Buying an embroidery machine for beginners is not an easy task if you have never used this type of machine, because you don’t know which features are important and which aren’t. The difference between a well-designed embroidery machine and a low-quality one can make a world of difference when it comes to learning to embroider without trouble. To enjoy the process and make progress as quickly as possible, you need the best embroidery machine for beginners your budget can buy.
To spare you the trouble of perusing through dozens of commercial embroidery machines, we scoured the market in search for the best models that are suitable for beginners. We considered numerous features in our review, including the type of embroidery machine, the size of the embroidery field area, the number of built-in designs, the existence of USB connectivity, warranty and more.
We spent days testing embroidery machines and reading reviews from hundreds of users who tested these machines in their homes. We also read countless reviews from professionals to make sure we cover all aspects of selecting the best embroidery machine for beginners. Below you will find a comparison table with the best five embroidery machines out there, together with in-detail reviews of each of them. In the end, you will find a buying guide with all the information you need to make the best choice when shopping for your first embroidery machine. Now let’s have a look at the five best embroidery machines for beginners on the market.
Extra features: embroidery hoop including, design editing, automatic needle threader
Our editor’s choice as the best all-around embroidery machine for beginners is the Brother PE800 Embroidery Machine. Suitable for passionate hobbyists and professional embroiderers alike, this embroidery machine sports a large embroidery field so you can experiment with designs of all sizes. The expandable memory of this machine allows you to store as many designs as you want, and the USB connectivity makes it easy to import your designs straight from your computer. The machine itself features more than a hundred built-in and 11 lettering fonts. The large LCD screen makes it easy to select and review the designs to make sure everything is in order before starting the embroidery process.
Even though it is an excellent choice for beginners, the Brother PE800, like its predecessor Brother PE770, is also perfect for use in professional environments. This is mostly due to the fact that it comes with sewing speeds of 650 stitches per minute, which is comparable to the speed of a professional embroidery machine. This means that you can handle high volume tasks easily.
One of the things many users liked about this embroidery machine is its ability to rotate or reflect the design, which comes in very handy for those who want to achieve a mirrored effect. Finally, this machine comes with a grand slam embroidery package and has a very quick learning curve, according to the reviews of countless users.
Extra features: includes 8 sewing feet (incl. embroidery foot), 240 sewing stitches, LED light provides illuminated working area
This versatile embroidery machine is one of the best choices on the market for those who want to improve their skills and maybe try to go professional. The Brother Computerized Sewing and Embroidery Machine SE1900 allows you to create almost any embroidery design possible and a suitable choice for both beginners and enthusiast hobbyists. The existence of an USB flash drive allows you to import your own designs into the machine right from your computer, and the automatic needle threading function is very easy to use even for beginners.
The 5 x 7 inches embroidery hoop gives you a good degree of freedom when it comes to the size of your project, so you can create larger designs even as a beginner. Most users liked that you can easily transfer any design the machine via an USB port, without the need of any kind of software.
The machine has an easy-to-use LCD display and comes complete with a large variety of sewing stitches and embroidery designs. The large variety of accessories included with this machine make it an excellent choice for those who want to experiment with various types of designs. Most users raved about how easy it is to just take the machine out of the box and begin embroidering. This is in part thanks to the comprehensive instructions provided by the manufacturer.
Extra features: extra wide table, 2 and 3 letter monogramming, on-screen editing functions, comes with multiple accessories
If you are looking for a state-of-the-art machine you can always rely on for your monogramming projects, you might need to take a careful look at the Janome Memory Craft 500E Embroidery Machine. From its incredible fast operation to its dozens of built-in designs to an extra-wide table, this machine was designed to make life easier for fashion designers. Even more impressively, the machine lets you load designs via the USB port, even though it’s already packed with more designs that you are likely to ever need.
The remarkable 860 SPM speed of this machine makes everything easier, as all your projects are quickly completed in record time. Besides, the machine also comes with two and three-letter monogramming, on-screen editing functions, and there are multiple accessories in the package to get you started immediately. However, it must be noted that while the speed of this machine is something extraordinary, the manufacturer understands that you may want it to be less speedy sometimes. Thus, they’ve included a feature to help you adjust the speed.
Among some of the advanced features, you will find on this unit is an automatic thread cutter and needle threader, so you can spend most of your time on actual sewing. There is an LCD too, where you can initiate an endless number of functions. However, while we appreciate all the advanced features packed into this unit, everything takes some learning. And to be honest, the included instructions won’t be enough.
Extra features: automatic needle threader, unique Embroidery Pattern Drag and Drop feature, comes with instructional DVD and bilingual user manual
Our budget pick is the Brother Embroidery Machine PE535, an affordable but feature rich embroidery machine that makes your hobby fun and easy. Featuring 80 built-in designs, nine font styles for lettering and monogramming, and ten framed patterns, this embroidery machine allows you to add fashionable embellishments with things such as towels and blankets, as well as just about any item of clothing in your closet.
Even though the embroidery area is smaller than other models we reviewed, it should be enough for most people who are looking for their first embroidery machine and want to use it to improve their skills. As you would expect from a Brother embroidery machine, an automatic needle threader makes your job so much easier. Many users raved about how this embroidery machine is a suitable choice for thick materials such as denim. The existence of an USB port makes it easy to transfer you are own designs for a fully customizable experience. A colour LCD screen allows you to see the final design before you start the embroidering process and many users mentioned that unlike other models, the screen is bright and highly visible in any kind of light. This machine comes with an instructional DVD that makes it very easy to start embroidering even for beginners.
