Price of machines!!!!
 

I had to take my machine for a repair last week, not a great problem I hoped. I bought this friend about seven years ago, a Brother. It cost £500. and it took me a long time to consent to buy. My lovely husband said if you don't go ahead I will go and buy it, so I went ahead, and have loved it ever since,The quilt shop owner showed me the latest model and said that they had a demo model £2000 off ---- it would usually cost £6000. Now is it just me? but who would pay that for a machine, I really couldn't justify that price.I suppose there are those out there who would pay this price, why else would they make them, but no way would anyone I know do so.I just can't wait to get my 'pal' back, I have made so many quilts etc. with it and had so much pleasure from using it.Plus made so many friends through teaching and sharing this craft.I think in that way that my machine is worth twice the cost of the 'latest' machine.:eek:

My 70 year old (free) Singer is my best friend:) She sews like a champ.....6,000 dollars or pounds is way out of my range. I'm so happy with Miss Singer.

It would be worth it for those that can afford it. Or those that make items to sell. None of my machines have cost that much.

It would be a waste for me buy an expensive machine. My needs are simple, straight stitch, zig zag, an edge finishing stitch and the occasional need to make buttonholes. I am happy with my older machines and serger. My dream machine would be a treadle. It all depends on one's tastes and pocketbook. If you can afford it and it makes you happy that's all that matters.

I have one, but only because it "fell in my lap" so to say. I had looked at embroydery machines, but like you, could never justify that price. Then I got a call from someone who knew someone who's mother had passed and she had an embroydery machine they wanted to sell and my name was brought up. Long story short, they gave me everything she had, which was boxes of embroydery thread, extra attachments, software and connections, every kind of stabilizer you could think of. That stuff was worth what I paid, which was about 1/4 the cost new. I am a happy camper. Love the machine, but still would not spend that much money on one. Unless, of course, I were to win the lottery. And that won't happen, cause I don't buy tickets. LOL

I don't know, even for me it was hard to wrap my head around the price tag, but I feel it has been worth it and already made some money off of it already, but mostly its to enjoy. I don't have a fancy car, I never get new clothes, haven't bought a new bra in a decade, don't have cable, eat pb and j for lunch, I figure I am entitled to have at least on nice thing in my life. Payments make it affordable, and I never thought i would spend that much but never say never

I have had a hard time with machines. I started on the $100 Walmart Singer Machine and it did surprisingly well with FMQ! But I decided I needed something bigger and badder, so I got an older Elna in a cabinet for $40 off Craigslist. It was more machine than I could handle and ended up selling it when I got a machine on a frame off CL. I didn't like that one bit, so I sold it and ... oh I could do this all day! I have tried about 20 different machines, none of them more than $30-40. I finally found "the one" at an estate sale for $50. It's a 30-year old Pfaff. I worry that it will die on me sooner than later, so I've kept up the hunt.

Here's where the "just bite the bullet" comes in. I got a 9-inch harp machine off Amazon for around $500 but I didn't like it. When I put my thread in it, it said, "No way, nuh uh" and I said, "Fine, back in the box!" and sent it back. I had narrowed down the hunt to a sit-down option only. No more frame quilting for this girl! (I can rent from the fabric store for $8/hour if I want to long arm!) I wanted a Sweet 16, so I started a savings account for it. I found the Sunshine 16 and decided that would work too, and so much cheaper. Then I realized that I do use my feed dogs and walking foot and like being able to sew a straight line... so those machines (and Baileys, etc) off the radar.

So I started looking at industrial machines. Table? check. Feed dogs? check. I ordered a new one off Ebay and got it about a month ago. It took a long time to put it together, because there were no instructions! But she's great and uses the same feet my Pfaff uses! I can adjust the speed on the motor but she's a little on the loud side!
I need to spend some more time with her (too busy with Christmas stuff to play with her when I first got her, and now I'm burnt out and it's hand-quilting time!) but I think she's all I will need. It was hard to make up my mind, but I couldn't see spending more than that, even tho quilting is my only vice.
Good luck!

