Best Embroidery Machine for Beginners: 7 Picks

When starting off as an embroiderer you might need a good machine for all your projects. It is very tricky to choose the best embroidery machine for beginners as they don’t know much about good machines. You don’t need to worry, we are here to guide you, on which machine would be ideal for you and which one you should avoid.

Maybe your grandmother had done some embroidery on your clothes when you were a kid, and they looked more than gorgeous. Yes, they look very beautiful and nice but they do take a whole lot of time. This is why an embroidery machine is important. It would do the work in minutes that you spent hours and days on. 

Also, the embroidery would be more accurate than your manual work. If you have a good machine you can also go for an embroidery startup once you get familiar with its use. Before purchasing a machine, you must be crystal clear about whether you need it for basic home use or for business purposes. Why? Because a machine made for home use would never withstand the use of industry.

Some best embroidery machines for beginners are more affordable than industrial ones but they also have less speed and features as well. We would be suggesting machines that are affordable and good to get started with. But If you are in a rush and want to know my thoughts about the best embroidery machine for beginners to deal with awesome stitching, Brother PE800 is the best. Let’s dive straight into our top 7 picks amongst the best ones.

At a Glance

1. The Brother PE800 Embroidery Machine

Starting off with this dominating model Brother PE800 which is an amazing and well-performing embroidery machine. It comes with 13 built-in embroidery designs including scrollwork, florals, and different quilt patterns. It has a wide variety of options for you to showcase your creativity. It also features 11 built-in fonts; 7 English, 3 Japanese, and 1 Cyrillic font style so you will be able to do lettering and monogramming on your fabrics perfectly.

If you want a custom design project but you have it on your PC, mobile phone or somewhere online no need to worry Brother has its own solution for you. The USB port allows you to import embroidery designs into your machine’s built-in memory. There are also many other downloadable designs available on Brother’s own site ibroidery.com 

The colorful 3.2” touchscreen LCD enables you to see your design before starting off. You will clearly see the images as the LCD is colorful, unlike the Brother PE770 which is an older model of this one. We will also review that later in this article.

A wider work area always enables embroiderers to do the projects pleasantly. The embroidery hoop is 5” x 7” which is great enough for larger designs. There are other machines that come with 4” x 4” hoop areas so comparatively this one is quite larger than those.

What You Need To Know

This machine is a good choice but only for those who are US residents because this machine is intended to be used only at 120 volts. If you use it with a different voltage, the warranty will be voided.

Why Is It Special

This is the overall best embroidery machine for beginners residing in the US who want a larger hoop area and a lot of features with a computerized machine.

Also Read: Best Embroidery Machines for Home Business – Top 10 Models

2. The Brother SE600 Sewing & Embroidery Machine

Brother SE600 is a combo machine which means it is able to both sew and embroider for you. This is one of the best machines for you if you don’t have enough space in your room for keeping both sewing and embroidery machines separately, instead, just go for this combo workhorse. Although this is an older model of the previously reviewed Brother PE800 it does your projects quite effortlessly. 

Having 80 built-in designs, this model also features 6 embroidery lettering fonts to personalize and customize your projects even more. The automatic needle threader is always there to assist you with threading the needle every time automatically and pushing the thread through the needle eye effortlessly. It comes with a top drop-in bobbin which is jam-resistant and very convenient to use. 

If we talk about its sewing ability, It comes with 103 built-in sewing stitches and 10 different styles of auto-size buttonholes. The different stitches and sizes of buttonholes really bring your sewing to a whole new level. The maximum speed you are going to get with this sewing part of the machine is 710 stitches per minute which is a good normal pace.

It also has a large color touchscreen of 3.2” that enables you to preview your selected designs for embroidery. I know you are still thinking about the hoop area with it. Well, it’s  4” x 4”  and enough for a beginner. It also has an embroidery arm and 7 different sewing feet.

What Could Be Improved?

One of the unwanted things with this machine is it only works well in the US on 120 volts. If you use it outside the US somewhere else then Brother voids your warranty.

Our Personal Thoughts

Brother SE600 is recommended to beginners who want a 2-in-1 beast that is able to sew and embroider at the same time. If you are a professional then you might not like this machine as much because of the limited hoop area.

Also Read: Best Embroidery Machines For Hats – Top 9 Options

3. Brother SE1900 Embroidery Machine

Another combo machine from Brother is this SE1900 model. Sewing and embroidering are what it does on the go. Brother is very good at making computerized machines for both heavy sewing and embroidering. The Brother SE1900 comes with 138 built-in designs, and 11 different embroidery fonts just perfect for monogramming and lettering. 

This machine has an advanced needle threader that threads the needle in a very easy way by pressing a lever and pushing the thread through the needle’s eye. It also has a drop-in top bobbin which is very jam-resistant. As it also sews so it comes with 240 built-in sewing stitches with 10 different styles of auto-size buttonholes. These help you give a creative touch to your artwork.

