Embroidery is a hobby that brings peace and comfort to many, and it has become an increasingly popular trend lately.
Many people start embroidering simple designs by hand before making the jump to using machines for an easier and much quicker way to get their designs out. However, for those who see embroidery as more than a hobby and want to start their own home business, having a multi needle embroidery machine is a must.
Whether you’re just starting your home embroidery business, you’re a pro with many years under your belt, or you just want to bring your embroidery design to the next level, an up-to-date multi needle embroidery machine can help refine your skills and create more beautiful pieces.
Keep reading to learn how a multi needle embroidery machine can save you time and help you create more elaborate designs and find out what the top multi needle machines are so you can accelerate the growth of your embroidery skills or your home business.
Multi Needle vs. Single Needle Embroidery Machine
Let’s start by explaining what makes multi needle embroidery machines so unique.
You generally have two needle options when it comes to an embroidery sewing machine: single needle and multi needle. Single needle machines are the most commonly used devices, as they supply enough features to create a simple embroidery design for casual and hobbyist embroiderers.
However, if you are creating designs with multiple colors and want to produce them quickly, there may be more of an advantage in using a multi needle machine. Single needle embroidery machines only let you use one color at a time, while multi needle embroidery machines allow you to hold multiple colors at once.
When you want to use several different colors using a single needle machine, you have to change the thread each time you change colors. This can become frustrating and time-consuming if you are creating a very colorful design.
On the other hand, because multi needle machines hold all of your different colored thread at once, you don’t have to manually change it each time. This makes the process of embroidering faster and more seamless.
Single needle embroidery machines look a lot like sewing machines, and many of them can function as one, too. Unfortunately, multi needle embroidery machines do not have sewing capabilities due to their complexity.
Let’s take a look at how to choose the best multi needle embroidery machine.
Why Choose a Multi Needle Embroidery Machine
Besides the minimum threading and rethreading involved and ease of color transition, there are a number of other reasons to choose a multi needle embroidery machine, such as:
- The ability to complete an embroidery project much quicker
- Better-looking stitches
- Less chance of garments tangling while the machine is running
- Better and more reliable tension
- You can embroider larger, and more, color designs
That being said, a multi needle embroidery machine isn’t for everyone. Consider these factors before choosing to get one of these machines:
- Initial cost – Multi needle machines can be very expensive, ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. Of course, if you’re running a home business, you’ll be able to eventually recoup this cost depending on how many jobs it takes. However, if embroidery is a hobby, these machines may not be worth it.
- Not very portable – These types of embroidery machines are quite large and heavy. This makes them great to set up in your studio but not ideal to bring to lessons or your friend’s house for an embroidery hang.
- Cost more to maintain – Multi needle embroidery machines not only take more money to repair, but they also take more skill. Unfortunately, not everyone can repair these types of machines. If you do find someone who is able to repair your commercial embroidery machine, be prepared to pay a premium for their skill.
In all, a multi needle home embroidery machine allows you to create more designs and increase your embroidery potential. Let’s explore how to choose the multi needle embroidery machine that will work best for you.
How to Choose the Best Multi Needle Embroidery Machine
Because they’re capable of creating more complex and colorful designs with less manual effort, multi needle embroidery machines are generally more expensive than single needle ones, and they can get very expensive. However, if you have a home business and are regularly creating colorful embroidery, the time they save you makes these machines worth the investment.
When choosing a multi needle embroidery machine, make sure you consider how you’re going to use your machine and look out for some of these features:
Sewing or Just Embroidery?
Most single needle embroidery machines also act as sewing machines, but multi needle machines are not designed to be an all-in-one sewing and embroidering device. A multi needle machine will definitely make the best embroidered patches, but you’ll still need a sewing machine to sew them on. If you’re looking for a machine to serve a dual purpose, you’re better off going with a single needle machine.
How Big Is It
Size matters depending on what you plan on doing with the commercial embroidery machine. If you plan to keep it in your embroidery studio, then you can opt for whatever size fits your needs. However, if you plan on moving the machine around the house a lot or plan on taking it to your sewing classes, stay away from the larger ones that can weigh upward of 50 pounds.
Unfortunately, multi needle embroidery machines are rarely portable, most of them being too big to transport around on a regular basis.
Hooping
Most machines have an embroidery hoop length between 4-10 inches, which may limit how big you can make your embroidery designs. Some machines will offer more than one hoop size, while others only come with one standard size. If you’re embroidering items with tight areas, such as sleeves, a multi needle embroidery machine is for you.
Using a multi needle machine makes it a lot easier to hoop items because of the way the embroidery hoop attaches to the machine. Multi needle machines also often have additional add-ons, such as clamps or fast frames, which eliminate the need for hooping.