I could not imagine paying over $1,000 for a machine but when I first saw that machines had MSRPs up to 12,000$, i was floored. With this said, I could see if someone had been sewing non-stop for decades, it began to make sense to me in that they deserved what ever machine they wanted and could afford ( i did not sew for a period of about 15 years) .

About 7 years ago I got back into sewing after my long absence from it. I went shopping to replace my 1972 Singer which was giving me fits with tension. I felt like Rip Van Winkle who had just woken up ! Machines had really evolved! Embroidery?? Wow! After weeks of comparing prices, features, test drives, etc. i made the decision to buy my Janome 9700 sew/ embroidery machine for $2,200. Gulp ! Never a regret!!!!

My husband was shocked at the price but I gently pointed out the cost of his hobbies and he has never said a word since. He is a reasonable man. BTW, he has 2 boats that have sat in the garage for years. At the time, he was alo flying a lot, prior to aviation gas skyrocketing in price. My machine gets a workout on a regular basis.

Buy the best machine that you can comfortably afford. Save if you can, if you have a stretch goal for particular machine. You won't regret it.
Sandy

It is a dilemma for me. I could afford it, but, can't justify it. I am very good to myself, and if it became important to have a spiffy machine (right now liking the Dream Weaver) I would surely get it. I don't feel denied, and my dinky mechanical Brothers seem to meet my needs right now. I do have three vintage singers, an electric in a cabinet, a featherweight and a treadle. Same thing with my serger. Wanted one for a long time, and looked at lots. Did like the very expensive Baby Lock self threader, but, couldn't justify it for my needs. Ended up with Brother 1034D and it is great for my needs. In the $200 range. But, I don't know how I will feel next month or next year. If things change, will post!!!

I was like that for a long time. A few yrs ago I started sewing again and decided I needed a better machine than my 25yr old singer, which I gave to my daughter. I found a 450 Kenmore at Sears that was priced wrong and it for 250. It is a great machine. I have always loved the designs that I've seen from Viking so last yr when at my LQS they had the Ruby on sale, used only 7hrs and the price was great. I got it and promised myself that I wouldn't do like I hear alot doing and that was buying but not useing the embroidery part. I have to say that I did good and in the past yr I only did embroidery on it and sewed on my Kenmore. Then a few months ago I had the opportunity to get a new Diamond at a used price and traded my Ruby in for it and got a great deal. It was still alot of money but I really got hooked on embroidery and take classes and love making things. Now I'm on a mission to finish up all projects and to use my machine for more than just embroidery. This past weekend I finished up two quilts and quilted a table runner. I was so happy and this weekend I'll do more plus finish this months embroidery project which is the only new thing I'm allowing myself to do until I'm caught up with projects. I might feel badly about spending so much but I don't smoke or drink or go out so this is my only vice and I'm living up to my promise to myself and I'm using it constantly. I felt guilty when I didn't get to use it for 3 wks after Christmas. Even though I hate making the payments each month, I'm so glad that I got the Ruby and now the Diamond Deluxe.

I go to a couple of quilting retreats each year and at every one of them we have machines that just bite the dust. It is surprising how many of these machines are the new expensive designer models. With the big named one that starts with a "B" topping the list. The machines that cost $150.00 or $200.00 and come from Wal-mart or Overstock.com seem not to mind the constant use for days on end and just keep chugging along. It is rare for one of them the die. Odd don't you think?

When I was working, I purchased an embroidery/sewing machine with all the software and stuff. It is a Viking Scandinavia 400. Last week I decided since I never use the embroidery module, I would trade my machine in and get a lighter weight machine to take to classes. I picked out a $699 Janome and the dealer made some calls re: the trade in. They offered me, for machine, software, card reader, hoops,and several embroidery cards - wait for it - a whopping total of $100.00!!!! That's right, one hundred dollars. I was stunned. I could tell the shop owner was embarrassed, but that is what her bosses had said. She quietly advised me to sell it privately and then come back to buy a machine.
I will never spend big bucks on a sewing machine again! I use my vintage ones almost exclusively unless I am doing machine appliqué.

when I started sewing many MANY years ago, I always tried to have a nice machine. When I was first married, my hubby at that time bought me the best Singer on the market with a price tag of around $700 (this was back in the early 70's). i would never have spent that much money on a machine. This machine lasted a good 20 years so well worth the money spent. It would probably still be working except I didn't maintain it like I should have (too busy working so didn't sew much for about 10 years).

