10 Best Beginner Embroidery Machines to Make You Wow
An embroidery machine can create elegant stitches and beautiful floral designs in minutes. Machine embroidery adds value to the garments, making them suitable for commercial purposes. If you are new to the embroidery field and want to learn this skill, it is critical to find the best embroidery machine. You need to figure out high-quality machines with beginner-friendly features.
The market is crowded with dozens of embroidery machine models, making it difficult for laymen to figure out the best embroidery machines for beginners. Taking your concern seriously, we sourced the market and filtered out the ten best beginner embroidery machines. Dive deep into a review to discover what each model is offering to you.
1. Brother Embroidery Machine, PE770 – Best Starter Embroidery Machine
Brother embroidery machines use cutting-edge technology, making them easier to learn and use. Therefore these machines are equally popular for beginner, home, and commercial use.
Brother PE770 embroidery machine comes equipped with a backlit display and a wide working field, making it a well-facilitated machine for beginners.
With a work field measuring 5×7 inches, the machine offers plenty of space for practicing great designs and lettering. Additionally, you will get loads of built-in and importable designs with this machine. It features 136 built-in designs, 6 lettering fonts, 8 frames, and 12 borderings styles. Plus, you can import the design via USB, and SD card. The good news is that Brother embroidery machines are compatible with iBroidery.
iBroidery is an online platform with thousands of designs and lettering fonts. The machine includes all must-have items like a dust cover, brush, embroidery arm, power cord, and needle set. A comprehensive instruction manual makes it easier for beginners to learn the basic setup and operations of the machine. Get this machine with full confidence since the manufacturer’s 25-year warranty backs it.
Pros
Large work field
Competitively priced
Straightforward operation
Free iBroidery service
Cons
Low-quality display
Design editing is complex
Brother PE770 is a fairly priced embroidery machine with straightforward operation. From setup to threading and embroidery, every instruction is given in the instruction manual, making it the perfect embroidery machine for beginners.
2. Brother PE525 Embroidery Machine – Easy To Use Embroidery Machine
Brother PE525 is our next choice for the best embroidery machine for beginners. The machine features a 4×4 inch embroidery area and an intuitive LCD where you can preview the design and do the basic setup and editing before the operation.
The embroidery field is not very large but is enough to work with medium-sized designs and letterings. The machine comes with an automatic threader making the threading process quick and easy for beginners.
You will get 70 built-in designs and around 120 lettering patterns to learn the basic techniques of embroidery. Plus, you can import your favorite design via an SD card and USB. What makes the Brother embroidery machines best for beginners is their support software. You can connect a PE525 machine with a computer to access online services like technical support, bi-lingual support, and thousands of embroidery designs and patterns from eBroidery.com.
The machine comes with a clear and straightforward instruction manual that guides you at every stage from beginning to end. Like all other Brother machines, this model is also backed by a 25-year warranty, giving you peace of mind that you are investing in a quality product.
Pros
Automatic needle threader
Easy to operate
25-year warranty
Free access to eBroidery
Affordable
Cons
Low-quality touchscreen
Weak power supply
Brother PE525, with an automatic needle threader and plenty of built-in designs, is a real-deal breaker for beginners. With its lightweight profile and intuitive operations, it lets you learn basic embroidery skills in almost no time.
3. Janome Memory Craft 400E Embroidery Machine4
If budget is not your problem, then you should consider Janome 400E. It is a well-equipped machine with innovative design and technology, making it easier for beginners to learn new embroidery techniques.
What impressed us most about this machine is its full-color LCD touchscreen. On this high-quality display, beginners can easily learn basic editing skills like how to crop, create, combine, and drag.
Also, the machine features a large embroidery field measuring around 7.9×7.9 inches. It means you would have plenty of space to experiment with different designs, and lettering techniques. Another thing we found really helpful for beginners is its customizable speed. You can achieve different speed levels between 460-860 SPM. Beginners can initiate with slower speeds and then gradually move towards the faster speed.
Other than the speed, you can program the machine for hoop, position, and jump-threading for maximum precision and accuracy. The machine comes with more than 150 built-in designs and 6 fonts. It supports USB, and you can import loads of different designs from your PC and online platforms. The machine is ideal for beginners because of its large embroidery field and quality touch screen. However, the programming of machines is a bit complex for beginners.
