[ejg0011]

Looking to buy my own machine as I currently share a 6-needle Babylock with my mother in law.

I run an Etsy/Online Embroidery Shop - mostly one-offs but I get some bulk orders too. All of my designs are over 13K stitches unless it's an applique or tiny monogram. I stitch on a lot of different materials - shirts, hats, towels, purses, etc. I would love a larger field. See photo.

I've been doing research and would like to get a ZSK Sprint 6 but having a hard time justifying that to my husband. He's thinking I'd be fine with a Brother Persona/Babylock Alliance (free arm, single needle).

His main question is:
1. Why do I need a multi-needle machine? [I am TERRIBLE at trying to find words to explain the benefits. Help!!]

So for my situation...
1. New or Used?

2. Commercial or Home?

3. Single or Multi-Head? How many needles?


After doing my research, I have one major question:

Because I'm not a major shop, am I better to buy a cheap machine now that may need to be replaced in a few years but I can make the money back quickly or spend the money upfront to get a great machine that is built to last and will take a lot longer to get the money back?


I guess think about it this way: if your spouse was going to start a home embroidery business, what machine would make the most sense?

 

[thelettergarden]

It depends on how fast you want to grow and what of kind of work you want to put into it. If you already have a steady growth on Etsy, you may want to get a commercial machine.
If you are considering a used machine, make sure you know the previous owner, or have an idea how well they have maintained their machine.
As for the number of needles, since you are already used to a multi needle, I would think going to a single needle might get frustrating with thread color changes and limited hooping.
IMO, commercial machine embroidery is just cleaner, prettier, and easier. But I wouldn't put the money into it if you weren't serious.

 

[ejg0011]

It depends on how fast you want to grow and what of kind of work you want to put into it. If you already have a steady growth on Etsy, you may want to get a commercial machine.
If you are considering a used machine, make sure you know the previous owner, or have an idea how well they have maintained their machine.
As for the number of needles, since you are already used to a multi needle, I would think going to a single needle might get frustrating with thread color changes and limited hooping.
IMO, commercial machine embroidery is just cleaner, prettier, and easier. But I wouldn't put the money into it if you weren't serious.

Yeah, I guess I probably should have mentioned that I quit my job to do this. Haha I'm pretty serious about it.

 

[tfalk]

Since you are already familiar with the Brother/Babylock machines, I would start with a 6 or 10 needle. That is how we started, currently running (2) 10-needle machines and a 15 needle SWF that spends more time turned off than on. We bought 1 of the 10 needles new, traded in a PR600, and I bought the 2nd one off craigslist. It was about 45 minutes away, had less than 2 million stitches on it and came with a whole pile of accessories for about the same as I paid for the first new machine. I was able to go see it run in person, gave them a bank check and drove home with it.

Something else to consider since it sounds like you are also doing this out of your home? How are you going to get an industrial machine in/out of where you would want to have it? We have them in our basement - let me tell you, it is NOT fun trying to get a commercial machine in/out of a basement. Fortunately I have a set of bilco doors and stairs going into the basement otherwise I wouldn't even think about trying... the 6/10 needle machines, I can carry them in/out and I have 2 replacement shoulder joints so how hard is that...

 

[ejg0011]

Since you are already familiar with the Brother/Babylock machines, I would start with a 6 or 10 needle. That is how we started, currently running (2) 10-needle machines and a 15 needle SWF that spends more time turned off than on. We bought 1 of the 10 needles new, traded in a PR600, and I bought the 2nd one off craigslist. It was about 45 minutes away, had less than 2 million stitches on it and came with a whole pile of accessories for about the same as I paid for the first new machine. I was able to go see it run in person, gave them a bank check and drove home with it.

Something else to consider since it sounds like you are also doing this out of your home? How are you going to get an industrial machine in/out of where you would want to have it? We have them in our basement - let me tell you, it is NOT fun trying to get a commercial machine in/out of a basement. Fortunately I have a set of bilco doors and stairs going into the basement otherwise I wouldn't even think about trying... the 6/10 needle machines, I can carry them in/out and I have 2 replacement shoulder joints so how hard is that...

Yeah...saw your comment in another thread about how much you LOVE your SWF. I was/am considering the 1501C or the 1x1 but I'm concerned about service and reliability.

I see a lot of used Babylock/Brother machines but they're always very vague with details and I don't want to get screwed.

My craft room is on the first floor of our house, but that doesn't mean much if I can't get that sucker through the door.

 

[carolinashirt]

I have been in business for 18 years. Barudan is the best! Tajima 2nd best, toyota's are good, brother is ok.

swf,happy,zsk, etc, good luck!

 

[scoobylyn]

Happy Voyager is a great start up machine. 12 needles, 12x12 sewing field and will do all the work the bigger machines will do. Pricewise it's about the same as the Brother machines.

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