Help - Want to buy my wife quilt/sewing machine for X-mas!!
11-30-2009, 11:20 AM
#1
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 2
My wife is a crazy quilter. I am sure many on this forum know what I mean.
She is really great at it and has been doing it for many years.
She is ill, however, and I want to really surprise her at Christmas this year with a top of the line sewing machine for her quilting.
I just snuck into her quilting room - yes, she has an entire room devoted to quilting with a work table, sewing centre etc. From what I can tell (I can't find the specific model number on the machine, it just says Husqvarna
Viking) she currently has a Husqvarna Platitmun machine (the instructional manual that I found is for Plantimum 730, 750 and 770 models so it has to be one of these).
I would like to get something significantly better. I think she would also enjoy/like something with embroidering capabilites for shirts, jeans, blouses etc.
So, here is the big question. If you were my wife and currently owned a Husqvarna Viking Plantinum series quilting/sewing machine ... what would you like if you were upgrading?
Since we live in a small city with a Husqvarna store in it and given that she currently has a Husqvarna machine which she is familiar with ... I think (for my own sake) I better stick with another Husqvarna model.
So there you have it ladies. Please fire away at me and please give me your divine guidance. I know that buying a sewing machine is to women what buying a new car is to us guys ... so I know I am on thin ice here. Help me not to break through! If you can suggest specific model numbers that would be very helpful.
Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
She is really great at it and has been doing it for many years.
She is ill, however, and I want to really surprise her at Christmas this year with a top of the line sewing machine for her quilting.
I just snuck into her quilting room - yes, she has an entire room devoted to quilting with a work table, sewing centre etc. From what I can tell (I can't find the specific model number on the machine, it just says Husqvarna
Viking) she currently has a Husqvarna Platitmun machine (the instructional manual that I found is for Plantimum 730, 750 and 770 models so it has to be one of these).
I would like to get something significantly better. I think she would also enjoy/like something with embroidering capabilites for shirts, jeans, blouses etc.
So, here is the big question. If you were my wife and currently owned a Husqvarna Viking Plantinum series quilting/sewing machine ... what would you like if you were upgrading?
Since we live in a small city with a Husqvarna store in it and given that she currently has a Husqvarna machine which she is familiar with ... I think (for my own sake) I better stick with another Husqvarna model.
So there you have it ladies. Please fire away at me and please give me your divine guidance. I know that buying a sewing machine is to women what buying a new car is to us guys ... so I know I am on thin ice here. Help me not to break through! If you can suggest specific model numbers that would be very helpful.
Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
11-30-2009, 11:33 AM
#2
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Out searching for some sunshine :-)
Posts: 58,856
If you are going to upgrade to a embroidery machine, it may be a good idea to stick with a local dealer. She is going to love being able to take classes from them on how to use it. I would also make sure that the dealer agrees that you can return it, if it is not the model she has in mind. No offence, but sometimes it is more of a personal decision... You are awesome to think of surprising your wife with a new machine
11-30-2009, 11:44 AM
#3
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Front row
Posts: 14,646
She'll love you for wanting to do this for her. But if my DH bought me a new sewing machine without my input I would love the gesture but be disheartened too. A sewing machine is personal to most quilters and lots of research and thought goes into a new machine. Go to the dealer and see the prices of the various machines and then give your wife lots of new machine brochures along with a check! :)
11-30-2009, 11:50 AM
#4
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Elk River, MN
Posts: 212
I don't know sewing machines- but have you done a search on top-rated, etc machines? I know it's way different, but that's the way I picked out my vacuum cleaner (which I am IN LOVE with), and now I do that with every big purchase I make.
It may even help to go to the manufacturers websites and see if there aren't reviews online from people who have purchased that particular model, for instance. People are sometimes partial to their own machines, so it may be better to seek out a site like I mentioned above. ? The thing is that a manufacturer may say- model ABC is the best, but if all the reviews say otherwise, well there you go. At least it's better than nothing.
As far as a machine specific to what she does??? Maybe you can set up your sister or daughter or something to grill your wife about what she thinks is good (as if they were going to take up quilting??? however you do it) about her machine and what she wants in a new one. Then they can relay that information to you. :)
That may or not help, but that's all I can think of- you are so sweet to take the time to search out a forum and think of getting your wife something that will mean so much to her!
Good luck- I hope you get more good ideas from the many experienced quilters on here!
It may even help to go to the manufacturers websites and see if there aren't reviews online from people who have purchased that particular model, for instance. People are sometimes partial to their own machines, so it may be better to seek out a site like I mentioned above. ? The thing is that a manufacturer may say- model ABC is the best, but if all the reviews say otherwise, well there you go. At least it's better than nothing.
As far as a machine specific to what she does??? Maybe you can set up your sister or daughter or something to grill your wife about what she thinks is good (as if they were going to take up quilting??? however you do it) about her machine and what she wants in a new one. Then they can relay that information to you. :)
That may or not help, but that's all I can think of- you are so sweet to take the time to search out a forum and think of getting your wife something that will mean so much to her!
