flash cards the designs are brought into the machine with was a pain. If I was looking for a used embroidery machine today, I would only consider one that takes USB or newer since finding a compatible CF reader/writer that will work with the embroidery machine cards and my computer was hard.

I have a Necchi embroidery machine. The hoop works perfectly for quilt labels. I type them on my laptop within an embroidery program. The program is TruE 3 Studio. Then transfer via usb to the machine. 

I only use one thread color although I could stop the machine and change thread. 

I bind 2 sides of the label. The other 2 sides are in the quilt binding. Then I will hand sew the 2 non quilt bound edges of the label to the quilt. 

Call and look at a local quilt store. They will give you all the support that you need.


Go to the shop. Play with the machines. You will know the right machine once you work with it.

I just looked at the sewing store near me and you need a budget of $3500 Canadian or more to do what you want. Maybe in USD you’re looking at $2400. You won’t get much for $1000.

You can get an embroidery machine later on.