picking a newsewing machine
 

I have a 12 yr. old Bernina. I thought when I bought it I was getting the best. I think I got rooked though, and was sold a demonstrator instead of the new one I ordered. Too late to do anything about that, but I've had nothing but headaches with that darn thing. Am thinking of buying a new one, but I am so spooked with all the "latest and greatest". My older sister had a Singer that she used for years with no problems. I'd NEVER buy a Singer though, old or new. Had one, had major problems...it was in shop more than in my home. SOOOOO, I'm in a quandary as to which brand to pick. Read on here that the Baby Lock is good, but stay away from Singer, Viking, Pfaff, and others. I do lots of sewing and quilting, but am NOT interested in machine quilting....I only piece on my machine and only do hand quilting which I dearly love. I'm not sure, but I think Great Gramma would turn her nose up at machine quilting...it's just not legitimate. LOL Let's keep tradition as tradition... Any help out there? Oh, I did like a Janome that I saw 4 or 5 years ago. It was priced around $500 or $600.

I just bought a new Janome. I bought it on e bay. Brand new, still in the box, shipped from the warehouse. Its a $700.00 machine and I got it for $419.00 no shipping and no taxes. Its a Janome DC 3050 I just love it. Bought it Nov. 28th and got it Dec. 5th The person advertising them on e bay is a Janome dealer. I called them and bought mine, dont like to use credit cards on line. Good Luck!!

I had my mom's old Bernina 830 that she bought in the 70's I think. It sewed like a champ! I did finally get a new Janome 6500 about two years ago ONLY because I wanted all the newer things like thread cutter, self thread needle, knee lift, and a whole bunch more stitches. Before deciding on that model, I searched the internet for pros and cons on all sorts of models IN MY PRICE RANGE. You find more cons than pros alot of times. But my advice to you is to decide on the things you want in a new machine and your price range. Then go to stores to actually try out the different machines. They all feel different. I found out some of the less expensive models felt like really cheap when sewing although they look great and price was right. Things to think about is will you be taking to quiltiing classes? if so think about the weight. My Janome is rather heavy but I don't take that one to classes. How many of those fancy stitches will you really use? How much room does the throat area have? I really thought I wanted another Bernina but in my price range all I could get was one that had only 6 inches! My 6500 has 9inches. SHop around, price compare and dont hesitate to try and get a better price. They can bargin like car dealers! Good Luck, and I am sure which ever machine you decide on you will love it!

I did buy mine online and paid $900 for new in the box with a 30 full refund return policy if I didn't like it. They would even pay the shipping to return it! How could I not try it! I tried it and Loved it!

If you can test drive different machines might help. I would check what machine features I wanted. I have Janomes and love them. I have a local Janome store for support that is nice to have and also the $$$ you want to pay. Good luck in your search & let us know what you decide.

I once had a Bernina that had a pedal that overheated. Boy, did that thing get hot! The dealer at the time was puzzled by that. A few years later, the company sent out some diverter or something to put in the pedal to keep it from overheating. Well, then it would shut down and not work till it was ready. Didn't take me long to get rid of that. I started getting Vikings because I liked the one I used at my sister-in-laws. Have had those over the years. Some had quirks, but I LOVE my Platinum. I still have my old #1, but the thread breaks when I am edge stitching, which I did a lot of, so that was frustrating.

I love my Baby Lock. Sews like a champ and no problems. Had it for 2 years.

I have both a Bernina and Janome. Sounds like your problem is with your dealer, not your machine. Look for a different dealer!

My recommendation is to look online at Ken's Sewing in Alabama. I have been to the store, and have purchased two machines from him. His online sales has now reached 46,000+, with a 99.7% satisfaction. It is a great place, his packaging for shipping is fantastic, and there are no shipping charges. At least give it a look.

I, too, love my Viking Platinum. A friend of mine purchased a new Viking either last year or the year before and is very happy with it as well. Sorry, don't remember the model on hers. I, too, machine piece and hand quilt. I will machine quilt charity quilts that require it but otherwise, it's hand quilting all the way for me!

I have a Pfaff and a Babylock. The Pfaff is my favorite by far. I have had it for years. I use the Babylock to do free motion quilting. Good luck on your search, don't get in a hurry and take your time.