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Embroidery is a fast and easy way to customize a traditional clothing garment. It can also add value to your clothing items if you want to sell them. However, embroidering by hand can be very time-consuming.
This is why more and more people are turning to embroidery machines.
There are dozens of brands and styles to choose from. This can make it difficult to pick a good one. This is especially true if you’re a beginner.
We’ve put together a short buyer’s guide that will let you know exactly what to look for when your new embroidery machine. We’ve also reviewed the top 10 beginner embroidery machines so you can compare them side-by-side.
Beginner Embroidery Machine Buyer’s Guide
Before we get to the models we recommend for beginners, here are the essential points to keep in mind when you’re shopping. This will help you pick out a high-quality machine that is easy to use.
Accessories
Your purchase should come with a few accessories to make it more convenient to use. Things like different feet, foot pedals, USB ports, and an automatic needle threader are all good options. You might also want to look for a machine that can import designs from the internet.
Budget
Your first machine shouldn’t be too expensive. This is especially true if you’ve never embroidered before. You don’t want to spend a lot or money until you know that you’re going to get a lot of use out of your machine. Starting with a more cost-effective choice and working your way up is a smart move.
Built-In Patterns
A lot of embroidery machines come with patterns built in. They’re great for people who don’t want to or who can’t connect to the internet. You can choose from the pre-selected panels and embroider those designs. You want your machine to have at least a few of these patterns – the more the better.
Ease of Use
You want it to be easy to set up, use, and maintain because this is a beginner machine. Look for one that comes with an instructional video or with step-by-step instructions. It should also be very straightforward to load and work on different patterns.
Multiple Functions
Embroidery is great. However, you may want to pick a machine that doubles as a sewing machine. This will allow you to tackle more projects without going out and buying another appliance. Ideally, your embroidery machine should also be able to handle making borders or neat edging.
Portability
Do you plan to work on all of your projects in one place? How portable your machine is comes into play when you want to move it around from location to location. You want it to be smaller and more lightweight if you plan to move it. It can be heavier if you plan to set it in one place and leave it.
Reviewing the 10 Best Embroidery Machines for Beginners
1. Brother SE600 Computerized Combination
The SE600 is the newest model of this particular computerized sewing and embroidery machine. It features an upgraded color touchscreen that is almost four inches across. You get a four by four embroidery field. This field includes a hoop, foot, and an embroidery arm. There are also several advanced features that come with this machine.
You can easily change and preview the various thread colors, move your designs on the screen, and place any lettering on the arcs. It has a USB port that allows you to quickly and easily import your designs. There are also 103 sewing stitches built in. This lets you work on a variety of projects and fabrics with ease.
One thing we like about this embroidery and sewing machine combination is that the touch display is easy to navigate. We also like the bright LED light that illuminates the work area.
Specifications
- Embroidery Field Size: Four by Four
- Embroidery Designs: Six – Lettering
- Instructional CD: No, User Manual
- Stitch Functions: 103
- Warranty: 25 Year Limited
- Weight: 26.2 Pounds
- 80 Built-in designs: The SE600 comes with 80 built-in designs and 6 embroidery lettering fonts for personalizing your projects
- Automatic needle threader and drop-in top bobbin: This sewing and embroidery combo machine includes an automatic needle threader that...
- 103 Built-in sewing stitches: This machine features 103 sewing stitches including 10 styles of auto-size buttonholes. Maximum Sewing Speed...
2. Brother PE770
This machine comes with a large five by seven embroidery field. This larger field lets you easily work on bigger projects without having to move your project. It comes with 136 embroidery designs built in. This includes 10 frame shapes, 12 border styles, and six lettering fonts. You’ll be able to create elegant borders and neat projects.
The USB port lets you quickly import your own designs. You can save them to the internal memory for storage. You get several customizable design features. These features include size edits, mirror images, and rotate. The LCD screen lets you choose patterns and borders easily. There is an LED light that shines directly on your work area as well.
This one is easy for beginners to set up and use. It’s a bonus that it comes with over 130 embroidery patterns built in. Here’s our full review.
Specifications
- Embroidery Field Size: Five by Seven
- Embroidery Designs: 136
- Instructional CD: No, User Manual
- Stitch Functions: 60
- Warranty: 25 Year Limited
- Weight: 16.31 Pounds
- 136 BUILT-IN DESIGNS: Features 136 built-in embroidery designs including delicate scrollwork, intricate florals, classic quilt patterns, 10...
