Sewing machine throat space
#52
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Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eastern Canada
Posts: 37
Yesterday I took the day to visit the local sewing machine dealers and actually try out some of the newer machines. I wasn't easy to impress having only sewn on my 35 year old Kenmore, but I was really surprised to see that the new machines in my price range (I foolishly thought that $1000 would buy me somthing "high end") didn't have any more harp/throat/working space than what I had now!
I was also surprised to learn that the Babylock machines I've heard so much about are made by Brother. I'd always thought of Brother as a lower end machine but they really aren't. Well, they do have lower end machines, but their higher end ones are truly top of the line. They are clearly Babylocks with a different paint job. I guess if you buy Babylock you're just paying for the name.
I was fortunate to be able to speak to some good people and got a real education in what is going on with sewing machines today. I've decided to wait and save up more money so that I can get my dream machine (which is for now the Brother Dreamweaver VQ3000 but that is subject to change with not only a larger throat space but some bells and whistles as well. If I can live frugally for a few months I will buy a very nice Christmas present for myself
I was also surprised to learn that the Babylock machines I've heard so much about are made by Brother. I'd always thought of Brother as a lower end machine but they really aren't. Well, they do have lower end machines, but their higher end ones are truly top of the line. They are clearly Babylocks with a different paint job. I guess if you buy Babylock you're just paying for the name.
I was fortunate to be able to speak to some good people and got a real education in what is going on with sewing machines today. I've decided to wait and save up more money so that I can get my dream machine (which is for now the Brother Dreamweaver VQ3000 but that is subject to change with not only a larger throat space but some bells and whistles as well. If I can live frugally for a few months I will buy a very nice Christmas present for myself
#53
Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Fletchers Lake, NS Canada
Posts: 1
Quest for the Best!
I've decided to wait and save up more money so that I can get my dream machine (which is for now the Brother Dreamweaver VQ3000 but that is subject to change with not only a larger throat space but some bells and whistles as well. If I can live frugally for a few months I will buy a very nice Christmas present for myself
#54
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Florida
Posts: 3,832
We have a site here in Canada called Kijiji that is like Craig's List. I just found a listing for a Pfaff Ambition 1.5 that appears to be a much better choice. The price is right, it's 2 years old but appears to be in perfect condition. I've heard good things about Pfaff but I don't think I could get it serviced locally, at least not by any certified Pfaff place. It wouldn't have a warranty anyway though. I wanted to buy new for the warranty and Janome has local service as well but this is twice the machine for about the same price. What do you think? Is it a safe bet?
#55
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Florida
Posts: 3,832
I've not read all of the posts, so this might be a repeat. There are now mid to long arm sit down machines with very large harps. They usually do a straight stitch (no zig zag) stitches. A friend got a $200 Brother from Costco. Didn't last long. IMHO, the least expensive machine that will last (new) is $500+. I love my Brother 1500S but after 20+ yrs of frequent sewing the knee lift is wearing out and can't be repaired (I'm told by the dealer). I'm ready to replace it with another Brother 1500S for around $700. I also use an 11# Brother Innovis 950D for traveling and zig zag. Between the two I can do 99% of my sewing. Then there are other machines.
#56
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: east kilbride Scotland
Posts: 1,330
Can you get Juki in Canada, I have the HZL F600 which has a lot of space. I used to quilt king size quilts on my ancient 20 year old Janome which had a small throat space, probably a tight 6 inch. Challenging but doable.
#57
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eastern Canada
Posts: 37
Yes, I did end up buying the Brother Dreamweaver VQ3000 and I couldn't be happier with it. I got it late November and am on my second quilt now. I tried Janome, Husqvarna, BabyLock & Bernina machines at the dealers before making my decision and I'm glad I did. I learned that most dealers will bad mouth their competition and outright lie to get your sale You really have to try the machines to know what is best for you. I'm really happy with the dealer I bought from and I know she'll be there for me if I need help. I ended up spending more than I originally intended but it was the right decision - I got a lot more machine than I thought was even possible when I first started shopping
Here are some pics from when I first brought it home:
http://imgur.com/a/iWGGS
Here are some pics from when I first brought it home:
http://imgur.com/a/iWGGS
#58
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 187
Yes, I did end up buying the Brother Dreamweaver VQ3000 and I couldn't be happier with it. I got it late November and am on my second quilt now... I learned that most dealers will bad mouth their competition and outright lie to get your sale You really have to try the machines to know what is best for you. I'm really happy with the dealer I bought from and I know she'll be there for me if I need help. I ended up spending more than I originally intended but it was the right decision - I got a lot more machine than I thought was even possible when I first started shopping
Here are some pics from when I first brought it home:
http://imgur.com/a/iWGGS
Here are some pics from when I first brought it home:
http://imgur.com/a/iWGGS
Like Imagin, have a Brother VQ3000--it's 2 years old now, and I really enjoy it. Did I really NEED that much machine? Maybe not, but I really wanted the 11" throat, the needle threader, the knee lifter, the great lighting...but have found that the laser is wonderful; and I'm using more of the decorative stitches than I ever thought I would.
Another thing about good sewing machines: they can last you for a decade or more; sometimes many more. Another hobby of mine is photography, and there, new technology outdates old about every 3 years, so many people expect to replace their cameras that often. Not so if you get a good sewing machine that does what you need and want in the first place.
Bw,
Hallie in NM
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