My head now is spinning cause I can't buy the best machine for me!!!!..please help!
05-13-2016, 09:39 PM
#12
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: England Alton Towers
Posts: 6,674
I have a small family of sewing machines. Each is good in a specific area. I think my brother 440nq is the most versatile. But even that has a smallish throat for quilting. The new juki machines have a larger throat and these new ones do have some with bells and whistles.
Go and try some and look at reconditioned or second hand some people are constantly upgrading a machine. Good luck on your search.
Go and try some and look at reconditioned or second hand some people are constantly upgrading a machine. Good luck on your search.
05-13-2016, 10:17 PM
#13
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Chicago
Posts: 233
Originally Posted by bearisgray
Are you an experienced sewer?
Sometimes a complicated machine with "all the bells and whistles" is not the most practical/useful for many people.
Do you want to do machine embroidery?
In my opinion, it is difficult to find one machine that will do "everything" well.
Some of the members have a "big" machine that stays at home, and a "lesser" - lighter weight, fewer features, less expensive machine - for going to classes and retreats.
I also think there is no such thing as a "perfect" machine. In my world - "very adequate" is what works.
Sometimes a complicated machine with "all the bells and whistles" is not the most practical/useful for many people.
Do you want to do machine embroidery?
In my opinion, it is difficult to find one machine that will do "everything" well.
Some of the members have a "big" machine that stays at home, and a "lesser" - lighter weight, fewer features, less expensive machine - for going to classes and retreats.
I also think there is no such thing as a "perfect" machine. In my world - "very adequate" is what works.
05-13-2016, 11:12 PM
#14
Power Poster
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 26,046
If price is an issue, you can hardly go wrong with a good vintage Singer. I love my old Singers... and they are on Craigslist for cheap, all day long! They are usually overpriced on Ebay, and then you have to trust the seller's expertise in shipping-- which can be a disaster. Look on your local Craigslist.
The Singer 301 is a very light, portable machine that can also go into a cabinet at home. The feed dogs can drop for FMQ.
You can do a lot of 'walking foot' straight line quilting with any of the machines.
There is no one machine that most quilters use. You just have to find the one that's right for you.
The Singer 301 is a very light, portable machine that can also go into a cabinet at home. The feed dogs can drop for FMQ.
You can do a lot of 'walking foot' straight line quilting with any of the machines.
There is no one machine that most quilters use. You just have to find the one that's right for you.
05-14-2016, 01:13 AM
#15
Power Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 12,861
You need to visit dealers, try out different machines in your price range and purchase the one you like best.there is no reason to think you can not buy the best machine for you. We all have different machines, each one loved for the personal reasons of the owners. Brothers, Janomes, Vikings, Berninas, whites, singers, the list goes on & on. Which ever you ( test drive) and think....this is The One will be the best machine for you. Start visiting shops/ dealers & trying out machines. Dealers will help you find the one that fits all your requirements.
05-14-2016, 02:33 AM
#16
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Midwest
Posts: 5,051
Your budget range is awesome. There are lots of great machines that will travel well. Hit the mfgr. websites and look at the options. Then visit dealers. "Quilters" is a misnomer. They all sew...piece. The post above spells out your search strategy.
Sandy
Sandy
05-14-2016, 02:53 AM
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Posts: 939
You are not going to get a definitive answer here. Go to a local dealer, or two or three, and tell them exactly what you have told this board. Try the machines and decide which one you like based on your criteria.
05-14-2016, 03:58 AM
#20
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: SW Ohio
Posts: 2,103
When at home, I use vintage Singer machines. However, they are waaaaay too heavy to travel and most are only straight stitch machines. I purchased a Janome 2010 that was a floor model at a huge discount and love it! You can check with your local shops to see if they are selling any of their floor models. I also purchased a Janome Gem 760 from a friend at a huge savings when she upgraded. Both are excellent machines. I am also impressed with the Brother machines that some of my friends have, not sure of the models. Good luck!
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