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- Best Overall
- SINGER Quantum Stylist 9960
- Versatile functionality
- 600 built-in stitches
- 850 stitches per minute
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- Premium Choice
- Brother PE800 Embroidery Machine
- 138 built-in stitches
- 650 stitches per minute
- Supports PES format
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- Great Value
- SINGER Futura XL400 Machine
- StayBright LED lights
- 3D realistic view feature
- SwiftSmart system
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Personalizing a hat with bits of embroidery is always a fun activity, and a great gift for friends and loved ones, too. The only thing is, if you do it by hand, it can take too much time. The solution? Getting an embroidery machine.
Now, you might be thinking, why would I do that? Those machines are expensive. Well, if you’re passionate about your hobby and are planning on creating more embroidered hats and other pieces in the future, whether for personal use or for business, then investing in an embroidery machine can be totally worth it.
And to help you out, we’ve listed down the best embroidery machines for hats right down below:
What are Hat Embroidery Machines?
Hat embroidery machines are essentially a specialized type of embroidery machine that is designed specifically for hats and similar materials.
Meaning, the machine comes with a hat loop that can either be built into the machine or designed to be mounted separately. This hat loop is what positions the hat in a unique way that allows you to perform stitches in various ways.
And, aside from the loop, a hat making machine also typically comes with various embroidery hoops to accommodate different types and sizes of hats.
Our Favorite Hat Embroidery Machines
Embroidery as a craft of creating designs with yarn onto fabric and other similar materials has always been an integral part of our culture – in fact, pretty much ever since fabric was invented. Thousands of years later, we’ve got ourselves handy little machines that can make that craft so much easier and open up more possibilities.
When it comes to embroidering hats, here are our top picks:
SINGER Quantum Stylist 9960
First up is the Singer Quantum Stylist 9960, which is ideal for heavy-duty materials. It’s a versatile hat sewing machine that you can use for embroidery, quilting, sewing, and making repairs, and it even offers utility, stretched, and decorative stitches. It features 600 stitches that is sure to let you get lots of stuff done in a short amount of time.
This machine is best for crafters who are, to a certain degree, familiar with how to operate embroidery and sewing machines. Meaning, it’s not exactly beginner-friendly, partly due to the overwhelming amount of features that it comes with.
One of the many things we like about this commercial hat embroidery machine is that it operates at upto 850 stitches/ minute, which is quite fast and can save you so much time working on projects. It even boasts of an autopilot mode to further make things convenient. And, for its price, it certainly competes with its high-end features and functionality.
- Versatile functionality
- 600 built-in stitches
- 850 stitches per minute
- Automatic thread tensioning
Want a slightly different type of functionality? Check out this review of the best coverstitch machines.
Brother PE800 Embroidery Machine
We also really like the Brother PE800 Embroidery Machine, which, unlike the Singer, is highly suitable for beginners thanks to its easy learning curve. It promises an ideal ratio of competitive stitches per minute, and comes with a 5 by 7 inch embroidery field, which is quite decent to achieve a wide variety of designs.
This hat stitching machine is fully computerized and can be connected via a USB port. It supports the PES format which is widely used among embroidery designs. It also comes with a colored LCD display that projects a mirror image of your design, thereby allowing you to perfect even the most minute details.
Not only that, this Brother hat embroidery machine also features an automatic needle threader, which is definitely helpful especially when creating multicolored embroidery designs that can be confusing to the eyes. All in all, it’s a highly versatile and beginner-friendly embroidery machine.
- 138 built-in stitches
- 650 stitches per minute
- Supports PES format
- Lightweight and portable
Want a slightly different type of functionality? Check out this review of the best coverstitch machines.
SINGER Futura XL400
Another amazing option from Singer is the Singer Futura XL400, which is a superior powerhouse that features outline lettering, 5 monogram fonts, and 125 embroidery designs, as well as 30 built-in stitches and 2 automatic 1-step buttonholes.
Without overcomplicating things, let’s just say that this hat sewing machine comes with all the features and functions you might need to perfect professional quality sewing and embroidery. It even features small and large snap-on hoops, and has a maximum design size capacity of 18-1/2 x 11 inches.
Moreover, it features one extra-high presser foot lift to accommodate thicker and heavier sewing projects. There’s also a Drop and Sew bobbin system that facilitates quicker threading, as well as a clear bobbin cover that allows you to observe your bobbin thread use.
- SwiftSmart threading system
- StayBright LED lights
- 3D realistic view feature
- Comes with an embroidery software
Brother SE1900 Grand Slam Package
If you’re a beginner looking for a complete embroidery kit, we highly recommend the Brother SE1900 Grand Slam Package, which is a sleek machine that comes with all the stuff you’ll need to get started with embroidery, whether you want to work with hats, clothes, or whatnot. Simply put, it’s the best hat embroidery machine for beginners.
While this one is technically not a hat making machine, it certainly does the job well, and it even works better for regular sewing and other similar tasks. Of course, that added functionality comes with a price, but trust us – it’s worth it.
For starters, this hat stitching machine comes with a range of 138 embroidery designs, which is truly impressive. You also get to work with 11 monogramming font options, and editing/ working your designs is all easy with the intuitive and easy to navigate large touchscreen LCD.