- 6 BUILT-IN FONTS: 6 English font styles are perfect for monogramming and lettering
- USB PORT: The USB port allows you to upload and store your own embroidery designs to your PE770's built-in memory
3. Brother LB6800PRW Project Runway
This machine comes with 67 different sewing stitches. The LCD screen features a bright back light and a touch screen display. This allows you to see and use it easily in a variety of light conditions. There are also several sewing functions that come with this machine.
You’ll get 70 different embroidery designs with this machine. It also comes with 120 different frame combinations, five lettering fonts, and a USB port that lets you import designs. You can use the four by four embroidery hoop to guide your projects. There are seven different sewing feet, USB cable, bobbin thread, and a rolling bag.
The rolling bag is handy to store everything in one place. The user manual is very easy to follow. Lifetime phone support and a 25-year limited warranty is the icing on the cake. Here’s our full review.
Specifications
- Embroidery Field Size: Four by Four
- Embroidery Designs: 120
- Instructional CD: No, User Manual
- Stitch Functions: 67
- Warranty: 25 Year Limited, Lifetime Phone Support
- Weight: 36.6 Pounds
- Enjoy true versatility with a full range of 67 sewing stitches, comprehensive sewing functions, plus 4-inch-by-4-inch embroidery design and...
- Comes complete with 4-inch-by-4-inch embroidery hoop, 7 specialty sewing feet, designer rolling bag, USB cable, embroidery bobbin thread,...
- Reliable, easy threading of both top thread and bobbin for even, consistent stitching. One-touch automatic thread cutter cuts your top and...
4. Singer Futura XL-400 Portable
You get 30 sewing stitches when you buy this machine. It also comes with 125 embroidery designs, five fonts, outline lettering, and two fully automatic one-step buttonholes. You get a bright LED light to illuminate your work area. There is automatic needle threader that lets you quickly replace your thread.
The LCD screen lets you quickly customize your embroidery design. You can add lettering and incorporate several different designs into one customized piece. It doubles as a sewing machine as well. You get a 25-year warranty against defects or damage. This machine lets you use multiple hoops to create designs up to 18.5 by 11-inches large.
It is very easy to set up for the first time and use. Another time saver is the automatic needle threader. Here’s our full review.
Specifications
- Embroidery Field Size: 10 by 6
- Embroidery Designs: 125
- Instructional CD: No, User Manual
- Stitch Functions: 30
- Warranty: 25 Year Limited
- Weight: 23 Pounds
- SINGER EMBROIDERY SEWING MACHINE: The SINGER Futura XL-400 sewing and embroidery machine has 30 popular built-in sewing stitches with two...
- SEWING MACHINE WITH LED OPTIONS: Fills the sewing surface with light, making it easier to view your work and eliminating eye strain. Watts...
- AUTOMATIC NEEDLE THREADER: Simply guide the thread directly from the spool to the needle area through a single groove and thread the needle...
5. Singer Futura XL-580
You can choose from 215 different sewing stitches with this machine. It features 250 embroidery designs, five fonts, outline lettering, and two fully automatic one-step buttonholes. The LED light is capable of illuminating your entire work area quickly and easily. The automatic needle threader makes it fast and easy to thread your needle with the push of a button.
You can plug the memory stick into your computer and customize your embroidery designs before you port them over to the machine. There is an automatic thread cutter as well. The larger hoop allows you to tackle larger projects because it measures six by four inches. You get a knee lifter for hands-free operation.
You’ll enjoy being able to create your embroidery designs on your computer and port them over. The knee lifter for hands-free operation might be perfect for beginners. Here’s our full review.
Specifications
- Embroidery Field Size: Six by Four
- Embroidery Designs: 250
- Instructional CD: No, User Manual
- Stitch Functions: 215
- Warranty: 25 Years
- Weight: 24.5 Pounds
- SINGER EMBROIDERY SEWING MACHINE: The SINGER Futura XL-580 sewing and embroidery machine has 215 popular built-in sewing stitches with two...
- SEWING MACHINE WITH LED OPTIONS: Fills the sewing surface with light, making it easier to view your work and eliminating eye strain...
- AUTOMATIC NEEDLE THREADER: Simply guide the thread directly from the spool to the needle area through a single groove and thread the needle...
6. Brother PE525
This machine is an embroidery only model that lets you easily embellish your projects with neat edging and beautiful embroidery. You get a four by four embroidery area to work on with 70 different embroidery designs and 120 frame pattern combinations. It also has five lettering fonts included. The LCD display is a touch screen model with a bright back light.
