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Embroidery Fit Guide How we pick

Giving one as a gift· checked Nov 10

An embroidery machine as a gift, with the supplies to start

Our gift pick: ready to stitch

Our line drawing of a single-needle embroidery-only machine, the class the MC100E belongs to Our drawing · Real photos at Sewing Machines Plus

Janome Memory Craft 100E

USD 1,099 at Sewing Machines Plus1 Before sales tax · seen Nov 10, 2026

  • 5.5 × 5.5 inmax. area
  • 274designs
  • 11fonts
  • 1hoop incl.
Check price at Sewing Machines Plus
  • 60-day returns: shipping deducted; opened machines: ask first6, 7
  • Janome warranty: 1 yr labor, 5 yrs electronics5

The Janome MC100E embroiders designs up to 5.5 × 5.5 in, and until Dec 31 the shop adds a free starter kit with stabilizer, thread and bobbins, in its words "For a limited time: 11/1 - 12/31".1, 3 First, check it suits the person.

Not run by a machine maker or by Sewing Machines Plus. Our paid links go to that one shop, and we may earn a commission if you buy. We haven't used these machines: everything here comes from the makers' spec pages and manuals, the shop's listings and 28 sources. How we make money · How we pick

A small embroidery in a wooden hoop resting on red and white fabric on a sunny wooden table Photo: Shixart1985 · CC BY 2.0 · modified

Be honest first

Who it suits as a gift, and who it doesn't

A machine is a big gift. It's a good one for people who already make things, and a drawer-filler for people who never asked.

A good gift for

  • Someone who sews, quilts or crafts and has talked about embroidery.
  • Someone who personalizes things already: names on towels, bags, baby clothes.
  • Someone with a table to keep it on (the MC100E is about 17 × 11 × 12 in).1

Think twice for

  • Someone who never sews or crafts and hasn't asked for it.
  • Someone who wants to sew clothes: an embroidery-only machine doesn't sew. See combo machines.
  • A surprise for someone particular about brands or sizes: a gift certificate lets them choose.10

Why the MC100E

Everything to start, in one box

Most first machines arrive without stabilizer or thread. Until Dec 31, this one doesn't, by the shop's offer.1, 4

A starter kit the shop sells for USD 499

Tear-away and cut-away stabilizer, 12 spools of thread, bobbins and a USB stick with designs, free with the machine until Dec 31 by the shop's offer.

A 5.5 × 5.5 in field

Janome lists 140 × 140 mm, a little more than the 4 × 4 in of the lowest-priced machines, and one hoop in the box.

274 designs, 11 fonts

Janome's count, built in, so the first projects need no computer.

Designs by USB stick

No Wi-Fi: new designs go in on a USB stick, in Janome's .jef formats.

Fit check

Does it fit what they'd make?

Three gift options, against their makers' maximum embroidery areas.3, 14, 16

Finished caps or hats?
Do you also want to sew with it?
White embroidered initials F A on linen Photo: Vassil · Public domain

Gift options

Three machines and a certificate

The PE545 is the lower-budget gift at USD 499.99; the LB5500M also sews. Prices seen Nov 10, 2026.13, 15

SpecJanome Memory Craft 100EBrother PE545Brother LB5500M Marvel
Price (seen Nov 10)USD 1,0991USD 499.9913USD 599.9915
Max. embroidery area5.5 × 5.5 in (140 × 140 mm)34 × 4 in (100 × 100 mm)144 × 4 in (100 × 100 mm)16
Built-in designs27431351313515
Getting designs inUSB stick3Wireless LAN (Design Database Transfer, Artspira app) and USB stick14Wireless LAN and USB stick16
At Sewing Machines Plus Check price of the MC100E at Sewing Machines Plus Check price of the PE545 at Sewing Machines Plus Check price of the LB5500M at Sewing Machines Plus
All specs (5 more rows)
More specs
SpecJanome Memory Craft 100EBrother PE545Brother LB5500M Marvel
TypeEmbroidery-only machineEmbroidery-only machineSewing and embroidery machine
Included at that priceFree Janome embroidery starter kit, "For a limited time: 11/1 - 12/31" (shop's words): tear-away and cut-away stabilizer, bobbins, 12 spools of thread, a USB stick with designs1Machine and standard accessories13Machine and standard accessories15
Built-in fonts11310131015
Weight20 lbs317 lbs1418 lbs16
Maker's warranty1 yr labor, 5 yrs electronics51 yr parts & labor151 yr parts & labor15

Specs as the makers state them on their product pages and manuals, unless marked as the shop's figures; prices are Sewing Machines Plus' before sales tax, seen Nov 10, 2026. Prices change; the shop's page is what counts. Full warranty wording is in the terms below.

Not sure which machine?

