If you are a home crafter you have found yourself wanting to embroider shirts and hats. So, what do you do? You will need to invest in a t shirt embroidery machine for shirts and hats.
Whether you are new to embroidery or have been doing it for years, embroidery is fun. If you can sew an item, you can embroider it with the right machine. The problem is most sewing machines do not offer embroidery options.
There are a lot of embroidery machines on the market. Researching can be overwhelming and time consuming. To make things easier for you, we have compiled our list of the best t shirt embroidery machines.
Our Top 3 Picks for the Best T Shirt Embroidery Machines
Best Overall
Brother SE1900 Sewing and Embroidery Machine for Shirts and Hats
The Brother SE1900 Sewing Machine is a superb all-purpose machine that can embroider, sew, and quilt. It has 138 built-in embroidery designs and a large 7.9” x 1” embroidery area.
Premium Choice
Janome MB-4S Commercial 4 Needle T Shirt Machine Embroidery
If you are serious about embroidery, this t shirt embroidery machine is at the top of the list. It has 4 needles and produces professional results.
Great Value
Brother PE535 Embroidery Machine for Shirts and Hats
The Brother PE535 t shirt embroidery machine is affordable and user-friendly. And you can use if for both embroidery and sewing. It has 9 built-in fonts and 80 built-in designs.
What to Look for in a T Shirt Embroidery Machine
T shirt embroidery machines are a lot of fun. They give you the ability to personalise all types of fabrics. But not all embroidery machines are created equal.
When you purchase a t shirt embroidery sewing machine, you will want to take into consideration:
- Can You Use if for Sewing Too?
A lot of t shirt embroidery machines are dedicated machines that only embroider. If you are looking for a machine that both embroiders and sews, make sure you double check it can handle both functions.
- Size of the Embroidery Field
The embroidery field size will vary depending on the machine. The larger the embroidery area, the more you will generally pay for the machine.
Do not buy a cheap machine just because of the price. Make certain the embroidery area will be big enough to handle your projects.
- Can it Embroider Heavy Fabrics?
If you plan on embroidering heavy duty fabrics, you will need to invest in a heavy duty t shirt embroidery machine for shirts and hats.
If the material you are trying to embroider is too thick or dense, the sewing machine will struggle, skip stitches, and break needles.
- Does it Come with Built-in Designs and Alphabets?
Some machines already have built-in designs and alphabets. They more options it comes with, the less money you will have to spend on additional patterns. You will also be able to get your projects done quicker.
- Can the Machine Combine Designs?
Some t shirt embroidery machines give you the ability to combine designs and alphabets. If you are creative and want to merge different pictures and letters, you need a machine that gives you the ability to do so.
- Do You Have to Hook it to a Computer?
Some t shirt embroidery machines must be hooked to a computer to work. Some people like this feature. While other people do not.
The question you need to ask yourself is, do you want to use your computer to embroider, and do you have enough room for both the computer and sewing machine?
- How do You add New Designs?
Some t shirt embroidery machines must be directly hooked to a computer to add your own designs. Other machines have Wi-Fi capabilities or you can plug in a USB drive.
- Interactive Touchscreen
Does the machine have an interactive touch screen? If it does, you will be able to move shapes around and customise your designs on the screen.
- Accessories
Make certain the machine comes with all the accessories you need. There is nothing worse than getting the t shirt embroidery machine home and hooking it up only to find you have to order more accessories.
- What is the Frame Made From?
T shirt embroidery machines that are made from metal will often last longer than machines made from plastic.
- Colour Touchscreen
If the t shirt embroidery machine has a touchscreen, is it black and white or colour? A colour touch screen allows you to see what the finished design will look like. You will not have to guess what the final colours will look like.
- Weight
Since embroidery sewing machines are fast and they produce a lot of stitches, they can bounce. If the machine bounces, it can miss stitches and ruin your design. You want an embroidery machine that is heavy so it will stay in place.
- Extra Features
Extra features are always a plus. Look for a machine that has everything needed to make your sewing experience as easy and enjoyable as possible.
- Price
Embroidery machines for t shirts and hats can get costly. Before you look for your new machine, know your budget.
10 of the Best T Shirt Embroidery Machines for 2023
1. Brother SE1900 Sewing and Embroidery Machine for Shirts and Hats
The Brother SE1900 Sewing Machine is an all-purpose machine. You can use it to embroider t shirts and hats, sew and quilt.
Why We Like the Brother SE1900:
The t shirt embroidery machine has 138 built-in embroidery designs and 240 built-in sewing stitches. And it has a large 5” x 7” embroidery area. there is an USB port that gives you the ability to add your own designs.
