Best Embroidery Machine For Beginners: Top 7 Beginner Beasts

The thrill of creating something beautiful is what drives many people to pursue embroidery as a hobby. But when you want to take your craft to the next level, you need an embroidery machine that can keep up with your imagination.

If you’re just starting, the first step that can be daunting is figuring out the best embroidery machine for beginners. With all the different brands, features, and price points on the market, the sellers often do a great job of overwhelming shoppers with options.

Our team has put together this comprehensive guide to the best embroidery machines for beginners to help take the guesswork out of your decision. We’ll also provide tips on what to look for when you’re ready to upgrade to a more advanced machine.

1. Brother PE535 Embroidery Machine

Your first-time experience with any new machine is always a little intimidating. But don’t let that stop you from trying the Brother PE535! It is an excellent embroidery machine for beginners, as it is both easy to use and delivers excellent results.

The scenario was the same for me when I started using this machine. But the machine’s user-friendly interface and clear instructions made it a breeze to create. And before I knew it, I was churning out beautiful embroideries!

For beginners, the main problem was setting up the machine and understanding the manual. But with this machine’s manual, you will hang your hat on that problem. I mean so easy, full of diagrams and instructions that a five-year-old could understand it.

But for me, the designing software is where this machine shines the most. I have used other brands before, and their software was a pain. But the Brother PE535‘s software is just a dream! It is super easy to use and allows you to create beautiful designs easily.

And you know how tough it is to get inspiration and make embroidery designs from scratch. But with this machine you will get 6500 built-in embroidery designs and 125 frame patterns; these features will lend you an extra hand when you need inspiration. And for the people who like to import their own design, this machine also supports the .pes format.

In addition to its friendliness, the machine has an LED light that brightens up your work area. It means even if you have a sight problem like me, you can still see what you’re doing and produce beautiful embroideries.

The machine is also quite fast, but you are wrong if you think it sacrifices quality for speed. Because it doesn’t, it produces high-quality embroideries with every stitch. The stitch’s gape is acceptable and doesn’t cross over each other.

The machine also has an automatic needle threader, which most old models don’t have. And for beginners, it’s a tough time to thread the needle.

The machine has a USB port that makes it easy to get in hand with the latest embroidery designs. No need to go out and buy them on a USB; download them and plug them in!

And if you have to design on the go, then no problem! Its super compact design can easily fit in your carry-on bag.

The only drawback of this machine is that it can’t connect to a computer. But for beginners, it’s not that big of a deal as they can get everything they need with the machine itself.

Also Read: Best Embroidery Machine for Custom Designs – Buyers Guide

2. Brother LB5000S Sewing & Embroidery Machine

Your search ends if you are dealing with a budget and looking for a machine with all the features of a high-end commercial embroidery machine. I know what it feels like to start something new with a limited budget, so I decided to include this machine in my top 3 list.

Compared to other machines in its class, the Brother LB5000S stands out because of its price. It is affordable, but don’t let that fool you; it is an intelligent machine. Sometimes, the best things come in small packages, which is valid for this machine.

Even though it is very affordable, it comes with all high-end and handy features like an automatic needle threader, a top drop-in bobbin, an LED light, and much more. The needle threader is such a smooth operator that you will never have to deal with threading the needle again. Some needle threaders can be very picky, but that is not the case with this one.

The machine also comes with a top drop-in bobbin, a convenient feature. This type of bobbin is scarce in this price range and is usually found in commercial machines that cost thousands of dollars. The LED light is also a convenient feature; it ensures you can see what you are doing when you are embroidering.

A bundle of fonts and designs, I mean, come one, what else do you need? Imagine sticking to this machine’s old boring fonts and techniques; you can let your creativity flow and design anything you want.

And the easiness is at the next level of this machine; even if it’s your first experience, you will be able to use it like a pro. The instructional guide is no less than a cherry on top. When you see the instructional videos, you will be thankful to the company for providing them.

The only drawback of this machine is that it is not suitable for very thick fabrics. But you are a beginner and for practicing, the light and thin materials are enough.