Good luck- I hope you get more good ideas from the many experienced quilters on here!
11-30-2009, 01:02 PM
#5
Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Ohio
Posts: 37
I think you are GREAT and what I would want my husband to do is get me a real nice card, with picture of what you think she might want. The local Quilt Store should be able to help you if they know her. Put the pic in the card and tell her she can have that one or anyone she might like better, or prefer. Like BellaBoo said it is a personel item that only she is going to be working with so she should pick it out. Have a GREAT Christmas and it sounds like both of you are very lucky to have each other.
11-30-2009, 01:17 PM
#7
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: NY
Posts: 10,590
While this is an incredibly thoughtful gesture on your part you may be setting yourself up for a world of hurt and disappointment. Like other posters a machine is very personal. I would be very angry with my husband if he did this as I am currently extremely pleased with the machine I have now, as your wife may be with hers. She may secretly covet something else and not want the hassle associated with a new machine. Please seek out this posting: http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-28927-1.htm for some insite about this kind of "surprise".
11-30-2009, 01:41 PM
#8
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 113
Hi Guy! What a wonderful surprise you are planning for your wife. I worked at a quilt shop/sewing machine store for several years, and we repaired them also.
First of all: definitely whatever brand you buy, make sure it is from a dealer, and not off the net or from WallyWorld. She will need the support/lessons/warranty from a dealer.
I quilt on one machine and embroider on another. It is wonderful to do it that way as you can be embroidering while you are quilting. The "all in one" QUEEN machines that do it all limit you to be able to do that, so while she is embroidering on her "all in one", she will have to continue to use her other machine she owns now to quilt & do regular sewing. Don't missunderstand me...the "all in one machines" are WONDERFUL and TERRIFIC in today's electronic digital world, but you can only do embroidery OR sewing on them..........not both at the same time.
If there is a Janome Dealer in your city, be sure you take a look at their machines. They hardly ever need repair and are very user friendly and most owners can do their own oiling/cleaning maintenance on them. The Corporation is a good company and they are definitely customer service oriented. They have a machine that does ONLY embroidery and that's all it does...(I have one of those)..and then they have other machines for quilting & regular sewing. Yes, they have one of those "all in one QUEEN" machines too, and it is TOP OF THE LINE...excellent.
Hope you have a computer and high end one, as she will need it to store all of her embroidery designs...or a separate external hard drive (which is what I have).
Now...that I've totally confused you. LOL! Have a good time looking and surprising your wife, and be prepared to spend more than a few dollars!
MERRY CHRISTMAS to you and her! You are one terrific Santa!
First of all: definitely whatever brand you buy, make sure it is from a dealer, and not off the net or from WallyWorld. She will need the support/lessons/warranty from a dealer.
I quilt on one machine and embroider on another. It is wonderful to do it that way as you can be embroidering while you are quilting. The "all in one" QUEEN machines that do it all limit you to be able to do that, so while she is embroidering on her "all in one", she will have to continue to use her other machine she owns now to quilt & do regular sewing. Don't missunderstand me...the "all in one machines" are WONDERFUL and TERRIFIC in today's electronic digital world, but you can only do embroidery OR sewing on them..........not both at the same time.
If there is a Janome Dealer in your city, be sure you take a look at their machines. They hardly ever need repair and are very user friendly and most owners can do their own oiling/cleaning maintenance on them. The Corporation is a good company and they are definitely customer service oriented. They have a machine that does ONLY embroidery and that's all it does...(I have one of those)..and then they have other machines for quilting & regular sewing. Yes, they have one of those "all in one QUEEN" machines too, and it is TOP OF THE LINE...excellent.
Hope you have a computer and high end one, as she will need it to store all of her embroidery designs...or a separate external hard drive (which is what I have).
Now...that I've totally confused you. LOL! Have a good time looking and surprising your wife, and be prepared to spend more than a few dollars!
MERRY CHRISTMAS to you and her! You are one terrific Santa!
11-30-2009, 01:54 PM
#9
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Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,387
That is really a sweet thought. But I'm with most of the other people here - I would want some input on it.
Before you commit to this, you might want to do some shopping yourself - some of these machines are spendy!!!!
(The only reason I mention cost is because I can't afford a new one right now - and I am mostly happy with the ones I have.)
Before you commit to this, you might want to do some shopping yourself - some of these machines are spendy!!!!
(The only reason I mention cost is because I can't afford a new one right now - and I am mostly happy with the ones I have.)
11-30-2009, 02:14 PM
#10
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Posts: 6,884
Go to the dealer where she got her last machine. Talk to them. Has she been in there lately to lust after some new machine?
I agree with the previous comments, I would not want someone else to actually BUY a machine for me, but maybe a gift certificate, or an actual visit with me to pick out a new machine in aprice range. I think doing research together would be lots better than a "surprise"!
I agree with the previous comments, I would not want someone else to actually BUY a machine for me, but maybe a gift certificate, or an actual visit with me to pick out a new machine in aprice range. I think doing research together would be lots better than a "surprise"!
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