Brother SQ9000 machine
 

I sewed on a Bernina machine for 30 yrs. It was a great machine, sewed a beautiful seam and never gave me trouble. I just needed something that could more than basic stitches. I chose this model because it got very good reviews and was the price I wanted to pay. On my Bernina, I always cleaned, oiled and changed my needle after each project (just a touch of OCD). I used a Schmetz 70 for 95% of my piecing and a quilting needle to quilt. I've cleaned out any lint from the feed dogs as usual but the Brother tells you not to oil the machine. I'm working on a Batik and I notice that the needle seems to "clunk". I upped the needle to an 80, but it still seems clunky. I really like the machine..is the noise something I just need to get used to. If you have the same machine could you give me some advise? Thanks,
Donnacee

I don't think you're going to be happy with a big box store machine after sewing on a quality Bernina all your life. I don't own this machine, but can promise you the feel of it and sound of it will not compare to the Bernina you have.

Candace, you're right. I'm thinking I may use my Bernina to piece and use the Brother for the fancy stitches I want to do. I would never get rid of my Bernina!!!

I have had that machine for 3 years. It is now my back up machine. I know it says not to oil. But, I always put a drop of oil on the top of the needle bar. Put the needle all the way down and put a drop of oil on the top part. Run it for a minute with any thread. I bet that banging stops. As for the comparison, nope it is not a Bernina or a Janome. But, for the money it will get the job done.

I have the Brother 9000 and really like it. Sometimes I have a clunk when there is dust or the tension is not right. When I clean it out and rethread both the top and the bobbin it sounds fine. (You sound like you know all about this, but I take it apart to get fuzz out of the feed dogs - removing the bobbin housing and the metal plate that is screwed on. Had to find bent screwdrivers for those.) BUT ... it's not real happy with thick seams and may clunk then. I think you'll enjoy it. I use about 4 of the decorative stitches a LOT... another 2 or so sometimes - the rest ... never use... (I've had it about a year and STILL think I need to oil it!)

I have the brother to I like it better than my singer much better then my white about even with my simplicity

I love my Brother SQ9000. It was a very recent gift from my husband. When I started to quilt, about 4 months ago, he said that he thought an electric machiine would be better for me and "It was on sale". I love the machine. I too have the clunking noise once in a while. It only occurs when I stitch in the ditch or go through too many layers. A sharper needle sometimes helps, but not often. I guess we will just have to get used to the noise.

PS: I do have other electric machines. A singer that was my mothers (circa 1949), a kenmore (Sears) from 1980, a "mini-Singer". That is a toy sewing machine from 1954. It was a Christmas gift. It is what I learned to sew on. And of course my non-electric machine is a singer treadle machine from 1889. It works great and I use it for any large sewing.

I pieced and quilted on a little Craigslist Brother machine for years until I won a Janome. The sound is as different at it is between a new machine and a vintage machine. Sometimes it's just that it makes a different sound. I usually go down in needle size when sewing batiks. They seem to be a much closer woven fabric.

I have a Brother and a Bernina. I do oil my Brother. Take a dime and use it like a screwdriver to that big screw head on the bottom plate. All of that comes right off, then I oil carefully and my machine runs beautifully with no clunking.

Thanks for all your advise. I do like a lot of the features on the SQ..the foot down, the decorative stitches, etc. I'll take your advise on oiling it Bev & Mcdaniel. I haven't taken off the large plate so I will. I guess it's like getting a new car. It'll sound and behave differently. I also have a problem with the fabric being pulled into the feed dog plate at the start of a new piece of fabric. Any advise on that problem. Been sewing for 50 years and this machine has me stymied.