What is the Best Embroidery Machine for Home Use?
Do you need an embroidery machine? If you’re thinking about adding decorative machine stitching to your quiver of skills, you might just. An embroidery machine is not your great-grandmother’s foot-powered Singer. Today’s embroidery machines are technological marvels with interfaces that sometimes look like the control panel of a space shuttle. And the price tag of some models can be enough to make anyone think twice.
Fortunately, there’s a wide range of embroidery machines on the market today. You can find entry-level models that won’t set you back too much, and models that double as sewing machines, in case you end up not using the embroidery function as much as you thought you would. And if you’re serious about machine embroidery, some near-professional quality higher-end models could even help you launch your own business.
Which one is the best embroidery machine for you? Have a look at our roundup of today’s best models and see.
What is an Embroidery Machine?
Embroidery machines are a subset of sewing machines. Specifically, they’re a special sewing machine that does embroidery. Some do only embroidery, while others also have regular sewing capabilities. Some come pre-loaded with stitches, for example, alphanumeric fonts for monogramming.
Others may have extensive libraries of patterns. Still, others may allow you to build your pattern library by uploading the patterns of your choice to your machine and even edit them right on the machine. However, they all have specific features that you should consider.
What to Look for in an Embroidery Machine
When making any big purchase, you have to consider the decision carefully. With an embroidery machine, there are several questions all potential buyers should ask themselves.
Is this for home or business use?
There is a significant difference between a home embroidery machine and a commercial one. And this difference comes down to more than price. If you’re looking for equipment to start a business, or to expand one, you need a commercial machine. A commercial embroidery machine has multiple heads and multiple threads.
Also, it’s built to withstand the rigors of mass production and continuous use. If you’re interested in machine embroidery as a craft, then a home embroidery machine will be fine.
For our purposes, we’ll only be looking at home quality machines. For a rundown of what others find to be the best commercial embroidery machines, check out this article from The Finest Thread.
What is the throat width?
The throat width is the amount of space between the needle and the body of the sewing machine. A longer throat width gives you more room to move your project, as well as the ability to work on larger projects. In addition, a larger throat width will allow you to use larger embroidery hoops.
Is the embroidery unit built in or separate?
Some embroidery machines are actually sewing machines with a detachable embroidery unit. A lot of people like this type, because it allows the machine to do double duty as a sewing machine. Do you want a dedicated machine for embroidery only? Or do you prefer a machine that does both?
What, and how many, hoop sizes does the machine allow?
Just as with hand embroidery, you’ll need to stretch your machine embroidery on an embroidery hoop. The more different sizes your embroidery machine can work with, the more different kinds of projects you’ll be able to do.
Are the embroidery designs built-in or separate?
Some embroidery machines have all their embroidery stitches and patterns built in. With others, users have the opportunity to upload additional stitches and patterns. Will built-in stitches be enough for you? Or will you one day want to add stitches and patterns of your own? What’s more, if you do choose a machine with a library you can add to, what technology does it use for transferring the files?
Best Embroidery Machine for Home Business
We consulted trusted sites like the Embroidery with Style, Sewing Machine Reviews, Stitchers Source, and others, to find their top picks for embroidery machines. Then we took to the internet to find out what real-life consumers who bought these models thought about them. After that, we made a shortlist.
And then, finally, by combining professional and customer reviews, we came up with our winner: 2019’s best embroidery machine.
Brother SE400 computerized sewing and embroidery machine
- Type of machine: embroidery plus sewing
- Embroidery unit: separate
- Hoop sizes: only one size: 4″ by 4″
- Embroidery designs: 70 built-in designs, 5 monogramming fonts, 120 frame/pattern combinations
- Expandable pattern library via USB cable
Where to buy: Amazon
Pros
Reviewers praised this model’s ease of use. They also liked its generous library of built-in patterns, designs, and fonts. Additionally, they were impressed by the jam-resistant bobbin and the LCD touch-screen display. In addition, they consider it a good value for money.
Unfortunately, there is only one hoop size, which some users may find limiting. A common complaint was thread tension, nesting and tangling. Also, some customers remarked that it was difficult to obtain repairs when needed.=
Both FabHome and Embroidery with Style liked this one. Sewing Machine Ratings did, as well. They were pleased with the machine’s versatility, customizability, and ease of use. On top of that, they felt that you get a lot of features for the price.
Brother PE 770 embroidery machine
- Type of machine: embroidery only
- Embroidery unit: built-in
- Hoop sizes: up to 5″ by 7″
- Embroidery designs: 136 built-in designs, 10 frame shapes, 6 fonts, and 12 border styles
- Expandable pattern library via USB stick or memory card. You can also edit designs right on the machine
Where to buy: Amazon
Reviewers loved both the large, built-in pattern library and the machine’s design editing function. They also liked the generous 5″ by 7″ embroidery field, which allows for both large and small designs.
