I am wondering your opinion. I have a Quattro, that has never worked that great. It is in the shop - again. My husband is proposing to me that maybe we should trade it in on two machines - a separate sewing machine and am embroidery only machine. Both upgrades. Maybe a Stellaire embroidery machine. But, that means two service contracts. My sewing room is small, so putting two full sized machines in there will be hard. Yet, the idea of a better embroidery machine will be nice. This is such a nice predicament to be in. What do you think?

Hi Jan its good to see that your still getting advice a month from your posting. Have you decided what your going to do yet?

1 comment

by hightechgrammy 11 Feb 2022

I convinced my dear hubby I really didn't need a bigger, better machine. It would have cost an additional $5,000! I just couldn't see it. So far, the Quattro is working okay now that it is back from the dealer. Whew!

My very first embroidery sewing machine was Viking #1+--in mid to late 90's. Still working and if I need something in 4x4 hoop still use it. It has cards you slip in for the many decorative stitches. Regular sewing I still rely on my 198? at the time top of the line machine--quilting etc. My oldest granddaughter gave me her Brother Project Runway since she quit sewing and when my mom died I have her little Babylock starter machine I had bought her as a gift. I've had to put something away in a case in my sewing closet---too many machines out. I embroider on my Babylock Ellisimo Gold [can't carry it anywhere--too heavy] and husband said don't use expensive machine mainly for sewing unless something needs all those decorative stitches--too expensive to get fixed. He doesn't know I bought myself an embroidery only machine so I could slip it out for my embroidery club] it also is a BL....When Husq bought out Singer I think both brands went downhill. I've read a lot about these brands and the problems--yes, others have their unique problems too. I clean my own machines, always have, since repair people take so long and also have known people to get theirs back after servicing only to have to return them because they are worse. I wouldn't buy their expensive plans for nothing---new they come with it for an amount of time. So a good sewing machine with different type stitches and an embroidery machine for that purpose only. That's my opinion.

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by hightechgrammy 11 Feb 2022

Thanks for all sharing all ab out your different machines and what they each do. I'm finding I use my different machines for different purposes too. When I first began embroidery I couldn't imagine why anyone would ever need more than one combo machine - LOl. I love my little portable I the to quilt group too. I pretty well decided just to keep my Quattro3 and not spend another $5,000 just to embroider easier.

Hi Jan, I have two machines, a sewing machine from Pfaff and a Brother embroidery machine. Since my beloved Bro V3 had too many stitches and no repair worked anymore I bought the Stellaire XE1. A huge machine where I can not even use the large 36x24 cm frame for space reasons. The machine has a problem with the attached frames, they are too tight. So I had to buy new frames. Otherwise, the machine works well. With my current knowledge, I would buy the V3 again.
Dear Christmas greetings, Maria

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by hightechgrammy 31 Dec 2021

Thanks Maria, I am worried about the space it takes up in my small sewing room. Have you used the design center much?

by bemara 26 Jan 2022

Design center ? What do you mean by that? Considerably larger is the XE1, I have no room for the 26x34 frame because it would otherwise come to the wall... as I said I would buy the V3 again anytime, the 20x30 frame is enough for me, I had bought the XE1 because because of Corona the V3 was not available... and as always, the brand new have their teething problems.

by hightechgrammy 11 Feb 2022

The Stellaire has a built in embroidery design function. After trying it out, I decided it really isn't much more than an auto digitizing program. There were just not that many options for editing what the machine decided the design would be like.

Sometimes I think that sewing machines multiply like rabbits. I have a friend who has 30 of them all set up in her garage! Having a second machine is great as you don't have to change the setup if you have to switch your embroidery machine from embroidery mode to stitching mode. Since you have soooo many troubles with the Quattro, I'd agree with your husband.

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by hightechgrammy 11 Feb 2022

He is too sweet to me. I finally decided I would give the Quattro another chance, and if it stitches without problems I'm okay. If not, we can jump over the bridge ... again.
Thanks for your input. They do have a way of multiplying, don't they!

