See these cute little fabrics? They are waiting to be made into adorable little outfits for my littlest but I am pretty sure that my machine has had it. I have been struggling with it for months now. The tension has been terrible and the motor doesn't seem like it can handle pulling the fabric through any more. I plan to call my LQS tomorrow to see when it can be serviced. I'd like to keep it for a spare at the very least. In the meantime, I would appreciate help narrowing my search for a new machine. Fortunately, I have been saving for one for awhile now, but I haven't done my research. My current machine is a Viking. The only perk to sticking with the Viking name is that I could keep the presser feet that I have purchased for it. My LQS sells Janome machines but services all machines. There are also Pfaff and Bernina dealers that are not too far away. I know that my current machine was not up for quilting. When I started to quilt in earnest, it started to fall apart. I need something intended for quilting that can stitch through bulky seams and stand up to hours of quilting. I also want to be able to continue sewing clothing. Embroidery is not important to me.
What do you use? What would you recommend? Do you have a dream machine? Help!
I have an Activa 130 that I've had for about 10 years, I'm just now looking to upgrade to the Aurora 430. I don't need embroidery or tons of fancy stitches, just a smooth, dreamy sewing machine that's reliable. I'm saving up! I just love Berninas. I've had my Bernina serger for almost 10 years and it's only been to the shop once, for cleaning. It's a workhorse and such a good machine.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
I have three machines. A Viking Lily which I call my little workhorse. It's great for quilting until the projects get too big then the actual quilting get tougher. I got a Brother that has a bigger opening for quilting larger projects. Then my mother and I got a Bernina QE with the stitch regulator. It's a great machine but boy is it heavy! Not my first choice to take on retreat, lol. I really don't have anything bad to say about any of them. I love both my Viking and the Bernina. Good luck!
ReplyDeletejust have an old New Home (which is the same as a janome). I love it and it's really really basic. My mom has a pfaff that's lasted forever as well, but I love love mine.
ReplyDeleteI seldom ever recommend anything to anyone, because I figure who am I to give advice? But it just so happens that I too am on the search for my next machine. I'm still several months from taking the plunge, but I think I've found my dream machine. Currently, I have the Husqvarna Viking Rose and it has always served me well with no major problems. My sewing needs have changed over the years and now I find myself leaning towards a machine that is dedicated to quilting. Embroidery is no longer important to me. I'm confident in my desire to stay with Husqvarna Viking, as I believe they continue to have an excellent worldwide engineering reputation. With this in mind, I'm drawn to the Viking Sapphire 870. I find one of its most attractive features to be the large extended sewing surface. More space for quilting. I also like the dual lights at the needle and sewing surface, selective thread cutter and needle threader. Plus there's the stop/start button which allows you to start and stop sewing without the use of the foot control, bobbin winding from the needle and the sensor foot extra lift for maximum space to slide fabrics under the foot. There are tons of stitches and lots of other bells and whistles. Perhaps this will help to narrow your search. Best wishes in the search for your dream machine.
ReplyDeleteFor years I did all my sewing and quilting on an old dependable Sears Kenmore machine. It was basic, but it got the job done. About 5 years ago my dear sweet hubby surprised me and bought me a Bernina Virtuosa 155. I have enjoyed quilting on this machine so much. It does have some decorative stitches, but it is pretty much a basic machine. I think you need to make a list of what options you would like to have in a machine, and start looking from there.
ReplyDeleteI always had singer, my grandma had singer , my mom had singer. So I am also a singer girl. I have the latest with embroidery and such but it does sew like a dream. singer also carries more basic machines out there but as basic as can be has self threading mechanism and other little thinks to make you happier. And almost all of them are very quiet. hope it helps and good luck with choosing one!
ReplyDeleteI have a BabyLock Decorator's Edition that my mom bought me, and I LOVE IT! I haven't heard any other quilters mention that they have a BabyLock and I'm not sure why, but I really love mine! It seems to be able to handle whatever I throw at it with no fuss and is very easy to use.
ReplyDeleteSewMamaSew had a great section of reviews on machines. I use a Bernina Activa PE 230. I wouldn't look back.
ReplyDeleteI am also a Bernina girl. I have one that I've had for 30 years and a newer Activa 240 that I bought about 4 years ago that I use almost exclusively now. It's a great little machine and I quilt most everything on it except really big stuff.
