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If you want to infuse monograms in your clothes or on other fabric, then you need the right tool for the job. Of course, the best sewing machines for monogramming are not always easy to come by and may differ from regular sewing machines.
Nevertheless, if you need one of these machines, then you may be glad to know that we’ve already reviewed about 30 top products. Out of these, the Brother PE800 seems to fare better as compared to the rest in terms of benefits. Of course, the cost and features you get with it have all been considered. Also, we have listed below four other products that give the editor’s choice which is the PE800 quite a run for its money. You should also consider these options if you mean to make an objective buying decision.
The various features that differentiate monogramming sewing machines are the fonts available, the number of designs in the device, sewing speed, stitch length, needles, and occasionally some extra features. If you desire to know exactly what a machine is capable of in terms of monogramming designs and execution, these are the features to look at. Having looked at all of them, we have come up with a table ranking the products below. We have as well provided you with a buying guide which you are likely to need. Additionally, our team has given detailed reviews of the best sewing machines for monogramming so that you know exactly what your purchase offers.
The Brother PE800 is a high-end, high-quality device that you should think about purchasing. It’s also the top pick out of the products we reviewed. As such, it is to be expected that you will get loads of benefits with this purchase.
The first significant benefit is the inclusion of 138 embroidery designs in the machine. Couple that with the 11 fonts availed by the device as well, and you have some major monogramming capabilities. You should as well note that of these 11 fonts, 7 are English, one in Cyrillic, and the other three are Japanese. Nevertheless, these should prove more than sufficient for most people’s monogramming needs.
Also, to support the 138 designs, the machine incorporates built-in memory capabilities. As well the manufacturer makes sure not to fill this memory. The result is that you can use the USB port to import your designs into the machine for a bit of creative flair.
You as well need a simple to use interface that lets you control the machine. This is where the 3.2” LCD touchscreen comes in. Most people will find the touch controls intuitive, and it only takes a few tries to get the hang of it. Also, you get to preview your options on this screen before committing to a design.
Another significant benefit of this tool is the 5” x 7” embroidery area of the machine. Of course, the embroidery foot will hold your fabrics in place while the design is being imprinted. In comparison to other options below, this is quite the large embroidery area, and it should be enough for most of your projects.
There are as well a few other mini benefits that you can get, including lights for your embroidery foot and an automatic needle threader. These, of course, will make your purchase more worthwhile.
What makes it special?
Large embroidery area
25-year warranty
Built-in designs and tutorials
USB port to import original designs
Multiple fonts
Intuitive touchscreen
LED to light up projects
Automatic needle threader
What cons did we find?
Not the most straightforward machine to learn to use
User support from the manufacturer cannot be depended upon
Close behind the Brother PE800 in ratings is the Brother SE1900. If you haven’t surmised by now, both of these products are from the same manufacturer. Nevertheless, you still have to pay more to own this tool than you would have to with the editor’s choice.
Of course, if you are considering the Brother SE1900 as the potential purchase, you might want to know the potential benefits beforehand. One major one is the inclusion of accessory feet in the package. These will allow you to take on just about any stitching job. A few examples include the zipper foot, buttonhole foot, monogramming foot, and more.
Also, you get most of the other benefits associated with its predecessor. Topping that list is the intuitive touchscreen display. Also, the embroidery area seems to be the same size at 5” X 7”. On top of that, the included number of embroidery designs are the same.
As well the device features a slot so that you can use the USB port to add to the already high number of designs available. Some of these designs you may have to create on your own. However, you can as well opt to log on to the manufacturer’s website and download the many available.
Additionally, you get up to 240 built-in sewing stitches. This is a feature that even the previous product doesn’t have. As such, you may understand the higher cost that is associated with the SE1900. Nevertheless, this high price point is also the reason why it placed second on the list. Of course, a lot of people won’t be able to afford it as a result.
What makes it special?
Intuitive touch interface
Multiple embroidery designs present
Multiple built-in stitches
USB port available along with additional space for storing embroidery designs
Another product that a lot of people may be looking to buy is the PE550D. For some of the devices mentioned above and below, the instructions seem not to be sufficient. As such, a lot of fabric and material may go to waste as you try to learn the ropes. On the other hand, you have the PE550D that comes with tutorials.
As a beginner, you may want to hit the ground running, and the tutorials will help you do that. Of course, the LCD touchscreen will help you with the tutorials as well as with previewing projects before you start the monogramming project.
As well threading needles should be relatively easy to do due to the presence of an automatic threader.
