Embroidery machine questions

[dianec42]

Okay, my friends are pretty geeky, but what are the odds?

I've recently moved countries and am without a sewing machine. I was thinking of just getting a good basic model, and then a friend of mine told me about the Quantum Futura (made by Singer)... I am now captivated by the idea of getting an embroidery machine. The one I am interested in is the CE-200, because the CE-100 just doesn't seem to come with enough stuff.

I have done some machine sewing and consider myself fairly competent; I've never owned an embroidery machine before.

Question 1: Is the Futura my only option below $1000? (I've looked at reviews on patternreview.com, and most of the others seem to be MUCH more expensive.) I know I'm going to be spending gazillions on supplies anyway, and my bonus wasn't THAT big, so I don't want to go completely nuts spending on the machine. (Also because knowing me and hobbies, there is a nonzero chance that I'll embroider like 3 things with it and then never use it for embroidery again. In which case I would prefer to minimize my guilt.)

Question 2: Has anyone used the Futura (or any other low-cost option, if there is one) and liked it? Hated it? How much of a pain in the butt is the software to use?

Question 3: Is it any good as a sewing machine? I do need a machine to sew with too, and I'd prefer one machine to do it all.

Obviously, I'd ideally like to go to a sewing machine store and play with one of these before deciding whether to buy it or not. But I've already failed my shopping roll a couple of times, so I'm resigning myself to the possibility of playing with Singers in general and then ordering off the web. (Shopping suggestions for the LA area would also not go amiss.)

Thanks in advance for any clues! (Also posted to advanced_sewing and machinembroider.)

p.s. - DAMN YOU, qidane! (-:

Comments

[tfarrell.livejournal.com]

What I can suggest for a start is that you look for dealers in your area on my web site:
California Sewing and Craft Stores (http://www.tomfarrell.org/textiles/stores/index.jsp?state=CA)

Visit several dealers, test drive a lot of models, and compare prices. Make sure to find more than one dealer for the brand you like so you can get competitive pricing. If you'd like more advice about buying a sewing and/or embroidery machine and dealing with sewing machine dealers, buy my book (http://www.lulu.com/sewing). It's only a buck to buy the PDF.

I got my embroidery machine for $300, but I bought it on the web and in general I recommend against doing that, and it has a very small hoop. But, I'm very happy with it, it meets my modest needs for the moment. You might try looking at used models; your local dealers will probably have some used models that they took as trade-in, which they'll usually clean before reselling, and will usually warrant for some period. There are some superb used embroidery machines on the market.

[tfarrell.livejournal.com]

Incidentally, if by LA you meant Louisiana and not Los Angeles, go to the same dealer listing page anyway and use the selector at the top to change states.

[dianec42.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the info!

I agree it's not a great idea to buy off the web (returns are a bitch, for a start). If I do manage to find a good dealer or two, I will treasure them always. I just wish I wasn't so under the gun on this.