- 138 Built-in Embroidery Designs
This sewing machine has 138 built-in embroidery designs. This gives you the ability to get started embroidering right away.
- 5” x 7” Embroidery Area
The 5” x 7” embroidery area gives you quite a bit of room to work with.
- Bobbin Reminder
This machine will let you know when the bobbin thread is running low. You will no longer have to worry about running out of bobbin thread.
Pros and Cons of the Brother SE1900:
Pros:
- USB port
- 138 Built-in Designs
- Knee lifter
- 10 Frame shapes
- Sews sideways and backwards
- 3.2” LCD touchscreen
- Drop-in top bobbin
- 240 Built-in sewing stitches
- 10 Styles of auto-size buttonholes
- 5” x 7” Embroidery field
- Advanced needle threader
- 11 Embroidery fonts
- Sews and Embroiders
Cons:
- Only works with .pes format
- Not a heavy duty machine
- Expensive
- Does not come with software
- Can be hard to use for a beginner
2. Brother PE800 T Shirt Embroidery Machine
The Brother PE800 T Shirt Embroidery Machine has 138 built-in designs and 11 fonts. And you can combine patterns and fonts to create your own unique designs.
Why We Like the Brother PE800:
The embroidery machine has built-in memory and a USB port. This provides you a way to upload and save your designs for future use.
- 138 Built-in Designs & 11 Fonts
There are 138 built-in designs and 11 fonts to choose from. You get everything from holiday themes and floral designs to novelties.
- USB Importing
The Brother PE800 T Shirt Embroidery Machine allows you to import your own designs. Its default file format is .pes. But it will also work with .pen, .dst and .phs.
- Can Combine Patterns
The large colour touchscreen gives you the ability to edit and combine patterns. You can also add monograms at the same time.
Pros and Cons of the Brother PE800:
Pros:
- Quick-set top-drop bobbin
- 138 Built-in designs
- 11 Built-in fonts
- Large colour touchscreen
- USB port
- 5” x 7” Embroidery field
- Automatic thread tension
- LED lighting
- Requires certain thread
- Automatic needle threader
Cons:
- Embroidery-only machine
- Does not come with digitizing software
3. Janome Memory Craft 500E Embroidery Machine
The Janome Memory Craft 500E has a colour LCD screen that makes it easy to produce high-quality precision embroidery patterns.
Why We Like the Janome Memory Craft 500E:
If the thread breaks while you are embroidering, you do not have to start your project over. This t shirt embroidery machine is smart and will restart exactly where it stopped.
- 7.9” x 11” Embroidery Field
The Janome Memory Craft Embroidery Machine has a large embroidery field.
- Large Extension Table
The 500E t shirt embroidery machine has a large extension table that provides you will plenty of room to work.
- Full Colour Touchscreen
The full colour touchscreen gives you on-screen editing capabilities.
Pros and Cons of the Janome Memory Craft 500E:
Pros:
- Extra wide extension table
- Auto return post thread break
- On-screen editing
- 2 Position presser foot lift
- Advanced bobbin threader
- 160 Built-in Designs
- USB port
- Automatic thread cutter
- Advanced needle threader
- 2 and 3 Letter Monogramming
- 6 Fonts
- 7.9” x 11” embroidery field
- Full colour touchscreen
Cons:
- Does not sew
- Expensive
- Embroidery-only machine
- Software must be purchased separately
4. Brother PE535 Embroidery Machine
Monogramming is easy with the Brother PE535 embroidery machine. It offers 9 built-in fonts and 80 built-in designs. You can create anything from holiday patterns to fun kid designs. There are also 10 frame patterns.
Why We Like the Brother PE535:
The Brother PE535 t shirt embroidery machine is affordable and user-friendly. And you can use it for both embroidery and sewing.
- 80 Built-in Designs & 9 Fonts
With 80 built-in designs and 9 fonts, you have plenty of patterns to start working with. Once you become fluent at using the t shirt embroidery machine, you can download additional designs using the USB port.
- Editable Embroidery Lettering
The Brother PE535 gives you the ability to edit the embroidery lettering.
- Built-in Memory
Thanks to the built-in memory, you can store your own designs on the machine. You will not have to waste time searching your computer for previously used designs.
Pros and Cons of the Brother PE535:
Pros:
- Heavy
- 9 Built-in fonts
- 32 built-in stitches
- 3.2” LCD colour touchscreen
- USB port
- Built-in memory
- 80 Built-in designs
- Automatic needle threader
- Sews and embroiders
Cons:
- Small 4” x 4” Embroidery field
5. Brother SE600 Sewing and Embroidery Machine
The Brother SE600 t shirt embroidery machine is reasonably priced. And you can use it to sew and embroider.