Pros
Large working filed
Full-color LCD touchscreen
Multiple embroidery speeds
Expandable memory
Simple operations
Cons
Complex programming
Expensive
4. Brother PE550D Embroidery Machine
Janome Memory Craft 400E, with its extra-large embroidery field, is one of the best learning platforms for beginners. We found this machine really helpful for learning beginner bordering and embroidery techniques.
It is a simple yet modern embroidery machine that can handle complicated embroidery tasks with quite ease. We found this machine ever easy to use and therefore we recommend it as the best beginner embroidery machine.
The hoop area is around 4×4, which is not very big, but you can easily handle the large designs since it has a rapid re-hooping mechanism. It has a 70-built in design for initial practice, and you can import custom designs from other sources via a USB. The machine is also loaded with 9 style lettering fonts allowing you to customize your creations. A 3.3-inch color touchscreen gives you a preview of the design and also lets you edit the designs.
The beginners would love the minimal setup of the machine. With an automatic threader and bobbin sensor, this machine ensures a smooth and uninterrupted learning process. Speed is another critical factor to consider while buying embroidery machines. PE550D works on a maximum speed of 650 SPM. It is an ideal speed for beginners to practice on multiple designs and fabrics.
Pros
Color LCD touchscreen
Minimal setup requirements
Affordable
USB and iBroidery Support
Cons
Small embroidery filed
No speed controls
Brother PE550D is an affordable yet handy computerized embroidery machine. With minimal setup requirements and a high-quality color touchscreen, this machine makes it easier for beginners to learn design, editing, and basic embroidery stitches.
5. SINGER | Legacy SE300 Embroidery Machine
People trust Singer products for high-quality construction and future-proof technologies. Legacy SE300 by Singer is another quality embroidery machine for beginners.
This machine comes with a complete set of useful accessories and features a simple setup making the embroidery easy for beginners. The feature which impressed us most is its extra-large embroidery hoop.
Actually, it offers two different embroidery hoops measuring 10 x 6 inches and 4×4 inches. The features that make the machine even more user-friendly are its on/off button, automatic threading, bobbin and needle sensor, and three stay-bright LED lights. The bobbin and upper thread sensor will not let you run out of thread without warning.
It comes with 200 preloaded designs. The package includes a USB stick allowing you to download and import your favorite design from other platforms. The in-built 200 stitches are really helpful to customize your creations. The accessories like multiple feet, tow hoops, various screwdrivers, pack of needles, spool plate, lint brush, bobbins, etc., will make your life easier.
Also, the machine comes with a touchscreen which is not very big. However, it gives a clear preview of the design, making it easier to follow while embroidering. Finally, it works at a speed of 700 SPM, which is a bit fast for beginners. However, beginners can handle this speed with plenty of automatic features and an extra-large embroidery hoop with a little practice.
Pros
Extra-large embroidery hoop
Plenty of tools and accessories
Bobbin winder and sensor
Upper thread sensor
Easy to use
Cons
Small monochrome screen
Singer SE300 is undoubtedly the most functional and versatile embroidery machine you can find for this budget. The machine features impressive construction quality and innovative features, making it easier for beginners to learn the embroidery skill.
6. Brother SE1900 Sewing and Embroidery Machine
Brother SE1900 is a multi-function machine that can sew, quilt, and embroider all types of fabrics like a pro. It is a powerful machine with full metal construction and treadle power.
Brother SE1900 comes with 138 in-built designed 11 lettering f0nts. Plus, the machine is supported by editing software. You can easily learn this software to edit the design, create monograms and customize your creations.
Another impressive feature of the machine is its full-color 3.3-inch touchscreen. The screen gives you an impressive preview of the designs, making it easier for you to follow the designs. Plus, we found the design editing and monogram creation pretty easy on a top-quality color screen. The hoop size of the machine is 5×7 inches. That eliminates the need for rehooping again and again. It saves you a lot of time and ensures an uninterrupted embroidery process.