- 5×7 inch embroidery field
- 240 built-in stitches
- 10 different auto-sized buttonholes
- Automatic needle threading
Want a standalone option? Here’s a link to the Brother SE1900 Sewing and Embroidery Machine without the added frills and extras.
Janome Memory Craft 500E Embroidery Machine
Moving on to other brands, we’ve got two excellent options from Janome. The first is the Janome Memory Craft 500E Embroidery Machine, which is perfect for hat printing thanks to its multiple hoops and sizable workspace. The color LCD display of this machine alone makes creating designs so easy, whether it’s on hats or just about any other kind of material.
With the 160 built-in embroidery designs, you can easily personalize projects and crafts and add a beautiful touch to your belongings. There are even 6 monogram fonts that you can use to further customize your projects. Also featured in the machine is a USB port that lets you import unlimited designs from your computer.
To put it simply, the Janome 500E is an advanced cap embroidery machine filled with features to take care of bobbin winding, thread breaks, and lots of other things. It even comes with a multitude of accessories, such as embroidery foot, hoops, and bobbin holders.
- 160 built-in designs
- 6 monogram fonts
- 7 x 11” workspace
- 4 embroidery hoops
If you want to work with an even wider range of materials, this review features the best leather sewing machines.
Janome MB-4S Commercial 4 Needle Embroidery Machine
Finally, there’s also the Janome MB-4S Commercial 4 Needle Embroidery Machine, which is a lot similar to a serger – except it’s a lot better in the sense that it fully equips you with everything you could possibly need to undertake various embroidery projects, what with all the features and functions that it comes with.
For instance, it doesn’t just come with a tiny computerized system and a limited memory. Instead, it operates with a large, independent screen, along with a Remote Computer Screen (RCS) system.
What this all means is that you get to enjoy a significantly more advanced and varied control over your selections and editing options. You’ll get thousands of different color combinations and so much more. The best part? You can even use this to power up an external machine.
- Can store 1M stitch types
- Separate bobbin winding motor
- Comes with a hat embroidery hoop
- Automatic thread cutter
Things To Consider When Buying a Hat Embroidery Machine
Here’s the thing – embroidery machines, as great as they are, can cost quite a bit of money. So, if you want to maximize that money and make sure you’re going home with the best deal possible, make sure to account for these important factors when choosing a hat making machine:
Hat Loop
The main reason why you need a special machine for hats is because you’re working on a curved surface, which makes ordinary sewing and embroidery machines not viable – unless you buy a separate hat loop, and even then, it’s a matter of luck.
On the other hand, if you buy a custom hat making machine, you should readily get a hat loop, and really, this should be your utmost priority. Even when a machine is advertised for hat embroidery, still double check and make sure that you’re getting a hat loop in the package. In many cases, a cheap hat embroidery machine does not come with a built-in loop.
Related read: a comprehensive guide on stabilizers for embroidery and sewing machines
Sewing and Quilting
While not technically a necessity, it’s always nice to have a machine that can perform more than one job. In this case, a clothing embroidery machine that can be used for quilting and sewing, or at least an embroidery machine for hats and shirts.
These are not only nice features, they also make sure you get the most value out of your money, especially considering that buying separate machines for each task is going to cost significantly more money.
Computerized Setup
Unless you’re okay with working only with the pre-installed designs on the sewing or embroidery machine, it’s important that the machine can be connected with a computer and allow you to import designs you downloaded off the internet or even created yourself.
Touchscreen Function
Touchscreen functionality is also a must. Think of it this way: it’s not like you can connect a keyboard and mouse to the sewing machine, nor should you leave it perpetually plugged into your computer, so if you ever want to manipulate whatever you see onscreen, you should be able to do so on the screen itself rather than pressing hundreds of buttons.
Sewing Speed
For beginners and hobbyists, going fast on a project may not be such a priority, but for those doing hat embroidery as a business, then completing projects in a timely fashion is of utmost importance. One thing that can greatly help here is getting a machine that has a high sewing speed or stitches per minute (SPM).
Embroidery Area
The size of the working area should also be considered especially if you’re planning to work on a variety of projects, such as different size and style of hats, or even veering away from hats altogether. That said, generally speaking, the bigger the embroidery area is, the better – as long as you can afford it. Cheap embroidery machines, for instance, are typically on the small side.
Built-in Stitches
The best embroidery machine for hats out there are the ones with the highest numbers of built-in stitches, because this means that you don’t have to spend time and resources in building custom stitches that you need or want to use for your projects. So, keep this in mind when shopping for an embroidery machine.
Ease of Use
Whether you’re a newbie or a professional, it’s always good to use equipment that is easy to operate. After all, who wants to waste all that time learning how a machine works, or deal with the hassle of placing bobbins and changing threads when there’s an easier way to do it?
Final Thoughts
Embroidery is a fun craft. Hat printing and using other similar materials? Even more so. There are even automated machines now to help us craft amazing personalized projects, as you can see from this review of the best embroidery machines for hats.
That said, it’s important to remember that the machine is only your tool, and how your project is going to look largely depends on your idea, creativity, and execution. So, get your machine out, practice, and create!
