barnbum

Sorry. I searched for one I did months ago and couldn't find it.

My husband suggested buying a new machine if a lot of stuff sells at the craft show. :wink: I love my machine--we've been through a lot. but boy a deeper throat would sure come in handy--and something to make that 1/4" seam spot on.

Question about stitches--does a person really need more than 30? I don't think I've ever used more than 2. :oops: I see them for 100s and I wonder why the heck I'd ever need that.

Besides a deeper throat (what is a good length to look for?) , and a drop in bobbin--what features are on your machine you're very happy are there? Which features could you do without?

Is there a brand that floats above the rest in durability? Ease of use? Janome and Bernina? Pfaff? Are those the top three? I have a Singer--and if a new Singer would feel familiar, I'd love that.

pocoellie

I love my Elnas. I wouldn't buy a new Singer, though. I bought one about 20 years ago, not one of the cheapie ones either, and had so much trouble with it, I finally took it back and got my money back and got a New Home. I wore that one out and bought my first Elna and then a couple years ago, bought a used Elna Quilter's Dream. I have never used all of the stitches on my machines, although I do use some of the decorative stitches on my bindings.

Dodie

I love my Pfaff for all of the piecing the dual feed cannot be beat for just about all sewing I use my Bernina for decorative stitching the embroidery unit and the stitch regulator for quilting could not part with either one

barnbum

Goodness, I've never heard of Elna--but "Quilter's Dream" sure is catchy. :wink:

barnbum

What's a stitch regulator for?

pocoellie

You've never heard of Elna? I love my Dream.

barnbum

Wow--here's a great review on them: http://www.quiltersreview.com/articl...t/001211_a.asp

It sounds wonderful--just a bit pricey.

Marcia

For free motion quilting--keeps all your stitches the same length. It actually counts the threads it is hopping over as you move the quilt and puts a stitch at the exact spot it should be. (I would LOVE to have the new Bernina with the stitch regulator but $$$$$$) http://www.berninausa.com/product_de...=1218510534701

I love my Bernina-the two features that I love the best are the needle up/needle down and the hands free system that allows you to raise and lower your presser foot with a knee lifter.

bluebird

Elna and Bernina are top of the line machines, wonderful, but costly. Just bought a Janome this year and love it. Was mid priced, larger sewing throat area, needle down, needle threader, speed control, 1/4 in foot, walking foot, etc. An excellent, easy to use machine. Have trouble remembering how to use those machines with all the bells and whistles. :roll: If I don't use it regularly, I loose it!

Good luck with your search, just so many great machines to choose from. Don't buy because of the number of stitches a machine can do, ask yourself how often would you use them. What type of sewing are you going to be doing. You may not need them. Buy what you will be comfortable with.

k_jupiter

I dunno. I have an old Bernina and an old Elna, both with a certain number (15? 20?) of stitches. never used any of them 'cept the straight one. Am I missing sumthin?

I suppose someday I will use the zig zag. Now that's getting progressive.

tim in san jose