NEWBIE-needs buying advice

NEWBIE NEEDS HELP! I read back about 10 days & did not find a thread covering this, if I missed it please forgive my repeat question.

I saw a "cute" little device called a BROTHER APPLIQUÉ STATION.

I have always wanted a sewing machine that does small embroidery tasks. Nothing for a career or anything like that, just things for me or for gifts. Can anyone suggest a REASONABLY priced machine. One that has computer interface capabilities. Also can you tell me what things to be sure to look for & what to totally avoid when making this type of purchase. I do sew, just never embroidered by machine.

Reply to
abunnie
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Brother ULT series ($4-5K) takes floppy diskettes. as far as direct computer interface I don't believe there is any decent ones at a decent price.

Reply to
Gymmy Bob

Oh my goodness! $4-5K???? What part of that is reasonable? I tried to be clear that it would be for "hobby" only.

Is there any thoughts or opinions on the:Brother PE150V Embroidery Machine with the Ultimate box accessory? That is what has been suggested to me by others. $450.00 total, reasonably priced! Thanks

Reply to
abunnie

I have seen many posts by people that were pleased as punch with the PE150----they are trouble-free for the greatest part, and will do a 4 x 4 design. Everyone who has posted on the Ultimate Box seems to love it.

I have a Brother 2002 D and it is nearly foolproof.

Reply to
Pat

I have the Bernina 200E. Computer interface and the software to digitze, edit and then send directly to machine. Saw one at the dealer the other day $5800. Ebay sitings for less.

Reply to
nana2b

Oh Pat thank you so much! I thought there might be some "experts" around here that could advice me! You are a gem! I have heard read so many great things, I just wanted to check as many possible sources before making a purchase. Now....... plotting on how to ask hubby! :-) Thanks again. Sandra

Reply to
abunnie

ask hubby like this.

I could get the PE-150 but it doesn't take downloadable / upgradable software, have a colour large hi-tech LCD screen, take floppy disc information or do the job or a really good regular sewing machine like the ULT2003 does. But then we don't need all the hitech stuff around here do we?. I mean if it works OK I can always upgrade and spend more money...LOL

After buying the ULT2002 I would buy the PE-150 and the software to do the job but I don't know if it would have been easy to do before using the ULT

2002 machine for a year or two. I am a hi-tech type computer guy but it may be a big challenge without some tech help to get going.

Forgive the price range but it was a guess and a PE-150V (Walmart sale = v) costs $799 in Canada and the ULT2003 was $5400 a few years ago. The ULT2001 was $4600 but without the Disney crap (I didn't want and still don't) but I wasn't sure they didn't upgrade some internal memory or something and the sales people are totally non hi-tech and are confused when you say kilostitches...LOL

You will need to get fonts of different sizes and so on and so on for the PE-150. I hear it is a good machine but may be tough for the novice to get going on the technology of it all.

If you asked originally about a machine with "computer interface capabilities" , please disregard the above babble. The PE-150 has none and doesn't fit your specifications....LOL

Reply to
Gymmy Bob

Oh, uh huh My hubby is an IT Man. In fact owns his own company. (boast-brag) proud wife....:-) So tech knowledge is not a problem for me or our home. I did appreciate very much your *slant* on humor in your reply. Honestly funny. You silly! Seriously though, I was under the impression that the PE-150 did do downloadable / upgradeable stuff. As for the price I was shopping on ebay & found some good deals. I just think $5K verses $500.00 is a huge jump for a beginner. And yeah, I agree about the Disney stuff, that is a waste. Now my good guy, please tell me straight, is it a TOTAL waste to get this machine? Or do you just have stock in the other company? LOL :-) I do thank you for sharing your opinion & for being so fun about it.

Reply to
abunnie

I have the Bernina 180E and love it. Everyone seems to love their particular machine and there are some very good ones out there.

I liked hat I can link directly from my computer to my machine with a cord for placing designs on my machine. It still has the capability of having a card reader for when you purchase designs on cards. If you purchase other machines cards you will need a magic box to convert them.

Some machines only embroider and do not do regular stitching. Some people like this as they will keep a secondary machine for their regular stitching while the embroidery machine is doing its thing. On my Bernina I don't have to remove the embroidery attachment if I want to do regular sewing. I like that It can resize designs right on the machine and it will also automatically adjust the fill stitches. (I don't think any of the other machines will do that).

