This blog post will share our top picks about the best embroidery machine for shirts on the market and explain how each option is. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced embroiderer, we have the perfect machines reviewed. On top of all our picks, we have Brother PE800, an excellent machine for embroidering shirts especially.

At a Glance

ServiceMain Features
1
Commercial ChoiceBrother PE800
Commercial Choice

Brother PE800

  • Budget-friendly
  • Excellent Stitch Quality
  • User Friendly
Brother PE800Buy Now
2
Combo BeastBrother SE1900
Combo Beast

Brother SE1900

  • Built-in Designs & Stitches
  • Powerful Workhorse
  • Beginner Friendly
Brother SE1900Buy Now
3
Smart ComboJanome Horizon Memory Craft 9850
Smart Combo

Janome Horizon Memory Craft 9850

  • Automatic Thread Tension System
  • Speed Controler
  • Flexible Stitch Traveling Feature
Janome Horizon Memory Craft 9850Buy Now
4
Computerized ComboBrother SE600
Computerized Combo

Brother SE600

  • Double Functioning (Combo)
  • Advanced Needle Threading
  • Additional Hoop
Brother SE600Buy Now
5
High-PerformanceJanome Memory Craft 400E
High-Performance

Janome Memory Craft 400E

  • Easy to use
  • Wide Range of Designs
  • USB Connectivity
Janome Memory Craft 400EBuy Now
6
Special ComboEverSewn Sparrow X
Special Combo

EverSewn Sparrow X

  • High Stitch Quality
  • Affordably Priced
  • User-friendly Interface
EverSewn Sparrow XBuy Now
7
Performance BeastJanome Memory Craft 500E
Performance Beast

Janome Memory Craft 500E

  • On-screen Editing
  • Advanced Needle Threader
  • Needle up/down Function
  • Built-in Memory
Janome Memory Craft 500EBuy Now

1. Brother PE800 Embroidery Machine

Brother PE800

The Brother PE800

  • Budget-friendly
  • Excellent Stitch Quality
  • User Friendly

The Brother PE800 Embroidery Machine is one of the most versatile and helpful machines people have used for shirts. Because it has 138 built-in embroidery designs, there’s no need to worry about your design options being limited.

Furthermore, the huge color touchscreen allows you to preview how your design will turn out before you begin stitching. And suppose you’re not satisfied with a particular design. In that case, the USB port allows you to import new ones into the machine’s memory.

Also, the five-by-seven-inch embroidery field is perfect for stitching larger designs onto shirts. And if you are new to embroidery, the machine comes with an instructional DVD that walks you through the basics of getting started.

Along with being user-friendly and helpful, the Brother PE800 Embroidery Machine is also affordable. Also, if you are facing language barriers, the machine has 11 built-in fonts that support English, Japanese, and Cyrillic languages.

This product is perfect for those looking to expand their creativity and stitch beautiful designs onto shirts. If you are working on a deadline, this machine has a quick embroidery speed of up to 400 stitches per minute. So you can be sure that your shirt will be finished in no time, and the risks of making mistakes are significantly reduced.

The built-in LED light is a lifesaver if you’re new to embroidery. It’s light enough to view your work area without being blinding. It’s also precisely positioned to light up your work without interfering.

But this machine, like all machines, is not perfect. One drawback is that it is only functional with Windows computers. Another potential downside is that the machine only comes with one embroidery foot, so you’ll need to purchase additional feet if you want to do other types of embroidery.

But still, the Brother PE800 Embroidery Machine is an excellent choice for those looking for a versatile, affordable, and user-friendly machine that is perfect for embroidering shirts.

The Brother PE800 Embroidery Machine

Brother PE800

The Pros

  • Waist embroidery field
  • Fast stitches
  • Built-in LED light
  • Best shirts embroidery machine

The Cons

  • Only compatible with Windows computers

Our Final Verdict

The Brother PE800 Embroidery Machine is the perfect combination of user-friendly features, helpful extras, and affordable prices. If you’re looking for the best embroidery machine for shirts to help you create beautiful designs on shirts, this is the one for you.

Also Read: Best Embroidery Machine For Monogramming – Buyers Guide & Reviews

2. The Brother SE1900 Sewing & Embroidery Machine

Brother se1900

The Brother SE1900

  • Built-in Designs & Stitches
  • Powerful Workhorse
  • Beginner Friendly

The Brother SE1900 will be an excellent option for searching for a quality and the best embroidery machine for shirts. Because this machine has a large embroidery field (5″ x 7″), it can easily accommodate larger designs. This area is also lit up to see your work as you stitch.

And for your ease, there are 8 included sewing feet, an advanced needle threading function, and a drop-in top bobbin making your projects simpler than ever. With 138 built-in designs and 11 embroidery fonts, you’ll be able to personalize any project to your heart’s content!