The shop sells e-mailed gift certificates from USD 25 to USD 1,000, for use at its own site only.10

See gift certificates at Sewing Machines Plus
Returns and shipping, in plain words60 days from delivery, shipping not refunded, opened machines: refund or store credit (ask first); no 2026 holiday cut-off published
  • 60-day money-back guarantee

    The shop's returns page: "You have 60 days from delivery to return any item that isn't marked final sale, opened or not." You start a return by phone or e-mail and get a return authorization first.6

  • Shipping isn't refunded, both ways

    The original shipping cost is deducted, "including orders that shipped free", and return shipping is paid by you. A machine without its original box and packing costs a 15 % restocking fee.6

  • Opened machines: two texts disagree

    The returns page refunds opened machines (minus shipping); the older refund policy says "Opened merchandise can be returned for a Store Credit". The older policy also lists items without the original factory box and freight items as non-returnable. Keep the box, and if you might return an opened machine, ask the shop in writing before you order.6, 7

  • Free shipping in the lower 48

    On orders over USD 49, to the contiguous 48 states; most in-stock orders arrive in 2 to 5 business days; items shipped by the maker or special-ordered show their own ship time on the product page. Not free to Alaska, Hawaii or the territories.8

  • Warranty after day 60

    Janome America's warranty, as shown on the shop's MC400E page: 25 years against defects, electronic parts 5 years, labor 1 year.5 The shop says it is "an authorized dealer for every brand we sell, so your warranty is valid".6

  • Price match

    Up to 30 days after purchase, as an in-store credit, against an authorized dealer's lower delivered price; some makers' pricing rules, Janome's for example, can prevent a match.11, 12

Holiday shipping: on Nov 10, 2026 the shop's holiday shipping guide still showed 2024 dates and no 2026 cut-off; we don't quote them.9

What it costs after the giftThread, stabilizer and needles; the kit covers much of month one
  • Stabilizer: about USD 9–18 a pack or roll

    Almost every design needs it under the fabric. Seen at the shop: 25 pre-cut tear-away sheets USD 8.99; a 10 in × 10 yd roll of tear-away USD 17.48 or cut-away USD 18.40; water-soluble 12 in × 10 yd USD 13.99.17, 18, 19, 20

  • Thread: USD 40 for 10 colors

    A 10-color kit of 40-weight polyester, 1,000 m spools, is USD 39.90; a 48-spool kit USD 169. Bobbin thread from about USD 7.21, 22, 23

  • Needles, spray, scissors: about USD 30

    Five 75/11 embroidery needles USD 4.39, temporary spray adhesive USD 13.79, double-curved embroidery scissors USD 9.95.24, 25, 26

  • Designs and software: free to start

    The MC100E reads .jef .jef+ .jpx.1 Free editing software exists (Ink/Stitch); Embrilliance Essentials writes Janome and Viking formats too (about USD 159, Embrilliance's regular price, seen Nov 10, 2026); full digitizing suites cost much more.27, 28 File formats explained

Month one: about USD 82–145Shop prices seen Nov 10, 2026, our two sample baskets. The MC100E currently comes with a free starter kit (shop's offer to Dec 31), which covers much of this. The full list

Honest limits

Skip the MC100E if…

  • Your budget is closer to USD 500.The Brother PE545 embroiders 4 × 4 in designs for USD 499.99, without a starter kit.
  • You'd rather pay less for the same field.The shop lists the Elna eXpressive 802 with the same 5.5 × 5.5 in (140 × 140 mm) field and 274 designs for USD 899 (seen Nov 10, 2026), without the free kit. We couldn't read Elna's own spec page, so it isn't our pick.
  • They want to sew as well.It only embroiders. The Brother LB5500M sews and embroiders: sewing + embroidery machines.
  • They'd want Wi-Fi.Designs go in by USB stick only. Brother's PE545 and PE900 have Wi-Fi.
  • Their designs are larger than 5.5 × 5.5 in.See machines by hoop size.
  • It must arrive by a date.We found no 2026 cut-off on the shop's site; ask the shop before you order.

Not sure what they'd make?

The fit tool works for gifts too: answer for them, and it tells you when none of the machines fits.

Questions before you give it

Will it arrive before the holidays?

We can't promise that, and on Nov 10, 2026 the shop showed no 2026 holiday cut-off (its holiday shipping guide still carried 2024 dates). Its shipping page says most in-stock orders ship the same business day and arrive in 2 to 5 business days; machines that ship from another facility say "Expedited shipping is not available". If a date matters, ask the shop before you order.

What if they don't like it?

The shop gives 60 days from delivery. It deducts the original shipping cost, even on free-shipping orders, and the return shipping is paid by the sender. Its two return texts disagree on opened machines (refund or store credit), so keep the box unopened if you're unsure, and ask the shop in writing.

