Hi All,

I am in the process of researching new sewing machines - and what a process it is!!! I'm sure you all have been asked these types of questions SO many times that you're tired of it, but I need help!

Okay - I'm looking at Pfaff, Bernina, and possibly Elna... I've heard wonderful things about Pfaff, so that's the direction I'm leaning (Berninas are SO expensive and I've heard mixed reviews on Elnas)...

*** I just realized that I forgot to add Husqvarnas to the list - I am looking into those too, but I don't know much about their machines and which model would be best for quilting***

If you could spare a moment, let me know:

1.) What machine you have
2.) What you love about it
3.) What you don't love about it
4.) How much you paid for it (I know this may be a rude question, but I just really need to know what a "good deal"is on these machines... I walk into a dealer and feel like I'm a sitting duck!!!)

I feel like you are all the best people possible to ask - quilters! I will be using the machine primarily for quilting. Large throat space and smooth, even FMQing are a couple of things that are important to me when quilting.

THANK YOU so much (in advance) for your help and advice :D

Husqvarna Viking SE combo sewing/embroidery machine
Sensor Foot that lifts and drops automatically via foot pedal...Pages of decorative stitches including FM stitches built in...
Can't think of one think I hate
Open stock in 2007 4500.00 reg price was 7500...You can find them for around 2500-3000 since they don't make them anymore but do have upgraded models
Always wait for an "Open Stock" sale before paying full price.
Once you work on a Husqvarna I bet you don't bother with your other choices...They are the only one with the sensor foot and it's great on appliques and turning since you don't have manuelly lift a hinge inthe back of your machine...just lift your foot.

1.) What machine you have

Juki F600

2.) What you love about it

the beautiful stitch, the throat size is 9 inches, the 200+ decorative stitches, the fonts for quilt labels, the large extension table, the numerous applique stitches, the quilting stitches, the needle up/down, the knee lift, the thread cutter, and the fact that i never have a tension problem or any type of machine problem.

3.) What you don't love about it

if i designed the machine i would have made a low bobbin sensor. but aside from that its perfect.


4.) How much you paid for it

$700 - also what i like about the machine, a great bang for the buck.

I have a Pfaff 2170 and others but use it the most.
Pros----It has the IDT which I LOVE, lots of stitches and can also embroider. I love the way it sews. Also has needle down, the presser foot can raise automatically if you want it to, it has a knee lift you can use. auto-thread cutter, low bobbin sensor. I know I'm forgetting something.
Cons----It's presser foot lifter is on the right side of the needle housing instead of in the back. It's in the way and when I'm trying to move a quilt around under the needle the fabric will bump into the presser foot lever and knock it down again and again. Very irritating. When I bought it I didn't think it would bother me but it does.
Also I don't often use the embroidery unit. I use my Janome 350e instead.
Price---I bought it used for about $2500.
Would I buy the 2170 again? Probably not since I don't use the embroidery unit. But would I buy a Pfaff for the sewing and IDT? Yes

I have 2 brother machines which I absolutely love. I also have an older Janome machine that is a workhorse but is pretty much a basic machine. There are several Brother machines that are reasonably priced and also Janome's. If there is a Brother dealer near you they often have very good bargains on used machines. You could pick up a good machine for $500 to $600 new and used even better. I have never had maintenance problems with my machines.

I have no experience with a Pfaff; but I agree that Berninas are way over priced.

Pfaff Creative Vision. I love the IDT, and all the other features. Lots of room to quilt. Embroidery unit has quilt designs to be used in squares. Many fancy stitches.
I paid about $7000 with all the extras. The only thing I don't like is that I don't have enough time to really learn to use it!

I currently have a babylock Ellisimo which does sew, quilt and embroider. Unfortunately for me, I am about to sell it due to financial straits. Paid $7500.

2. I love everything about this machine and it breaks my heart to let it go. It has auto tension that is amazing when doing FMQ. It has 10 inch throat space. Embroidery features are beyond description.

3. There is nothing I don't like.

(If anyone knows of someone interested, PM me. Asking $6300.)

1.) What machine you have - Janome Horizon

2.) What you love about it - Love, love the Accufeed system (built in walking foot), love the 11" throat, love how it sews beautifully, no problems FMQ, it has needle up/down, auto cutter, needle threader, a mass of stitches ...well, you can google and see what it has .. I just love it. :)

3.) What you don't love about it - nothing really..sometimes I have trouble getting the thread to run through the little tension thing when winding the bobbin, because you can't actually see it - it's under a cover - but that's no biggie...just me I think. Most times I get it first time now without any problems.

4.) How much you paid for it - I paid $3300 (in Australia) and was given the open toe Accufeed foot with it

Janome 6600 - love the accufeed (integrated walking foot) especially for strip piecing. larger (9") throat space. Needle up/down stop at the touch of a button. Knee lift. Also has thread cutter and needle threader but I dont' use these options a lot. A good amount of decorative stitches and alphabet. Don't like the fussyness of the machine with regard to what thread I use - I have to figit with the tension every time I change thread. Paid $700 used.

Huskvarna Lily 535 - love the beautiful perfectly straight stiches, smoothness of the machine, and the fact that I can feed it practically any thread in any stitch and rarely have to change the tension - it just goes. Has a good amount of decorative stitches. No other bells and whistles though. I have no idea what I paid because it was a gift from my husband several years ago. The only thing I don't like about the machine is that I'm hearing it can sometimes be hard to get parts - they've been bought out by Singer and moved manufacturing from Sweden to China now (got mine when it was still made in Sweden). I called the dealer I got mine from yesterday to ask him about something else and he informed me that he will no longer be selling Husky's because he's tired of his customer's getting mad because they have to wait so long for parts. So you might want to think about that. it's too bad because I adore the machine, I just hope I don't need to rely on getting parts for it!!

1.) What machine you have:

(5) sewing machines.
Janome, Singer 301A Long bed, 401A Singer/cabinet/bench, Sears Kenmore/vintage, & Singer Serger
2.) What you love about it:

Love all of them because they are functional and make it easier for me to get my projects done, but my favorite is the 401A Singer.
3.) What you don't love about it:

on my 301A the paint's chipping off (cosmetic complaint) and it needs a new Bobbin case/case holder, the Janome is not put out for heavy duty sewing like the Singers, so it sits collecting dust. The 401A needs the bobbin winder fixed, but I use the other machines for winding my bobbins and the Singer Serger is noisy, and you have to keep the blade oiled if you're going to use it all day long.


4.) How much you paid for it (I know this may be a rude question, but I just really need to know what a "good deal"is on these machines... I walk into a dealer and feel like I'm a sitting duck!!!):

For the Janome $250.00, the 301A Singer $20.00 and invested over $60.00 for sewing foot pedal and miscellaneous parts, the 401A $80.00 (my favorite baby too....!) and the Singer Serger $212.00