ReplyDeleteI am a Viking owner...as is my mom, who does an amazing amount of all different kinds of amazing sewing...hope you can get something new into your hands soon!
ReplyDeleteIt seems quite a few of us are Bernina lovers. Mines the Virtuosa 150 and I adore it. But whatever you buy I would say make sure it has the needle down facility, I find this so useful when quilting and would hate to be without it
ReplyDeleteMy machines have gone thru stages.h.heeh..ee.
ReplyDeleteElna for heirloom sewing, Bernina 1630 for regular sewing Viking Designer 1 for sewing and embroidery and a Juki TL98E for quilting and sewing bags. I seem to use it for everything now. I have found over the years that customer service is a must whatever machine you buy.
I also had a Kenmore as my first machine, just as one of the other ladies. It was a work horse, but I liken it to an anvil, or a model T! It was Grandma's, an free, so a good mahine to start with. Now I have a Janome DC2010. Still pretty basic, but I had a limited budget. It cost around $400. It quilts fine, and has some decorative stitches, overcast stitches, and 3 automatic button-hole stitches. No embroidery, but I would rather do that by hand. It is so much easier to use than my old machine. I have had it about a year now, and I love it!!!!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
KT
I have a Bernina 430. It cost about the same as the Janome 6600, but I it has a free arm to do all those small projects like bags. Plus it does not have rotary hook, but has a side loading bobbin like a Featherweight, oscillating hook. That sealed the deal for me. The metal bobbin cases and bobbins almost look identical. I have never had tension problems and it sews like the old Singers do. Plus I can add the fancy stuff later like the embroidery unit and BSR later and not have to buy a new machine if I get into that stuff.
ReplyDeleteI so feel for you. I fought with my old machine for years! I am glad it broke now! The only downer to the machine is the lack of space under the arm. You have to get use to it. The Janome 6600 has so much more space.
My second machine, if I am to be so lucky one day, would be a Juki TL98Q, a great straight stitch machine for quilting. Email me if you have questions. I spent a year drooling over machines until I bought one. Good Luck.
I just posted this morning about a machine I played with this weekend.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many good choices out there. I have an older model Bernina and I have NEVER had 1 minute of trouble with it. My only complaint is that Bernia's in general tend to be loud. Particularly the newer ones. Because I teach so many classes and workshops I see alot of machines. Pfaff has a dual feed built in that is fabulous for piecing. hmmm.
I tell people to buy the most you can afford and do your homework. Buying from a dealer is so much better for lots of reasons. Servicing and education about the machine! That leaves out big box stores and the internet. Beware.
Just throwing in my 2 cents.
Pat
You say that your LQS carries Janome machines. Lucky you! Seriously, try out the MC6600P. I was in the same position as you 2 years ago. I did tons of research. Found alot of helpful advice on http://sewing.patternreview.com and then settled on the Janome MC6600P. I quilt on this machine everyday! I love the start/stop button, side thread cutter, built in needle threader, accufeed for sewing several layers of fabric, speed control lever (is a blessing)....I could go on and on! This machine comes with loads of extra feet that other companies make you buy seperately. But best of all as my LQS pointed out; this machine is very easy to open up to keep it clean and running smoothly with out bringing it in for service. By the way, I only make queen to king size quilts. Not many machines can handle that size. So keep it in mind if that is your intention. Good Luck!
ReplyDeleteI have an old Pfaff 1212, solid metal, workhorse great machine to have as a backup. I then purchased a small Bernina Quilters Edition 135 which I sold 4 years later as there was only about 5" of harp space which was not very useful for quilting. My personal opinion is that Bernina's are way overpriced. I really wanted a large harp space to free motion quilt, so I went back to reliable Pfaff and bought a Quilt Edition 4.0 about 18 months ago. I must be honest, I've struggled with tension and had issues with thread breakage and fmq'ing, however by asking for help from the blog community all these issues have been solved now and I am very happy with this machine for all of the cool stuff it has to do with quilting mentioned by most of the other people (needle down, dual feed, knee lift, auto thread cutter, needle threader) plus it has a zillion decorative stitches and lots of very cool feet.
ReplyDeleteI hope you find your dream machine!!
I HAVE A BABYLOCK ELLURE AND A SINGER GENIE 353 (1970'S MODEL) AND A OLD BABYLOCK SERGER ALL WHICH GET THE JOB DONE FROM QUILTING, EMBROIDERY TO THE VERY BASIC :)HAPPY SEWING!
ReplyDelete