OT: Embroidery machines

Hi John, most of the top end embroidery machines are

------are you ready for this????-----closer to $7.500. And don't forget to get the extra work books to help you learn to use the machine. My Pfaff SM was the top of the line more than 20 years ago and it was 2,000 then, on sale, plus work books and sewing goodies needed to try out the new features. I am still happy with it even though there are a LOT more features on the newer machines. There are other machines that cost less and will almost do all the same type embroidery. Barbara in SC

Yes, I thought it would be astronomical. It is a dedicated semi- cimmercial 4 needle machine so it is rather complex. I would have to talk long and hard to convince that I "needed" one of them. It was interesting to see it do it's thing, nonetheless.

John

It is so new, that I don't think it is even well known, at this point, much less overstocked enough to warrant sale status. Even at 1/2 off, it is above my allowed hobby budget. If I win the lottery, then Katy bar the door.

John

I don't know, John. I have one of those machines and I've never had the embroidery unit on it. The 4 needle thing sounds interesting though.

I much prefer to hand embroidery. I know, I'm weird. But the process is more fun for me than actually finishing. I know. Weirdness abounds.

Cindy

I think there might be some confusion here. If you go to the Janome site and check out the MB-4 machine,

you will see it is not a sewing machine/w embroidery unit attached. It is a stand alone. multi-needle embroidery machine, that has 4 separate needles and can do 4 different colors without having to stop and rethread for the color change. It accepts the large Tajima Commercial hoops and for all intents and purposes is a commercial machine that is geared toward the home market. I think it is the first one of this type to do so. This thing really does some amazing things, from what I saw during the demo. I wouldn't be surprised if it was $7500. I would like to have that kind of discretionary hobby budget, but unfortunately, I still have to buy food.

John

You're right. I just assumed it was a combination machine.

Damn food. I've always said, I wish there was just a pill you could take every day that filled you up, satisfied all the daily requirements, satisfied your tastes and that's all you had to do. Just think how much more time, money and effort we could put towards more productive endeavors.

But that Christmas Eve dinner last night was really, really good and I wouldn't have missed fixing it for the world. I made Brussels sprouts that _I_ even ate and I hate vegetables. thank you, Tyler Florence and Food TV.

Cindy

John, while you are 'supposed to be' healing and taking care of your injury, you might want to look around at less expensive embroidery machines. Just from what I've seen here and in the heirloom sewing area, I've been thinking that Babylock makes embroidery (only) that are very nice and quite a bit less costly than the dream you've been looking at. Our DDIL has a Singer embroidery machine (that I wouldn't take at gunpoint) and she's just been having a grand time with it. You probably would enjoy the abilities of a separate EM. I'm betting while you are taking things easy that you would have time for some serious investigating. Go for it. Polly

I think there might be some confusion here. If you go to the Janome site and check out the MB-4 machine,

will see it is not a sewing machine/w embroidery unit attached. Itis a stand alone. multi-needle embroidery machine, that has 4 separateneedles and can do 4 different colors without having to stop andrethread for the color change. It accepts the large Tajima Commercialhoops and for all intents and purposes is a commercial machine that isgeared toward the home market. I think it is the first one of thistype to do so. This thing really does some amazing things, from what Isaw during the demo. I wouldn't be surprised if it was $7500. I wouldlike to have that kind of discretionary hobby budget, butunfortunately, I still have to buy food. John

I am not "actually" in the market for one right now. I was just blown away by what this thing could do. It is one of those "If I only had enough money" things. I know there are many good stand alone ones available, or I could just get the embroidery unit for the Bernina 430 and play with that for a lot less than what those Janome MB-4's go for. It is just fun to think and wish. I was stimulated enough to try some free hand machine embroidery yesterday, and it was fun. That is something I can do right now without any additional outlay of money. All it takes is outlay of time to practice. I had some heavy iron-on interfacing that I attached to some white fabric, and stitched a bird in three colors standing on a branch with leaves and it didn't come out half bad, for a first attempt. I don't think it will replace my interest in quilting, any time soon though.

John

Maybe you can get it cheaper through ebay