If you run a small business selling items you sew, an embroidery machine will come in handy for those projects that require you to embroider rather than doing it by hand. In this post, we review the best embroidery machine for small business use, which shares the top models we recommend, their features, what makes them so good and what are some things you need to be aware of before making a purchase.
When buying any sewing equipment for your sewing business, including embroidery hoops and sewing machines, you want to buy the best that you can afford. Having the right equipment will make your business run smoothly and also enables you to create high-quality embroidered products that will keep your customers returning for more.
Best embroidery machine for small business
1.Brother SE600 Sewing and Embroidery Machine
2.Brother SE1900 Sewing and Embroidery Machine
3. Janome Horizon Memory Craft 9850 Embroidery and Sewing Machine
4.Brother Sewing and Embroidery Machine, 4 Star Wars Faceplates
5.Brother PE800 Embroidery Machine
6.SINGER | Legacy SE300 Embroidery Machine
Brother SE600 Sewing and Embroidery Machine
The Brother SE600 is a combination sewing and embroidery machine, well-known for being a reliable machine with lots of great features for both sewing and embroidery projects.
One of the most important things you need to know about the Brother SE600 is that it has a 4”x4” embroidery field, which measures the space that you can actually sew. The hoop is, of course, slightly larger than this.
It’s important to know the embroidery field so that you choose one that is large enough for the types of projects you work on.
The machine includes an embroidery arm, embroidery hoop and 7 sewing feet.
The included feet:
Buttonhole foot
Zipper foot
Zigzag foot
Button sewing foot
Overcasting foot
Blind stitch foot
Monogramming foot
Embroidery foot
There are 80 built-in embroidery designs and 6 different fonts for lettering. There are also 103 built-in stitches including 10 different buttonhole styles. This really is a machine that’s great no matter what project you’re working on, giving you lots of options.
You also have access to ibroidery.com for even more designs, and the machine has a USB port so that you can use a USB stick to import designs (USB stick not included).
If you want to create your own design, you’ll need embroidery digitizing software to create your design then save it as a .pes file and then upload it to your Brother SE600 machine via a USB stick.
To choose the design or stitch you need, simply scroll through the options showing on the large LCD touchscreen until you find the one you need. You can also move the design around on the screen using your finger until you find the perfect spot for your embroidery design.
You can also perform on-screen edits of thread color, size and position.
The machine stitches at up to 710 stitches per minute, making this a fairly fast machine.
What we love about the Brother SE600 is that it has an automatic needle threader which makes life so much easier for you. The thread is pushed through the needle for you- how easy is that?! The machine also has a brightly lit work area making it easier for you to see what you are doing as you’re working on a project. The working space is large, at 6.4 inches wide and 4.1 inches high.
And if you need help as you’re working through your embroidery project, the screen features built-in tutorials that you can watch as you work so that you know you’re doing the right thing. There’s no need to stop and read a manual!
When it comes to using this machine for regular sewing, the machine is great for most sewing projects however it is not suitable for use on heavy duty fabric. You wouldn’t use it for sewing heavy curtains!
Click here to check price
Brother SE1900 Sewing and Embroidery Machine
One of the first things you might notice about the Brother SE1900 when compared to the Brother SE600, is the higher price.
Yes, the Brother SE1900 is almost twice the cost of the SE600, however it has far more features available which makes the extra cost worth it.
Firstly, the embroidery field is larger than that of the SE600. The Brother SE1900 has a 5”x7” embroidery field, compared to 4”x4” on the SE600. A larger embroidery field means that this machine is suitable for large embroidery projects.
There are 138 built-in designs (compared to 80 with the SE600) and 11 embroidery fonts. There are also 240 built-in stitches, compared with the SE600 which only has 103.
If you’re going to spend extra money on an excellent embroidery machine, you might as well buy one that has so many designs and stitches, especially if you work on a variety of unique and interesting projects. The possibilities are endless!
The machine also comes with 8 sewing feet compared to the SE600’s 7 feet.
Much like the Brother SE600, you can upload your own embroidery designs into the SE1900 using a USB stick. You have access to ibroidery.com where you can find many more designs.
Most people like that the Brother SE1900 has a thread cutter and also a knee lifter to lift the presser foot without using your hands. This is such a life saver when you’re busy working on a project and don’t have a free hand to be able to lift the presser foot.
The LCD screen includes tutorials to help you get started and also tells you which foot you need to use depending on the decorative stitch you’ve selected. So much easier than reading a manual!
You can use this machine for normal sewing too, although some prefer to have a separate sewing machine because then you don’t have to take parts off and move things around when going from a sewing machine to an embroidery machine.
To make the best of your machine, you should look after it and swap the needle after every 2 to 3 projects. Always keep a spare set of needles on hand for when you need to replace one.
So is it worth it forking out the extra cash for this machine? Why not just purchase the Brother SE600?
Most people who have owned both machines say that they wish they had just saved their money and bought the SE1900 to begin with because it really is worth the extra cost.
My recommendation? If you are new to embroidery but you have a sewing business, invest in the Brother SE1900. You never know when you will need to use it for a large design or you may need one of the additional designs and stitches available for a customer request- you’ll be glad you purchased the SE1900!
But if you are completely new to sewing and don’t run a business, and so are not sure if this is worth the investment, I would stick with the cheaper Brother SE600 for now and then upgrade later on if you find the machine too limiting.
Click here to check price
