Shelley, I have a mid-line Brother PC8500 and it is fabulous! As far as I know, the e-only machines only have a 4 X 4 sewing field, and from all I've read on various forums, most ladies find out right quick that they wish they had a bigger field. I think WalMart carries the Brother e-only machine. My PC8500 wasn't cheap, but it wasn't anywhere near the cost of the top of line machines. It's largest hoop is 6 X 8 (I think) and it has quite a few designs programmed into it. It also has about a million decorative stitches and alphabets in the regular sewing part of it. A couple of differences between it and the high-end machine (I assume you were looking at the Innovis) are that the PC8500 doesn't have a color screen, and you can't adjust the embroidery speed. I don't know much about the e-only machines. Maybe someone with more experience will chime in.

An automatic needle threader is almost essential with all the thread changes involved with embroidery. My machine (a Bernina artista 200) has a free-hand pressure foot lift that is operated with a knee thingy (technical term). I bought an optional thread stand that holds 13 spools of thread; can't imagine life without it. A good, long tweezers (for holding embroidery thread up so you can trim the jump stitches when the machine "travels" from one part of the design to another...you want to clip those before you switch to a new color)and embroidery scissors are essential. The scissors to get have a curved blade that enables you to get over the hoop edge easily. I don't quite know how to explain those scissors, but you'll see them in catalogs like Nancy's Notions and at any store that handles embroidery machines (the clerks will know exactly what you're asking for). High quality stabilizer (to go behind the design) is essential. I was told the stabilizer, when you hold it up to the light, should be uniform in density with no thin spots that you can see. It's a good idea to have several types of stabilizer (iron-on, tear-away, cut-away, sticky back, water soluble)on hand b/c you'll use different ones for different projects. A good rule of thumb, tho, is when in doubt, use cut-away. Use a water soluble "topper" for towels and loopy fabric. Lay the "topper" over the area to be embroidered (under the pressure foot)so the loops don't get caught. It also keeps the design from sinking into the fabric of the towel. Good luck! It's lots and lots of fun, and a lot to learn! Mary L

I'm going to discourage you also. All embroidery machines are computerized - it's the computer that tells the machine which way to move to form the pattern. In order to make a business, you would need a machine with a large stitching area. These are pricy. Threads are expensive, and you would need a large range of colors. Stabilizers are expensive. The patterns themselves can be expensive. Sure, there are some free patterns on the internet, but you often get what you pay for, i.e. badly digitized with that "loving hands at home" look. You'd also be competing with professional embroidery shops, which use multi-needle machines, and can turn out work in 1/4 or less time than you can. You would have to compete with them on price, too. There is also a learning curve with machine embroidery. The machines are very good, but they aren't magic. The fabric choice, thread choice, stabilizer choice will all affect the outcome. And where would you sell these items? How would you advertise your services?

There is a magazine, Creative Embroidery that has in the past listed machines and rated them with regards to price. I have a Viking 1+ . I would check into getting a machine that does everything you want and look into getting a used one also. The Viking dealer where I live sells used machines, you get a warranty and when you have the machine serviced for a small fee he adds another year to the warranty. Make sure you sew on the machine also. See how many times the software for the unit has changed and the cost of updates; this can be expensive. Although my machine is older I found a way on the internet to do the endless hoop designs and it requires more work, but it can still do this without buying the Designer. Have fun shopping and enjoy.