1st machine

Do you mean the 180D? This is the machine I have. You can get a 150 without Disney built-ins for less. I am happy with my machine. You are limited to a 4x4 inch embroidery area. Some newer machines have bigger fields. You can get around this in a couple of ways that involve splitting designs.

In order to put your own artwork on a machine, you will need software. Embird, about $60, will allow you to alter, resize and combine designs that are already digitized for your machine, e.g. ones you download from the net. If you want to turn clip art or original art into embroidery files your machine can sew out, you will need digitizing software. I am using Embird Studio, about $130. You can pay a lot more and the higher you go (generally) the more the software will do automatically.

Iris

Someone on an email list I read posted that she got a new Singer EU from this site:

said that when she called them, they gave it to her for $400. This machine (I have one) does require a computer to run it, but it comes with the software to do everything - you don't have to buy anymore, except that you might want to get Embird Version 4 or BuzzTools so that you can convert other machine formats to .csd format. I have no connection with this seller. I do own a Singer EU and like it very much. There are two email lists to support owners, too.

I have a serious problem with buying machines like this at places like Hillbilly Haven. Most of the machines offered at the big boxes for $100 or less are just cheap junk. And if people want to buy one of these throw-away machines, they'll eventually smarten up and look for something better at independent dealers.

But the Brother embroidery machines are a different case. About a year to 18 months ago, local Walmarts were offering a Brother embroidery machine for about $200 less than the wholesale price Brother was charging the machine to its independent dealers. And then people complain that there are no local dealers to help them with their problems.

gwh

Iris,

I have been looking at Embroidery machines. The Brother PE-150V and the Simplicity SE 3.

I saw that the 180D that you have has the Disney built in. I am interested particularly in being able to do the Disney. Could you maybe give me some info on your machine and experiences?

It would be much appreciated.

TIA LakeUrchin

I really like the machine. It sews out beautifully. My husband is a Disney nut and I've done most of the built-in Disney designs. They are very well digitized and come out nice. I've made a wall quilt using a bunch of the designs. I've also made a number of other wall quilts with designs I downloaded from the internet. You'll find that some designs are digitized better than others. I subscribe to an embroidery site that costs five dollars a month and it's well worth it. Oh, I've also put a lot of designs on teeshirts.

For best results, use the prewould NEB bobbins. No problems with tension or with the bobbin thread coming to the top. I like Marathon and ARC thread, and John Solomon stablizer.

Iris

I have a bernina 600 ........... (there is 650 now) and it is only an embroidery machine I like this because I am not just sitting waiting after the machine to finish so that I can get to working on a quilt or just some curtains .......... I can be sewing at the sametime as I am embroidering.

I would shop around before I buy anything do to the fact that there is so much out there. and they all do something that is different.

Exceptional

Iris thanks for the tips. I do really like the 180D. I am now surfing web sites and getting prices. I have also started checking out what the different cards and other supplies costs just to get an idea. I really like machine embroidery but have always found it quite tedious doing it on a regular sewing machine.

Urchin

What are NEB bobbins? Are they Brother bobbins with Brother bobbin thread? I understood that you had to use Brother bobbin thread in Brother embroidery machines? My dealer says that's the bobbin thread I should use. I would love to find pre-wound Brother bobbin thread.

TIA,

Marianne

Thread is thread. Brother does not make thread. Thread does vary in quality, so what you need to do is focus on the quality of the thread, and the way it's put up, if you use pre-wounds. The "sideless" pre-wounds use a starch to hold the thread in shape. This starch comes off, and can gum up your bobbin case and nearby area. So, I would say to avoid those, or else clean your machine after every use, and I mean clean it thoroughly - not just blow canned air into it. I like the NEB plastic sided ones. If you have a sensor, it can still see how much thread is left on the bobbin, and the plastic doesn't tear like paper, or lint, or flake.

Brother saying to buy bobbin thread from them is similar to vacuum cleaner manufacturers saying to buy bags with their brand on them, not bags made by other companies for them. Hoover does not make bags, they contract with a bag maker to manufacture them and label them. Or razor manufacturers saying to buy only their blades, etc. Keep an eye on the quality, and the fit, the branding may not be all that important. Profit is the key - if you have something labeled specially for your machine, there is payment, even through the exact same product is sold with another name on it.

Nebs work just great in my Brother 2002D..........give them a try!! And remember, only the dealer sells Brother thread...........hmmmmmmmmmm

NEBS is NEBS!

A lot of otherplaces sell them online too.The Brother brand bobbin thread is one of the better ones. I've also usedlingerie thread I bought from Nancy's Notions. But NEBS are the best. Theyhold a whole lot more than I can wind on a bobbin. It's a great luxury to buy a gross of bobbins and then just reach into the box to pop one in when you need it. No tedious winding.

Iris

Thanks group for the info. We will look around before making a decision.

And actually I do mean 170D, my wal-mart does not have a 180D, is that good or bad?

Bryan