There are a lot of manufacturers of embroidery machines, so here's a quick rundown of the top companies. Price ranges vary greatly, from $200 to $10,000.

- Brother - You might know the name "Brother" because they make good printers for your computer. But they are also one of the biggest embroidery machine makers, ever since 1954.

- Singer - Probably the most recognizable name in sewing and embroidery machines. High quality ever since the competition revved it up a notch in the past 10 years.

- Cedars Embroidery Machine - This is based in China with a huge industrial factory, and is one of the main reasons that computerized machines are available in the home today at affordable prices. They have helped drop prices way down below what they were just a few years ago.

An embroidery machine is somthing that automatically creates a design on fabric, based on a pattern, usually entered into a computer.

Typically the only thing the user has to do is insert the correct color thread spools and load the design. Many modern ones are high tech and make this very easy with the use of a touch-screen LCD.

And they aren't as expensive as you would think, thanks to heavy competition.

Design files to upload can be bought, but there are also free embroidery designs you can get online. There are some programs out there that will even convert your pictures automatically into the proper design format. It's neat to have your favorite memories put on fabric.