i have a elna quilters dream machinei brought it years ago ,it was put away for several like 8years because i was all ways at work and had little time for sewing. then about 3 years ago i got hurt at work and was not able to work, have not return to work ,doctor,s are putting me on total permanent disability so my husband felt sorry for me and he brought me a bernina 730e artist ,i have been playing with it and trying to get the hang of using it ,and than just the other day i got out my old sewing machine my elna and guess what it works and runs like a dream so now i have two great machines ,if you buy a new machine look for those two brands they good investments ,you,ll get your money,s worth i did good luck at sewing machine shopping

I'm with you, Tim. I have used zigzag on repairing kids' clothes...

But I can see someday using a blanket stitch to applique. :D

So, that's three I need. :lol:

Good thing I asked this question--since I've never heard of Elna. I need to get out more.
:shock:

So--what is a good depth for the throat?

I JUST GOT A CARD FROM THE LOCAL QUILT SHOP YESTERDAY..ALSO A PFAFF DEALER... WHICH SAID THEY HAVE 3 NEW MODELS COMING OUT WITH DEEPER THROATS. I IMAGINE THEY'LL BE PRETTY PRICEY, BUT MAYBE THE OLD MODELS WILL BE ON A TERRIFIC SALE!! I CURRENTLY SEW ON A 30 YO SINGER AT HOME, BUT HAVE USED THE PFAFFS IN CLASS...WOW!!!! I WANT ONE SOOOO BAD. ALOT OF NEAT FEATURES THAT MAKE PIECING AND QUILTING MUCH EASIER. MAYBE IF I'M A REALLY GOOD GIRL ST. NICK WILL LEAVE ONE IN MY BOOTS!!! NOT!! :cry: :cry: :cry:

LUCKY YOU..HAVE FUN CHOOSING :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

well, you all know my love of old machines... for a fantastic old machine with lots of stitches, find a Singer 401 :mrgreen:

Very few machines are actually made by the companies that started them... Singer is a perfect example - that name has been sold so many times, then company went bankrupt, then bought by conglomerate, etc etc, the only thing "Singer" about the machines is the name "Singer"...

I've been doing some research and this is what I came up with yesterday - that's been over 24 hours ago so there might have been some changes since then :roll: And this was just a short run through Google looking for info....

Pfaff, Viking, Singer and White - one company altho some Viking machines are still make in Sweden

Elna, Kenmore, New Home, Janome, one parent company and they also make some of the Bernettes

Bernina still makes/owns Bernina and make a pro machine Tacsew 950

Babylock and Brother

apparently all sergers are from the same place in Japan and just made cosmetically different for each company

I love my Bernina and it has lots of extra stitches that I do not use. It is 20 years old and acts like new. Twenty years ago it was expensive, but I felt worth the money. I definitely would look for a machine with mostly metal parts. Some are all plastic now. I want to look at the Bernina Aurora 440 QE, but that is down the road.

Good luck in choosing a new machine.

Janeen--that info is very interesting. :!: :!:

Metal parts--I definitely want those.

Karla, I just bought a Bernina 200 upgraded to be a 730E. It was a gently used machine and I am finding that I love it! It has already spoiled me with several things I now couldn't do without....the 1/4" foot, needle up or down position..needle adjustment- sideways positions., knee bar for raising and lowering the presser foot, the stitch regulator and of course the embroidery module. I'm playing with all of it and having a great time. The big new Bernina comes out in Oct....so I hear there will be a lot of trade-ins available...it might be a great time to check out those lightly used machines...you might be able to get a real bargain!

Good luck and have fun! Don't buy a new Singer though :cry:

I now understand "stitch regulator" and want of of those!!

Now I have to ask--what's "needle up or down position"?

I like my new Kenmore because of the speed....its fast...I'm inpatient and want speed when I want it

I bought a Singer back in November-it broke down last week and there is no one to fix it in Montana. So I ended up getting a Husqvarna. It cost me alot, but so far am happy with it. Its an embroidery unit too. I still have to take it in for more lessons, there is so much to do with it!!