CNC Embroidery machines.

[ajlelectronics]

Anyone fully au fait with such things?

I want to embroider my own designs onto upholstery fabrics, ie upload a design, press the tit and walk away. The Brothers appear to be the most common, but I gather that there is a 'gotcha' in that additional and expensive software is required to do your own designs.

one of these has come up as a secondhand kit, in Birmingham...

Here is the new in 2016 advert.

 

[Ali]

Yeah, Brother & Janome are the big players at hobby / small business level. Beyond that, Toyota and probably a few others. Brother I always found really simple to use and I’m qualified to service them so they can’t be that hard to look after.

For the Brothers you need PE Design - various levels of function in different packages - Lite/pro etc. but you’re correct, that’s the catch, without them you’re stuck with flowers / Disney princesses etc. if it comes with software, definitely grab it. Make sure you get the USB dongle / card reader as you can’t replace them. Otherwise you might find someone who can convert your designs.

If you want to talk about tits though, you’ll have to DM me.

 

[Ali]

The single needle ones are a bit of a faff, as you have to re-thread the machine for every colour change, which can be tiresome if it’s not a one-off. Look for a cheap used PR-600/650 etc multi needle machine, they’re great and really easy to use.

ALL of them are super fussy about the thread you use, you won’t get away with cheap alternatives. Madeira I think are the best.

 

[armalites]

My niece has a Janome embroidery machine(I think), bought it cheap second hand. Their kit seems to be pretty good, I bought my wife Janome sewing for Xmas a few years back and she knocks stuff up in no time at because it's so easy to use.

 

[ajlelectronics]

My intentions are for monochrome, simple designs, although who knows where it might lead?

Also there is a current machine on sale, the Innovis M240ed which is £400. Being sold by someone local who is upgrading.

I have found SewArt ? Software for the job at $75 download which looks comprehensive. I just wish I knew more about the whole subject as I am prone to impulse buys unless kept reigned in!

 

[ajlelectronics]

Inkscape with the Inkstitch plug in is also an option apparently.

 

[keithski122]

I had some embroidery done for a seat te other day, cost was £14. That was £10 to digitize the image and £4 for the embroidery, each additional one will now be £4 each so if you can find someone cheap enough it might not be worth getting the machine.

 

[ajlelectronics]

I had some embroidery done for a seat te other day, cost was £14. That was £10 to digitize the image and £4 for the embroidery, each additional one will now be £4 each so if you can find someone cheap enough it might not be worth getting the machine.

View attachment 386750

That is what I have done in the past, but I'm not sure that they are still in business. Then there is the waiting list, plus getting it redone if I cock up the sewing together!
All excuses I know.

A friend of mine has found PE Design for £60, but I don't know if that is a cut down version yet.

 

[Maker]

My aunt has a Brother machine, it's gone back to them three times for repair/replacement. I'd be wary of buying a second hand one with no warranty.