Stitches

I would love to get into Embroidery as a hobby and I have found a machine I believe I would like...?

It is called Brother pc-8500d fs Disney. In the ad it states: Also included are 60 exciting built-in embroidery designs and 120 combinations of frame patterns. And with the exclusive Disney memory card reader that's built into the PC-8500D, you'll be able to enjoy an ever-growing number of great new Disney and other embroidery designs as new memory cards are released. Does each brand of machine only accept certain memory cards? I also see that you can purchase blank memory cards. How would you use those? Do you put pictures on there? I am not sure how to do that, at all...? If you know of any website with lots of information for someone new to embroidery, please share! Also I would love to know what kinds of things you make with your machine. Thanks :) Added Info: I was looking at this machine online. I was hoping to spend no more than $2,500. This machine is on sale for $1999.00 which I thought would be a good place for me to start. Can you give me an idea of what a good machine will cost? I agree re: the USB port and I will look into that. I am not too computer saavy, so I am hoping that I will make the best decision. Thank you all for all of this information!

Public Comments

1. I don't know bout the Brother machine but i have the janome memory craft 10000/01 and all i do is put the designs i want to stitch out onto the memory card from my pc and go from there BubsCreations-subscribe@yahoogroups.com and/or stitchesgaloreuk2008-subscribe@yahoogroups.com and there is a lady there by the name of teta and she would b able to help u If you go to them we will be able to help you from there and you can see what sort of things we do with our machines Wen
2. I don't use a machine. I do freehand designs on jeans and blue work shirts. Mostly use a chain stitch. I make over $20,000 a year doing this when I am not at my regular job, but it is very time consuming. I just sold a pair of embroidered jeans for $750. If you would like to see my portfolio, e mail me and I will send it as an attachment and give you a few tips and tweaks. IMO there are billions of machines out there, but if you have the time, hand embroidery as an art is where the money is at!
3. Try http://www.dekatzenembroidery.co.za. They have a great tips page with info on all kinds of things from buying a machine, to using stabilizer and transferring designs from your pc to machine. This site will also introduce you to the variety of alternative things that you can make, other than pictures, all on your embroidery machine. In my opinion it is best to get a machine that uses a usb stick, as this is the way that the industry seems to be going. Cards are becoming outdated, and you need special software and card readers.
4. If this is the machine from Wal Mart do not buy it. Do not buy any embroidery machine from anywhere but a sewing machine store. They will give you free lessons on how to use your machine and you will need lessons. Many lessons. I have had my embroidery machine for over 10 years. I have taken classes not only on how to use my machine and the embroidery unit, but how to hoop, what stabilizers to use, thread for upper and for the bobbin and specialized work. There is a lot of tips and tricks to pick up. Plan on spending time just getting comfortable with it before making anything. I have a Viking- which I love. Very reliable. Phaff and Bernina are good brands too. I would not recommend a Bother. I have embroidered towles, which you have to hoop differently and use a special stabilizer. I have made velvet Christmas stockings with our names and design on them. Tablerunners, embroidered jackets, bags, silk Christaining gowns, pillowcases- almost everything.
5. If you have to ask all these questions here you are not at sewing machine dealer. Your machine is only as good as your dealer. I own two Vikings, a Bernina and a Pfaff. I would check the dealers in your area and hit them all. You will get the to know the dealer and what is offered. And who is going to stand by there product.
6. Brother usually has a great selection of embroidery machines for all price levels. The Brother 8500D is an outdated embroidery machine but, more important, it is a GOOD little machine for beginners who don't have a lot of money to spend. Please buy it from reputable dealer and not over the internet or a box store. The dealer will support you and be able to help you with all of your questions...plus they will stand behind the machine if anything should go wrong. The price is usually the reason people will purchase this machine. It is a good little starter machine and the reason people will pass on it is because the "software" capability is not current. You must have PED Basic If you want to use designs off of the internet or from CDs. PED Basic will do the communicating from your computer to your machine. Some dealers may throw the software in or at a greatly reduced price. Either way, it is a must to have if you want to do designs outside of the Brother brand (or card). The cards are usually the copyright designs from Disney or Nickolodeon. If you really want an embroidery machine and the price is what you can afford, go for it. (If it is from a dealer.) Here are the specifications and technical information that you may want to look at: Brother 8500D: http://www.brother-usa.com/Homesewing/ModelDetail.aspx?ProductID=PC8500D Ped Basic (The software translator): http://www.brother-usa.com/Homesewing/modeldetail.aspx?PRODUCTID=PC8500D&tab=optional Brother USA site for all of their machines: http://www.brother-usa.com/HomeSewing/ProductList.aspx?cat=embroidery&WT.svl=EmbroideryTopNav WARNING: Embroidery designs are habit forming! You'll have too much fun!
7. One thing you might want to think about is the Disney collection, that is what you are actually paying for (trademark) As I have recently gone from a home embroidery machine (Janome) to a professional machine, there are several machines that will do a good job. I will say I swear by Janome, my machine had over 5000 hours on it and I NEVER had trouble with it. You need to decide what size area you want to stitch, then you will need to know if it hooks up via a usb port or if you need a scanner and if your computer is going to handle the handshake. I recently sold my 10 year old Janome 9000 on ebay for $1200.00 and that was an excellent price, because I gave all the software with it. So looking for the machine needs to be your deciding factor, not the designs. Software (very resonable) is available to covert any format design to different stitch files useable for all machines. I suggest you might go to different stores and even try trade shows and see what you like.
8. Hi, I have a commercial embroidery biz - and have commercial machines but I started with home machines 16 yrs ago lol. I am not positive but I don't think that the Brother Disney machines sew larger than a 4x4 hoop. The Singer XL 6000 on Ebay (Item number: 290258013786) looked like a good deal. 5+x9+ largest sewing area (well below your 2500 limit) and I started with a Singer XL-1000 and it is still running today on small logos in our business. It also had an instruction video with it and unlimited phone support. Anyway, I would not discount EBay as I have bought a lot of stuff off there and never had a problme that was not resolved fairly and promptly. Good luck! Jill
9. If you are willing to spend $2500.00 on an embroidery machine go to a reputable dealer and tell him what you want and need. You can buy a sewing/embroidery machine or just an embroidery machine. If you buy just the embroidery part and don't own a sewing machine you buy what is called "blanks" and you put the embroidery on the made article of clothing, tote bag or towels. There are plenty of places to get 'blanks' from the internet and commercial places to sales at store in your own town. Designs in Machine Embroidery is a great magazine you should purchase and read prior to doing anything. They also have a new program at www.dzgns.com with free classes in embroidery. There are several manufacturers of machines out there. From Bernina, Baby-lock, Janome, Pfaff, Viking, and Brother. If you must have Disney designs then you have to have a Brother. Make sure you get one with a USB port because that is how they are transferring designs now. If you don't get one with a USB port you will have to buy software and a read write box and the card that fits in your machine to hold the designs. I did that several years because it was the only way.. then last year I got my card damp accidentally and had to buy a new card for $200.00. Have a PC and a machine with an USB port eliminates the need for software until you are ready to digitize or play with designs. There are lots of well priced designs on the internet and in yahoo groups you can use before doing your own. Join a couple of the yahoo groups to ask questions too.
10. I owned this machine before I traded it in on the Brother Inovis4000D. If I remember correctly it will embroider up to a 5" by 7" area. I loved it. It sewed an