Where is the machine embroidery newsgroup?

Thank you all for this information. I guess one of the conclusions is that it is too risky to buy a machine that I haven't sewn on even if I have tried the same model in a store. I have a feeling these machines don't hold their value due to software advances so I want one that won't run out of designs, so speak, in a couple years. I will keep looking and hope to have one by Christmas.

Kirsten Sollie

I don't know why you would think this. I have 4 embroidery machines, one a combo. I see them for sale all over the place and at good prices. My last purchased was a Janome 300e in 2004 which I got for $850 plus the Customizer soft ware (which I have never used as I have had Embird for 10 years) 2 extra hoops and an assortment of thread. Just checked and they are selling used for about $700. How is that not holding value. I will not upgrade this one, as it does what I want, my older machines are in the 6 and 10 year age group and going strong. AS long as you have a Embird you will never run out of designs. I can still get and sew out designs for my 10 year old Pfaff.......in fact I have more free ones that I will ever use. I also have friends who have passed their 15 year old machines on to their kids and they can still get designs too. About the only machine I would worry about is the Bernina as they are very proprietary. I purchased the Janome site unseen after reading about it on one of the yahoo lists for a month. I have never had a lesson on it although I did teach the Pfaff for many years. Excellent advice on a stand alone machine. If you have tried them in the store with your own fabric, threads, stabilizers and designs you found then what difference would it make to use it at home. Take the lessons if offered, but with many of these machines now they are not all that necessary. Most of what you need you can learn from the machine specific group at yahoo or other venues.

Do I understand correctly that if I get Embird, I can use it with any machine? Will I need a dedicated computer (I do not want the sewing machine in the computer room)? What I meant with not holding their value is, if I buy a machine for, say, $1000 now and in a year don't feel if meets my needs, I don't think I can sell it for $900 because of all the new technology coming out all the time. I looked at the Janome Memory Craft 10000 at the quilt show and the sale price was $5900 (MSR $7900) whereas you can get the MC 9000 for around $1200. But I hope I am wrong.

Kirsten

I wasn't disputing the bit about the floppy disk drives being harder to get nowadays. I was just telling her that if she got the Designer

1 with the floppy drive embird does save to the disks now with this newest version. She wouldn't necessarily have to get the Viking software which can be more expensive.

There is always going to be new technology coming up which will make the previous stuff obsolete, even with the usb sticks or cds..... I haven't had a problem getting the disk drives for my computer, or buying disks to use with the sewing machine. I really like my Designer 1 and have had it since 2000. Karen O

Its not that it becomes necessarily obsolete, as in unable to use it, that is just not true. People still use older machines without problems and are able to get what they want in designs for them. Technology will always be advancing, but it is personal choice to go with it or stand firm and use what you have. This is true of anything, car, appliance, computer etc. There is a resurgence of the older machines right now, especially the Pfaff 7570, only a 4X4 hoop but the other computerized features are what people want. One yahoo group is currently posting lessons on these features As for the depreciation on machines......you will loose something the minute you walk out the store door. However for the most part these machines hold a decent used value----it may not be what you paid for it but then what is when you sell used, no matter how gently used you will loose at least a third of the cost. For most machines with an alternative transfer source(floppy, CF card, USB stick) you do not need the computer in the room. For my Pfaff I picked up a $100IBM 14?? lap top running windows 95 that I use with it in the sewing room. The Janome takes CF cards that can load many ways, I use the laptop, my printer, and the computer, depending on what is handy.

Also wireless networking technology allows one to transfer designs to certain USB machines without having the computer in the sewing room.

gwh

Check your local dealer. Many offer the full price you paid for your first machine as a trade-in allowance if you trade up within a specific time...usually a year.

gwh

Jenny sent out a notice about a Silex serial wireless adapter that works with the Singer Quantum XL6000. Nifty gadget, but also $299.