Can I give a gift certificate instead?

Yes. The shop sells e-mailed gift certificates from USD 25 to USD 1,000, for use only at its own site. Its coupon codes don't apply to them.

What's in the free starter kit?

The shop lists tear-away and cut-away stabilizer (8 × 3 yd each), pink bobbins, a USB stick with designs, 6 pre-wound white bobbins and 12 × 600 yd spools of thread, "For a limited time: 11/1 - 12/31". It sells the same kit separately for USD 499.

Does the person need to sew?

Not for the MC100E or the PE545: they only embroider. Embroidery still takes practice: hooping, stabilizer and thread changes. Someone who never sews and never asked for it may not use it.

Have you used these machines?

No. We don't test machines. This page is built from the makers' spec pages and manuals, the shop's listings and terms, and the sources at the bottom.

Do you get paid if I buy?

Not yet. We plan to apply to Sewing Machines Plus' affiliate program on Awin; until it approves us, our links earn us nothing. Once approved, purchases through our links can earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. How we make money.

Ready to check today's price?

Janome Memory Craft 100E: USD 1,099 at Sewing Machines Plus before sales tax (seen Nov 10, 2026).

  • Embroidery up to 5.5 × 5.5 in (140 × 140 mm)
  • Free starter kit until Dec 31 (the shop's offer)
  • 60-day returns: shipping deducted; opened machines: ask first
  • Janome warranty: 1 year labor, 5 years electronics
Check price at Sewing Machines Plus Not sure yet? Try the fit tool
Sources (28) · checked Nov 10, 2026
  1. Sewing Machines Plus: Janome MC100E, product page at Sewing Machines Plus (seen 2026-11-10)
  2. Sewing Machines Plus: Elna eXpressive 802, product page at Sewing Machines Plus (seen 2026-11-10)
  3. Janome Australia: Janome AU Memory Craft 100E (seen 2026-11-09)
  4. Sewing Machines Plus: Janome Embroidery Starter Kit (SMP) (seen 2026-11-10)
  5. Sewing Machines Plus: Janome MC400E, product page at Sewing Machines Plus (seen 2026-11-10)
  6. Sewing Machines Plus: SMP Returns & Refunds (seen 2026-11-10)
  7. Sewing Machines Plus: SMP Refund policy (seen 2026-11-10)
  8. Sewing Machines Plus: SMP Shipping & Delivery (seen 2026-11-10)
  9. Sewing Machines Plus: SMP Holiday Shipping Guide (seen 2026-11-10)
  10. Sewing Machines Plus: SMP Gift Certificates (seen 2026-11-10)
  11. Sewing Machines Plus: SMP Store Policies (seen 2026-11-10)
  12. Sewing Machines Plus: SMP Low Price Guarantee (seen 2026-11-10)
  13. Sewing Machines Plus: Brother PE545 WLAN Embroidery Machine, product page at Sewing Machines Plus (seen 2026-11-10)
  14. Brother: Brother PE545 Operation Manual (US) (seen 2026-11-09)
  15. Sewing Machines Plus: Brother LB5500M Marvel, product page at Sewing Machines Plus (seen 2026-11-10)
  16. Brother: Brother SE700 / LB5500 Operation Manual (seen 2026-11-09)
  17. Sewing Machines Plus: StayPerfect Medium Tearaway pre-cut stabilizer sheets, 25 pack (seen 2026-11-10)
  18. Sewing Machines Plus: OESD Medium Weight TearAway 10 in × 10 yd (seen 2026-11-10)
  19. Sewing Machines Plus: OESD Heavy Weight CutAway 10 in × 10 yd (seen 2026-11-10)
  20. Sewing Machines Plus: Floriani Stitch N Wash water-soluble stabilizer 12 in × 10 yd (seen 2026-11-10)
  21. Sewing Machines Plus: Robison-Anton spun poly bobbin thread 60 wt, 1,100 yd (seen 2026-11-10)
  22. Sewing Machines Plus: Exquisite Polyester 10 Color Thread Kit (seen 2026-11-10)
  23. Sewing Machines Plus: Floriani Polyester Embroidery Thread Kit 48 spools (seen 2026-11-10)
  24. Sewing Machines Plus: Schmetz 75/11 Chrome Embroidery Needles 5 pk (seen 2026-11-10)
  25. Sewing Machines Plus: 505 Spray Adhesive 6.22 oz (seen 2026-11-10)
  26. Sewing Machines Plus: Havels Double Curved Embroidery Scissors 3.5 in (seen 2026-11-10)
  27. Ink/Stitch: Ink/Stitch (seen 2026-11-09)
  28. Embrilliance: Embrilliance Essentials (seen 2026-11-10)