Advice for a new sewing machine?
09-25-2017, 07:50 AM
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Northeast Tennessee
Posts: 449
Let me put in a plug for the Brother Laura Ashley sewing machine. Mine cost right at $200, has lots of very nice features, and I highly recommend it. I mostly hand quilt, but have done some machine quilting on it. For the price, it's a very good machine.
09-25-2017, 08:17 AM
#22
Super Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Florida - formerly Montana
Posts: 3,504
My daughter recently purchased a SINGER 9960 Quantum Stylist 600-Stitch Computerized Sewing Machine with Extension Table, Bonus Accessories and Hard Cover for $325.00 from Amazon. It has a 6.5" throat and she absolutely loves it. Good luck in your search and let us know what you purchase.
09-25-2017, 09:31 AM
#23
Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 28
Wow, you've received some great suggestions I hadn't considered when I was in the market for a new machine! The vintage machines, Goodwill, church community are great places to look.
I guess it really depends on where your priorities lie. Is your budget pretty firm? Maximum harp size? Straight stitch vs 100+ stitches?
My first machine was a Brother CS-6000i off Amazon for $125. For the price point I can't say enough good things about this little guy. It was used a lot for three years before I added a PQ-1500SL to the fleet. Even though the 1500 was 5X the price, I still bust out the 6000i occasionally as it does a better job at some things than the 1500.
Yes, it has a small harp at about 5". If you're really looking to get into FMQ it will be challenging, but do able. I've quilted 60" square quilts on the 6000i, just go slowly, it works just fine. If you mostly just stitch in the ditch, the larger harp space is a little less crucial. The stitch quality is every bit as good as the 1500. If you're more into lap quilts, it should be even better.
If your budget it more flexible, cost and harp space tend to go up hand in hand. The 6000i had everything i needed to get started quilting until I progressed to a point that I knew what features I really wanted in my next machine (and was able to save for it!)
If I can make some assumptions, you sound like you're in the phase of life I'm in. I'm busy with my family, we don't have a ton of extra cash lying around, and I just wanted to get started sewing. Best of luck in your search!
I guess it really depends on where your priorities lie. Is your budget pretty firm? Maximum harp size? Straight stitch vs 100+ stitches?
My first machine was a Brother CS-6000i off Amazon for $125. For the price point I can't say enough good things about this little guy. It was used a lot for three years before I added a PQ-1500SL to the fleet. Even though the 1500 was 5X the price, I still bust out the 6000i occasionally as it does a better job at some things than the 1500.
Yes, it has a small harp at about 5". If you're really looking to get into FMQ it will be challenging, but do able. I've quilted 60" square quilts on the 6000i, just go slowly, it works just fine. If you mostly just stitch in the ditch, the larger harp space is a little less crucial. The stitch quality is every bit as good as the 1500. If you're more into lap quilts, it should be even better.
If your budget it more flexible, cost and harp space tend to go up hand in hand. The 6000i had everything i needed to get started quilting until I progressed to a point that I knew what features I really wanted in my next machine (and was able to save for it!)
If I can make some assumptions, you sound like you're in the phase of life I'm in. I'm busy with my family, we don't have a ton of extra cash lying around, and I just wanted to get started sewing. Best of luck in your search!
09-25-2017, 02:22 PM
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 394
I'd go with a vintage machine. My favorites are Singer 401 and 500 for all kinds of sewing. Singer featherweight and 301 for piecing. For quilting I used a Singer 201 before i got a Voyager. You can find great deals on the all metal vintage machines and they go forever as long as you keep them clean and oiled.
09-25-2017, 03:33 PM
#25
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 15,639
Originally Posted by Onebyone
Many in my guild have the new Eversewn machines. They are great. There are several models to choose from. Amazon has the prices listed. Starting at $159 to around $600. My favorite is the Sparrow 30. It has every feature of the very high end machines. Eversewn is engineered the same as Bernina. The quilt shop here that sells them said they have not had one brought in for needed repair except user error.
09-25-2017, 07:03 PM
#26
Power Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Southern USA
Posts: 15,965
Is that the one Alex Anderson sponsors?
http://www.eversewn.com/
Last edited by Onebyone; 09-25-2017 at 07:07 PM.
09-25-2017, 08:29 PM
#27
Banned
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Victorian Sweatshop Forum
Posts: 4,096
Originally Posted by Onebyone
Many in my guild have the new Eversewn machines. They are great. There are several models to choose from. Amazon has the prices listed. Starting at $159 to around $600. My favorite is the Sparrow 30. It has every feature of the very high end machines. Eversewn is engineered the same as Bernina. The quilt shop here that sells them said they have not had one brought in for needed repair except user error.
Cari
09-26-2017, 04:49 AM
#29
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Somewhere in Time
Posts: 2,697
I finally got the machine of my dreams, a Viking 6430, from eBay. It was complete and recently serviced. It has a larger throat area and the light source is in the throat area and provides lots of light. I searched a long time for just the right 6430. I made an offer, it was accepted, it was less than $200 including shipping. There are some great deals on eBay, you just have to decide what you want and check frequently.
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