Should I upgrade my machine?
#51
I'd sure try using a thinner bobbin thread if that is your main complaint, as new machines are A) expensive; and B) difficult to get used to.
Viking is a great machine. I have owned three of them: a 6460 purchased in 1977 which I love, & still have: a Designer 1 purchased in 2005, which I really disliked, & sold this year; and an Emerald 201, purchased this March, which I am still rather middle-of-the-road on, mostly because of the bobbin & the reverse button. Both are difficult to use. If I could get my 35 year-old 6460 repaired, I'd go back to using it!!!! But overall, they are really great machines with wonderful features!!!!! I wouldn't change machines if I were you, at least not until I tried thinner bobbin thread. Then, I might look for a used machine with a longer neck & bigger bobbin.
Viking is a great machine. I have owned three of them: a 6460 purchased in 1977 which I love, & still have: a Designer 1 purchased in 2005, which I really disliked, & sold this year; and an Emerald 201, purchased this March, which I am still rather middle-of-the-road on, mostly because of the bobbin & the reverse button. Both are difficult to use. If I could get my 35 year-old 6460 repaired, I'd go back to using it!!!! But overall, they are really great machines with wonderful features!!!!! I wouldn't change machines if I were you, at least not until I tried thinner bobbin thread. Then, I might look for a used machine with a longer neck & bigger bobbin.
#52
Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 86
I love my Janome to do small quilts and I have a 10 foot quilting frame to do hand quilting on. Love my cutting table my husband found free on the side of a house and we redid it. purfet size. I use a antique double pedastal desk for my sewing machine table. I have to take pictures and show you all. it's my dream sewing room.
#53
I have a 6600 and love it. I understand they're being phased out since the Horizon came out, perhaps you can get a deal? Re the throat space, I don't often make anything larger than a large lap quilt so the throat is fine. The only upgrade I'd make in the harp size is like Harriet said - if it were the couple of feet an LA gives you. Regarding using a DSM on a frame, I have considered it and tried them out at shows but you get down to around 4" of quilting space past halfway and I feel that would restrict my quilting design. So I'm waiting on the LA. LOL :mrgreen: :lol:
#54
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 171
Originally Posted by patdesign
Before I got my new brother 1500, I was using a Singer 201, which I also love. I do mostly SID and the Singer had an underarm of about 8inches, and the Brother has 9, but the arm is a little higher, I really dont see that much difference trying to muscle a king size quilt through the arm. I do however piece and quilt in units anywhere from 20 x 20 up to 30 x 95, and that makes it so much easier, you just have to plan for the seams on the back and it takes a little more fabric. When I get the time I will post the 20x20 which was done on the 201, and the other qayg which I gave to my son, so I will have to go there to photo as I forgot to take a pix before giving.:)
#56
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: At my LQS
Posts: 2,326
I really can't tell you if the additional throat space would make a big difference, but I would suggest that you keep your #1+. I used to own a #1+ and traded up to the Designer SE several years ago. I don't wrestling large projects to quilt them, so I send them to a LongArm quilter.
I fear that the #1+ would not have a big trade-in allowance at this point, so it probably is worth more to you than it would be to a dealer. (It is a great machine) You might want to call a dealer to see what they would give you for it.
Good luck.
I fear that the #1+ would not have a big trade-in allowance at this point, so it probably is worth more to you than it would be to a dealer. (It is a great machine) You might want to call a dealer to see what they would give you for it.
Good luck.
#57
Originally Posted by Jerseyrayne
Originally Posted by patdesign
Before I got my new brother 1500, I was using a Singer 201, which I also love. I do mostly SID and the Singer had an underarm of about 8inches, and the Brother has 9, but the arm is a little higher, I really dont see that much difference trying to muscle a king size quilt through the arm. I do however piece and quilt in units anywhere from 20 x 20 up to 30 x 95, and that makes it so much easier, you just have to plan for the seams on the back and it takes a little more fabric. When I get the time I will post the 20x20 which was done on the 201, and the other qayg which I gave to my son, so I will have to go there to photo as I forgot to take a pix before giving.:)
#59
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 171
I did it! I went and tried a Pfaff Expression 2.0 that was at my local quilt shop and I loved the fmq on it, it has 10" throat space. It is a floor model they are selling and I put it on layaway. She is adding the 1/4" foot, which she thinks should come with every quilt machine, and the straight stitch plate, along with the original accessories. I can't wait to get it. I also decided to keep my #1+. I have a couple of GD I hope to teach sewing and quilting. I will update when I get it.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
joivey
General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
12
04-14-2017 04:32 AM
irishphoenix
Main
35
08-07-2015 07:41 AM