The embroidery hoop is 5” x 7” which is quite a good work field for embroidery to tackle larger projects easily. It comes with 8 sewing feet to assist you in different stitches. A large 3.2” inches LCD touchscreen is always there to display the selected design or select another design. Thanks to Brother, the LCD is colorful instead of black and white as used in other older models.

What You Need To Know About It!

Like other Brother machines, this one is also intended to sell only in the US and the reason is the same is that it is for only 120 volts. In case using it outside the US would void its warranty.

Our Personal Thoughts:

Now, this is a true workhorse and one of the best embroidery machines for beginners as it has everything monitored clearly through an LCD display. If you think you need a large embroidery hoop then go for it.

Also Read: Best Embroidery Machine For Small Business – Top 7 Picks

4. The Brother PE770 Embroidery Machine

This machine too has its challenges but Brothers has tried making it as simple as possible for you. Brother PE770 is one of our most praised and flattered picks. All accounting for the convenience that it brings along. Take the 136 built-in designs as a perfect example. This includes delicate scrollwork, conservative quilt patterns, intricate florals, 12 border styles, and much more. 

A USB port will help you here with your custom designs to feed in. Get your USB stick ready. Get your designs from the internet( iBroidery.com is the best option). If you are having trouble finding perfect custom designs for you, just try updating your PE770. There’s also an option for the embroidery card slot. Stitch designs directly from Brothers embroidery cards. These are available for separate purchases.

The large 1.4″ x 2.7″ LCD color touchscreen lets you see what the result is going to look like before you stitch it. This easy-to-view screen lets you design and edit features that are handy to navigate and easy to use.

The 5″ X 7″ Embroidery Field stands out perfectly for the work. This means larger lettering and monograms, combining designs with less rehooping, and an expanded design area for quilt squares. If you are planning on a Brother’s 4″x4″ embroidery area, I would recommend this one instead.

Brother has at your side support. You will be offered side support that includes free technical support from the company via live chat or directly through phone.

Room For Improvement:

Common trouble you are liable to face is with the shredding thread. Eventually leading you to buy a new bobbin. Don’t go for a new bobbin. That won’t fix the problem. The machine will not do fifty stitches without breaking the thread, so a large eye needle is recommended for use.

Our Personal Thoughts

The machine, although has been made quite as simple as possible, still, will not stand a cure for the problems that total beginners have to deal with. This is only recommended for professional users. This will add creativity to an already professional embroiderer’s skills. As a beginner, you can go for the more reliable options that we have put forth for you in the article.

Also Read: Best Commercial Embroidery Machine – Top 7 Reviewed

5. The Brother PE535 Embroidery Machine

Our previous pick was for mostly professional use. This one, however, satisfies both ends, either professional or beginner. Its multiple custom embroidery features are handy and fun. With its outstanding 80 built-in design patterns, 10 frame patterns, and 9 font styles, the Brother PE535 has left no stone unturned in beating its competitors.

Talking about the design, the LCD color touchscreen allows you to see your design in color even before you’ve stitched it. If you are not much of a professional at telling how exactly the design will come out, the expansive 3.2″ inch LCD color touchscreen is there to help. A simple drag-and-drop embroidery design feature lets you move your design with merely the touch of your fingers.

You got impressed by a design and now you want to feed it to the machine. A USB port will allow you to upload and store your preferred embroidery designs to the built-in memory of PE535.

It gives you a 4″ X 4″ Embroidery field. This obviously means not an expanded embroidery area to stitch your designs more conveniently. Although this does not beat the field of embroidery of the previously described PE770, it certainly beats that in many areas in action.

Brother Co is always there to save the day for you. Leaving you with an Instructional DVD, a bilingual manual, a phone call service, and online technical support for the customer. There’s no chance of ruining this now. And even if you did, it comes with a wide 25-years-warranty.

What Can Be Improved?

Since it is made for total beginners, the PE535 shows problems framing over thicker materials. This stands out as infuriating and frustrating. There are sometimes issues with the thread. It gets stuck in the bottom of the fabric. 

It could be made more standard and convenient as it is a perfect fit as the best embroidery machine for beginners. This machine despite its many features finds it hard to compete in the standard sewing grounds. 

Our Personal Thoughts:

Brother PE535 is good to work with as a beginner, but if you are looking for a more professional workflow item, I would recommend not getting your hands on this machine. 

This machine does a great job with basic embroidery work but you should avoid it if you need something for the professional level.

Also Read: Best Embroidery Machine for Custom Designs – Top 7 Beasts

6. Brother PE550D Embroidery Machine

This machine is a noob savior just as PE535. The only difference it can make is that it provides a better value for money than the PE535. To make things easier, it features a 4” x 4” embroidery field accompanied by an included grid sheet and built-in alignment tools aiding you to align your design and needle position for precise placement on your fabric. 

Preview your designs prior to stitching using a  smart 3.2” Sew Smart easy view LCD color touchscreen. The touch screen is larger than the one on PE535. This means ease of use with the touch of a finger. The built-in design is also pretty adjustable 

To take a step further, Brother has amazed you with the charm of Disney in this model. The machine is well loaded with built-in designs just like its sibling models but the thing that makes it stand out among the others is the inclusion of up to 45 Disney designs. Who doesn’t love Disney? You can personalize your projects using 6 English and 3 Japanese lettering font styles.