You can update your machine or import thousands of embroidery patterns using the included software. The automatic needle threader will quickly thread your needle with the touch of a lever. You get access to iBroidery.com designs when you purchase this product as well.
We liked how easy it was to use. The included instructions are very clear and easy to follow. The access to thousands of different embroidery patterns through iBroidery.com is a super feature. Here’s our full review.
Specifications
- Embroidery Field Size: Four by Four
- Embroidery Designs: 70
- Instructional CD: No, User Manual
- Stitch Functions: N/A
- Warranty: 25 Years
- Weight: 21.9 Pounds
- Embellish your creations with embroidery! Easy to learn and use embroidery-only model from Brother
- 4 x 4 inch embroidery area
- Easy-to-view back-lit touch screen LCD display accesses 70 built-in embroidery designs, with 5 lettering fonts
7. EverSewn Hero 400-Stitch
This modern sewing and embroidery machine features a durable and robust design. It comes with over 400 different stitch patterns. You also get 40 embroidery designs built in. You can create your projects on a four by seven embroidery area. You also get an automatic needle threader to help you complete your projects.
It comes with bobbin thread and upper needle monitoring. You can choose from eight different pressure feet as well. The bright LCD screen is easy to see, use, and adjust as you’re working. There is also a USB port included. This means that you can import hundreds of additional embroidery designs from your computer.
We really like that it comes in such a compact and lightweight size. It’s great for traveling. We also like that it’s very quiet to operate and easy to set up.
Specifications
- Embroidery Field Size: Four by Seven
- Embroidery Designs: 40
- Instructional CD: No, User Manual
- Stitch Functions: 400+
- Warranty: 20 Years
- Weight: 26.1 Pounds
- Modern sewing and embroidery machine, built for robust and easy sewing and embroidering experience.
- 400+ utility, decorative and alphabet pattern stitches
- 40 built-in embroidery designs
8. NEX Sewing Machine Free-Arm
This free arm sewing and embroidery machine features a very durable design with a metal frame. It’s very lightweight and compact as well. You get 16 stitches built in that makes it easy to customize your projects. It comes with a reverse stitch button, four step auto-size buttonholer, automatic bobbin winding, and one-step button sewing.
There is a speed switch that makes it easy to adjust your machine’s speed as you use it. You’ll find a pattern selection dial as well. The LED light illuminates your work area if you’re working in lower light conditions. There is a thread cutter built in as well.
Given that it’s a sewing and embroidery machine, it is very lightweight and portable. It’s cool that the arm doubles as a storage compartment so you can keep all your bits and bobs together.
Specifications
- Embroidery Field Size: Four by Four
- Embroidery Designs: None
- Instructional CD: No, User Manual
- Stitch Functions: 16
- Warranty: 15 Years
- Weight: 5.82 Pounds
9. Janome Memory Craft 400E
A machine with a very large hoop area from a brand with a lot of loyal fans.
Specifications
- Embroidery Field Size: 7.9″ x 7.9″
- Embroidery Designs: 160 built-in
- Embroidery Format: jef
- Fonts: 6
- Sewing Speed: 400-860 SPM
- 7.9" x 7.9" Embroidery Field
- 160 High Quality Janome Built In Designs
- 6 fonts for monogramming
10. EverSewn Charlotte
This machine doubles as a sewing machine and an embroidery machine. It comes with a wide six and a half by four inch work area. You get 70 different stitches when you buy this model. It comes with an automatic needle threader, clear cover plate, and a drop-in bobbin.
You can use fingertip speed control, an adjustable sewing speed slider, and stitch width control for precision patterns. This beginner machine is very easy to set up, operate, and maintain. You get a step-by-step instruction manual to make it easier. The computerized stitch panel makes it easy to find and set your stitch pattern and length. It also has a pull-out stitch library.
We like that it comes with finger adjustments. This means that you don’t have to use a foot pedal. We also like the price. Great value for money!
Specifications
- Embroidery Field Size: Six and a Half by Four
- Embroidery Designs: None
- Instructional CD: No, User Manual
- Stitch Functions: 70
- Warranty: 20 Years
- Weight: 16.5 Pounds
- 70-stitch package, 7mm maximum stitch width, LED stitch panel
- 6.5 inch wide sewing space with feed dog drop for both quilting & embroidery
- Automatic needle threader, drop-in bobbin with clear cover plate & 7 standard presser feet
Buying a beginner embroidery machine can be an expensive investment. That’s why it’s so important to take your time and do your research. This will help to ensure that you find a machine that will do everything you need it to do without breaking your budget.
