Husband needs advice

Oops, forgot to mention, my company logo is 2 or 3 colors (depending on the color of the fabric). I don't know if that matters but thought I'd add that info in case it does.

Michael

Reply to
Michael (LS)
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We went with the Ellure and it is working out very well for us, word is spreading thru the family that we have it and we have now been asked to do the Cheerleaders Uniforms for the High School if that gives you any indication of the quality.

Reply to
Brian Oliver

Reply to
Bistoury

Reply to
Sheryl O'Connell

Hey all!

I'm looking to get a new machine for my wife for Christmas (she's been sewing for 20+ years). I run my own business and have "work" clothes professionally embroidered but was thinking maybe I could get her a combo machine that will do sewing and also embroidery. Problem is I have no knowledge of any of this stuff so I need help!

  1. Do "home" embroidery machines do good quality work? Speed isn't an issue since we'd only do 15-20 items (sweatshirts, hats, etc) a year. We do have two daughters (2 & 4 y.o.) though and I could see doing a lot of stuff for them if it's fairly easy to do.

  1. Do sewing/embroidery machines do a good job of both or would my wife be better off just using her current machine for sewing duties? (she has a Babylock that I bought for her 5 years ago for ~0.00 and an older singer machine)

  2. For embroidering my company logo onto stuff what features do I need? When I gave my logo to the embroidery place I gave it to them in a bunch of formats (tiff, bmp, and psd IIRC). I would really like to have the ability to embroider designs that I did on my computer but what would I need to do that?

  1. I've seen a recent post about the Babylock Ellure, is that a good machine? What about the Janome MC9000? My budget is about ~00. but I want to make sure I get something that she'll be happy with!

Thanks for any/all advice,

Michael

Reply to
Michael (LS)

Sheryl O'Connell wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@coconet.com:

I would cry if my husband bought me a Husqvarna Viking Designer I. What you need to do is give her a card maybe one that you can record a message on. Take one day and take her to all the dealers and let her pick out the machine she likes. She will love you forever and you will never have to hear "I wish my machine would do xxx". Let us know what she picks out.

Reply to
Fay

If the Babylock machine handles all her sewing needs, you might want to consider a machine that just does embroidery.

The MC9000 has been replaced. The size of the design is also drastically limited, if that's an issue. I would suggest the Janome

300e, which is an embroidery only machine. I'm not sure about US prices, but it should be in the $1000 ballpark.

It has some "on board" design editing and creation functions and handles the same designs as the MC10001. It uses compact flash cards (the same as digital cameras) with a PCMCIA adaptor (same as for a laptop). You don't need additional software to get designs, downloaded from the internet, to the machine.

You would need software to convert designs from other formats to the .JEF Janome format, or to create your own designs. I've heard Embird is a good program for converting designs and it has a digitizing add-on. It's also far less expensive than the software from the sewing machine manufacturers.

As for buying your wife a machine: DON'T DO IT!!! Let her try machines from various brands and choose the machine she feels comfortable with.

gwh

Reply to
w.d.hines

I thought I'd delurk just to say what a generous husband you are. But sewing & embroidery machines are such a personal thing that it might be better to take your lucky wife on a grand shopping spree so she can pick out the model herself.

:o)

Reply to
Hilary

what a great word - delurk.

Back on topic. 5 yrs ago my hubby surprised me with a Brother. Best hubby and best machine ever. I admit it's a brave step to pick someone else something so personal but from experience I LOVED IT. Course if you have a dealer that carries multiple makes might check to see if a trade could be arranged if for some reason happiness didn't reign.

Whatever you decide - good for you. High five for even the attempt.

Reply to
Kelly - sewing

I really appreciate everyone's help!

I want to have a machine under the tree for her to open (even if it means having to exchange it later for something else). I can understand her beening better at picking out her machine, but I thought I'd buy something nice and she could then either keep it, or we could exchange it for something else.

As far as the comments about me being a good husband, hush your mouths!!! You'll ruin my rep!!! Seriously, you could make a case that I'm buying it for her so _I_ won't have to listen to all the crusing and complaining.

