Best Embroidery Machine for Beginners What is it
If you’re looking for the best embroidery machine for beginners here, you’ve come to the right place.
To help you decide what to buy we’re going to take a look at their features, how they work and what sets them apart from the intermediate and advanced models.
An Introduction to Entry Level Machines
An entry level or beginner’s machine doesn’t require a steep learning curve or practice before you’re able to churn out quality embroideries.
There are different types of entry level home embroidery machines, but what they all share in common are easy to use controls, trouble-free operation, pattern changing features and easy thread handling.
The majority of entry level embroidery machines often combine sewing and embroidery features, and that’s not surprising because buying a two-in-one is more economical than opting for separate sewing and embroidery units.
When you’re checking out the preprogrammed embroidery designs, take a look at the loaded embroidery designs via the thumbnail pictures to see what they’ve got to offer.
The best beginners’ machines also have alphabets and fonts in different styles for monogramming, clothing and linen.
You should also compare the LED screens and control panels.
Some home embroidery machines have simple controls; others are complicated and difficult to understand.
If at all possible, ask for a demo to see how intuitive the machine is, and if you’re buying online, look for a demo video and watch how it works.
The best home embroidery beginner machines come with backlit LED that notifies you which pattern is progressing and when it’s time to change the thread.
For the sake of convenience, look for large LED screens with full color so it’s easier to read.
Comparison with Intermediate Level Embroidery Machines
Intermediate level machines have all the features of entry level embroidery machines but have more pre-loaded content and capable of interfacing with desktop computers for uploading of design patterns online.
They also have the capability to sew bigger patterns.
Advanced-Level Embroidery Machines
These are the most expensive and difficult to use among all these machines, but they also come with the most number of pre-loaded designs, numerous fonts and alphabets and advanced embroidery features.
All of these sound nice and are, but if you’re just learning how to embroider, there’s no need to buy an advanced unit.
How a Beginner’s Home Embroidery Machine Works
Generally speaking with a beginner’s machine you’re going to get around 35-50 pre-programmed designs, 3-5, alphabets/fonts, a LED screen and 5 x 5 inch design dimensions.
These machines stitch and create embroidery similar to hand embroidery.
The difference is the process is computerized and the machine automatically follows the digitized pattern.
While much of the process is automated, you need to change the colors of the thread and choose the design, the pattern size, combine patterns and more.
Once you’ve chosen a design, you add the fabric to the hoop that’s connected to the machine.
A stabilizer is attached onto the fabric as well so it remains in place and by pressing a button, the embroidery process will commence.
All beginners’ embroidery machines have programs that guide the needle during the stitching process: one of the benefits of using this machine is you’ll be notified when it’s time to change the thread.
Options and features on these machines vary, but you should see some or all of the following:
•Design Selection: this is where you choose from the design options available on the machine
•Hooping: this refers to the positioning of the fabric on the hoop by making sure it’s in the center
•Starting the Process: simply requires pressing the “begin” or “start” button
•Changing Colors: here you clip a thread on the pattern design and add a new color
•Clipping Threads: cutting off loose threads
•Removing Fabric: self-explanatory
Singe Needle vs. Multi Needle
Multi needle embroidery machines are larger and more powerful, hence their use in commercial applications and industries.
However for an entry level machine, you should do fine with a single head.
Furthermore some of these single needle machines can be joined together to form a multi needle unit and enhance its functions.
But if you do decide to use a single head machine, you’ve got to understand how it works.
Single needle embroidery machines have just one hoop attachment point, so you’ll need to manually change the threads with colors.
In spite of this limitation however, these units are more than suffice for beginners and hobbyists.
Other Factors That You Need to Consider
Aside from the number of needle heads you also have to factor in the letter fonts and the embroidery size.
The majority of home embroidery machines for beginners can handle up to 5 x 5 inches as noted earlier.
However you need to examine the dimensions so you don’t get confused.
For instance, a machine that measures 4 x 4 inches has an embroidery area of 16 square inches, while those for a 5 x 7 are 35 inches.
As you might expect, the size disparity makes a difference when it comes to the final output, but the one with the bigger area is of course going to cost more.
As a rule if you’re going to embroider bags or jackets, the bigger area is going to be required, but for beginners it won’t be necessary.
The number of fonts and alphabets in an entry level machine may be limited, but that should not concern you since you’re just starting out.
Moreover you should be able to buy other fonts and alphabets online.
However the latter will only be possible if your machine is capable of transferring and accepting 3rd-party fonts.
Conclusion
You will also notice that a good number of these beginners’ machines come with extra software that will extend your embroidering capabilities.
How useful are these and are they worth the additional price tag?
That’s a decision only you can make, but if it doesn’t affect the price too much, then they’re worth a try as they’ll give you an idea of what makes for good embroidery.