Also, the LCD touchscreen display makes it easy to see your designs and preview editing options. The LCD touchscreen display is incredibly helpful because it allows you to see a preview of your design before you stitch it. You can be confident that the end product will be precisely what you desire! You can also utilize this screen to go through different editing options for your design.

This machine is also very fast, which is important when working on a shirt because you want to make sure that the design is placed correctly. The Brother SE1900 can sew up to 1,000 stitches per minute, so you can be confident that your design will be sewn accurately and quickly.

And the stitches accuracy of this machine. No one wants a crooked or misaligned design on their shirt! With the Brother SE1900, you can be confident that your designs will be sewn perfectly every time.

The knee lifter is also useful since it lets you elevate and lower the presser foot without using your hands. This is helpful when you’re working on a large project like a shirt because it frees up your hands to reposition the fabric or add more thread.

The machine comes with a guide that tells you which foot to use for each stitch type. This will ensure that you are using the correct foot for your project and prevents you from making any mistakes.

And the automated needle threader is also a godsend! Because it threads the needle with more ease, this function will save you time. You have to press the lever, and the machine will take care of the rest.

But sometimes, the automatic needle threader can be a little finicky and may not work correctly. If this happens, you can always use the manual needle threader included with the machine.

The Brother SE1900 also comes with a hard case that is great for storing the machine and its accessories. This is really helpful because it keeps everything organized and in one place. It also shields the equipment from dust and other potentially damaging environmental influences.

The Brother SE1900 Sewing & Embroidery Machine

Brother se1900

The Pros

  • Large embroidery field
  • Fast stitching
  • Automatic needle threading

The Cons

  • Too heavy

Our Final Verdict

Don’t let the price tag of this machine scare you away- it is definitely worth it! With its large embroidery field, tight stitching, and automatic needle threading, the Brother SE1900 becomes the best embroidery machine for shirts.

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

3. The JANOME Horizon Memory Craft 9850

Janome Horizon Memory Craft 9850

The JANOME Memory Craft 9850

  • Automatic Thread Tension System
  • Speed Controler
  • Flexible Stitch Traveling Feature

The Janome Horizon Memory Craft 9850 is a versatile machine perfect for sewing and embroidery. This machine has 200 built-in stitches and 6 one-step buttonholes for sewing. These stitches can be used for various applications, such as quilting, applique, and even basic mending.

The machine also features an automatic thread tension system that ensures that your stitches are always evenly sewn. The built-in needle threader saves you time and frustration when threading your needle. As a result, you can stitch a range of textiles, notably denim and leather, with ease.

When it comes to embroidery, this machine has 175 built-in designs. This means that you can easily personalize your clothes, linens, and other fabric items. You also can purchase additional design cartridges if you want even more choices.

The machine also contains two typefaces with European characters. As a result, you may effortlessly personalize your work. The embroidery area is also illuminated by 5 LED lamps. This ensures that you always have a clear view of your work.

If you want to sew and embroider simultaneously, the Janome Horizon Memory Craft 9850 also has a built-in memory function. This allows you to save your designs to easily retrieve them later. And to make things even easier, the machine comes with a start/stop button. 

So, you can easily sew without having to use the foot pedal. Moreover, the machine has a speed control slider to make it easy to adjust the sewing speed.

Additionally, the machine comes with a flexible stitch traveling feature. This allows you to sew by units of 1, 10, or 100. So you can easily sew a variety of fabrics, including delicate fabrics.

The reverse button on the machine is also very helpful. It allows you to easily sew in reverse without turning the fabric around. So, you can make sure that your stitches are always evenly sewn.

Furthermore, the machine has an extra-high presser foot lift. This allows you to easily sew thick fabrics, such as quilts. You can also use this feature to easily sew multiple layers of fabric.

Last but not least, there is a carrying case included with the unit. So, you may conveniently transport it while you travel. However, it comes with a 5-year warranty sets it apart from the competition. So you can be much assured that your money is safe.

The only disadvantage of this equipment is that it is quite pricey. But considering all its features, it’s definitely worth the price as the best embroidery machine for shirt embroidery.

The JANOME Memory Craft 9850

Janome Horizon Memory Craft 9850

The Pros

  • Automatic thread tension system
  • Speed control slider
  • Flexible stitch traveling feature
  • Extra-high presser foot lift

The Cons

  • Little Expensive

Our Final Verdict

The Horizon Memory Craft 9850 is the best embroidery machine for shirts. It offers a big embroidery area, crisp stitching, and automated needle threading. A 5-year warranty is also included. 

Also Read: Best Embroidery Machine Under $1000 – Buyers Guide

4. The Brother SE600 Sewing & Embroidery Machine

The Brother SE600

  • Double Functioning (Combo)
  • Advanced Needle Threading
  • Additional Hoop

During your search for the best embroidery machine for shirts, you will come across many machines that offer a variety of features. However, one machine that consistently comes up as a top choice is the Brother SE600 Sewing and Embroidery Machine.