BTW, is it just me or do a lot of the machines from different manufacturers look alike? I wonder if there's some company that makes most of them and then they're "branded".

Thanks a bunch folks!

Michael

Reply to
Michael (LS)

She will get used to any machine she gets. Practice makes perfect. I recommend Brother for price and user frendliness. They all do excellent quality. Not a factor in the decision.

Reply to
Gymmy Bob

Brother makes the higher end Babylocks and probably a few others.

manufacturers

Reply to
Gymmy Bob

"M

Don't do it.

Would you like her to select for you a set of golf clubs, or a bowling ball (with the holes drilled), or a table saw, or a car, or a doctor, or whatever it is that YOU know all about or have personal preferences about and she might not?

Your earlier questins indicate that sewing machines are not in your area of expertise. Selecting one includes not only the machiney, but software. - and the range and combinations are many.

My BW wanted me to have (nay, insisted that I have) a new digi-cam - and sent ME out to get it! And a good thing, too. Her criteria and considerations, while very valid, happen to be quite different from mine.

I'm sure you can find another way to surprise her with the concept on Xmas morning. If you get the "wrong" machine, you'll only be able to exchange it at wherever you bought it, which will offer only a limited number of brands. For example, if it's a Brother dealer and she REALLY would like a Viking, you and she would be SOL.

Maybe something like a miniature sewing machine (like a tree ornament or from a toy store) with your IOU attached.

- Herb

Reply to
Herb

I know of several women who received sewing machines for Christmas, and didn't like something about the machines. The machines sat in a dark corner of the basement, or in a closet, unused and formerly dear hubby was in the doghouse for a long time.

gwh

Reply to
w.d.hines

Not necessarily. When I bought my machine, there was an X day money back guarantee. I'm sure he'd check with the store before going out and buying it.

Your comparison with a predrilled bowling ball, or doctor, just aren't realistic. How on earth can they compare? If the machine can be returned, and if the wife has no problems doing so, then there's no reason why he can't do it this way. I've bought my husband golf clubs and when he doesnt' like them (which hasn't happened yet, actually), he is more than welcome to return them - that's why I keep the bill.

Marijke who would love it if someone would buy her a machine for Christmas.

Reply to
Marijke

Oh darn, I was going to buy one for your birthday, but since you would only want one for christmas, and I don't do christmas, I will just have to give that idea up.

DaveJ

Reply to
Dave Johnsen

DaveJ - don't be bummed. sometimes a surprise gift for no reason beats anything. Go ahead and get her the machine :o)))

Reply to
Kelly - sewing

My husband and I went to buy a machine for my 25th wedding anniversary and when I got it home I knew straight away I didn't like it, so I had to sell it. I then bought another one which I didn't like and ended up with a Brother which I do like. I have been sewing 40 years so if it can happen to me it can happen to anyone. Let her choose and she can buy you your next car as a surprice Xmas present!!!!!!!!! Liz

Reply to
Elizabeth Hall

The grass is always greener for some.

and

A poor woman always blames his/her tools.

Women liked to be surprised. You sound like some of the poor managers I have had the unfortunate experience of having. "We already spent over $1,000,000 buying the damn thing! Don't expect us to spend another $100 on training so you know how to use it!"

Reply to
Gymmy Bob

I have a room full of surprises. Mostly low end sewing machines from Wal Mart and such. But also the occasional embroidery machine makes an appearance as a trade in. I agree with the ones who are opting for the gift card and shopping trip. Followed by a nice dinner out would be my choice of surprise. When my DH got my serger for Xmas, he set aside the money and gave me a card with pictures of the machines in it that had previoulsy researched. Then, when I was ready, we went together and I sewed on all off them while he tried not to look too bored. After the purchase we went to dinner and that made the whole experience very special. As a retailer my advice is do not purchase unless you know exactly the make, model and size of machine she wants. Nothing is worse than a reverse surprise, one that puts DH in the puppy crate becuase of a poor decision.

Reply to
Hanna's Mom

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