Why We Like the Brother SE600:
This sewing machine has a lot of built-in functions. If you need a machine that can sew and embroider small designs, this is a great starter machine.
- Jam-resistant Drop-in Bobbin
This t shirt embroidery machine makes it easy to load the bobbin. Simply drop it in, and you are ready to sew.
- 80 Built-in Designs & 6 Fonts
The Brother SE600 comes with 80 built-in designs and 6 embroidery lettering fonts for personalizing your projects
- Affordable
The embroidery machine is an affordable option for those interested in sewing and embroidering with the same machine.
Pros and Cons of the Brother SE600:
Pros:
- 6 Embroidery lettering fonts
- Automatic needle threader
- USB Port
- 3.2” LCD Touchscreen Display
- 103 Built-in stitches
- 10 Styles of auto-size buttonholes
- 80 Built-in designs
- Jam-resistant drop-in bobbin
- Sews and Embroiders
Cons:
- Requires special software
- Small 4” x 4” embroidery field
6. Janome MB-4S Commercial 4 Needle T Shirt Machine Embroidery
The Janome MB-4S t shirt embroidery machine is commercial grade. However, it was designed for home users.
Why We Like the Janome MB-4S:
This machine is fast, and it produces professional results. It has 4 needles, so you will save a lot of time by not changing the thread constantly.
- Fast
Since this machine can handle 4 threads at once, it is faster than a single thread machine.
- 4 Needle Design
You can embroider using 4 different colours of thread at once. The machine will automatically change the colour when it is needed.
- Bobbin Winding
This t shirt embroidery machine makes bobbin winding is a breeze. You can even wind the bobbins while the machine is stitching.
Pros and Cons of the Janome MB-4S:
Pros:
- 50 Built-in designs
- Extra large bobbin
- Auto thread cutter
- 10 Built-in fonts
- Can handle heavy fabrics
- Programmable jump thread trimming
- Adjustable hoop positioning
- White LED Lights
- 5.7” Remote computer screen
- 3 MB of memory
- 4 Needles
- Commercial grade
- Upper thread and presser foot sensors
- 800 Stitches per minute
- Heavy
Cons:
- Learning curve
- Expensive
- Embroidery-only machine
7. Brother PE770 Embroidery Machine
The embroidery only sewing machine has a lot of built-in features. It has 136 built-in designs, 10 border shapes, and 6 fonts. It is a great machine for a beginner as well as a small business owner.
Why We Like the Brother PE770:
The Brother PE770 t shirt embroidery machine produces professional designs..
- 5” x 7” Embroidery Field
This t shirt embroidery machine has a large 5” x 7” embroidery field.
- Embroidery Card Slot
You can use preloaded Brother embroidery cards in this machine.
- Automatic Thread Cutter
The built-in thread cutter will make your projects go even faster. No more searching for scissors when it is time to cut the threads.
Pros and Cons of the Brother PE770:
Pros:
- 6 Built-in fonts
- 12 Border styles
- Built-in memory
- Large touchscreen
- 136 Built-in designs
- Embroidery card slot
- Automatic thread cutter
- 5” x 7” Embroidery field
- 10 Border shapes
- USB port
Cons:
- Embroidery-only machine
- Black and white screen
Our Top 3 Picks for the Best T Shirt Embroidery Machines
Best Overall
Brother SE1900 Sewing and Embroidery Machine for Shirts and Hats
The Brother SE1900 Sewing Machine is a superb all-purpose machine that can embroider, sew, and quilt. It has 138 built-in embroidery designs and a large 7.9” x 1” embroidery area.
Premium Choice
Janome MB-4S Commercial 4 Needle T Shirt Machine Embroidery
If you are serious about embroidery, this t shirt embroidery machine is at the top of the list. It has 4 needles and produces professional results.
Great Value
Brother PE535 Embroidery Machine for Shirts and Hats
The Brother PE535 t shirt embroidery machine is affordable and user-friendly. And you can use if for both embroidery and sewing. It has 9 built-in fonts and 80 built-in designs.
T shirt embroidery machines are a fun way to add decorative details to your sewing projects.
Embroidery machines can be expensive. If you are new to embroidery and only want to do very small designs, you may want to invest in a dual machine that can handle sewing and embroidery.
But if you are looking for fast, professional results, you want a t shirt embroidery machine that is dedicated to embroidery. Also check out our review on the Best Embroidery Machines, Monogramming Machines and Best Hat Embroidery Machines. And share your feedback on our Facebook Page. We’d love to hear from you.
If you are interested in adding embroidery patterns to your projects, you need an embroidery machine for shirts and hats. These machines were designed to provide beautiful, professional stitching.
