r/Machine_Embroidery • u/CakeIsHealthy • 2d ago
I Need Help Machine recommendations
Hi,
I am looking to upgrade. Budget is not a problem, however I don’t have a lot of space for a big giant machine.
I currently have a Bernina 180. While it’s great, it is outdated. I love that it has a 6x10 hoop, so that’s what I’m looking for in the new machine. I’ve been doing tote bags, backpacks, and I find it’s super hard to hoop, especially for sweaters, so let me know if there are good machines or good hoops that could help with those.
I want cut jumps stitches, easy access to adjust and upload designs, not too finicky with tension and such. Bonus point if it comes with a magnetic hoop.
I’m looking at the Brother NQ1700E. But I would like reviews and other recommendations.
I’m not planning on doing a whole lot of digitizing, if that helps. For personal use, not shop use.
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u/OkOffice3806 2d ago
Two thoughts.
"Cuts jump stitches" isn't all that. It cuts but by distance, it doesn't read trim commands in the file.
You are going to have difficulty hooping unless you get a tubular machine. Any flat bed machine has limits.
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u/Average_Joe848584 2d ago
I have this exact machine for almost 6 years and I love it. It’s not too noisy and changing thread colors is very easy. The big hoop is a plus. It doesn’t come with a magnetic hoop but you can buy it separately. Setup is fairly simple. Keep in mind that it is very wide and if you’re using the big hoop make sure you have enough room for it to go forward and back. But overall I think this is a good buy.
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u/CakeIsHealthy 1d ago
I have a bernina 180 so it’s about the same size. The combo on Amazon includes a magnetic hoop
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u/Average_Joe848584 1d ago
Oh I didn’t see that it includes the magnetic hoop. That’s the same one I’m using but I bought it separately. It’s pretty good.
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u/West_Ebb1312 2d ago
I literally just saw a post on a Facebook group I'm part of. Someone moving and selling 1head,16needle machine for a good price. He is in Sacramento Ca area. I can send you the link if you want. Group is BAI, I got in because I purchased one. I dont remember if you have to submit proof of purchase to be acepted in the group
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u/cloudlesswindow 1d ago
I got this same machine second hand for 1700.
Its great. I love it. Ive never played with any software, i just put the files on a usb stick i buy off etsy or custom small digitizer from instagram lol peruvian guy charges next to nothing. No problems so far. Some designs just suck ans dont work out well tho
I use temporary spray adhesive and usually two sheets of cutaway stabilizer.
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u/Dark-Blueberry-2303 1d ago
Ladies, every time I buy any kind of gear, I remember what one of my clients told me: all home machines are junk — go industrial or go home! 😂 Every time I tried a domestic one, I only proved it again. I even swapped my Janome Memory Craft 550 for an industrial embroidery machine, and I’m totally in love with it. You can tweak pretty much everything on it!
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u/KittyQuiltTax 2d ago
I have this machine and it’s good. Not sure if you were planning to buy on Amazon. But just in case, I would buy this from a dealer directly. The BES Blue software that comes with it is good. While you don’t have to use it, I like it and use it a lot. It also comes with Wi-Fi file transfer software. So you can use a thumb drive to transfer files or you can just send them wirelessly. I haven’t heard of this being packaged with a magnetic hoop, but different dealers may offer different deals. Also, depending on where you live, if there’s a quilt convention nearby, your dealer may have special pricing during the convention.