Extra features: LED work area, automatic needle threader, color touch screen display, free arm for sewing cuffs and sleeves
An upgraded version of the highly popular Brother SE400, the Brother SE600 is a combination embroidery and sewing machine that comes with 103 built-in stitches and 80 built in embroidery designs. You can also import any embroidery designs of your choice via the USB port. The six lettering fonts included with this machine give you more choice to decorate your project.
One of the things that most users praised about this embroidery machine is the colored 3.7-inch LCD touchscreen. Because it is big enough to work comfortably on it, the screen lets you edit the design without having to use a computer, and also lets you preview the final project. For example, you can change the color of the thread directly on the screen by choosing a shade from the existent palettes.
The 4 x 4 embroidery work area may seem small when compared to other models, but most users mentioned that it is comfortable to work on and that it handles most types of fabric very well. The automatic needle threader is a must have for beginners because it makes the entire process as seamless as possible. Finally, multiple users mentioned that this embroidery machine is portable and very easy to store.
Embroidery is a fun and rewarding hobby for many, and if you’re looking to purchase your first embroidery machine, you are more likely than not facing a difficult decision. The vast range of features that you need to consider can be indeed overwhelming for a beginner. To help you decipher which features will be useful for you, we put together a buying guide with all the information you need to purchase the best embroidery machine for beginners for your particular needs.
Many beginners think that a cheap embroidery machine that doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of the branded ones would do just fine for a beginner, but the reality is that you may outgrow the basic features of such a machine very quickly, and you’ll going to wish you bought a top-quality one very soon. Even though you may be a beginner when it comes to all things embroidery, a top-quality machine can help you progress quickly and transform your hobby into a truly pleasant experience.
Some of the most important features to look for in an embroidery machine are the type of machine, the number of built-in designs, the embroidery field size, as well as the existence of an LCD screen and USB connectivity. Below are some of the essential features to consider when shopping for the best embroidery machine for beginners.
The two main types of machines available on the market are standalone embroidery machines and embroidery / sewing combinations. Your type of use should determine the kind you purchase. For example, it would be a waste of money to buy a combination machine if you’re only interested in embroidery.
The number of in-built designs varies from one model to another, and you should expect your machine to have at least a hundred designs as well as several fonts for monogramming. Combination machines that you can also use for sewing may have different designs and stitches available for each type of activity.
Many embroidery machines have a limited embroidery field, which means that you can only embroider a small area. For example, the Brother SE600 only has an embroidery field of 4 x 4 inches, which may be enough for beginners, but as you progress, you may find it too small. If you want more creative, try a model with a larger embroidery field, such as the Janome Memory Craft 500E Embroidery Machine.
Choosing an embroidery machine with a USB port means that you can download designs from the internet and then import them into the machine with the help of a thumb drive.
This is very convenient for those who are interested in creating custom designs and are not content with the selection of built-in designs that comes with the machine.
The dimensions and weight of the embroidery machine are important especially if you don’t have a lot of space available in your home. Make sure the machine is not too bulky and that it fits well on the surface you want to place it on by checking the dimensions carefully and measuring your space. Also, if you’re thinking about getting embroidery classes or think that you may need to move it around a lot, you should consider a lightweight, more portable unit.
High-quality embroidery machines come with a large selection of accessories from needles to lots of foot accessories such as blind hem foot, zigzag foot, concealed zipper foot, piping foot and more. Consider the type of embroidery you are interested in creating and make sure the model you intend to purchase features it. Moreover, if you are looking for an embroidery machine that you can use with a wide range of stitches, you should consider a computerized model that takes the guesswork out of selecting the correct tension, stitch length, and width.
You can generally expect an embroidery machine to have a warranty of at least three years, but if you are interested in something more than that, look at the Brother SE600 or the Brother Computerized Sewing and Embroidery Machine SE1900, as both of them come with an extended warranty of 25 years.
The price of various embroidery machines varies from one manufacturer to another, as well as according to the number and quality of the features they come with. If you’re looking for a top-quality embroidery machine that suits a lower budget, have a look at our budget pick, the Brother Embroidery Machine PE535, which comes with lots of features you can generally expect from pricier models. As a rule of thumb, you should keep in mind that an embroidery machine is an investment, so it is always a good idea to go for the best model you can afford.
When shopping for an embroidery machine, make sure you consider the type of thread you intend to use. Most machines work well with a wide variety of thread types for sewing and embroidery, with cotton and silk being some of the most popular options.
Have a look for some embroidery classes if you feel stuck, or if you can’t find any in your local area – there are plenty of free online resources that will guide you through all the basics, and help you to advance your skills!
Buying an embroidery machine for beginners is exciting because it opens the door to a whole world of creativity. However, it’s important to consider all the features you need as well as the type of crafting you intend to do with the machine to make an informed choice. We selected the Brother PE800 Embroidery Machine as the best all-around option on the market because this machine combined great features from a well-known manufacturer with ease of use, which makes it ideal for beginners. If you’re looking for an embroidery machine that also has sewing capabilities, look no further than the Brother Computerized Sewing and Embroidery Machine SE1900. Finally, if you are interested in an embroidery machine that does an excellent job at monogramming, the Janome Memory Craft 500E Embroidery Machine has all the features you need for your designs to stand out from the crowd.
