Would be grateful if you could say a sewing machine you liked.
 

Hi...my sewing machine's motor died :( and I have to start looking for a new one. I know I need to do a test drive at the dealer but was wondering if you would be kind enough to mention what machine you like. I didn't use any of the fancy stitches on my old machine. I know the dealer sells Bernina, Babylock, Singer and Juki.

Thank you for taking the time to answer.

A weekend without my machine.:(

Well, I love my Bernina 1230 but it is something like 15 years old and not made anymore. Not sure I could afford a new Bernina at their current prices. Whatever you do, don't get a Bernette!!! If you can't afford a Bernina, there are other brands of sewing machine much better than the Bernette.

I would also definitely recommend against getting any Singer machine. The vintage Singer machines are wonderful, but Singer is not a good brand for machines nowadays.

A lot of people like Babylock. The straight-stitch Juki is very popular among quilters for piecing and machine quilting. For me, the straight-stitch Juki would not be enough if it were the only machine I had, as I wouldn't be able to do machine applique with it (I want zigzag and a few specialty stitches for that!).

It's best to first decide on your budget, as that will eliminate a lot of machines. Then make a list of features you definitely want. For me, needle-down is a necessity for piecing and quilting! Aside from some specialty stitches, I would also really like a machine that would be able to stitch out labels for me. (Although theoretically my old Bernina can do this because it has an alphabet; in reality it's very difficult to get an entire line printed out correctly and neatly -- at least by me.)

Don't discount the Brother machines. You can go from very low end to one with bells and whistles with everything in between.

Absolutely do that test drive, sometimes you are just not comfortable with a machine and you want to know that before you think about buying it. Also, do you want a mechanical or a computerized machine? There's a big difference in price between the two.

I'm personally not a Bernina fan but my friends that have them love them and rarely do I hear about problems with them. My Babylock is an embroidery machine but one thing my dealer said was they have a pretty high quality control standard on their machines so that's something good to know. I've never had an issue with my Babylock. My Juki is an old serger which will probably be going strong long after I'm gone, the Juki name has a good reputation Singer dropped the ball several years ago when they put plastic casings on metal parts and within 6 months the casings shattered and wrecked havoc with their machines. There were other issues as well but that was the main one. They seem to be gaining ground with their newer models but now consumers are gun shy. The old mechanicals are still the best.

There are other brands that your dealer doesn't sell that are good dependable machines, like Brother, Pfaff and Janome. My primary sewing machine is a computerized Kenmore that is over 20 years old and works like a charm. You might consider one of those as well if you feel comfortable with not having a dealer close by.

I have a 1983 top of the line Singer, and a new model bottom of the line Brother. I absolutely love my Singer but the mileage is beginning to tell on her. She has eaten thousands of spools of thread and run hundreds of miles of fabric through her chassis. The Brother, I am just getting acquainted with, so can't say much yet. But it does feel kind of lame after the lovely Singer for so many years.

I'm a Bernina gal -- I have the big 830 and love it. My second machine is a 350 and I love it also. It is very important for me to have a good service department also. Just had my 830 in for cleaning and updates, that is why I have the 2nd machine -- I hate to miss a day of sewing while one machine is in the shop. My grandkids use the 350 all the time. I take it to the kitchen table so I can monitor them better. As mentioned by Prism99 -- you have to decide what features are important and what your budget is. Get the best that you can afford, you are worth it and you won't regret it.

I am like a broken record but I have a Brother 1500S, that I am really, really happy with. It is strictly mechanical. It has a automatic thread cutter, a knee lift, needle down and best of all a 9" harp. The motor is powerful and sews through many layers without even a hiccup. (No I do not own a share in the company.) I've had it for about three years with daily use and never had a problem. If something ever happened to it I wouldn't hesitate to get one just like it. Oh, the going price is about $795. I wouldn't worry about not having a local dealer since the machine is so simple and straight forward.