I now have a Babylock sewing and embroidery machine that I bought 4 years ago and paid $3000 for it. It wasn't the top of the line when I bought it (those were around $6K then). It works like a dream and only serviced once so far for cleaning and a new bobbin case. It's due for another cleaning.

Bottomline....I can't justify paying more than $4000+ for a machine only because my income couldn't handle it but if I could, I would.

My late quilting friend Naomi had a Bernina for which she had paid a few thousand dollars. When it broke it cost her a few hundred to get it fixed, which took forever. I like seeing the new machines and could afford one with all the bells and whistles but what stops me is, would I ever use most of the features? I don't think I'd do any embroidery. I'd rather spend money on fabric and "gadgets". My backup machine is a 1967 Singer which was a big deal at the time - it had a zigzag stitch! And you could use two needles! And it was (is) turquoise! Now I use a Brother which cost me about $600 and I still haven't learned some of the features because we moved before I could take the learning course offered by the dealer. A sewing machine becomes like an old friend, loyal and there for you, and there's one for each of us that's right, from the bare bones sold at Walmart to the ones that send your budget thru the roof, it's just a matter of finding the right one.

Many many years ago I recieved an inheritance from my grandparents in 2 parts 5yrs apart. The first part went to put a down payment on a house. The second part set up 401's and college funds for my kids . Both of which are gone now since my ex cleaned everything out when he left. However I was bound and determined to have a good machine.At the time I was doing sewing for others and Viking was the only machine that didn't void the warrenty if you did that. So I got a Viking. I had that machine for many many years , sewed all kinds of things on it from wedding dresses to upholstery fabric. Price $1000. It finally bit the dust. I am sure it could be repaired but just couldn't see putting the money into it. Soo When after 6 yrs of waiting for my disability I got a good check ,even though I got cheated out of 2 yrs, I paid off my daughters bills since I had been living with her and spent $2000. on a QC1000 that the dealer had on special with the bag , and extra attachments and a serger. I love my Brother machine and although it's not a portable(well not for me) I do have some vintage machines for back up, I have never had a problem with it. I have had it serviced once in 4 yrs. To me it was something I could do for Just me. If someone has the money to spend Go for it. I don't and that's ok I am happy. I always laugh when I see the costs of some machines. Even mine. I have never spent 2grand on a car. LOL And a long arm wow! I could put a down payment or just buy out right a house for the price of those. LOL

I have never paid MSRP for a sewing/embroidery machine. Dealers have "wiggle room" when trying to sell these machines. The MSRP is a starting point.

Trust me, you wouldn't want to know what I have invested in all my machines, you'd faint! :D

I put the word out that I'm looking to buy a good machine. I get a call at least every other month that someone's relative has been put in a nursing home, downsizing or sadly passed away and there is an almost new machine to be sold.

Some of the less pricey machine are the best. it depends on what kind of sewing you do best. I have found out that
one of the most important things we can do for our machines is to have them serviced professionally. I used to make
slip covers for others and found to keep my machine stitching best I needed to have it cleaned and adjusted at least
once per year. At that time I had a Kenmore Commander. Yes that dates me. It was a wonderful machine.

You will never regret having your beloved servant maintained.

I have a Rose 550 Viking which is about 15 or so years old. I got it when someone had purchased it and then the new embrodiery machines came out and she traded up. My machine was only 5 months old, still under warranty and I got it for $1600. Original price was around $2000. I have never regretted my good luck. Have never had any problems with her and don't ever plan to replace her.

Great advice! Goes the same for cars too.
Sandy

My Viking Sapphire 830 was $1100 new years ago and love it. But now I live in the country with no place to have it serviced. Will have to drive all the way down the mountain to Phx. and drop it off then drive all the way back to pick it up.
I have several cheap Brother machines for backup that I dont use much so are in great shape. But require lifting the foot etc. that my Viking dosnt require so its a hassle to relearn to do those things. Im so spoiled.