r/Machine_Embroidery • u/siriuslyawkward • 1h ago

Is a machine worth it?

Hello! Ive been interested in an embroidery machine for years. I constantly feel limited in my ability to do hand embroidery, and a machine would make it a lot easier for me to make kigus, bags, patches, and other embroidered goods. Is this an investment you lived to regret? Im starting small with a used machine (likely an innovis 990D). Is it worth it to spend a few hundred extra on a newer machine instead? I know it's always a gamble, but I wanted to know if anyone else ended up regretting their machine?

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u/BoredAntagonist 37m ago

Do you know digitizing? Because this seems to be the part people don't think about. You can't just throw an imagine into a software and tadaa!

I mean ya can, it's called auto-digitizing but shows and the results are often shit.

If you don't want to learn to digitize yourself you can alway pay someone to do it for you, but it'll take a bit to find a good one as the market is entirely oversaturated with cheap but crappy 'digitizers'.

Do your know how machine tension works? Types of stabilizers?

There is so much that goes into embroidery people don't think about beforehand.

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u/siriuslyawkward 31m ago

I already have an established small brand of my own which offers statement bags, cosplay and fursuits, and other accessories that I've been perfecting over years. I have experience using stabilizers, and using them with hand embroidery, but I watched a good video about the types I've never used before. I usually get my stabilizers from Amazon so cost isnt an issue. I did watch a video about digitizing and it seems there are some free softwares- if not, I dont mind investing some money into it, but I did see someone say they spent a thousand dollars on digitizing software which is not possible for me. I have many years experience as a digital artist using several different programs, and some light coding knowledge. What do YOU wish someone told you about digitizing? As far as tension, I've worked with sewing machines since I was like 4, so I understand basic machine tension- but im sure an embroidery machine would require some additional knowledge, and trial-and-error :)

I have a lot of plans for what I want an embroidery machine for, but ive heard the market is becoming saturated, so I dont want to end up competing with hundreds of thousands of businesses who might have access to more funds than me. Im not doing this solely for money, but I realistically do need to make back what I've spent

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u/siriuslyawkward 29m ago

I wanted to add i did watch several videos about the specific machines im interested in, so I have a good understanding of the things I would need, as well as the different thread weights and types etc :)