Need machine recommendations.
09-06-2018, 04:30 AM
#31
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Wichita Falls, TX
Posts: 640
Brother SQ928S at Wal-Mart for $199 is a good machine. I teach quilting and have recommended it to many of my new quilters. It comes with the 1/4" foot, walking foot, extension table, and multiple stitches. It's a good machine for the money.
09-06-2018, 09:18 AM
#32
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Greater Peoria, IL -- just moved!
Posts: 6,056
When my old Sears machine broke down (it was pretty much top-of-the-line back then, the last pattern cam model before machines became computerized) I started using my back up machine which belonged to a friend's grandmother. It's a Remington, a post-war Japanese machine and while it does have zig-zag, what it really has is a wonderful straight stitch and for what I do, that's really all I need. I've been using it for about 25 years now as my main machine and since it's made out of solid metal I can do all my own maintenance on it.
I'm a big fan of vintage machines but they are heavy! I also have a Pfaff from roughly the same era (40s-50s) that belonged to a different friend's mother. While that one can do speciality fabrics (silks and such) like a dream, I could never get the straight stitch of quilting cottons to my satisfaction, and never acceptable quilting through layers. I gave up garment construction years ago and just don't find any need for fancy stitches. I also have a Singer 301 that isn't too bad to take to class. All three of my vintage machines are older than me (1960 era).
I did buy one of the cheap Brothers from Costco and it was my travel machine. Did a lot of work on it but after about 5-7 years it broke down. A friend of a friend used it as a $300 trade-in (the we'll accept anything offer) on getting an expensive machine. I now have a "Walmart" Brother that I found basically unused at the Goodwill with all it's parts and booklet for $30 that I can take to classes and such. Again, for such use I find it works just fine, but I don't think it would hold up to primary use.
I'll admit that there are a lot of nice things about the newer machines. With my vision issues the self threading (or threading assists) are wonderful. I have friends who use the fancy stitches, and I have friends that do wonderful things with their embroidery machines. If I ever get back into garment construction, I would want a serger. But for my quilting, good old "Remy" just keeps working and working, we know each other well and are happy together.
I'm a big fan of vintage machines but they are heavy! I also have a Pfaff from roughly the same era (40s-50s) that belonged to a different friend's mother. While that one can do speciality fabrics (silks and such) like a dream, I could never get the straight stitch of quilting cottons to my satisfaction, and never acceptable quilting through layers. I gave up garment construction years ago and just don't find any need for fancy stitches. I also have a Singer 301 that isn't too bad to take to class. All three of my vintage machines are older than me (1960 era).
I did buy one of the cheap Brothers from Costco and it was my travel machine. Did a lot of work on it but after about 5-7 years it broke down. A friend of a friend used it as a $300 trade-in (the we'll accept anything offer) on getting an expensive machine. I now have a "Walmart" Brother that I found basically unused at the Goodwill with all it's parts and booklet for $30 that I can take to classes and such. Again, for such use I find it works just fine, but I don't think it would hold up to primary use.
I'll admit that there are a lot of nice things about the newer machines. With my vision issues the self threading (or threading assists) are wonderful. I have friends who use the fancy stitches, and I have friends that do wonderful things with their embroidery machines. If I ever get back into garment construction, I would want a serger. But for my quilting, good old "Remy" just keeps working and working, we know each other well and are happy together.
09-07-2018, 08:01 AM
#34
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Beautiful Briery Mountain in WV
Posts: 2,551
Originally Posted by suern3
Leahday.com also sells the Eversewn. I believe she has or does use the machine and has a review of the machine on the website that should be helpful. She also has lots of good quilting lessons.
09-07-2018, 08:17 AM
#35
Power Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Southern USA
Posts: 15,913
Originally Posted by Greenheron
I see the Sparrow model is $279 on her site. If I didn't have five machines............
09-07-2018, 08:32 AM
#36
Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Chester County, Pennsylvania
Posts: 1
Dear hilsmom,
I'd suggest you go to the Brother.com site and check out their offerings. There are some decent ones in $300 to $400 range; I wouldn't buy one that costs less - but that's just my opinion because I have made that mistake in the past. I like Brother machines and have a 2 of them. Once you see their offerings, write down model numbers and go check out prices on ebay and Amazon; there are some good bargains available. You could also check with a local dealer and see if they have any demo models available for sale. You might get a very good bargain on a well-maintained used machine. I did that and got a previous generation Brother Innovis' VQ3000 electronic beauty
As far as electronic versus manual; I think that's just a personal choice. You'll get more useful features with an electronic machine - things like auto-thread cut, needle up-down, presser foot pressure settings, etc., but there are great manual machines out there too. You might also look at BabyLock. Most of them are very much like Brother machines and they can use the same readily-available accessories. Plus, many BabyLock and Brother machines are made by the same company. I know you want one that's good for travelling but I'd suggest you not buy anything less than 15lbs. They have too many plastic parts and they tend to "wander" when you're sewing.
That's just my 2-cents. Hopefully others will give you lots of good suggestions.