The most noticeable difference between the Brother SE600 is that it’s a computerized machine. This gives you the ability to see a preview of your design on the LCD touchscreen before stitching it. Also, with the help of the included memory card, you can store up to 60 designs for later use.

When we talk about embroidery machines, one of the first things that come to our mind is the built-in designs. This machine has 80 built-in designs and 6 fonts for lettering, which gives you many options to personalize your projects. The memory stick with the machine also allows you to import custom designs.

You may also import bespoke designs using the machine’s memory stick. However, what if you don’t want to sew shirts? That’s fine! There are 103 built-in sewing stitches on this machine, including 10 different varieties of auto-size buttonholes. So, you can use this machine for various projects such as quilting, home décor, and garment construction.

Don’t worry if you are a beginner and just starting to explore the world of embroidery. The Brother SE600 comes with a detailed instruction manual and an instructional DVD. These will guide you through every step, from threading the machine to starting your first project.

A handy, jam-resistant drop-in top bobbin is also included, as well as an automated needle threader that smoothly pulls the thread into the needle. So, you don’t have to worry about the hassle of threading the needle each time you start a new project.

The Brother SE600 has a 4″ × 4″ embroidered area, which eliminates the limitations of a free arm embroidery machine. This gives you plenty of space to maneuver your fabric and get those perfect stitches each time.

This machine is also very low weight and transportable, allowing you to bring it to sewing seminars or workshops. But if we talk about our personal experience, we would say that it is a bit slow, with a maximum sewing speed of 710 stitches per minute.

Overall, the Brother SE600 is an excellent machine for beginners and experienced sewers. It has a lot of qualities that make it a handy machine for a variety of tasks. And the best part is that it comes with a 2-year limited warranty for your peace of mind.

The Brother SE600 Sewing & Embroidery Machine

The Pros

  • Color screen
  • Great stitch quality
  • Quiet and smooth

The Cons

  • Slow

Our Final Verdict

We would say that the Brother SE600 is one of the best embroidery machines for shirts. It’s jam-packed with capabilities that both novice and seasoned sewers will cherish.

Also Read: Best Industrial Embroidery Machine – All The Best Models Reviewed

5. The JANOME Memory Craft 400E Embroidery Machine

Janome Memory Craft 400E

The JANOME Memory Craft 400E

  • Easy to use
  • Wide Range of Designs
  • USB Connectivity

The Janome Memory Craft 400E Embroidery Machine is a high-end machine with several features and advantages. Most reviewers have highly praised this machine for its excellent performance, easy-to-use interface, and wide range of designs. This machine is perfect for those who love to embroider or find an easy way to add unique designs to their clothing. 

The built-in USB port makes it easy to import designs from your computer, and the 160 high-quality Janome built-in designs mean that you’ll never run out of ideas.

The 6 fonts for monogramming and 2 and 3-letter monogram built-in make it easy to add a personal touch to your clothing. The built-in needle threader ensures that you’ll always have perfectly straight stitches. Suppose you’re looking for an embroidery machine packed with features and benefits. In that case, the Janome Memory Craft 400E Embroidery Machine is the perfect choice for you.

In some but rare cases, some reviewers have given it 3 stars because the machine didn’t work well with thicker fabrics, and in one case, the thread broke frequently. Despite these few negative reviews, the Janome Memory Craft 400E Embroidery Machine is still a great choice for a top-of-the-line machine that offers a wide range of features and benefits.

With all the amazing and useful features on a very decent budget, this embroidery machine is one of the best embroidery machines for shirts and other related materials.

The JANOME Memory Craft 400E Embroidery Machine

Janome Memory Craft 400E

The Pros

  • Excellent performance
  • Easy-to-use interface
  • Wide range of designs
  • Built-in USB port

The Cons

  • Not for thick fibers

Our Final Verdict

If you want our suggestion, we would say go for it. With its easy-to-use interface and wide range of designs, this machine is perfect for those who love to embroider or find an easy way to add unique designs to their clothing.

Also Read: Best Computerized Embroidery Machine – Review Article

6. The EverSewn Sparrow X Sewing & Embroidery Machine

EverSewn Sparrow X

The EverSewn Sparrow X

  • Self-Threading
  • Smart Device Control
  • Fast Stitching Speed

When it comes to embroidery machines, the EverSewn Sparrow X is in a class of its own. This state-of-the-art machine allows you to control your embroidery projects from your smart device to another room!

To make all the features of this machine accessible from your smart device, EverSewn has developed the free EverSewn Pro app. With this app, you can easily customize your designs and monitor your projects from start to finish.