Also Read: Best Embroidery Machine For Shirts – All The Best Options

3. Brother SE1900 Sewing & Embroidery Machine

Every beginner struggles with the customization of the design and wants a machine that is easy to use and provides a wide range of features. Not just features, the machine should also be value for money.

Customization is not about adding or removing something from the design; it is about changing the design’s color, size, and density. If a machine does not have this feature, it is not worth your money.

So for your ease, I am introducing the Brother SE1900, a well-known and one of the best embroidery machines for beginners. Put the basics of the embroidery machine to the side; this machine has so many features that it is hard to keep track of them all.

For customization, the fundamental but crucial setting is available in this machine like color, size, and density. If you want to get a little more creative, you can use the mirror image and the rotation function to create some fantastic designs.

The built-in whooping designs will not leave any stone unturned; whether you want to embroider a gift for your loved ones or open up an online store, this machine has your back.

In addition, the theme of designs is also very diversified. If you don’t like a particular design, you can change it with the help of other designs available on the machine. Sometimes you have to deal with the hassle of buying different design cards, but not with this machine.

Another thing that can add a whooping number to the stitch count is the embroidery area. The larger the embroidery area, the more stitches you can make and the more designs you can create. The embroidery area of this machine is 5 “x7”, and for beginners, a great size to start with.

The machine is not just about the design, it has a lot more to offer. It comes with an LCD touch screen that is full of navigational features. The automatic needle threader is a convenient feature that saves time and your eyesight. Also, if you want to hold the fabric in place while you are embroidering, the built-in fabric clamp is there for you.

But the thing that most of the reviewers disliked is the heavy price you have to pay for all these features. Still, most of them think paying for all your benefits is a minimal price.

Also Read: Best Cheap Embroidery Machine – Top Models

4. Brother PE800 Embroidery Machine

Beginners suffer the most in the ever-growing world of embroidery machines. With all the different features, upgrades, and accessories, it can be hard to know where to start. So, whenever a beginner asks me what the best embroidery machine is, after Brother SE1900, I recommend the Brother PE800. Here are some reasons

The first reason is that it’s an embroidery-only machine. No sewing, no quilting, just embroidery. This is great for beginners because they don’t have to mess up the tension or the settings for other stitches and can focus on learning how to use the machine for one purpose.

The second reason is its wide embroidery area that can accommodate projects of all sizes. This is important because as you start to get better at embroidery, you’ll want to be able to work on larger projects. With the PE800, you won’t have to upgrade to a giant machine.

In addition, it has built-in designs that are more pleasing to the eye and USB capability to upload custom designs. Also, suppose you are getting into embroidery. In that case, the built-in designs can help you get started and give you an idea of what’s possible.

And when the things come down to its needle and thread, the Brother PE800 uses standard-sized needles and threads, so you won’t have to worry about finding specialty supplies. Also, the threading is just as easy as any other Brother machine.

The only downside of the PE800 is that it’s not much faster than Brother SE1900 or other machines. But, for a beginner, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It gives you more time to perfect your embroidery technique without worrying about the machine going too fast.

And one thing that can take place in all of its flaws is its price. It’s very affordable, and for a beginner, not an expensive machine to get their feet wet in the world of embroidery.

Also Read: Best Embroidery Machine For Small Business – All The Best Models

5. Brother SE600 Sewing & Embroidery Machine

Brother SE600 is an excellent choice for those beginners who are just in the starting phase of their embroidery journey. And they are still getting a grip of things, providing them with all the necessary features that an embroidery machine must have. Sometimes beginners have to pass on some of the features offered by the more sophisticated and expensive machines.

This is not the case with Brother SE600; most reviews show it is feature-rich and very user-friendly. Let me share some of its features which I think are quite handy for beginners.

One of the first things you will notice is its large color touchscreen display. This display is not just a screen; it also lets you see the progress of your embroidery. The customization options and the editing features are also available on this screen.

The built-in designs and fonts are of good quality, even though the number of designs is limited. It has 103 built-in designs, maybe they are not much, but they are more than enough for a beginner. Another thing that is worth mentioning is that it comes with six lettering fonts.

The machine is quite fast, it can sew at the speed of 400 stitches per minute. This speed is quite good, considering that it is an embroidery-only machine.