I have a Bernina 820. It's a big machine that doesn't have the embroidery option. I really like my machine. But we've had our issues. It doesn't like certain threads, it likes certain needles with other certain threads, and it tends to "shove" the top fabric a touch forward when piecing so it can make things a touch "off" (I understand this is from the wider feed dogs). But there are many things to like also. The larger throat space and stitch regulator are wonderful for FMQ, the automatic needle threader is great, and I really like the needle-down and knee lift features. It's very easy to wind a bobbin and it lets you know when the bobbin is getting low. It can either cut or "tie off" your threads.

I originally got a Bernina because I liked the dealer.

If I was looking for a machine now I'd probably look for a less expensive machine with the features I like the most.

I just sold my Bernina 440 QE with BSR foot. It's a fine machine but I had lots of tension problems, specially with FMQ! I rarely used the BSR foot as it's huge and it's hard to see where you've been and where you need to go. Backtracking is very difficult with the BSR, at least that's my opinion.
I used to sew a lot of clothes on my Bernina but not anymore so I sold it and I'm buying a Juki now with more throat space.

Pfaff ! Pfaff ! Pfaff ! This is my second one, a 1522 Free Style. It is about 25 years old. Before that I had a Pfaff also. I fell in love with Pfaff's when I was in High School 60 years ago. Why pay for lots of fancy stuff if you do not need it ? Last month bought a Singer Featherweight in excellent condition. I still love to do hand work also. Good luck on your search

Janome 6600 great machine ...I have two of them. One for me and one for ladies that come to sew with me.

Love my Vikings, all of them. My take to class machine is the Emerald.

I agree. For those who might not know, Babylock and Brother are made by the same company. I talked to a dealer about this (they sell both) and there are a few slight differences between but she said Brother has a better warranty. Ex. if you have a problem with Babylock and it's under warranty, they want to send the machine part back to the factory for evaluation (meaning you're without your machine for some time). Brother will simply instruct the dealer the replace the part "then" send it back to the factory.

Don't get me wrong -- I LOVE my Babylock machines (have the Esante, Symphony and Enlighten Serger). They have all served me well so far. My Esante (being the oldest) has only been to the shop once for cleaning and replace the bobbin case.

I have recently added a basic Brother machine for classes, etc. and just as pleased with it.

Just visit a few shops and check out the different machines. Write down what you want from the machine, what your budget is, and actually sew at it -- not just let them demo it for you.

Have fun shopping for your new baby....

Janome - I own 5 of them. Oldest one I bought in 2001 for $556.00, latest one was my Christmas present to myself, cost $10,000. Two of them are sewing/embroidery machines. I still use each of them.

Is this the PQ1500S? That is all I see when I search online. I'm sorry I didn't buy this or the comparable Juki. I was lured into the Janome 7700 by the harp size but I paid a lot of money for features I never use. I'm currently considering buying a second machine as a backup and Brother is one that I would consider.

I don't know anything about the Bernina, Babylock or Juki, but definitely would stay away from the Singer, actually any new Singer but would be happy with a old Singer, my personal opinion. I have heard good reviews with Juki though.

Test drive a many as you can. It doesn't matter what we like, it's what YOU like that counts. Ask friends to let you try their machines...no cost to you and expert advice from them. Make a list of the features you like and would really use, such as needle threader, thread cutter, good buttonhole stitches, three step zigzag for mending, quarter inch seam setting, etc. and take it with you. Wish you lived near me, I have a variety of machines you could try and I would enjoy having you.

Sparky's Mom: Yes that's the same machine. It doesn't actually have the PS on the machine itself. When I checked on line to look at it, found it on Amazon for $509. Wow that's a great price!

I love, love, love my Singer 401A. I also love my Kenmore 158-1941.

I have, Pfaff, Babylok and Janome. Each is different, but I love all of them. It will depend a lot on what features you want. Good luck.

If you quilt a lot, it is hard to pass up the price and features of the Janome 6600. I have two of them and I just purchased the Janome 8900. Love both of these models, The accufeed and auto thread cutter are wonderful. The 8900 has 9mm decorative stitches that are to die for...Find a Janome dealer and try them out. PM me for good online/store front dealers I have purchased from.