By the way, I almost bought a PQ1500 once, how is it for free-motion quilting?
Best of luck and happy quilting to you!
I'd suggest you go to the Brother.com site and check out their offerings. There are some decent ones in $300 to $400 range; I wouldn't buy one that costs less - but that's just my opinion because I have made that mistake in the past. I like Brother machines and have a 2 of them. Once you see their offerings, write down model numbers and go check out prices on ebay and Amazon; there are some good bargains available. You could also check with a local dealer and see if they have any demo models available for sale. You might get a very good bargain on a well-maintained used machine. I did that and got a previous generation Brother Innovis' VQ3000 electronic beauty
for approx. half price
that has a HUGE harp space and does everything but make breakfast. (This is not the machine you want, however, it's not a "traveler" as it weighs 45lbs)As far as electronic versus manual; I think that's just a personal choice. You'll get more useful features with an electronic machine - things like auto-thread cut, needle up-down, presser foot pressure settings, etc., but there are great manual machines out there too. You might also look at BabyLock. Most of them are very much like Brother machines and they can use the same readily-available accessories. Plus, many BabyLock and Brother machines are made by the same company. I know you want one that's good for travelling but I'd suggest you not buy anything less than 15lbs. They have too many plastic parts and they tend to "wander" when you're sewing.
That's just my 2-cents. Hopefully others will give you lots of good suggestions.
By the way, I almost bought a PQ1500 once, how is it for free-motion quilting?
Best of luck and happy quilting to you!
09-07-2018, 08:59 AM
#37
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 101
I have the Eversewn Sparrow 25---I really, really like it and have been pleasantly surprised with its performance. For the price and features I think it's a bargain. Check it out. I won my machine, but if I was shopping, I'd probably go for the Sparrow 30, but it only has a few more bells/whistle--such as thread cutter, presser foot pressure, and more stitches.
The Eversewn Sparrow 25 is basically the same as Juki HZL--80HP but the Juki has the presser foot pressure knob, but is $499 w presser foot pressure knob vs. Sparrow 25 for $329 without presser foot pressure knob. So far, I haven't needed the presser foot pressure knob on the Sparrow to justify trading it in and paying more--jmho.
I also have a Juki F600 and love that one also.
The Eversewn Sparrow 25 is basically the same as Juki HZL--80HP but the Juki has the presser foot pressure knob, but is $499 w presser foot pressure knob vs. Sparrow 25 for $329 without presser foot pressure knob. So far, I haven't needed the presser foot pressure knob on the Sparrow to justify trading it in and paying more--jmho.
I also have a Juki F600 and love that one also.
09-07-2018, 12:28 PM
#38
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Shubuta, Mississippi
Posts: 465
I have a Brother cs6000i that I got from Amazone for about $140 8 years ago. Other than a few stitch problems lately (which I think cleaning has resolved) it has never been a problem. I am in the market for something else to go with it for just trying quilting on like the Juki TL2010Q. I am a little nervous about spending a $1000 on a sewing machine but it might be time! Anyone got any reviews on the Juki?
09-08-2018, 03:37 AM
#39
Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 2
I have the Eversewn Sparrow 25 and it's been great. For classes, I have the Janome Gem and if I had to have only one machine, it would be the Gem.
I haven't sewn on a Brother but I had this experience at a retreat. At the table behind me I heard a sewing machine just quietly purring - sounded like a great machine. I asked my fellow retreater what kind of machine she was using. She said it was a $99 Brother from Walmart! So ya never know...
I haven't sewn on a Brother but I had this experience at a retreat. At the table behind me I heard a sewing machine just quietly purring - sounded like a great machine. I asked my fellow retreater what kind of machine she was using. She said it was a $99 Brother from Walmart! So ya never know...
09-09-2018, 06:36 AM
#40
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 33
Thank you all so very much! I have a birthday coming up, so I'll decide on something before then. I do think I need a bit more time to determine what features will be important to me in the future. As one of you suggested, I shouldn't just shop for "right now". Honestly, when I started out, I couldn't imagine needing more than a straight stitch for lap quilts and free motion, because that's all I ever intended to do. Surely some of you are laughing heartily at that statement!
But the more I do, the more it "seams" like I want to do.
After many hours of Youtube and internet research, the girl who couldn't sew at all six months ago just broke down her 25 year old Kenmore and fixed it! Evidently the feed dogs were never installed correctly, and after all those years of sitting in a bag, things inside were gunky. So I disassembled it and gave it the cleaning of it's life. Yesterday I actually used it with no issues to applique some flannel pumpkins onto throw pillow covers.
But the more I do, the more it "seams" like I want to do.After many hours of Youtube and internet research, the girl who couldn't sew at all six months ago just broke down her 25 year old Kenmore and fixed it! Evidently the feed dogs were never installed correctly, and after all those years of sitting in a bag, things inside were gunky. So I disassembled it and gave it the cleaning of it's life. Yesterday I actually used it with no issues to applique some flannel pumpkins onto throw pillow covers.
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