If you don't plan on doing a lot of embroidery and don't mind the 4" x

4" limit on stitching field, I'd recommend the Brother machine. (The Bernina Deco is made by Brother).

If you plan on doing a lot of embroidery, buy the best machine you can afford. It's better to grow into the machine, than to have to upgrade later. I got my 5 yr old used machine last year. That was the best bang for my buck.

Decide what you want to do with the machine and make a list. Find out all the features of the machines you are considering and again compare that list. The biggest thing for me, was to have a local dealer. That way I can have my machine serviced quickly by the dealer who is familiar with the machine and without a lot of travel or shipping expenses.

Good luck

5 foot 2
Reply to
5 foot 2

It isn't a waste. The majority of designs that you will want to stitch will be within the 4 x 4 frame size of the 150. If you think that you might want to be able to do larger sizes, you might want to look at the new Janome embroidery only. About twice the price, but will do a 5 x 7 design. the card and adapter for the Janome are readily available parts from a computer store.

Just food for thought!

L>Oh, uh huh

Reply to
cox

I'm very pleased with my PE15o. I'm a newbie to embroidering and haven't had any trouble with it at all. Easy to thread, easy to run, stitches like a dream.

maureen

Pat wrote:

Reply to
Maureen Wozniak

Only one correction. The PE-150 can only embroider a max 4x4 pattern no matter how big of a hoop it will take. I belive it only takes the hoop supplied. A smaller one could get sewn into and wreck something. The ULT200x machine know what size hoop is installed and compensates.

Reply to
Gymmy Bob

Reply to
Edna

"Gymmy Bob" skrev i meddelandet news:Gr2dnfZ2 snipped-for-privacy@golden.net...

4x4 pattern no

takes the hoop

something. The ULT200x

I´m not sure you are right here. I have the PE-200 wich in essence is the same machine as the 150. The design area is

4x4, but with a bigger hoop and correct software (I use PE-Design or Embird) you can do a bigger design by moving the hoop (three different positions). It is also possible to use smaller hoops, but it is absolutely suggested that the hoop size is defined in the design (the machine does not recognize tha actual hoop inserted), and this way you avoid the risk of hittimg the hoop with the needle, possibly causing BIG trouble! Include link to allbrands.com with info on small hoop, but this online shop is actually a good source of information on some of what´s available!
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Reply to
Åsa W

The PE-150 can only handle a design as big as 4x4 inches!

Yes there is software and special hoops that can break the pattern into three pieces and stitch in the three zones of the special hoop but only 4x4 at a time.

So yes it can be done and No the machine won't do it by itself.

Reply to
Gymmy Bob

Yes, what he said!! I have a PE 180D (only difference from 150 is the extra Disney designs) and it definitely will do nothing larger than 4x4 unless I split the design and use the multi-position hoop. Even then the width is limited to 4 inches and length about 6 3/4 unless I rehoop. Which I've never had the courage to do!

Iris (Now on a new learning curve with Embird Studio)

Reply to
I.E.Z.

Hi, The Brother PE150 is a great machine, I have had mine for over a year and it stitches a beautiful embroidery. However I am now contemplating purchasing the Brother Card Reader Writer PED Basic because 2 of the ultimate boxes I have bought have died on me. Just stopped being recognized by windows for no apparent reason. The first one was replaced by Amazing Designs, but the replacement is no longer under warranty. Anyone else have this problem? Spend a little more and get the Brother box, I am very disappointed in the Ultimate Box. The machine is available on Ebay for $299 with warranty, brand new. The Brother PED Basic Box is on sale at Walmart for less than $190. I have seen the Ultimate Box for the same price, so I would go with the Brother. Good luck.

Reply to
SewingMachine13

Reply to
Alex Goover

"SewingMachine13" skrev i meddelandet news:GZF0c.20586$ snipped-for-privacy@nwrdny02.gnilink.net...

first one

Are you really talking about the Ultimate box here?? That's the Vikant box. It seems to me you are talking about the Amazing box. They are _not_ the same!! It would be useful for us to know wich one is causing so much trouble!!

Asa

Reply to
Åsa W

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