Product Description

The Futura¿ CE-250 by SINGER® is a fully electronic sewing machine and computer linked embroidery unit. With Futura¿, embroidery is a snap. If you can click a mouse you can embroider! It includes standard embroidery design software, AutoPunch software (allows you to digitize your own images) and you can download designs from the Internet or CD collections. So, the actual sewing machine features electronic stitch control which means that each stitch is electronically formed and optimally set so each is sewn with exact precision. 100 Stitch options including 6 types of 1-step buttonholes have their optimal stitch settings pre-programmed but can be adjusted as you see the need. Eleven of the most common stitches are have a 1-touch selector button. Also included is an automatic needle threader, drop feed, top drop-in bobbin with a view plate, needle up/down selector, twin needle control and so much more. As far as embroidery, you have everything here to get started. The CE-250 comes with Windows® compatible software (that will need to be downloaded to your home computer) with a basic how-to/tutorial, 120 embroidery designs, 5 fonts, AutoPunch software (allows you to take a wide variety of graphic files and convert them to an embroidery design) and 2 embroidery hoops. You will be able to work with embroidery designs from a wide range of sources to add to your upcoming project. You work within the software on your computer to layout end edit your designs and then, via a USB cable (provided), you just download to your Futura and you are ready to embroider.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #36583 in Kitchen & Housewares
• Brand: Singer Sewing CO.
• Model: Futura CE-250
• Released on: 2008-04-07
• Dimensions: 12.00" h x 11.00" w x 17.00" l,

Features

• Electronic sewing and computer-linked embroidery machine with LCD display
• 100 stitch options; 6 styles of 1-step buttonholes; 1-touch stitch selector
• Electronic stitch control for precise results; auto needle threader; top drop-in bobbin
• Software, 120 embroidery designs, 5 fonts, 2 embroidery hoops, and more included
• Measures approximately 17 by 11 by 12 inches; 25-year limited warranty

Amazon.com Product Description
Ideal for both sewing and embroidery, this easy-to-use machine provides an array of convenient features. As a fully electronic sewing machine, it supplies 100 stitch options, including six styles of one-step buttonholes with pre-programmed, yet adjustable, stitch settings, plus it offers a one-touch selector button for 11 of the most common stitches. It can even sew up to 600 stitches per minute. The unit also comes with electronic stitch control for precise results, an automatic needle threader, drop feed, a top drop-in bobbin with a see-through cover, needle up/down selector, twin needle control, 13 needle positions, and more.

The sewing machine can also be used as an embroidery machine when hooked up to a PC, making embroidering as effortless as clicking the mouse. To use, simply download the included Windows-compatible software to your computer, layout and edit your designs, then download them to the embroidery machine using the provided USB cable. A built-in tutorial, 120 embroidery designs, and five popular fonts are included, as well as AutoPunch software for converting a wide variety of graphic files into embroidery designs (designs can also be downloaded from the Internet or CD collections) and two embroidery hoops--a large 4-1/2-by-6-3/4-inch hoop and a smaller 3-1/8-by-4-3/4-inch hoop.

Other highlights include access to Live Software updates for up-to-date information, an LCD display, optimum power control, and built-in accessory storage. Accessories include class 15J bobbins, a general-purpose foot (zigzag foot), an embroidery/darning foot, a zipper foot, a buttonhole foot, a button sewing foot, a special-purpose foot, and a blindstitch hem foot, as well as needles, a buttonhole opener/brush, a small and large screwdriver, a special screwdriver, a small and large spool cap, a foot control/power cord, and a user manual. With its durable, aluminum frame, the all-in-one embroidery/sewing machine measures approximately 17 by 11 by 12 inches and carries a 25-year limited warranty.

Customer Reviews

New to Machine Embroidery
I purchased this machine because I wanted to learn to do machine embroidery and didn't want to spend a fortune. I think it is an excellent value. It seems very solid and sewed beautifully with no adjustments straight out of the box. There are sensors in the thread path that are very sensitive and incorrectly report broken thread quite often. As soon as I got the hang of flossing the thread into the sensors this became less of a problem. There are several yahoo groups dedicated to machine embroidery and the nice people there were of great assistance to me as I got started.

Folks like me who are new to machine embroidery should understand that the sewing machine must be physically attached to a computer while you are embroidering. The soft ware running the computer sends the information to the sewing machine one color at a time so don't think that you can download the design and then sew it out later. You are going to need a computer to run the embroidery feature of this machine. I'm using an old computer that was discarded at my office because it was too slow to run large office programs over a network. I took all the other software off and it runs the Future software just fine. If you are going to need to acquire a computer to run your embroidery machine you should consider that cost along with the price of the Futura.

Thread is the paint of embroidery and since it is different than regular thread you are also going to have to make an investment in thread to get started. The price of a spool can vary greatly but if you buy a bunch at one time it can be pricy so think about this to when deciding to make the plunge into machine embroidery.

The difference between the Futura 250 and the Futura 350 is the software. If you plan to create your own embroidery designs you should know that only the basic software comes with the 250 but you can purchase the full software separately. Making clip art into machine embroidery is much more difficult than I first thought and to run the Futura software the sewing machine must be connected to the computer even if you are just working on the design and not doing the actual sewing. There are other software packages that do not have this requirement. You could use them to make the art into embroidery files but you will still need to be connected to your Futura to stitch them out.

I am extremely happy with this product and would recommend it to other people like me who just want to have some fun and spice up their craft and sewing projects. If you are looking to do embroidery professionally then purchase a higher priced and faster machine.

Best Embroidery Machine
I purchased my Singer CE-250 two months ago, and I am thoroughly enjoying it. I also purchased the hyperfont and photo-stitch software to enhance my embroidery experience. I am thrilled with the performance of my new machine. The workbook dvd and the machine manual are not as detailed as I would have liked for it to be, but the combination of both provide me with everything I need to perform all of the capabilities the Futura CE-250 has to offer.

Furniss - must buy!
My husband bought the Singer CE250 for me. He bought it through Furniss Sewing on line. The machine is awesome, and I am a newcomer to the craft! The instructions are clear and the CD that comes with the machine gives visual/oral instructions that are awesome. Furniss helped me find the perfect cabinet and some extra products. That is a GREAT company, and I am a fussy old lady retired school teacher! My husband is a fussy, careful buyer!