I have the Designer II (Huskavarna) sewing machine. A local quilt shop is going out of business and the pushy woman who runs it is pressuring me to buy the embroidery attachment. It's 50% off so would save me a lot. My question is - how many of you actually would use such a thing. I told her I was interested more in doing wall hangings, and she insisted that was the way to go. What do y'all think?
I'd like to have the embroidery stuff for the Bernina 440 too. 50% off sounds wonderful. However - I see so much machine embroidery that is done so poorly. Wrong fabric, wrong thread, wrong stabilizer, terrible tension ... beats me why somebody would spend that kind of time and money and not learn to do it right. I know, I know. Happiness is learning to enjoy doing things poorly. Still, I can't imagine why not go ahead and suffer through the testing until it's right. Polly
"lenorel95" 50% off would do it for me! You can do all sorts of things with
I don't have the embroidery module for my Bernina, and I'm surviving quite nicely. ;) My dealer would love me to buy it, but I haven't for several reasons: 1. I don't know where I'd store all of the threads, stabilizers, etc., that are necessary. 2. I'd rather spend my limited retirement pension on my quilting. 3. I used to do a lot of free-motion embroidery with my DDs were little, and I keep thinking that I could brush up on that and do it again -- without a module -- if I ever wanted to embroider anything.
Those are *my* reasons; I think you should do what makes you happy! :)
I have the embroidery unit for my rather elderly Pfaff 7570, which I know will make amazing stuff. However, I've never used it. It takes mountains and mountains of pretty thread, the kind I really can't afford. And it's not really what I "do" so it would become just one more thing that I'd try to fit in and probably would become one of those Polly grieves at who wouldn't do it right. But, if you want to do machine embroidery, now is the time. And it is gorgeous stuff.
Sunny
I got the Designer1 the second year it was on the market. It came with the embroidery unit. I eventually got one of those plastic rolling carts with all the drawers, mine had nine drawers of three different depths. I had all my threads, stabilizers and embroidery computer stuff organized in that, handy.
The fact that this place is going out of business puts up a red flag for me now knowing what I do. You really NEED to be able to take classes. You also need to make sure that it's a Huskvarna trained instructor teaching them. I took one class that amounted to nothing more than some gal reading form the manual (I'd already done that) and not really being able to answer questions or troubleshoot. I was so pissed after an hour of this I demanded my class fee back (and got it) and learned to check on the instructor's credentials before signing up for classes. I have three 3 ring binders of class notes and samples on what and how information. If you don't have a place to take the classes I honestly don't think you'll ever be able to really get all your bang for your buck from the embroidery unit you've just invested in. I'll also tell you that it costs $$$$. You'll need a multitude of different stabilizers and know what to use when. Then there's the threads and the needles and the designs and it just goes on from there. You're going to have to take your machine, embroidery unit and supplies to those classes so you can almost figure you'll end up with a rolling luggage gizmo to pack it around. In my opinion there's a huge learning curve to tackle if you are going to do it well. I sat with the manuals, going through step by step, page by page and worked on it for about a year, never completely happy with results. It wasn't until I finally broke down and spent time taking classes that I came out with results I was satisfied with. If classes aren't in a location that's convenient you probably won't take them. If you are on a tight budget that's another thing to consider. I figured I spent about 3 times the cost of each class on materials to do what I was learning over a time period of 18 months.
These are just a few of the things to seriously be aware of and to think about before you invest in the embroidery unit. Sometimes 50% off can end up being very expensive. YMMV
Val
"Judy Clarke" wrote in message news:jWuIl.69529$ snipped-for-privacy@newsfe20.iad...
I LOVE machine embroidery, much more than quilting. However, I often combine the 2--embroider blocks for a quilt, and do a lot of wall hangings that have embroidery on them. I now have 2 very good embroidery machines. I had a Vkikng Designer 1 that was less than something I liked. I then got a Babylock Ellageo machine, which was always set up for embroidery. I got a Babylock Quest for quilting, so I could get rid of the Viking. I love the Quest. I'd had my eye on either the Babylock Ellisimo or the Brother Quattro huge sewing/embroidery machines. Our local dealer is going out of business and had the Quattro for $3000 under list price, plus he gave me a $1000 trade in for the junk Viking---Oh my, what a wonderful machine. They're giving all the classes for the next few months, even after going out of business. I've been sewing and embroidering for years, but I've got a lot to learn about this machine. Is it worth it to you----that depends. If you don't have much interest in machine embroidery, then no, even if it's half price. If you think you'd like it, then maybe, as long as you can get help learning to use it. As for those that think free motion embroidery can accomplish the same thing-----not even close!!!!!!!!!!! I also do free motion, and they're 2 very separate ways of doing something. I guess it all comes down to if you want it or not. A sale's no good if you will never use the item. Gen
"Judy Clarke" wrote in message news:jWuIl.69529$ snipped-for-privacy@newsfe20.iad...
Hi Judy, I would buy it. You can make many beautiful embroidery items. You will have many hours of enjoyment with this unit. Buy it and enjoy it. Kathy
Lenore,
I have a Designer II with the embroidery unit. I use it all the time! I use it for quilt blocks, for labels, and I have used it to quilt a few quilts too.
Debbi in SO CA
lenorel95 wrote:
On Wed, 22 Apr 2009 20:27:11 -0500, Judy Clarke wrote (in article ):
I have a stand-alone Brother embroidery machine. I use it occassionally, to embroider stuff like tea towels, etc. But not as much as I thought I would.
I don't regret buying it, but I could live without it as well.
Maureen
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