Machine suggestions?

That looks like a good entry-level machine. The real question is whether (and when) you're likely to grow out of it. It's main restriction is that it's limited to a 4 inch by 4 inch embroidery area. You CAN embroidery larger designs, but it requires careful re-hooping and re-aligning your work.

When you say that you'll be working on dog collars, they tend to be much thinker than just plain fabric - are you sure that the SE350 has the stamina to undertake that kind of work without breaking down? I'm not sure how one would hoop and stabilize something like that, but I'm sure it can be done.

You don't say where you live, but it would be a good idea if you can get to a sewing machine dealer and discuss what you want to do there. Walmart is not going to be able to give you any useful information, and if you need any follow on care or training, you'll have to go to a dealer anyway.

If you plan on buying at Walmart, where you won't get any follow-up support, you might as well check on-line prices at places like J&R and others, where the 350 is $349 with free ground shipping and, depending on where you live, no sales tax.

- Herb

That was also my thought. Thanks, Herb! ;-)

OP also needs to consider the cost of thread, stabilizers (probably not for dog collars, but certainly for "bandannas". Also, lots and lots of needles, etc. I saw this site recently which had a special add-on hoop for doing dog collars:

agree with your advice to OP to seek out a shop. He/she will need support, service eventually, and WalMart will not be the place to find it. And then there's: "Also if it helps, I'll mainly be embroidering letters (names, sayings...), but would like to also be able to do some designs. Thanks ladies! "

It's possible the 'Bonus Alphabet Embroidery Card, a $100 value' will suffice for names and sayings, but eventually OP will want to have some digitizing software for creating "some designs", more $$. And digitizing is not magic, there is a steep learning curve.

NAYY,

Beverly

the machine you are looking at will only last year, then it will cost more to fix than to buy it again. I bought the thing, I wanted to try embroidery first to see if I enjoyed doing it. Well, I did enjoy it, but the machine didn't last. I would recommend you go about to sewing centers and talk to the used sewing machine salesperson. You don't have to buy from them, just look and try. Once you have identified a machine, look for it online. Brother has some good machines, but the are more than $500 unless you get it used. Janome, Baby Lock, Viking, Pfaff, Bernina, and Elna are good machines, higher end Singers, too. Be sure to pick the machine up, if it is light, it probably has plastic bearings which will wear out quickly. Unless you can get a screaming deal on eBay or used, the least expensive "good" model is about $1500, and that will be technology from a few years back, still, they work fine. I personally threw out the Brother and found a Janome 9700 on the internet, but from a local dealer. This machine is perfect for me.

Jon

"Walsh091909" wrote in message news:c5e46$4b5e4713$451cfb68$ snipped-for-privacy@news.flashnewsgroups.com...

In conjunction with the others.

"LADIES"? ...LOL

While this may be a decent starting machine to see if you like it. I would find a shop that does their own maintenance, and even if you buy the same machine, get some maintenance thrown in for the first year. A machine that needs a little touch-up can give the beginner a reall heart -ache and you may end up tossing the machine in the junk pile, as well as your sanity. The little "tune-up" are worth their weight in gold.

OTOH: You may do just fine. We started with a $4K machine and graduated to a $27K machine only to downgrade to a better GUI machine for $8K. The beginning machine was a pain in the ass until we knew what we were doing (it will come next year..I promise..LOL) and it was tuned-up properly (third time lucky).

Moral of the srtory? Buy were they have reputable service and will include some...free or in the price.

Hello... I am planning on purchasing a machine soon, but I can't figure out what one to get. I would like to find one at $500 or cheaper. Here's the one I am looking at:

would like to be able to embroider mostly bandannas and dog collars, butwill probably want to expand to more items later on. Does anyone have anyrecommendations as to what machine I should look into purchasing?Also if it helps, I'll mainly be embroidering letters (names, sayings...),but would like to also be able to do some designs. Thanks ladies!-------------------------------------

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Suggest you look into getting a better machine that has a USB port for a memory stick. Go to a dealer that has several machines and test drive them all before making a decision.