And the large embroidery area is also a plus point, with its 5″ x7″ embroidery area, offering you enough room to work with large fabrics. The machine is not very noisy and produces less vibration, which is good news for beginners.

And if you have to lift the embroidery arm to reposition the fabric, the patented quick-set drop-in top bobbin makes it easy to change the thread. Also, the threading system of the machine is quite user-friendly, a push of a button and the needle is threaded.

In addition of it, this machine is compatible with both mac and Windows making it more user-friendly. And if you ever need to change the needle, it is straightforward to do so. And the lights placed around the needle area are bright enough to provide a clear view.

But some users complain about the quality of the stitches, saying that they are not as good as the ones produced by more expensive machines. However, I think it is not a big issue considering that it is a beginner-level machine and is quite affordable.

Also Read: Best Computerized Embroidery Machine – All The Top Picks

6. Brother PE550D Embroidery Mahine

Move to the next option; our super duper recommended the best embroidery machine for beginners, Brother PE550D. Most beginner embroiderers look to make some beautiful and decorative designs on their clothes as a demo or to gift someone. This machine will surely enable you to do all of that with its excellent features. Let’s talk more about it!

The selection of stitches is easy and fast with its large yet transparent display screen. The machine has a free arm for circular stitching, which is not present in all embroidery machines.

And for perfect outlining of the letters or other designs, it has an inbuilt needle threading system. This feature will let you feel at ease while starting a new project. And for design selection, you don’t have to move from one screen to another. Just select the design of your choice and get it on the screen, ready for embroidering.

The main feature that is most famous and people adore this machine is its LED light. This bright white LED will let you focus more on your work by illuminating the area around the needle. So, now you don’t have to put extra pressure on your eyes to finish your project on time.

In addition, the auto trimming function will be a game-changer for you. With this, the thread will be cut automatically after completing one design. So now, your focus will not be divided between embroidery and thread cutting.

And for the ease of the embroiderers, it has a quick-set drop-in top bobbin. It’s the favorite feature among the users for its easy bobbin replacement system.

And the stitch’s quality! Just wow! It produces high-quality stitches on any type of fabric. The machine is smooth and noiseless while working, which mean no more headache and you can work for long hours without any tiredness.

But the problem we found is that the machine’s manual is not very helpful. Because we didn’t find any specific guidelines related to the embroidery machine, maybe for you, it will take some time to get used to it.

Also Read: Best Embroidery Machine For Patches – Top 7 Models

7. Janome Memory Craft 400E Embroidery Machine

After Brother’s embroidery machines, the Janome Memory Craft 400E is our pick for the best embroidery machine for beginners. We picked it because of its affordability, excellent stitch quality, ease of use, and built-in tutorials.

It’s a great machine that will help you learn the ropes of embroidery and get you comfortable with the process. The tutorials and written manual will be your hand-holding guide as you familiarize yourself with the machine.

The machine has a sizable 4″ x 4″ embroidery field, making it great for small projects. And when you are itching to buy a large machine with a larger embroidery field, the Janome Memory Craft 400E will have served its purpose and more.

The 70 included designs; choose floral or animal patterns or stick with simple geometric shapes. If you need more designs, the machine is compatible with the thousands of embroidery designs available on iBroidery.com.

The Janome Memory Craft 400E has a built-in thread cutter that automatically trims the top and bottom thread when you finish stitching. This is a great feature, especially for beginners who might not know how to cut threads manually.

But according to reviews submitted by the users, they seem to have encountered several technical difficulties, mainly with the machine jamming. But if you’re careful with your handling and use high-quality thread and stabilizer, you should be fine.

Also Read: Best Cheap Embroidery Machine – Buying Guide & Reviews

Conclusion

So, according to our research, these were some of the best embroidery machines for beginners. We have personally used some of these machines in the recent past and some are still in our work hall. So, we did our homework before putting them on the list.

If you are still finding chaos in your mind, we suggest you go for the Brother PE800. It’s our top pick; according to us, it’s the best embroidery machine for beginners. And those who are on a budget can go for the Janome Memory Craft 400E. You will enjoy the fruit for what you will pay.