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Everything you need to know to get an Embroidery machine that works for YOU is right here. You can watch the video below that explains how to shop and select an embroidery machine. Then use the resources on this page to help guide you towards Machine Embroidery selections that are best suited to your needs and desires.
A price guide for ALL home embroidery machines is available for free.
Free Price Comparison
I’ve compiled a price list for every home embroidery machine currently on the market with a VERY brief overview of main features. This information is free for you to view.
Links on this page may be affiliate links where I will earn a small commission is you purchase through my links. Of course, you are free to shop Anywhere. I simply like to provide links for your convenience.
What Size machine is best for YOU???
Consider WHAT you want to stitch BEFORE you purchase an embroidery machine. Too many people buy the smallest machine available, only to quickly realize it can’t do most of the things they want to make. We call this “hoop envy” when you’re jealous of those with bigger hoops. ( ఠ ͟ʖ ఠ)
I’ve listed many different things you can stitch with an embroidery machine, along with my suggestions on what hoop size you should look at for each project type.
Monograms – 5×7 hoop for larger designs or 4×4 hoop is adequate for kitchen towels or monogrammed bath towels. Keep in mind that putting a VERY large design on a towel makes the towel unusable since you can’t dry yourself with the embroidered section anyway.
Logos or small embellishments – 4×4 hoop is fine for these small designs
Baby/children’s clothes– 4×4 or 5×7 is big enough for most kids apparel. But having a free arm makes it easier to stitch and not get the fabric trapped and accidentally sew the shirt closed.
Adult apparel- 5×7 or larger is better for larger designs on shirts, jackets or pants. You can also look for special hoops that make border designs easier to stitch. If you want to embellish large areas, get the biggest hoop you can afford.
Hats – unstructured hats can be done on a flatbed embroidery machine but it’s a pain. For professional results on ballcaps, you will need a machine with a tubular arm and a special circular hat hoop.
Quilting – 8×8 is better since that’s a common size for quilt blocks and many quilting digitizers design for that size
Towels – 5×7 hoop for larger designs or 4×4 hoop is adequate for kitchen towels or monogrammed bath towels. Keep in mind that putting a VERY large design on a towel makes the towel unusable since you can’t dry yourself with the embroidered section anyway.
Blankets – similar to towels. The required hoop size depends on how large you want the design on the blanket. Typically these are names or monograms and a 5×7 or 6×10 hoop is preferred.
Bedding or large-scale home decor – get the largest hoop you can afford if you want to use large-scale designs
Plushies, Dolls & even Puppets – larger hoops are best to stitch all seams with the embroidery machine, but a 4×4 or 5×7 hoop can be used to stitch facial features, small hands, etc.
Cosplay– 4×4 is great if you’re doing small designs or patches or something. But if you want an embroidered design going all the way up your leg, look for a 6×10 or repositionable hoop.
Bags – You can embellish or sew bags in the hoop of an embroidery machine. Look for larger hoops for large bags. If you want to embellish small bags like a makeup zipper bag, then a 4×4 or 5×7 hoop is enough for that.
Keyfobs – 4×4 hoop is typically large enough for these
Jewelry – 4×4 hoops can stitch earrings, brooches or pendants
Socks – since there’s not much surface area on a sock you can do these with a 4×4 hoop, but look for a special hoop attachment to hold the sock out of the way
Free Standing Lace (FSL) – this is where the embroidery machine stitches create a lace effect on water-soluble stabilizer. When the stabilizer is rinsed away you’re left with a piece of lace. Any size machine can do this technique. If there are certain designs that interest you – look into how big they are so you can get a machine with a large enough hoop to create your favorites.
Are you being influenced?
Here’s a book for you.
Whether it’s the employees at the machine dealership or the Social Media Influencers you follow, there’s a good chance your choice of embroidery machine is being influenced in ways you don’t even realize. If you want to know those tactics so you can defend your brain from them, check out the book “Influence“ by Robert Cialdini. Then you’ll understand why they have coffee and cookies at the sewing machine dealership, and you can snarf them down without any guilt! (ʘ ͜ʖ ʘ) |  |
My top embroidery machine picks
Now it’s my turn to be the influencer and I hate this part. But people always want my opinions on specific machines so I’ll put it all in ONE place below. I AM going to use affiliate links on some of these, only because I’ve done all the legwork to figure this out and I know you like to support me for all the time I’m saving you. (◔◡◔)
You can find these machines in my Amazon List by clicking the button below and see their current prices. I am an Amazon affiliate and will earn a small commission is you purchase through my links. Of course, you are free to shop Anywhere. I simply like to provide links for your convenience.
My Pick for 4×4 Embroidery Machine
The Brother Skitch is brand new on the market. And even though it costs a tad more than some other 4×4 machines – it cuts jump stitches which is VERY much worth the extra cost for the kind of stitching I do. Plus it has a magnetic hoop and free arm – no other machine in this class has those things.
It requires the Aspira app on a phone or tablet so this machine is geared towards people who are not afraid of techie things.
I also like that it’s a dark grey rather than the weird periwinkle or pink like so many other entry-level machines. I might buy one, just to play with on my YouTube channel.
My pick for 5×7 Machine
I’ve had my eye on the Eversewn Sparrow for several years. Just in case I need a small backup machine.
Like the Skitch mentioned above, this one has no display so you must use a phone or tablet to communicate with the machine and send it designs. But it’s got the Bernina-inspired engineering for a nice stitch-out and operation.
6×10 Embroidery Machine Top Pick
I’ve come close to buying the Bernette Deco70 or the B79 whenever my old Viking starts acting up and I feel it’s time for a replacement.
The B70 is embroidery only, while the B79 is a combo sewing and embroidery machine.
Both are solid machines with a good track record. And the B70 is $1000 when on sale – which makes it the lowest-priced 6×10 machine on the market.
Best Embroidery Machine with Large Hoops
Single Needle: I would choose the Janome 550E because for around $3000 you get an 8×14″ hoop which is the largest in that price range. If you need a combo machine – check the price guide and go with a brand you’re comfortable with. Choose based on the dealer you like best and the features you will actually use.
Multi-Needle: I would choose a Brother or Babylock multi-needle because I adore the Babylock 6-needle machine that I’ve been using for a few years now. It’s amazing and I love it to pieces. BUT if you're going into business and plan to run your machines many hours each day, then spend the money and get a Tajima, ZSK or Barudan. These are truly commercial class machines built for longevity and there is a reason they hold their value for years and years. I'm not a fan of the Ricoma or Janome multi-needles. There's a reason they are priced so low and it's not worth my time and frustration. When it comes to the high end machines - Buy nice, or buy twice!
You can find these machines in my Amazon List by clicking the button below and see their current prices. I am an Amazon affiliate and will earn a small commission is you purchase through my links. Of course, you are free to shop Anywhere. I simply like to provide links for your convenience.
Need More Help with the Buying Process?
I hope I’ve armed you with more than enough information to make an informed purchase!
But if you’re still on the fence about which machine is best for you, you can take my online video class on Buying an Embroidery machine to get my personal feedback for your situation. It includes worksheets to help you determine your needs, plus one-on-one feedback from me.
There are three ways you can join this class for buying assistance:
Become a Skillshare member
Purchase the course here on this website
Buy a paid membership at Ballyhoo Creations where this course is included