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My DH has surprised me with a Brother PE 500 Embroidery Machine.
It comes with a 4 x 4 hoop and in reading the optional parts specs it says the 5x6 hoop fits. It is Brother SA 434.

Does anyone have one they would like to sell or help me with suggestions for good Embroidery sites to visit for thread , stablizers and such.

This is all new to me but I do want to make some use of the machine.

My niece may be getting a Brother SE400 for Christmas. She and I are planning a shopping trip after Christmas to round up everything else she may need. It too comes with a 4x4 hoop but she's going to need IMHO the larger hoop.

Here's a link for accessories for your machine so that you can compare prices with e-Bay and your local Brother dealer:
http://www.brothermall.com/Acc...etectCookieSupport=1

Here is the eBay link:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html...4&_sacat=0&_from=R40

Thanks Sherry just the kind of info I needed.

I have lots to learn about Embrodiery Machines but will learn LOL!

I have a brother 350 and Brother 770.........I get most of my designs from Designsick or Artistic Thread works on the web I like artistic
threadworks best.
Edna

I own a bernia and found my lessons from the store where I bought the machine was most helpful. Not only do they stock everything you need, but give lessons one-on-one (first 3 hours were free with the purchase) other lessons very reasonable. And it is always helpful to have a buddy near by who can be there to answer or show you what you need to know.
amiko

the site I get most of my designs is Embroidery Library www.emblibrary.com

They have deals every week and many on the weekends too.

The store where I bought my machines from give lessons on the embrodiery machines no matter what brand. If I have a problem I can get help from them. except for lessons on my long arm machine. The Lady who teaches the LA has not used my machine so I'm on my own. I have a service tech comming out this Wednesday to check out my machine and make sure that all is right with the machine and show me how to use it. Wish me luck.

The store I bought my machine from gave lessons too...only it's over an hour away so I passed on them. He showed be quite a bit of stuff when I bought it.

The best thread deal I found is here:

http://www.bfc-stash.com/

I have used this thread and really like it. They also have great designs on their sister site www.bfc-creations.com

There are lots of free designs on line.... STinMT posted this one the other day.

http:\\design.tavernmaker.de

www.annthegran.com has lots of free designs. www.hatchedinafrica.com also has some free designs.

Jeaninne Twigg's books are very helpful. First one was called Embroidery Machine Essentials. It comes with a disk with designs.

Two magazines that are also very helpful are Designs in Machine Embroiedry and Creative Machine Embroidery.

I am not affilated with any of these, just find a lot of info from them.

I know, didn't really answer your question about the hoops.

I use the thread carried by local dealer.

Dealer is also very helpful with the stablilizers. There are so many available. Always do a test stitchout with like fabric, threads and stabilizer. Keep them in a notebook with notes. You learn a lot from your mistakes.

Good luck and have fun embroidering. If it doesn't move------embroider it!