Advanced needle threading function and jam-resistant drop-in bobbin make the machine even more beginner-friendly. You can easily thread and unthread the machine by pushing the lever, and a drop-in bobbin makes the bobbin winding and installation super quick.
Brother SE1900 is big with full metal construction and weighs around 22 lb. It means it is not a portable option, and you need considerable space in your home to set up the machine. Like all other Brother machines, PE1900 is also backed by a 25-year warranty giving you peace of mind that you are investing in a reliable product.
Pros
Large embroidery hoop
Straightforward setup
138 built-in designs
High-quality color touchscreen
25-year warranty
Cons
No SD card support
Heavy and bulky
Brother SE1900 is an advanced computerized embroidery machine with plenty of automatic and innovative features. The machine offers impressive features like a large display and spacious embroidery field making it one of the best beginner embroidery machines.
7. Uten Sewing Computerized Embroidery Sewing Machine
If you are looking for a portable embroidery machine, we’ve got you the best option. Uten embroidery/sewing computerized machine is a lightweight and affordable option for beginners.
Despite the affordable price, we found this machine reliable and efficient. With its advanced features and user-friendly setup, the machine can outperform many expensive computerized machines.
The machine comes with 100 in-built stitches and plenty of lettering fonts. These fonts and styles are useful for creating and customizing designs and monograms. Unfortunately, the machine doesn’t support external memory sources, and you cannot import extra designs.
It comes with a basic monochrome screen where you can preview the designs. The machine has an intuitive control panel comprising clearly labeled buttons. You can choose designs, change the stitches, switch on/off, and preview the design with just a push of a button. In addition to that, this machine combines some advanced features like needle threading, needle stretch, needle up and down, and jam-resistant bobbin.
It’s a lightweight and portable machine that you can easily transport from one place to another. Finally, these machines support two modes, electric and manual. If you want to begin with the slow speed, you can attach a foot pedal to control the machine manually.
Pros
Lightweight and portable
Large embroidery hoop
Intuitive control panel
Affordable
Cons
Monochrome screen
No USB support
UTEN computerized sewing/embroidery combo is an affordable yet versatile and advanced sewing machine. Its simple and intuitive control and advanced features make this machine perfect for beginners to practice basic machine embroidery stitches.
8. Brother PE535 Embroidery Machine
If you are looking for a beginner embroidery machine under a small budget, Brother PE535 is the best option you can find today. Coming from a trusted brand, this machine promises reliability and long-term performance.
Also, it is equipped with innovative technology and features, giving you the best platform to learn modern machine embroidery techniques.
What sets this machine apart from other affordable embroidery machines is its 3.2-inch color touchscreen. The display is helpful for getting a vivid preview of the design, making it easier for beginners to follow and stitch the design. Plus, it allows users to edit and combine different designs on its high-quality touch screen. The embroidery hoop of the machine is 4×4 inch which is pretty fine for such an affordable machine.
It is loaded with more than 80 basic designs and 8 lettering fonts. Plus, you can download and import your favorite design via USB. Other useful features of the machine include an automatic needle threader and bobbins sensor. The automatic needle threader makes ten threading a breeze, while a bobbin sensor alerts you if you are running out of thread.
These features are helpful to maintain a smooth learning process for beginners. PE535 has adjustable speed settings with a maximum speed reaching 400 SPM. 400 SPM is an ideal speed level for beginners, and they can easily handle difficult designs and stitches at this speed level.
Pros
3-inch color touchscreen
Adjustable speed
Bobbin sensor
Automatic needle threading
Cons
small embroidery field
Brother PE 535 works on speed which we found very helpful for beginners. While working at a slow speed, beginners can learn how to deal with different stitches and designs on a variety of fabrics.
9. Brother PE800 Embroidery Machine
Brother PE800 with automatic needle threader and spacious embroidery field is our next choice for the best beginner embroidery machine. The machine boasts top-quality construction and innovative technology
The embroidery hoop of the machine measures around 7×5 inches, which is large enough to make big designs without changing the hoop again and again.
Additionally, this computerized machine comes with 138 built-in designs and 13 fonts. Beginners can stitch on these basic designs in the beginning. It supports USB as well, and extra design can also be imported from online platforms and computers. Moreover, you will get a 3.2 LCD touchscreen with a built-in edit mode. There is no need to get additional editing software for this machine.
