Embroidery has come a long way since the days of ‘ole when cross-stitch enthusiasts would sit with a circular embroidery ring and slowly hand-sew intricate designs for months at a time.
While there certainly remains a place in the sewing community for artisan hand embroidery, digital and semi-automatic machines make the entire process quicker, easier and a whole lot more accessible to those who struggle with dexterity problems.
Automated embroidery machines also serve as a brilliant investment for small businesses looking to expand their design offering, whether the independent brand in question focuses on crafting garments, accessories, quilts, tea towels, or any other fabric-based tchotchke under the sun.
What exactly is an embroidery machine and how does it work?
Both industrial and commercially available embroidery machines employ the same basic hooping or framing mechanism which works to hold a framed section of fabric taut beneath the sewing needle.
The needle then moves automatically to embroider a pre-programmed pattern. The size of the embroidery frame which can fit beneath embroidery machines varies from model to model, though the most common sizes are 4x4, 5x7 and 6x10 inches. Always triple-check what hoop size the embroidery design you’re going for requires.
Basic embroidery and sewing combination machines will have a selection of pre-programmed patterns and letters. Higher-end, digital embroidery machines come with more complex patterns pre-downloaded into the system, and some can even have additional intricate patterns uploaded via USB drive.
Keep scrolling for a selection of the best embroidery machines available now.
Best embroidery machines at a glance:
- Best overall: Brother Innov-is M330e Embroidery Machine - £849, John Lewis
- Best for free motion embroidery: Brother FS100WT Free Motion Embroidery/Sewing and Quilting Machine - £350, Amazon
- Best for a classic hybrid machine: Bernette B79 Sewing & Embroidery Machine - £1,599, Amazon
- Best for effortless high-tech embroidery: Janome Memory Craft MC500E LE Embroidery Machine - £2,137.06, Amazon
- Best for small businesses: Brother VR Embroidery Only Machine + Stand - £3,799, The Sewing Studio
- Best for hand embroidery: HAUSPROFI Embroidery Starter Kit - £15.99, Amazon
- Best for avid crafters: Cricut EasyPress Mini | Compact Heat Press for Iron On Vinyl - £46.99, Amazon
Brother Innov-is M330e Embroidery Machine
Best overall
Key features
- LCD touchscreen
- Quick set bobbin
- Automatic needle threader (advanced)
- Maximum embroidery area: 100x100mm
- Connectivity: WLAN and USB
Complete with a fantastic LCD touch screen which allows for on-screen editing, the Brother Innov-is M330e allows users to change individual thread colours, place lettering in an arc, move designs with the touch of a finger and so much more. It operates on a 100x100mm embroidery area and comes with one 4x4 inch embroidery frame.
Though the impressive machine comes an array of built-in advance features and pre-downloaded embroidery designs, WLAN and USB connectivity allow budding designers to send embroidery files from PCs to the Innov-is with free downloadable DesignDatabase Transfer software or a simple USB drive.
Edit and create your own sewing or decorative stitch designs directly on the LCD touch screen panel and save them for future projects with ease. Another fantastic feature is the thread trimming button, which trims upper and lower thread at the touch of a button and can also be programmed to trim at the end of sewing.
Buy now £849.00, John Lewis
Brother FS100WT Free Motion Embroidery/Sewing and Quilting Machine
Best for: free motion embroidery
Key features
- Quick Set Drop in Bobbin and Drop Feed Mechanism
- Start/ Stop button and speed control
- Quick touch stitch selection, length and width adjustment
- 100 pre-set stitches
- Maximum embroidery area: N/A
- Connectivity: No
Though equipped with fantastic, basic embroidering capabilities, the Brother FS100WT is technically more of a sewing machine. This makes it a great step-up for beginner sewers who are looking to experiment with more intricate stitching and embroidery. It comes with an extra-wide table and a free motion embroidery foot for crafters who are looking to create their own designs without the help of digital pre-programming.
