Help! How Many Machines Does One Need?
09-02-2012, 07:14 AM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Long Island
Posts: 798
Treadle Singer for when the power goes ou and it is pretty. Can sew through anything.
Two classroom model Singers, steel body, because they are workhorses. I have one set up for quilting only with the darning foot, and the other is for piecing and garments.
Singer overlock because I like seams on the garments done right and it helps in finishing the quilts before binding.
Two classroom model Singers, steel body, because they are workhorses. I have one set up for quilting only with the darning foot, and the other is for piecing and garments.
Singer overlock because I like seams on the garments done right and it helps in finishing the quilts before binding.
Last edited by Tashana; 09-02-2012 at 07:15 AM. Reason: Spelling
09-02-2012, 08:29 AM
#12
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Posts: 173
As my hubby will quickly point out to me...there is a huge difference between need and want. I have a brother pc-420, a juki serger, and a cheapie brother machine that is my emergency back up machine should mine have to go to the shop. Hubby tells me that's all the machines I need. I want a Juki f-600, an embroidery machine, and that new brother dreamweaver looks cool too.
09-02-2012, 09:30 AM
#13
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 9,268
I have four............
1 strictly embroidery only
1 heavy duty machine (no bells or whistles)
1 sewing machine for daily use (making quilt tops and clothes etc.)
and my Bailey long arm for...well you know......
1 strictly embroidery only
1 heavy duty machine (no bells or whistles)
1 sewing machine for daily use (making quilt tops and clothes etc.)
and my Bailey long arm for...well you know......
09-02-2012, 10:14 AM
#14
Power Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 12,861
i think if your Viking is having a little trouble it may just be time to take it in & have a good cleaning/tune up done on it.
i've used my viking for all sorts of sewing without problems for over 10 years- i do now have a 1956 singer i use as my (travel) machine- it is a simple straight stitch machine but at home-for sewing/garment/costume/home dec & quilting i use my viking. I love the ease of zippers, the button holer, the fact i can go from sewing a pair of denim jeans right to working on a silk quilt block with just a change of needle & a couple settings.
i've used my viking for all sorts of sewing without problems for over 10 years- i do now have a 1956 singer i use as my (travel) machine- it is a simple straight stitch machine but at home-for sewing/garment/costume/home dec & quilting i use my viking. I love the ease of zippers, the button holer, the fact i can go from sewing a pair of denim jeans right to working on a silk quilt block with just a change of needle & a couple settings.
09-02-2012, 10:30 AM
#16
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 3,422
I have seven sewing machines: two sergers, vintage Singer treadle,Singer featherweight, Bernina embroidery machine, Brother 1500, and a White machine. My old serger is a Singer, hard to thread. I bought a BabyLock Evolution this year to replace it. Wow, it is great! I quilt mostly with the Brother and piece with it too. It is really accurate and easy to use. My Bernina is the old Artista 180 embroidery machine. It does beautiful embroidery and also sews everything else beautifully. I would love to have the newer Bernina 830 or 730 embroidery machines with a larger hoop capacity. I use the other when the mood strikes me except for the treadle. I like to take the featherweight when I go on a trip. It still sews great and it was made the same year I was born. I think you should have as many sewing machines as you want or can afford.
09-02-2012, 10:30 AM
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Kaua`i
Posts: 616
Originally Posted by Sheddah
I have a 28 year old Necchi 549 which has served me well. During that time I replaced the motor belt and top tension assembly. It is now showing it's age and the top stitching is wobbly. The company went out of business over 10 years ago and parts are mostly unavailable. I have a lot of alterations to do and began quilting this summer, so I searched for a replacement machine.
I found a Husqvarna Viking Platinum 750 through a lady on Craigslist who had listed a different machine initially. I had done research on Vikings and the brand was high on my list of possibilities (if made in Sweeden). This machine was made in Sweeden and came with a Viking walking foot, Viking stippling foot and an 18x24 clear acrylic extension table for a great price after a bit of haggling. I bought it.