With a USB port included, you can add to the already high number of 125 available designs. This you can do by going on the manufacturer website and downloading a few or purchasing software availed by the manufacturer. However, you should be warned that this course of action will cost you a pretty penny.
Also, with the LED lights that illuminate the 4” x 4” embroidery area, you should be able to keep a keen eye on progress. This tool as well has the added benefit of being very lightweight.
What are our favorite features?
Relatively lightweight
Comes with tutorials
A USB port is included just in case you want to add embroidery designs to the 125 that are availed
Automatic threader makes work easier
What could be better?
You will still need a lot of time to learn how to operate the device fully
If you feel like you don’t need a big embroidery area yet still find yourself inclined to buy Brother devices, the SE600 may be the tool for you. This is because it possesses a 4” x 4” embroidery area as opposed to the 5” x 7” that is present in its predecessors on the list.
As well, those looking for a lightweight and portable machine will probably appreciate this the most. At 11.82 lbs, it’s hard to find another tool on the list that tops it in terms of weightlessness. Nevertheless, there are a few other features you need to look at before making a final decision.
The 3.2” LCD touchscreen, for instance, is quite helpful and intuitive. All you need to do for the first few weeks is pick out an embroidery design or a font from the six available on the machine. You are then free to test out the output on a few fabrics.
If you are new to the whole monogramming business, you will quickly get good at small jobs before you think about new and more challenging projects. As well you are notified that you have 103 built-in stitches you can work with if you buy this tool. Among these 103, you have ten that are put apart for buttonholes.
Another pro that comes with buying this tool is the needle threader. This is a feature that is present in almost all the offerings on the list. Nevertheless, it is still an impressive feature to have around.
What stands out?
80 free embroidery designs
Six available fonts
Easy to use LCD touchscreen
Lightweight
A USB port is available for adding designs
Seven sewing feet are included in the package
What cons did we manage to find?
The embroidery area is relatively small
Specialized software that works best with this machine is expensive
Instructions don’t have enough details for beginners
While Brother is the most dominant manufacturer of sewing machines for monogramming, SINGER has also edged themselves onto our list with the Quantum Stylist 9960 offering. There are several benefits to owning this tool as well.
The built-in needle threader is, of course, one benefit that most users will appreciate. It is available with a few of the Brother options as well. Of course, this is something that will save you loads of time as you go about most of your projects.
One primary reason to pick this product out over a few others is the 600 built-in stitches. Of course, these work best for sewing rather than embroidery and monogramming. Nevertheless, they can be tremendously useful in your day to day use of the machine.
Also, you can sequence your stitches for a complicated project. Additionally, you can store these sequences in the gadget’s memory and only have to activate this feature the next time you want to do something similar.
Another benefit is that this tool can reach up to 850 stitches in a minute. This is quite fast. As such, you can already tell that most of your projects won’t be as time-consuming so long as you have this machine by your side.
The fact that you can adjust stitch length and width may as well be tremendously useful. Add the five fonts, and you have tremendous creative capabilities at your fingertips.
What are its best features?
High-speed sewing
Multiple presser feet included
Adjustable stitch length and width
600 built-in stitches
Five fonts available
Durable body
What could be improved?
Doesn’t come with built-in embroidery designs
Some users seem to have a problem with the reverse stitching
Things to Consider
Many people find themselves in the reviews section of a product saying how bad it is and why they are returning it. Half of these cases can be avoided by having a clear plan of action rather than going to the market blind. The buying guide below can help you craft your plan of action and, as a result, avoid the eventuality of being unsatisfied with your purchase.
What is a monogramming machine?
Most of you have previously come across embroidered initials, even in some of the clothes that you wear. Monogramming machines are what is used to create and embroider those initials on the different fabrics available. They are also often capable of other embroidery and sewing tasks, as is shown by the devices in the list above.
Features to consider when selecting a sewing machine for monogramming
Of course, one key area to look at when choosing a computerized sewing machine for monogramming and sewing denim is the features listed. If you do know your way around these types of devices, then you will know which features hold the most weight. Also, a look at the features list below and their descriptions will yield the same result. Consequently, you should find it inherently easier to go to the store and pick a model after reading the section below.
Number of needles
Most of the devices above come with a single needle. As such, you may need to buy a few extra ones so you can have options in case the first one gets damaged. However, the Brother PE800 is an example of a tool that does come with a needle set, and so you can rest easy if you make this your purchase.