You can rotate, crop, and combine different designs on its full-color intuitive touch screen. The machine comes with a straightforward setup and automatic needle threader. It works at a fixed speed of 650 stitches per minute, which is ideal for learning the basic stitches and fonts of machine embroidery. This product is also backed by a 25-year limited Brother warranty.
Pros
Large hoop
Full-color Touchscreen
USB support
25-year limited warranty
Competitive price
Cons
Fixed speed
No SD card support
Brother SE800 is a professional-grade machine with an easy-to-learn setup. The machine features a larger embroidery field, allowing the beginners to learn big and detailed designs in a go.
10. Brother Sewing and Embroidery Machine LB500S
The final product on our list is Brother LB500S. It is a multi-function machine that can handle professional-grade sewing and embroidery projects. We loved the machine’s high-quality touch screen and automatic setup that makes the machine perfect for beginners.
The hoop area of the machine is 4×4 which is a bit smaller for beginners.
However, the rehooping mechanism of the machine is simple and quick, and you will be able to handle the detailed and big designs easily. The most exciting part of this machine is that you will get interesting character faceplates like Star Wars, Princess Leia, RD-D2, and Drath Vader. Additionally, it has 80 built-in designs and 10 styles.
You can use different fonts to stylize and customize your creations. You can also import custom designs from online platforms and computers through a USB stick. Plus, its high-quality display lets you preview the design before you start embroidering. The package includes multiple feet, an embroidery arm, a bobbin, and a hoop.
Pros
High-quality display
80 in-built designs
Easy setup
4 character faceplates
Multi-function
Cons
Small hoop
No instruction guide
Brother LB500S is a great machine for beginners to practice basic embroidery stitches and design. We really loved the character faceplates and in-built design in this machine. Also, its innovative features like automatic threader and bobbin sensor will makes the learning process a pleasant hobby for beginners.
Buyer’s Guide
While looking for a beginner embroidery machine, it is critical to ensure that whether a particular model will help beginners or not. Many top-notch embroidery machines are good for expert or professional use, but they do not help the newbies to learn basic embroidery skills.
A few factors like easy setup, simple programming, and intuitive display, and clear instruction make the embroidery machine beginner-friendly. Here is a detailed guide on the features you must consider while buying a beginner embroidery machine.
Speed
The speed of the embroidery machine is a critical feature to consider. Top-notch machines work at higher speeds to meet commercial targets. However, beginners cannot handle these higher speeds. Therefore you should look for a machine that offers customizable speeds. The lowest speed level should be less than 500 SPM. Beginners can gradually move from lower to higher speed levels.
Combo Or Embroider-only
While roaming around the market, you will find two types of machines embroidery-only or embroidery-sewing combos. Of course, multi-purpose machines are more expensive than embroidery-only machines. If you are not interested in sewing, it is recommended to avoid the combo machines. Combos will cost you more, and their complicated setup and various functions can hinder your learning process.
LCD screens on the machines let the users preview and edit the design. For beginners, you should try to get the screen size as big as possible. The more clear preview of the design makes it easier for the newbies to follow the design. Also, they can see the tiny details of the design and make fewer mistakes.
Design editing is another skill that is critical to learn if you are using a modern embroidery machine. A full-colored high-quality screen presents a vivid preview of the design, and beginners can quickly learn basic editing techniques like crop, rotate, combine, drag and create.
Brand Consideration
Embroidery machines don’t come cheap, and therefore, you should go with tried-and-true brands only. The famous embroidery machine brands are Samsung, Brother, and Janome. These machines are trusted for their innovative design ideas and future-proof technologies.
Weight and Dimensions
You should consider the space available in your home or institution where you are taking embroidery classes. You should carefully measure the space available and then choose the machine dimensions accordingly. If you frequently move your machine from one place to another, it is advised to get a lightweight and compact designed machine.
Hoop Size
Hoop size is also called the embroidery area or embroidery field. For beginners, it is easier to learn on a large embroidery field. A wide area gives them a chance to practice and experiment with different designs and letters. You can create the big designs on small embroidery fields, but it will require frequent re-hooping.