After sewing different things on it, I have discovered that it will not sew over garment seams when hemming without whining and balking. When it finally makes it over the hump the stitches are tiny. On the other hand, I found that I can do FMQ on it easily without any problems. Are most machines made today for one specific type of sewing? I really just want one machine that can do it all!
What are your experiences with a Bernina Record 830? Is this a machine that can sew over multiple thicknesses without hesitation as well as handling FMQ beautifully? I like that it can sew standard buttonholes, blind hem, and sew the blanket stitch. These are features I want/need also.
Can you recommend other machines that have all of these abilities. I don't need electronic or computerized--mechanical is fine--but reliability and longevity IS important to me.
Thanks so much for reading!
Sheddah
I found a Husqvarna Viking Platinum 750 through a lady on Craigslist who had listed a different machine initially. I had done research on Vikings and the brand was high on my list of possibilities (if made in Sweeden). This machine was made in Sweeden and came with a Viking walking foot, Viking stippling foot and an 18x24 clear acrylic extension table for a great price after a bit of haggling. I bought it.
After sewing different things on it, I have discovered that it will not sew over garment seams when hemming without whining and balking. When it finally makes it over the hump the stitches are tiny. On the other hand, I found that I can do FMQ on it easily without any problems. Are most machines made today for one specific type of sewing? I really just want one machine that can do it all!
What are your experiences with a Bernina Record 830? Is this a machine that can sew over multiple thicknesses without hesitation as well as handling FMQ beautifully? I like that it can sew standard buttonholes, blind hem, and sew the blanket stitch. These are features I want/need also.
Can you recommend other machines that have all of these abilities. I don't need electronic or computerized--mechanical is fine--but reliability and longevity IS important to me.
Thanks so much for reading!
Sheddah
I have a Viking Husqvarna 875 and an elderly (circa 1965) work-horse Elna Supermatic (actually three: my original and two from ebay to cannibalize for parts) with all the bells & whistles.
I've never been sorry to buy high end machines because I expect to use them for years. But I'm betting that the computerized Husqvarna won't last almost fifty years! *LOL*
Meanwhile, I'm saving to buy a serger.
09-02-2012, 11:05 AM
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: brunssum, the netherlands
Posts: 457
I only have a pfaff hobby 919-1....twice
I bought mine about 20 years ago and do all my sewing on it, quilts, curtains, clothes , furniture, jeans, leather and FMQ.
Because it's already an old lady I wanted the same one for reserve.......and after being patient I found one for a very, very reasonable price.....only three years younger than mine but looking ( and working) like new.
And I'm one happy lady now!!!!
I bought mine about 20 years ago and do all my sewing on it, quilts, curtains, clothes , furniture, jeans, leather and FMQ.
Because it's already an old lady I wanted the same one for reserve.......and after being patient I found one for a very, very reasonable price.....only three years younger than mine but looking ( and working) like new.
And I'm one happy lady now!!!!
09-02-2012, 11:18 AM
#19
Power Poster
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Front row
Posts: 14,646
1. Singer Quantum - Fancy stitches before I got into quilting
2. Singer 15-90 in cabinet- just had to have it
3. Singer White Featherweight- a gift from a stranger: she asked if I wanted it she had several and was downsizing.
4. Janome Jem Gold- to take to classes
5. Another Janome Jem Gold - DD bought and left here
6. Singer 301- gift from a friend
7. Bernina 1260 - too good a price to pass up
8. Brother 1500 - won it
I use them all.
2. Singer 15-90 in cabinet- just had to have it
3. Singer White Featherweight- a gift from a stranger: she asked if I wanted it she had several and was downsizing.
4. Janome Jem Gold- to take to classes
5. Another Janome Jem Gold - DD bought and left here
6. Singer 301- gift from a friend
7. Bernina 1260 - too good a price to pass up
8. Brother 1500 - won it
I use them all.
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