Range of Designs
Do you like experimenting with new designs? Then you don’t want to be limited to the built-in designs of your embroidery machine. Luckily, there are a lot of machines that allow you to upload your own custom designs through a USB port. Better yet, some machine brands have online sites that have hundreds or thousands of extra designs that you can download, giving you a wide range of options to choose from.
How Many Needles?
Multi needle embroidery machines come in several types, with multiple needle options. The number of needles in a machine can range from four all the way to 20 or more.
The number of needles you need depends on the type of designs you plan on creating. As a general rule of thumb, the more needles you have on your machine, the faster you’ll be able to stitch out designs. If you usually make more complex or realistic designs, consider getting at least 10 needles. However, you don’t want to have extra needles that you never use, so make sure that this type of device aligns with your goals.
On the other hand, if you usually keep your designs simple with not too many color combinations, then you can probably get away with only four needles. Be aware that if you transition into stitching designs with more colors, you’ll be stuck rethreading more often if you only have four needles.
For your first multi needle embroidery machine, it may be best to start with six needles if you’re unsure of what kind of designs you’ll be doing.
OUR TOP 3 RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Janome MB-4S
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2. Janome 001MB7
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3. BAI Computerized
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Top 5 Multi Needle Embroidery Machines
Now that you know why a multi needle embroidery machine could be beneficial toward your creativity, you’re ready to choose the best machine to become the centerpiece of your embroidery studio.
Remember to look for the following features in your multi needle embroidery machine:
- Size
- Hooping features
- Design features
- Number of needles
- Lighting
To get you started on your journey of finding the perfect embroidery machine, here are the top-five multi needle embroidery machines to save you time creating more colorful and elaborate designs.
Janome MB-4S Multi Needle Embroidery Machine
The Janome MB-4S is the best multi needle embroidery machine for beginners. This four-needle machine comes with 50 built-in designs and works with most embroidery formats, giving you a large number of options.
Running at up to 800 stitches per minute, this device allows you to transfer your custom designs through your USB port, where you can use the editing function to make sure they are to your liking.
If you’re looking to introduce yourself to the world of multi-needle embroidery, this is the machine to start with.
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Janome 001MB7 Multi-Needle Embroidery Machine
The Janome MB7 is one of the best multi needle embroidery machines for professionals and provides endless possibilities. This seven-needle machine allows for quick thread changes and boasts a maximum speed of 800 stitches per minute.
This machine also has 10 different fonts to choose from for monograms and a USB port to import your own custom designs. Other features include adjustable hoop positioning, an auto-return post thread break, and programmable jump thread trimming.
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BAI Computerized Embroidery Machine
The BAI Computerized Embroidery Machine is for the pros that need the best features possible. This machine is available with two impressive needles options: 12 needles and 15 needles. It can also reach a working speed of 1,200 stitches per minute.
This machine uses a computer-automated embroidery process with an auto-thread trimmer and auto color change to help you complete your embroidery projects a lot sooner. You can make sure your designs are exactly as you expect them to be and keep your hands free with the LCD touchscreen that shows real-time stitching, helping you embroider more efficiently.
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BERNINA E 16 PLUS
Offering a whopping 16 needles and stitching at an incredible 1,400 stitches per minute, the Bernina E 16 Plus is the first multi needle embroidery machine from the brand, and it does not disappoint.
This machine has an extra-large embroidery area of 15.7” x 13.8”, allowing you to embroider large items like jackets or quilt blocks. The rotary hook system offers speed, precision, and a high-performance thread trimmer that’s compatible with pre-wound bobbins to save you even more time.
If you’re looking for an industrial-grade machine to complete even more embroidery projects that you ever have before, this is the machine for you.
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Melco Bravo X 16 Needle Embroidery Machine
If you’re looking for a machine that can handle fabric, leather, and everything in between, look no further. The Melco Bravo X embroidery machine is highly versatile and adjustable to fit a wide range of items, from baseball caps to heavy-duty leather.
The servomotor of this embroidery machine is known to work harder, last longer, and stitch faster than other similar machines, which is a great feature to have if you rely on your embroidery machine to keep your business running.
Sewing without the use of tension, the thread will automatically feed through this 16-needle machine to allow you to work quickly with no interruptions.
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Summary
Whether you’re looking to refine your skills or continue to grow your business, no matter what your stitching goals are, a multi needle embroidery machine will allow you to reach them faster.
If you’re running your own home business, remember: The less time spent on the embroidery process, the more jobs you’ll be able to complete.
If you’re still just embroidering because it makes you happy, the ease that comes with using a multi needle embroidery machine will be sure to increase the joy your embroidery work brings you.