Kudos to you and your kind hubby. I like your idea to have both machines. It's nice to be able to work on 2 projects at the same time. And yes, do take advantage of getting up to date machines. It is amazing having all of those pretty stitches to choose and embroider at the same time.

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by hightechgrammy 11 Feb 2022

I have a hard time imagining what people do when they can't just go sew what they want, customized the way we like. So far, I'm loving the quilting machine.

Have you considered keeping the Quattro for sewing and just getting a new embroidery machine? I am not sure what the trade value is for a Quattro as I kept mine when I got my new machine earlier this year (I wanted a back-up). I had a service contract on the Quattro but never ended up using it so I did not get on my new machine. Otherwise, if you want to trade the Quattro, I agree with the other cuties a sewing only machine would be a smaller machine and a smaller purchase.

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by hightechgrammy 31 Dec 2021

I am so spoiled. He gave me a new Brother Quilting/Sewing machine that I love. So, I'm just needing an embroidery machine. I add a lot of embroidery to my quilts. Im not sure if I should just keep the Quattro for embroidery. It would be a $4000 difference. Just not sur

Woo hoo, great hubby! I have been a Husqvarna/Viking user forever. Now my local store is closed and nearest service is an hour away. Recently new Bernia/Brother store has opened 5 minutes away from me. Maybe in the future I will be a Bernia or Brother gal. I have purchased service contracts, but probably would not purchase again. I hope you are happy with your new machine or machines. Hugs and flowers to you, Suzanna

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by hightechgrammy 31 Dec 2021

Thanks for your input. Funny how nice it is to get flowers!

What a great husband. I have seperate machines for sewing and embroidery and a small room. The sewing machine is one I have had for almost 50 years and gets used on my dining table when needed. The embroidery machine stays set up in the sewing room. A sewing machine doesnt need to be large. I have been doing machine embroidery for almost 20 years and never had a service contract. I have a brilliant dealer who gives customers who have bought the machines from him a discount when servicing. Brother machines tell you with a message when they require a service. If you are proposing buying two machines at once your in a great situation to get a great deal, well I would be trying for one. Sorry to hear that your Quattro isnt behaving itself. Part with the machine and keep the husband

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by hightechgrammy 31 Dec 2021

My husband is a KEEPER. He has Parkinson's and has told me he wants me set up for the future. He is very generous, but I wonder if he is toooo generous toward me. I am quite spoiled. High Maintenance wife. I'm thinking I like the idea of two separate machines.

I would like my hubby to speak like that! A sewing-only machine does not take much space. The embroidery machine is the one that takes a lot of space, depending on the largest hoop size. The wider the hoop, the more space is required, of course. I have bought my Husqvarna sewing/embroidering machine (model Topaz 30 with the 200x360mm or 8x14" largest hoop) in 2009 and has worked nicely until 2017 without any service done. i have to say that I have always used the machine as a hobby but still 8 years are a long time without any service done. I have kept it clean at all times. I have never had a contract with anybody. I presume that the problems arrive when the machine comes with too many bells and whistles. Hugs, Lidia

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by hightechgrammy 11 Feb 2022

And, the embroidery only machine is huge. But, the embroidery unit can come off to save space. So... for now, I'm going to give the Quarttro another chance. But, that machine sure was nice, large photo images of the design, it also showed how far through the design mjuch better. Just not $5,000 better to me. Just think how much fabric we can get for $5,000!

I think it is smart to have two machines unless you really don't have room. Why wear out the motor and works on an expensive embroidery machine to sew? I got a really great sewing machine from Brother for well under $200 several years ago (stitches easily through four layers of denim) and don't think they've gone up much. I've never done a service contract on a sewing machine, but my store gives free services and cleanings the first two years to work out any minor problems.
I have had both Janome and Brother embroidery machines and thought each one very dependable and excellent products. There are several brands I would not purchase, starting with Singer and Husquvarna based on fellow stitchers' experiences. What a nice opportunity your sweet hubby has provided you. Merry Christmas!

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by hightechgrammy 31 Dec 2021

I love my machines. I have only had Brothers for 15 years now. I used to have a Singer machine that ws a work horse. I couldn't even imagine why anyone would have more than one machine. But, that was before I began machine embroidery!