Buy now £250.02, Amazon
Bernette B79 Sewing & Embroidery Machine
Best for: a classic hybrid machine
Key features
- Drop-in needle
- 5-inch color touchscreen for easy navigation
- Multi-function knobs for quick operation
- 500 stitches and endless possibilities with Stitch Designer
- Maximum embroidery area: 260x160mm
- Connectivity: USB
An affordable, high-end option for those looking to take embroidery to the next level, the brilliant Bernette B79 is a two-in-one machine which combines the sewing functions of the b77 with the embroidery perks of the b70 DECO. Choose from over 500 stitches and upload your very own designs via USB with the help of a five-inch colour touchscreen which is conveniently placed at the machine’s centre. The Bernette B79 comes with a seam guide and three embroidery hoops.
Buy now £1599.00, Amazon
Janome Memory Craft MC500E LE Embroidery Machine, White
Best for: effortless high-tech embroidery
Key features
- Top Loading Full Rotary Hook Bobbin
- Embroidery design software available
- Full-colour LCD screen and on-screen editing functions
- 160 built-in designs
- Maximum embroidery area: 200 x 280 mm
- Connectivity: USB
Elevate your embroidery game tenfold with the Janome Memory Craft MC500E, which comes with 160 pre-set designs and has the capability to import additional digital designs via USB. With an impressive maximum embroidery area, six different fonts for delicate monogramming and the ability to embroider tougher fabrics including denim, you simply can’t go wrong.
Buy now £2317.06, Amazon
Brother VR Embroidery Only Machine + Stand
Best for: small businesses
Key features
- 305 built-in patterns and 20 built-in embroidery fonts
- Colour ordering function
- LED needle position pointer
- Includes small frames for pockets and sleeves
- Unlimited space with completely free arm
- Maximum embroidery area: 200x200mm
- Connectivity: USB
With by far the largest digital screen we’ve come across, the Brother VR Embroidery Only Machine is brilliant for fast-paced small business who are receiving orders far quicker than they can be fulfilled and are looking for a kit upgrade.
This fantastic machine combines features found in commercial machines with the accessible functionality of an at-home hobbyist option for supreme, speedy and easy to navigate embroidery. It’s frames galore over at Brother, for this machine comes with a whopping six hoops of varying sizes. It also comes with a wide table to support large projects and quilts.
Buy now £3799.00, The Sewing Studio
HAUSPROFI Embroidery Starter Kit
Best for: hand embroidery
Though not a machine, if you’re looking to brush up on your hand embroidery and cross-stitch skills, this starter kit comes with seven different bamboo embroidery frames, 50 different colourful silken threads and cross-stitch fabric. Hand embroidery is a brilliant way to experiment with new embroidery designs that you might later digitise and upload to your automatic machine for easier production.
Buy now £15.99, Amazon
Cricut EasyPress Mini | Compact Heat Press for Iron On Vinyl
Tired of embroidering and looking for an easy way to transfer digital designs onto garments of all types? The Cricut EasyPress Mini will be your saviour. The compact heat press makes iron-on vinyl decals easier than ever to apply. Its compact size allows for smaller projects, such as infusible ink monogramming and the adhesion of intricate designs to fabrics of all shapes, sizes and compositions.
Plus, the Cricut EasyPress Mini is equipped with a ceramic-coated heat plate for dry, even, edge-to-edge heat. It can also be used to press seams while sewing, fuse lining into fabric and iron out creases.
Buy now £46.99, Amazon
Silver 12 Stitch Mini Sewing Machine, White
Best for: absolute beginners
It may look small, but oh, is this machine mighty. Ideal for total novices, Silver’s mini machine (H27 x W27 x D12cm) is perfect for use with light fabrics. There are 12 stitch options to choose from (including embroidery - get ready to personalise everything) and if you want to make buttonholes, there’s an automatic feature for that too. Best of all, it’s so simple and straightforward to use that a child could operate it.
Buy now £50.00, Dunelm
Verdict
For its versatility, middle-of-the-range price point and high-tech features, our top pick of the bunch is the beloved, cult-classic Brother Innov-is M330e Embroidery Machine.