Also, if you are new to embroidery, the Sparrow X comes with over 100 built-in designs. These designs can be easily accessed from the app and downloaded to your machine. The Sparrow X can also read most needlework pattern formats for your convenience.

If you are facing it hard to guide your fabric while you’re embroidering, the Sparrow X has got you covered. This machine has two embroidery hoop sizes – a 4″ x 4″ hoop and a 7″ x 11.5″ hoop. With these hoops, you can easily maneuver your fabric and get precise stitches each time.

Furthermore, the Sparrow X can stitch at a peak pace of 850 stitches per minute. So, you can easily finish your projects in no time. Also, this machine comes with a built-in thread cutter. This feature allows you to cut your threads with ease and without having to stop your sewing.  The Sparrow X’s speed controller allows you to stitch with your own rhythm.

We would also like to introduce the hidden gem of the Sparrow X – its self-threading needle. This needle is a lifesaver for those who find it hard to thread their needles. With this needle, you can easily thread your machine and get started on your project in no time. And for your safety, the Sparrow X comes with a 2-year limited warranty.

The only flaw we have with this machine is that it has a tendency to break needles. And to make matters worse, the company does not sell replacement needles. So, if you do end up breaking a needle, you will have to buy local needles.

Despite this minor downside, we think that the Sparrow X is one of the best embroidery machines for shirts. It’s something we’d suggest to both novice and professional sewers.

The EverSewn Sparrow X Sewing & Embroidery Machine

EverSewn Sparrow X

The Pros

  • Self-threading
  • Smart device control
  • Fast speed

The Cons

  • Breaks needle

Our Final Verdict

Anyone seeking a top-of-the-line embroidery machine should choose the EverSewn Sparrow X. With its smart device control and self-threading needle, this machine will make your embroidery projects easier than ever before.

7. The Janome Memory Craft 500E Embroidery Machine

Janome Memory Craft 500E

The JANOME Memory Craft 500E

  • On-screen Editing
  • Advanced Needle Threader
  • Needle up/down Function
  • Built-in Memory

The Janome Memory Craft 500E is a top-of-the-line embroidery machine that offers a full-color touchscreen and on-screen editing functions. So, you can easily enlarge or reduce your designs, rotate them, flip them, and even drag and drop them into place.

Additionally, the machine has an automatic thread cutter and advanced needle threader, making it easy to get started on your next project. This will allow you to save time, but you will also achieve consistent and professional results.

Also, the maximum embroidery size is 7.9″ x 11″, so you can create large and detailed designs. You will also have access to 160 built-in designs, giving you plenty of options.

The Janome Memory Craft 500E also has a stop, start, reverse function, and needle up/down. This allows you to turn around your fabric and achieve precise results easily. And to make the embroidery more efficient, the machine has a built-in memory that can store up to 99 designs.

But some reviewers have found that the machine is noisy and that the tension is not always consistent. Others have also said that the machine is somewhat difficult to thread. Overall, the Janome Memory Craft 500E is a great choice for those looking for an advanced embroidery machine with plenty of features to embroider shirts & other related stuff on priority bases.

The JANOME Memory Craft 500E Embroidery Machine

Janome Memory Craft 500E

The Pros

  • On-screen editing functions
  • Automatic thread cutter
  • Advanced needle threader
  • Needle up/down function
  • Built-in memory

The Cons

  • Inconsistent thread tension

Our Final Verdict

If you want an easy-to-learn, top-of-the-line embroidery machine with on-screen editing functions and an automatic thread cutter, then the Janome Memory Craft 500E is a great choice.

FAQs


The Brother SE600 is one of the best embroidery machines for shirts. Because this machine has an inbuilt rotary hook that helps create beautiful designs on the fabric.

If you are looking for an embroidery machine that is both affordable and easy to use, we recommend the Brother SE600. This machine has a wide range of useful features.

The EverSewn Sparrow X is one of the best free-standing embroidery machines. It has a five-inch by seven-inch embroidery area, and it can sew up to 1,000 stitches per minute. It also has a built-in needle threader, LED lighting, and an automatic thread cutter.

If you're searching for a professional embroidery machine, the Janome Memory Craft 400E & 500E both are good choices. Both have a four-needle embroidery system, and they can sew up to 1,500 stitches per minute. It also comes with a seven-inch LCD touchscreen display and is compatible with Windows and Mac computers.

Final Words

The best embroidery machine for shirts can fluctuate based on your specific demands and tastes, therefore there is no one-size-fits-all option for this subject. However, we hope that our list of the top 7 best embroidery machines for shirts has provided you with an excellent starting point in your quest for the ideal machine for your needs. 

If you’re searching for an economical, high-quality embroidery machine that’s also simple to use, we strongly suggest the Janome Memory Craft 9850 & Brother PE800.