Number of designs and fonts
If you look at the features listed above, you will see the number of designs available for the Brother SE1900 is 138. This is the highest number on the list and is seen as well in the PE800.
With these designs, you have way more options to experiment with and get good at your craft. Also, you won’t need to look too hard for additional designs if you are using any of the Brother machines mentioned above. The manufacturer does have other designs on their website that you can download and transfer to the sewing device via USB.
Another pro that comes with a wider variety of fonts is that you can do more with your device in terms of designing monograms.
Number of built-in stitches
Stitches also vary in the results they produce. As such, if you have a wider variety of built-in stitches in your machine, you are capable of taking on different projects. If this is one critical area that you are looking at, the SINGER Quantum Stylist 9960 should be a high ranking prospect with its 600 built-in stitches.
Buttonholes
Not every sewing machine for monogramming is capable of putting buttonholes in various fabrics. As such, you may need to check product descriptions for an indication of the same. You can often see this information displayed under the number of stitches availed by the device in the features section of the product description.
Sewing speed
Of course, no one wants to spend the whole day sewing a single monogram. If you have a machine that is fast enough, you can take on multiple projects and still have enough time left for other pursuits. At 850 stitches per minute(SPM), the SINGER Quantum Stylist 9960 is one of the devices that perform very well in this area. Nevertheless, it is always a good idea to get a machine that doesn’t test your patience here.
Embroidery area
Our first two picks, which are the Brother PE800 and the Brother SE1900, both have 5” x 7” embroidery areas, which are quite large. There is a rather significant difference between these two and the options offering 4” x 4”. Nevertheless, if you find the smaller embroidery area to be sufficient for your projects, there is no reason to spend the extra money on a higher-end machine.
Needle threader
Some of the tools mentioned above have automatic needle threaders. Of course, this will save you a lot of time and eye strain since threading needles is by no means an easy task. As such, this comes as an additional benefit, and you get more value from your purchase by having this feature.
Feed dogs
High-quality feed dogs are as well important. Their job is to help you feed the material or fabric you are sewing into the machine. They consequently have a lot of input in the way your project turns out. As such, you can see why you need the highest quality feed dogs available.
Bobbin
You also want a bobbin that is as resistant to tangling as possible. This will, of course, keep your workflow neat. As well it should be relatively easy to install bobbins in your machine to keep the project going. Some of the devices even ship with multiple bobbins.
Free arm
If you do have a free arm on your machine, you will quickly realize how it makes some projects easier. These may include skinny jeans, sleeves, and any other small cylindrical projects you may encounter. As such, it shows a bit of foresight to check for this in a potential purchase.
Ease of use
Looking at the above list, almost all the options feature an intuitive touchscreen. This would imply relative ease of use. Nevertheless, the reviews section of the products on Amazon tells a different story.
Concerning the list above, we advise that if you are new to the trade, you should go for a product like the Brother PE550D. It features tutorials, and as such, you are less likely to complain about how hard it is to use the device. Nevertheless, you should expect a learning curve.
Warranty
Most high-quality products also feature warranties as part of their package. The editor’s choice is one such example. Of course, if you have a 25-year warranty, you know that it will be much easier to sort out issues of manufacturing defects and even some breakages. Nevertheless, warranties are likely to vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and product to product.
Other features
As well if you want more value for your money, you can check if the purchase comes with additional features. Examples of such include accessory feet, LED lighting for the work area, and more.
Some of the machines list the colors they are using for specific embroidery patterns. They also tend to stop and cut the thread once they are finished with a particular color. Of course, it is then up to you to change the color of the thread since the machine can’t tell the difference.
Not all sewing machines are capable of monogramming. However, you often find that most monogramming machines can be used in a sewing capacity as well.
Our Verdict
Hands down one of the best brother sewing machines for monogramming around is the Brother PE800. You can likely see that is the embroidery area provided as well as designs and fonts offered by the tool. If you are experienced in monogramming, this is one of the most versatile tools you can own.
You as well have the Brother SE1900 that offers up some very stiff competition to the editor’s choice. Nevertheless, it is pushed out of the running for first place by the high price that you have to pay for it. If however, you feel like you have the money nobody would bat an eye if you bought it.
If you are only just beginning, you will love having tutorials to guide you. As such, since the Brother PE550D gives you that it has snuck into our third favorite spot. The last two products also don’t fall far behind. Some proponents might even argue that they have some benefits that these three mentioned here don’t have.
After reading about them here, you might find that you are a proponent yourself and you wouldn’t be breaking any rules by making them your purchase choice.
