Most embroidery sewing machines come with a portfolio of features, but that doesn’t mean the given machine will hold up over time. So a consumer is often caught in a choice between budget and quality, trying to get the best machine for monogramming available yet affordable as well. Here are five choices that really stand out for consideration.
Laura Ashley Limited Edition CX155LA – The Best Monogram Machine
The Laura Ashley Limited Edition CX155LA Computerized Sewing & Quilting Machine with Built-in Font for Basic Monogramming – Identified clearly as a specialty machine instead of a standard sewing unit, the CX155LA comes with 155 stitches, 55 of which are lettering, and a larger than normal work surface for handling and movement of fabric.
Many have found the performance of this machine far exceeds its price range, producing quality work comparable to models twice the cost. Stitching options easily include smocking, French handsewing, feather stitching, ladder stitching, cross stitching and more.
The options open up a portfolio of clothing styles and choices, from christening gowns to highly decorative pillow cases and napkins or the classic monogrammed shirts and jackets.
Designed as a machine specific for monogramming per se, the Laura Ashley CX155LA addresses the direct monogramming need up front versus being an embroidery unit applied to monogramming.
Brother SE400 Monogramming Sewing Machine
The Brother SE400 Combination Computerized Sewing and 4×4 Embroidery Machine – Specifically identified as an embroidery unit, the SE-400 comes with a solid complement of embroidery choices, which can be used for monogramming with a bit of a creativity.
The user will have 67 stitches, 5 embroidery letter styles, and 120 frame combinations. Due to a built-in computer feature, additional designs and styles can be uploaded via Internet sources, adding to the available library the user applies.
While not a straight monogram machine per se, the Brother SE400 offers a number of workarounds and features to get the job done.
Brother PE770 5×7 Inch
The Brother PE770 5×7 inch Embroidery-only Machine – Designed to be user-friendly from the start, the Brother PE770 offers a beginner user a built in advantage and entry into embroidery. One of the plusses right from the start is the larger than normal work pad measuring 5 inches by 7 inches.
This allows for larger than normal lettering and embroidery work on jackets, thicker material like bags, home items like napkins and similar. The standard library that comes with the machine totals 136 patterns, but the collection can be augmented with the use of a flash drive in the USB port on the machine.
For monogramming and detail work, the PE770 offers a nice package for long-term learning and pattern growth.
Brother PE525 Embroidery and Monogram Machine
The Brother PE525 Embroidery Machine – The PE525 is also a “user-friendly” model that is designed to help a person engage in embroidery with a low challenge curve and an expanded library of options.
However, unlike some of the other models noted, a consumer will notice right away that the work pad space is a bit smaller, only measuring 4 inches by 4 inches.
The PE525 does incorporate 70 design patterns, 120 frames, and 5 lettering styles for variation and choices. There is no computer linkage for upgrading or adding stitch designs, however.
SINGER Futura XL-400
The SINGER Futura XL-400 Computerized Embroidery Machine – Singer has had a long-standing reputation and name in sewing machine choices, and the XL-400 is intended to carry that reputation into embroidery work as well.
Right from the start a user is given a choice of 125 stitch designs included in the machine. A standard complement of five lettering choices is also included as well as outline lettering. The additional embroidery features allow larger than normal lettering jobs to be performed easily, managing sizes up to 12 by 20 inches if needed.
That, of course, opens up the option to work on far bigger jobs such as bedspreads and table cloths versus just napkins and shirt cuffs. With a computer and USB connection the XL-400 can also be augmented with additional designs from Internet resources, automatically incorporating new embroidery patterns from the start.
Conclusion
The above choices all represent solid machines that will provide embroidery and detailed stitching, but the Laura Ashley CX155LA is really the stand out that is built for monogramming per se.