How does the PES format for embroidery, compare to the other formats ?

Question

I am just starting up my own home business, and would like to add embroidery to the options i have..

ive heard that brother, and babylock are some of the best, and that they use PES format.. but i am wondering if there is a difference in QUALITY due to formatting types..

i heard you are to use programs like embird, to convert formats that you purchase online, in order to fit the formatting for your particular embroidery machine..

but can someone please give me a better breakdown of the embroidery machines, what you have, and why you like it.. what machine will provide me wiht the best options ( i definitely want a machine that i can download new embroidery patterns into by usb..)

Please ! what are my options !
and rough costs would be appreciated..
im a single mom, trying to stay home with my children, so there is a limit to what i can spend, but i wont buy the cheapest thing out there, id rather save and buy something i know i wont be needing to upgrade when im ready for growth..

thanks a million !

Answer 1

The formats do not differ in quality- the formats are to differ between the machine brands. i.e- .HUS is for Husqvarna Viking machines, .JEF is for Janome embroidery machines, .PES is for the Brother etc. etc. if you have software like Embird, it will convert one to another (e.g- if you like a design from Janome but have a brother machine, you will need to convert the file from .jef to .pes so your machine will read it).



Brother machines are good value for money, and they have the usb technology so it's so easy to get new designs into the machine. The prices start quite low so there is something to suit the budget. I have used Husqvarna Viking, Pfaff, Brother and Singer embroidery machines. I have found the Pfaff and Husqvarna Viking the best for quality of stitch/embroidery. But they are higher in price. The brother is very user friendly and doesn't hurt the pocket, to be honest- the stitch quality is good, but because i have used the husqvarna, i can notice a difference- but it really isnt anything to worry about. I would definately buy a brother, because i dont have a lot of money to spend.



I recommend going into a local store and chat to them about what you want to do- they will help you pick the right machine for your needs and hopefully they can offer you lessons with your purchase. You need help with embroidery machines, there is a lot to know! So, if they are a good shop, they will back you up. :) Happy sewing.

Answer 2

I don't know anything about the Brother embroidery machines but I can share what I've experienced with my Singer Quantum Futura CE-200 machine. I'm not sure if this particular machine is even still available but maybe the info will still help. It cost me around $600. It embroiders very beautifully. However, I've been extremely disappointed in the software. The limitations on the software are pretty outrageous in my opinion. I guess there is an upgrade to it which can be purchased for another $100 but I haven't done that yet. The most frustrating thing is that you can't combine more than one embroidery design in the same picture to embroider at one time unless one is one of the preset ones that comes with the machine. I wanted to combine animals with flowers, etc. but this isn't possible with the software unless you embroider the first thing first and then start over and embroider the next thing. The only thing is that if you do it that way, it's easy to mess up the placement of the various things. So, I've made some nice things with it, but the limitations on the software are very frustrating. It sews nice though and has lots of preset stitches to sew. A friend of mine has a Janome embroidery machine which she had commented that she loved the software. I think those machines are quite a bit more expensive than the Singer or Brother machines though.

Answer 3

Here is a review of all these different formats:

.csd Singer / P.O.E.M

.dst - Tajima

.exp - Melco expanded

.hus - Husqvarna Viking

.pcs - Pfaff

.pes - Brother, Babylock, Bernina

.sew - Janome/New Home, Elna



You can find these reviews on: http://www.embroideryarts.com/resource/files/faq/formats_supported.php