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Does anyone know how to find out where sewing machines are made? There are so many new machines on the market and they all sound amazing. I would like to know who the parent/sister companies are and where the machines are manufactured. This sewing machine research is starting to cut into my sewing time
Possibly go to each manufacturers website, they may list the country. Most likely to be surprised where they are made.
The machines themselves are suposed to have the name of the country imprinted on them. Also, some companies have machines made in more than one country. It really is confusing now.
http://www.oregonquilting.net
I choose to give my life away for things that last forever
I read an article that there are only two sewing machine companies that manufacturers all of them except Bernina. Each brand is made according to specs for that brand.
If you want to buy a machine that you are sure is made in the USA you have to go vintage or buy directly from the local manufacturers such as Bailey's. Made in sticker is slowly starting to mean nothing. I started noticing assembled in stickers recently on many products.
I know that the top-end Berninas are still made in Switzerland; however, I was surprised to hear that their lower-end machines (even though they carry the Bernina name) are made in other countries.
Why do you want to know where a machine is manufactured? These days it may not make a lot of difference. For example, cars that are assembled in the U.S. have individual parts that were manufactured in other countries.
I would start with a budget (which automatically narrows down what you look at), then list the most important features to you (such as larger-than-normal harp size), then narrow it down to manufacturers and models that get great ratings from users. Next step would be to try out as many of those as possible to see what "feels" best. The last step for me would be tracking down where the machines are made; it would never be one of the first steps. Too time-consuming.
This is turning into a very interesting subject. I am just trying to learn all that I can while I save for a real nice machine. I have at least an hour drive to go do test drives, so I'm narrowing my choices from the comfort of my home. Thanks for all the help.
Contrary to what alot of people say; Vikings are made and manfactured in Sweeden. Some say they are done in China but if you check the Viking website at the bottom of the comparison for the last 5 or 6 top of the line machines it says they are from Sweeden. You can rarely find anything that has been 100% made in one certain country any more so as long as the company stands by their product I wouldn't worry about that as much as where I got it from. What most do agree on is that LQS customer service is high on the priority list when searching for a new machine. There is one store here that sells a machine that I don't own and have nothing against except that I would never want to deal with the store on an on going basis. I go when I need something that I can't find elsewhere. The employees, including owner is rude and over prices a lot of things. Get a feel for the store, try out the machines to see which one fits, what classes are offered and what you'll need to do if you have a problem. Those things are very important. Not sure where you are in NC but Bella Fabrics is right by the James River Bridge and they are fantastic to deal with. They sell Viking and have great classes and clubs.
Notice I didn't slam the store that I try not to go to. I figure people can make up their own minds and then when I hear the many comments I can chuckle because I agree and they figured it out on thier own.
Judy
@ Judy, I read that The Viking Ruby is "Designed and Engineered in Sweden" I couldn't find out where it is manufactured.
I know that Pfaff (same co. as Viking) changed from Germany, to made in Sweden. My 2140/44 both say Sweden. However, the 2170 said made in the Czech Republic. The lower line Pfaffs are from China. I'd assume that Viking does the same.
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