By Vicki Anderson (Note - The Embroidery Machine Comparison Chart was updated in the Febuary 2004
issue.)
What To Buy & Why
With the advent of greater technology, purchasing an
embroidery machine has become a financially feasible option for the home sewer. This
article and accompanying shopping checklist
are designed to help you decide if an embroidery machine, or sewing machine with
embroidery capabilities, is the right purchase for you. It also will help you determine
which features you'd find most useful.
To compare the features of various specific embroidery machine models, order our handy2000 Machine Embroidery Comparison Chart. Note:
Only the embroidery capabilities of machines are covered in the chart. If the machine
you're considering is also a sewing machine, please consult our Sewing Machine Comparison
Chart (October '98 Sew News) for further
information on the features available for sewing machines. Watch for a revised edition of
the Sewing Machine Comparison Chart in the July '00 Sew News.
Entrepreneur/Cottage Industry: Embroidery is used to
embellish garments and other items that are sold to the general public. You want to stitch
large embroidery areas in one hooping. Complete design freedom with the use of a computer
and software package is essential. A commercial embroidery machine would work best for
you. Most home embroidery machines won't be warranted for this type of heavy use.
Creative/Wearable Artist: You want the freedom to create
your own embroideries, as well as the ability to use prepackaged designs. Look for a
machine that offers either a computer software package or a scanner system that digitizes
your line drawings. Also, check to see if independent designers support your software.
Crafter/Personal Use:
You already may own a sewing machine that meets your needs and would like to add
embroidery capabilities. Look for a stand-alone embroidery machine or upgrade to a
combination sewing and embroidery machine that offers a large variety of preprogrammed
designs available on memory cards.
Commercial: Machines with multiple needles let you thread
all the colors for the design at one time before beginning to stitch on the garment.
Multi-head machines let you stitch the same design on multiple garments simultaneously.
Advanced computer software packages allow greater design capabilities.
Combination: Combination machines possess the sewing
capabilities of a regular sewing machine and can embroider with the addition of a separate
embroidery unit attached to the machine bed. Some machines will do regular sewing with the
embroidery unit attached and others won't. Note: These machines shouldn't be moved
with the embroidery unit attached.
Embroidery only: These machines don't have regular sewing
capabilities; they only embroider.
Commercial software: These software packages offer complete
and total control in designing your embroideries. A variety of commercial formats are
supported for purchased designs.
Machine-specific software: Most sewing machine companies
have their own software packages for use with their embroidery machines. Designs can be
scanned by using any scanner type that works with your computer system, then imported into
your software program for use as a template. Some software brands have built-in conversion
capabilities to use commercial embroidery formats.
Independent-vendor software: This software is an add-on
package to your machine-specific software. The software can extend your specific software
package's capabilities by allowing you to convert embroideries designed with other
software packages to a format your machine can understand.
Independent designers: Independent designs are embroideries
that a company or individual is selling for use with a particular embroidery machine. They
require brand-specific hardware and software to use them.
To avoid confusion, the
features being defined will apply to only the machines' embroidery aspects. If the machine
you're considering also has sewing capabilities, some of these same features may be
available in the sewing mode.
Low bobbin indicator lights and/or warning messages help
prevent the possibility of sewing through a color only to discover that a portion of the
color didn't stitch out.
Upper thread monitors stop the machine within a few
stitches if the upper thread breaks or the spool runs out.
Built-in needle threaders make the numerous color changes
for embroidery easier and faster.
Automatic thread cutters clip both the upper and lower
threads at the end of each color in the design.
Maximum embroidery area refers to the largest embroidery
size that can be sewn out in one fabric hooping.
Built-in memories allow you to save customized designs
within the machine's program.
Design rotation allows the design to be turned in the
sewing field.
Mirror imaging is the reverse image of a design--important
for centering or symmetry. The mirroring may be horizontal and/or vertical.
Color skipping allows for stitching out specific parts of
an embroidery pattern.
Stitch skipping helps repair design areas that were removed
and re-stitched or can be used for moving backward in a design after the needle thread
breaks or frays. This feature also is useful for skipping over design parts you don't want
to include.
Design placement within the hoop area allows you to center
your designs precisely, even if it wasn't hooped perfectly. The amount of area available
for adjustments will depend on the design and hoop size.
Multiple-hooping alignment allows you to re-hoop your
design and still keep your design elements perfectly joined.
Estimated embroidery time gives the approximate stitching
time for a design. This information may be available on-screen and/or within the
embroidery card booklets.
Pattern size information tells exactly how large your
finished design will be, so you can determine if it fits within your intended space. This
information may be available on-screen and/or within the embroidery card booklets.
Design scaling allows you to change an embroidery design
while maintaining the same stitch density as the original size embroidery.
Design sizing allows you to change the stitched design
size, but the number of stitches in the design remains the same. Thus, a design made
larger will have the stitching spaced further apart and a design made smaller will have
more condensed stitching.
Color order information gives you the color stitching
sequence for each design. This information may be on-screen or within the embroidery card
booklets.
Pattern tracing instructs the machine to outline the
embroidery area prior to beginning the actual stitching. With this feature it's possible
to place the tip of a water-soluble marker within the embroidery foot opening and trace
the actual sewing area onto the item to be embroidered to ensure exact placement. It's
also useful for appliqué embroidery.
Combining designs in memories is possible on some machines.
In some cases, only text may be stored. Other machines allow designs from cards and text
to be combined in a memory.
Built-in embroideries are available on some embroidery-only
machines. Many designs are exclusive to one brand and model.
Built-in frames allow you to make your own patches and
crests. Many patterns are available to outline the frames. Some models might offer frame
patterns on embroidery cards or as a part of their machine-specific software, rather than
built-in frames.
Embroidery lettering fonts and text editing capabilities
vary greatly between brands. Some models have several fonts built-in and others require
embroidery cards to access fonts. Scanners and machine-specific software may offer
additional lettering options, such as arcing and kerning.
Specialty hoops are available for most brands that allow
you to embroider baseball caps, pockets and cuffs. Some brands also offer extra-large
hoops that reduce the number of times a large design needs to be re-hooped, thus
increasing accuracy.
Shopping Guide
The options for shopping for an
embroidery machine follow the same guidelines you'd use when shopping for a sewing
machine.
Sewing machine dealers: A good dealer will be able to
supply classes on how to maximize the use of your machine. There also may be monthly clubs
available to provide further inspiration. Your dealer will become a valuable information
source on the latest embroidery cards, software updates and specialty supplies available
for use with the machine. Because many embroidery machines already have been upgraded,
excellent values on used machines may be available. Your dealer provides
factory-authorized service. Look in your local yellow pages for the dealers near you.
Fabric stores with machine departments: Sales support can
vary greatly, depending on whether or not the machine sales area is independently owned
and operated.
Mass merchandisers, such as Sears, may offer machines that
have been re-branded. Generally, extra hoops, scanners and embroidery cards will be
special-order items. Classes on machine use usually aren't included. Service may require
shipping the machine to the manufacturer.
Mail-order specialists: Competitive pricing is attractive.
Do be aware that classes and support won't be available and that the machine will have to
be shipped to the manufacturer or a central service center for any necessary service work.
Classified ads can provide leads to used machines and
scanner systems. Many of these owners have chosen to upgrade to machines with more
features. However, classes and support are unavailable.