It is an embroidery-only machine, with no regular sewing function. Reviewers also noted that bobbin tension could cause issues with this model.
Both Stitchers Source and Embroidery with Style consider this model to be one of the best of 2019. The editing function and expandable design library gives limitless design options.
This machine was awarded a Consumer’s Digest Best Buy award.
The Eversewn Hero
- Type of machine: combination embroidery and sewing
- Embroidery unit: separate
- Hoop sizes: 6.5″ workspace
- Embroidery designs: 400+ decorative stitches, 40 built-in patterns
- Expandable pattern library via USB
Where to buy: Amazon
Reviewers liked the generous pattern library and the expansive accessories bundle that comes with the machine, including 8 presser feet. They liked the intuitive LCD display and the ease of uploading new patterns. They also praised its stitch quality.
Reviewers found the file format restrictive. In addition, they did not appreciate the lack of a thread cutter. Also, some said the hoop was flimsy, and hoop size was limiting.
Eversewn is a relatively new, Chicago-based company. This machine is made for the intermediate sewer, and is made to grow with you. Sewing From Home calls this “a very classy machine,” and consider it one of the best embroidery machines on the market.
The Singer Futura XL-550
- Type of machine: sewing and embroidery
- Embroidery unit: separate
- Hoop sizes: 12″ by 20″ workspace
- Embroidery designs: 215 built-in stitches, 125 designs, and 5 fonts
- Expandable pattern library via USB; you can also edit and even upload your own designs
Where to buy: Amazon
There are a lot of upsides to this machine. Reviewers were impressed with the versatility of this machine. In addition to a generous built-in pattern library, you can also easily upload and edit fonts and designs. You can also make your own. This machine will work with every major design file format, as well. In addition, it has a very generous workspace.
It was expensive. Also, reviewers found this machine complicated to set up. In addition, they found a significant learning curve for mastering its functions. Customers also found issues with breaking needles and different kinds of thread problems.
Reviewers found this to be a high-quality, extraordinarily versatile sewing/embroidery combination machine. It may not be the best embroidery machine for beginners. However, for intermediate sewers, and those not afraid to stretch their abilities, this could be an amazing find.
The Janome Memory Craft 400E
- Type of machine: embroidery only
- Embroidery unit: built-in
- Hoop sizes: 7.9″ by 7.9″ workspace; 5″ by 7″ and 8″ by 8″ hoops
- Embroidery designs: 160 built-in designs and 6 fonts
- Expandable pattern library via USB
Where to buy: Amazon
Where to begin? In addition to a generous workspace and expandable pattern library, reviewers liked the stitch speed — up to 860 stitches per minute. You can also edit designs via the handy LCD touchscreen display, for virtually limitless design possibilities. There are 4 different hoop sizes, although you must purchase hoops separately.
The price is the biggest complaint. Janome isn’t known for bargain machines. But reviewers and customers seem unanimous that if you’re willing to accept the price tag, you’ll get your money’s worth. One reviewer did note, however, that instructions for transferring patterns to the machine via a USB stick were not included.
Sewing from Home considers this model to be one of the best embroidery machines of 2019. They liked its generous embroidery hoop. In addition, they liked its large and easily expandable array of patterns. It may not be the best machine for beginners.
Janome Memory Craft 9900 embroidery and sewing machine
- Type of machine: embroidery and sewing
- Embroidery unit: separate
- Hoop sizes: 6.7″ by 7.9″ and 5.5″ by 5.5″
- Embroidery designs: 175 built-in designs, 200 stitches, and 6 fonts, including Cyrillic
- Expandable pattern library via USB; there are also editing functions
Where to buy: Amazon
Reviewers praised this machine’s versatility and ease of use. They found it to be a feature-rich embroidery machine that is user-friendly enough for people new to embroidery. The machine can handle Cyrillic fonts, as well as both vertical and horizontal writing. It also comes with an impressive accessory kit.
However, the hefty price tag is a con for some people.
Sewing Insight loves this machine, and so do we. This is very expensive for a home embroidery machine. However, it’s simple enough for beginners. People planning on doing a lot of machine embroidery will find that this machine will stretch them and grow with them. In addition, special technology prevents the bobbin and thread problems that sometimes occur with other machines. You can upload designs via a USB connection, and edit them right on the machine as well. It’s a lot of machines for a lot of money. But if you can swallow the price tag, it may be all the embroidery machine you’ll ever need.
Our Verdict
We are really partial to the Janome Memory Craft 9900. It is feature-rich without being too complicated for someone new to embroidery.
If you’re looking for a more inexpensive embroidery machine, we recommend the Singer Futurea XL-550. It’s not a bargain basement machine, but at a little less than 1/3 of the price of the Janome, it’s still a good deal.
Featured image: via Amazon
