What Kind of Machine Do You Need to Do Embroidery?

To do machine embroidery, you need an embroidery machine: either an embroidery-only machine or a sewing and embroidery combination machine. Both stitch digital designs by moving a hoop automatically under the needle.

There are three kinds to choose from.

Embroidery-only machine. It does embroidery and nothing else. Choose this if you already own a sewing machine, or if you only want to embroider. The Brother PE535 and PE900 are examples.

Sewing and embroidery combination machine. It sews like a regular machine, and switches to embroidery when you attach its embroidery unit and hoop. Choose this if you want one machine for both jobs. The Brother SE700 and SE2000 are examples.

Multi-needle embroidery machine. It holds several thread colors at once and changes between them on its own. These are larger and cost much more, and they suit people running an embroidery business.

A regular sewing machine is not enough. It cannot read embroidery files or move the fabric into a pattern on its own.

What to look for in a first embroidery machine

  • Embroidery area. This is the largest design the machine can stitch. A 4 x 4 inch area suits small designs on baby clothes, towels and patches. A 5 x 7 inch area fits most designs for shirts and bags, and is the size many people wish they had started with.
  • How designs are loaded. Most machines take a USB flash drive. Newer ones can also receive designs wirelessly.
  • File format. Each brand reads its own format, such as PES for Brother and Baby Lock or JEF for Janome. Most design shops include several formats in each download, so this rarely limits your choice.
  • On-screen editing. A color screen that lets you rotate, resize slightly and combine designs saves a lot of trips to the computer.

What else you need to get started

  • Embroidery thread and bobbin thread
  • Stabilizer, which supports the fabric while it is stitched
  • Embroidery needles
  • A USB flash drive, if your machine uses one
  • Embroidery designs to stitch

Learn more in can a regular sewing machine do embroidery, what is embroidery stabilizer and what is PES format in machine embroidery.

Have your machine already? Browse our machine embroidery designs, each in 4x4, 5x7 and 6x10 sizes.

Have another question? See all the answers in our machine embroidery designs FAQ.