Therefore on big hoops, beginners can learn multiple stitches on a single sitting without changing hoops again and again. The hoop size of the machine can be as small as 4×4 and as large as 7×10. The hoop size for beginners should not be less than 4×4. However, it’s the best idea to get the largest embroidery field if you can afford it.
Single Needle Vs. Multi-Needle
Single needle machines come with a simple and straightforward setup. They feature only one needle with one head and bobbin. On the other hand, multi-needle machines feature advanced and complex setups. These machines feature 7-15 needles, and each needle carries a different color thread.
These machines can create multi-color professional-grade designs in a short time and are used to achieve industrial targets. There if you are a learner, we won’t recommend you getting a multi-needle embroidery machine. You should start with a straightforward single-needle set up to learn the basic stitches and embroidery techniques.
Designs
All modern embroidery machines come with a few built-in designs. These designs are generally between 50-150. You can initiate the learning process with these designs, but these designs are not enough for learning all techniques. You should go with the machines that have expandable memories and import the designs via USB and SD cards from the computer.
If you want to futureproof your choice, you should look for software support also. This software lets you connect with online platforms like iBroidery, where you can take different fonts, border stitches, and designs, and ideas.
Accessories
While using the embroidery machine, you will need multiple accessories like bobbins, feet, needles, screws, screwdrivers, lint brushes, etc. If you are a beginner, it is ideal for you to get all these accessories with the machine. If not, you may face many compatibility and quality issues with aftermarket products.
Warranty
Embroidery machines are a serious investment, and therefore, it is critical to ensure that you are investing in a quality product. All trusted brands like Singer, Brother, and Janome back their products by 10-25 years warranty.
Brother embroidery machines are usually backed by a 25-year warranty but are applicable only on the 15V supply in the USA. If you choose a new brand, it is critical to consider their warranty and after-purchase customer services.
Ease-of-Use
To enjoy the learning process and make quick progress, it is critical to find out the embroidery machines that are simple and easy to use. For instance, modern embroidery machines come with features like a bobbin sensor, bobbin winder, automatic threading, upper thread sensor, etc. All these processes make the process super-smooth and uninterrupted.
It keeps beginners from the tiring practice of winding bobbins, threading the needles, and changing the hoops. Additionally, you should look for detailed instructions in the guidebook or a detailed video to do the machine’s initial setup and troubleshoot the issues.
FAQs
What files are compatible with Brother embroidery machines?
PES and DST file formats are compatible with all Brother embroidery machines. PES format is more popular because it shows extra details like the number of stitches and the color of the thread along with the design.
How hard is it to learn to use an embroidery machine?
It is not a difficult task to learn how to use embroidery machines. Advanced embroidery machines feature advanced automatic features. These features make it easier to learn the machine operation and make the learning process pleasant for beginners.
Can you use an embroidery machine to sew?
No, you can not sew with an embroidery-only machine. However, some machines have multiple functions like sewing, quilting, and embroidering. You can use these machines for sewing and embroidering by changing the basic setup of the machine.
Do you need a stabilizer for machine embroidery?
Yes, you need a stabilizer of the interface to hold the fabric tight during embroidery. Some embroidery machines come with their own stabilizers, but in most cases, you need to buy an additional stabilizer with an embroidery machine.
Conclusion
We can safely conclude that modern machines have made it easier to learn embroidery skills. These machines are equipped with innovative and advanced features making complicated embroidery projects simpler for beginners.
Our top three picks from the list are
Brother PE800 Embroidery Machine for its innovative design, high-quality color touchscreen, multiple in-built designs, and larger hoop
SINGER | Legacy SE300 Embroidery Machine for its plenty of accessories, extra large hoop, bobbin senor and winder, and easy-to-use setup
Janome Memory Craft 400E Embroidery Machine For its full-color display, customizable embroidery speed, quality construction, and large embroidery field
We are hopeful that this guide will help you find your perfect match on the market. Before buying an embroidery machine, it is critical to consider your level of expertise, the space available at your home, and the types of projects you are planning to handle in the future.