I have Featherweight, Bernina, Pfaff, Brother, and Babylock machines.

My favorite is between the Babylock and Brother! PM me if you need more information.

I have a Bernina 440 QE and absolutely love it. It stitches as smooth as butter. I have the BSR (stitch regulator) and find free motion quilting just a delight to do. I have 2 other machines, both Singers, one of which I leave at my summer cottage and one which is my back-up machine at home. I don't remember the model #s, but they were both under $200. I really like them for basic piecing and machine applique. They both have a great blanket stitch. I don't think I'd want either to be my only machine, but as back-ups they are great.

I have a brother sewing and embroidery machine I bought on Amazon for $300 ( I think it was refurbished but had the same warranty as new) I also have a $1500 Pfaff. My little brother beats the Pfaff hands down. Only use the Pfaff for quilting as it has a 10 inch throat.

I love my Bernina and would go for the best one I could for what I could spend. The dealers often have refurbished and reconditioned used machines that are still wonderful machines. That would be my first choice. I have been quilting for 25 years and that's my advice. However, I do NOT quilt the big quilts myself like queen sized or even twins they go to long arm ladies.

I am loving my Janome 8900. It works great.

Ask about lessons. My Bernina dealer gives lessons on the Bernina but not the Bernitte. Also, repair service is really important to me. Ask if the machine is kept in the shop or sent out. I bought a Singer, a JoAnn's anniversary special from their on line site. It didn't work. I would have had to FedEx it to Florence, SC or somewhere in KY for the warranty work. The person on the line kept telling me what could possibly be wrong. At that point I just wanted rid of it. She finally told me that they were only repair. I would have to get in touch with JoAnn's on line. I did. They took it back, emailed me all the labels, paperwork etc for Fed Ex to pick it up and I got all my money back. Never again do I order on line. When buying a machine....sew, touch, ask questions, sew some more.

I have the Brother PQ1500S and love it! But keep in mind it is a straight stitch only. It sells for $599 at Amazon. Look it up and read the reviews.

love my Juki

I love my Juki TL98Q. Lots of throat space to stuff your quilt when you are machine quilting. You won't go wrong with the Juki!

Janome 7700

Another vote for Janome here.. I have 3 of them and like and use them all.

The first thing to do is determine what it is that you want your machine to do. If you spend 95% of your time piecing and straight stitching, it doesn't make sense to buy an expensive machine with every bell and whistle. Perhaps two different machines which might be a lot cheaper would suit your needs better. I bought a Juki TL98Q which I love and use most of the time. It is fast, powerful and has a wonderful stitch making it perfect for piecing and quilting. For the few times I need my fancy stitches, I bought a used Husqvarna #1 Plus with all kinds of stitches for $200. For an investment of less than $1000 (Juki was slightly used and discounted) I can do anything. I didn't want to pay thousands for a machine that did it all.

When funds are limited for sewers, I always recommend you check with local dealer of the top end machines and see what they have in the way of used machines. Just like cars, there are people who can afford to trade up every year or two and do. Why not benefit from those trade ins. Check the quality machines with low miles, before settling for cheap and new. JMHO Have fun sewing on your new machine.

That really is a great price. There is a local dealer here and I'd probably rather purchase from them just for the support, but this machine is really in the running as far as I'm concerned. One of my beefs on the Janome is the dealer went out of business six months after I bought my machine and I've been left with no support. :(

I have very limited experience but I love my Viking Saphire. Got it at a great sale price and have had wonderful customer support from the dealer.

A dealer for support is important, needle up/down, weight as I sew with gals at different houses. I am lucky to have a Bernina quilting model and a Designer SE.........depends on what I am working on as to which machine I use........calla

Love my Janome 6600. Sews like a dream

I have a Viking Diamond Deluxe, but if I didn't have that, I'd get a Bernina.