This machine has not given up on its competitors following them up and certainly attempting to beat them. You still have the option of a USB Port. Import your embroidery designs into your PE550D’s built-in memory using the USB port. You can also download designs on the Brother website and store them on the built-in drive in the machine.

The automatic needle threader is there to help you save your time and frustration. All in all, the machine is pretty epic to use than its direct competitors. It is a highly recommended embroidery machine for beginners but if you are willing to do bigger projects, this might not help you.

What Can Be Improved?

PE550D is very user-friendly and incredibly easy to use. Once you start seeing how easy it is to use and how many astonishing things you can make, you will want to do bigger projects than the 4×4 can manage. We would recommend this as a total beginner’s embroidery machine and not for professional use.

What We Recommend

It becomes clear from the description that the machine is not a fit for you if you want a more professional output. There are better options than this one from Brother to go for.

As the best embroidery machine for beginners, however, this can be an absolute mentor. If you have no experience with embroidery, you can grab this one right away to start stitching your favorite stuff.

7. The Brother LB5000S Sewing & Embroidery Machine

Be amazed by an experience out of this world. If Star Wars amuses you, so does the LB5000S edition embroidery machine. The machine has a Star Wars theme if you love the universe of Star Wars. A repositionable adhesive lets you switch between Darth Vader, Princess Leia, and Droid faceplates.

An additional 10 galactic-inspired designs are also available for download.

Don’t worry about the theme if you don’t love the movie, as the machine comes with merely attachable stickers of the Star Wars theme. So even if you get one with the stickers in its package, simply don’t apply them and don’t worry about the theme.

Brother LB5000S is an embroidery as well as a sewing machine. This 2-in-1 feature doesn’t interrupt the machine’s ease of use.

The most complimented thing about the machine is the touchscreen. The machine comes to life with a 3.2″ Lcd touchscreen display. A predictable statement here is that it becomes really easy if you could view your design right before you stitch it. The screen is there to help you with this.

The embroidery field is kept as most of the others in size, except a few. An expanded 4×4 embroidery area, however, isn’t small to work under either. Accompanied by a special provision of the hoop, embroidery arm, and 7 sewing feet. This lets you display your creativity up to the limit you can. 

Speaking of the stitches, we have more of them in number than the other Brother machines. The LB5000S has exclusively built-in 80 designs with the addition of 103 stitches to choose from. If these built-in designs somehow don’t appeal to you, get your favorite ones and insert them through a USB port. 

Features like 7 quick-change sewing feet, with spring action zigzag, button sewing feet, buttonhole, overcasting, monogramming, zipper, blind stitch, etc are included. It will not be wrong to mention that this means a diverse range of creativity. A longer foot comes with the spring action zigzag foot. This in combination with longer 7-point feed dogs help will help you with a flowing fabric feeding. 

What Could Be Made Better?

Most of the Brother machines, including this one, have been observed to have a complaint about the shipped product. The product seems as if an already used machine has been sent to you. This is not always the case. However, it can be taken care of. 

There are issues with the machine’s software. Users face technical error issues with some of the on-screen features. You may find it quite infuriating sometimes.

Our Personal Thoughts:

Now if I was asked to describe the product in 3 words, my reply shall be “best beginners embroidery machine”. Yes, you heard me right. This machine is a total game-changer for those who seek to learn both sewing and embroidering under one hand. Its ease of operation comes with ease to learn.

Some Tips to Choose the Best Embroidery Machine for Beginners

Except for the general features of an embroidery machine, you have to consider some more options as a beginner. Here are the options:

• As a beginner, always go with a top brand. Currently, the leading brands of sewing and embroidery machines are Brother, Singer, and Janome. In all of these brands, the Brother has available more reliable embroidery machines for beginners.
• It also depends on, what kind of embroidery machine you want. Just a basic one or a regular workhorse. If you need just a basic one for little use, you can grab one on a minimum budget. But as we told you, if you need a regular workhorse, you will need to spend a good amount.
• If you’re getting just a basic machine, then must check the essential features like built-in designs & fonts, embroidery area, automatic needle threader, and bobbin winder, etc.
• There are computerized and mechanical two types of machines available, and as a beginner, you can go with any of them.

Some Embroidery Tips for Beginners

• Always work relax fully, take a long breath, and do work on your embroidery project.
• Keep learning, learning is a lifelong process. Try new tactics again and again – things will get easier each time you do so!
• As a Beginner, always start from small projects and focus on learning and gaining experience.
• Don’t spend money on every gadget, there are a lot of things in embroidery and sewing machines that are just non-essential and you have to avoid spending on it.
• Be organized, always work in a single dedicated place don’t set up your machine at any random place in your home.

Our Final Verdict

You have been through our detailed article about the best embroidery machine for beginners. We hope you would have selected your favorite one based on your needs and goals. Every machine is significant in some way, If you have fallen in love with one then just go for it and get started today to scale your business as soon as possible.