Mad Mimm

I must preface by saying I have very little experience with sewing machines. That being said, I have a Viking Emerald 118, which is a really wonderful little workhorse of a machine (and the only machine I have). It has decent throat space, sews beautifully, and it is not particularly finicky. It manages a variety of threads and needles without giving me grief and generally runs like a top. I do an annual service on it, and as of yet, have had no other issues with it (knock on wood!). I understand the company was sold and the products are now made in China so I don't know about the newer models. This one is about 4 or 5 years old. For what it is worth my MIL, who is a die-hard quilter, swears by her Janome.

PS I use mine for both piecing and FMQ.

Mad Mimm

Have you seen the thread about how many machines everyone has? I only have one machine too. I joke that we "single machiners" are a small but very elite group on the board! :lol:

bvillequilter

Yes I do! It is almost like human bonding. I feel most comfortable sitting in front of a Bernina. I have owned Pfaff, Viking, Singer, Babylock, Brother and Elna. I always return to Bernina. I have to add though, I love Babylock/Brother for embroidery the most.

bvillequilter

and also Janome.

bvillequilter

I have found 9 times out of ten that if the thread is jamming it is because the thread fell out of the main thread path.

bvillequilter

Purchasing and owning more than one machine is a lovely vice. I have never met a person that didn't have at least one vice. Some people like to buy and collect stamps, shoes - clothes - handbags, or cars, or nicknacks, or drink, smoke, gamble. I find many sewers and quilters, including myself, have such a passion for the hobby that extend it further by buying lots of fabric, patterns, notions and of course machines. You will also find that women/men who spend much of their disposible income on their hobby are thrifty with spending in other areas to compensate.

I am curious to learn if the single machine owners also fall into the group of those who only buy fabric with a particular project in mind and don't have a stash?

naturalstateknitter

I must not be considered a single machine owner or likely to ever fall into that group. I do acquire too much fabric. Have enough to make about 10-15 quilts. Buy it when it is on sale or just because it is pretty. I only have one machine, that one is for sewing, although, I have quilted on it a small bit. I am in the process of saving for my first quilting machine, but am not there, yet.
I do have multiple weaving looms, though. Have had to get rid of several to make room and money for my future quilting machine.

Skittl1321

I just got a Bernina 430 and am in love with it. I upgraded from my mass market machine for more throat space, and while it isn't huge, it is bigger than what I have. I paid 10x for this machine what I paid for the last one, and it is without a doubt 10x better- just so many features. I've gotten a twin size quilt completely under the harp, to do something on the far edge when I didn't want it to be directional (I don't quilt as well pulling as I do pushing), so if I did a queen from center out, I would be okay.

I really wanted the Janome Horizon 7700 for the larger harp, but it was $1000 more. Since the Bernina also came with embroidery, I really couldn't justify that extra $1000. (I originally had hoped to upgrade to about a $600-800 sewing machine, but ended up spending $2000 when I realized that my price point wasn't going to get me what I wanted at all, and I might as well stay with my $200 machine... definetly worth the money, but it is going to have to last me for the rest of my life!)

Wintersewer

I'm near Syracuse and so is Roberta.