Am I wrong to want a new machine so soon?
 

I got a new Janome TXL 607 in January. I had ordered a Jem for the purpose of taking to class, but when it came, it was only 1lb lighter than my basic Janome, so I exchanged it for the 607. I love the auto thread cutter, needle down and adjustable speed.

I then sold my original basic Janome for what I paid for it (bought at 50% off closing down sale).

Now I'm seriously considering buying a Pfaff Quilt Expression 4. I tested one at a recent quilt show and was amazed at how straight the stitches are and loved the fact that the presser foot lifts when you stop (I do a lot of machine appliqué) as well as the built-in walking foot and large harp. I also FMQ smallish quilts.

DH and DD both say I should buy it if I want it, but am I just being greedy?

I think you should do what you need to do to make your DH and DD happy! When you think of the money spent on fabric, and the time spent on planning and cutting, why not have the machine that will do the best job of putting the pieces together? Good luck with you decision.

You are not being greedy. It sounds to me like you have not found your "Soul mate" of a sewing machine, and you are searching for it. I do not know your price range, but have you tried a Bernina? The only reason I mentioned it, is you said you did a lot of applique. Bernina has the needle down feature, and the leg lift is standard on all machines, which frees your hands up for applique. I just love my 440 for applique, but they are no longer making them. If you do pick up a used 440, have it checked out first, as the plastic piece on the front cover is cracking and breaking. Bernina is replacing them, free of charge, but it has to come from the original owner. I hear the 500 series are nice, also. Good luck on your search.

Many quilters have more than one machine as the all purpose do everything machine hasn't been invented. If you can afford another machine, have the space for it and will use it, I'd buy it. I always have three machines set up and use the best one for the current sewing job. I am now debating about replacing my eight year old Janome 6500 with a Juki Exceed 600 as I've had an ongoing love/hate relationship with my Janome. I'm still debating but I'll probably do it as I spend a lot of time stitching for others and I need the best tools (at least that's my story!)

Last yr my husband (notice I don't use DH, that doesn't apply anymore) walked out to spend more time with the bottle because I wouldn't let him do it at home. Things were tight but I was making it so I treated myself for a "used" (only 7hours) machine, a Viking Ruby. Got the full benefits from the LQS. I've been taking classes and loving embroidery so much and in May I bought the 5D Pro software so that I could learn more. I figured I was good to go for a few yrs. Well in class this past Mon they were sharing with us the new things from the Viking convention, the new Ruby Deluxe, a couple other new Opals. Great features on these 3 machines but not tempting. Then, she got me. The Diamond Deluxe, it was a used from convention and instead of paying 9,000 I could get it for 6,500 and then with my trade in of my Ruby it was down to 3,000. It came with free designer luggage and all the bells and whistles. That was such a no brainer for me. Yes, it'll still be tight for a little longer now but this machine is so great and I'm sure it'll get me thru until my house is paid off in about 5yrs. I thought the Ruby and even new Ruby Deluxe had great features, the more I read on this its amazing what it can do and now I can use thier largest hoop. Even though the Ruby had some great hoops. When I was telling my sister how bad I was, she said that I deserved it. That I don't do anything like going out, drinking or any other vices. I finally got a pretty good stash so that I don't have to run to the store with each project. I did some sewing for a lady and then answered to some free fabric on CL and wow, I had a decent stash, for me anyways. I don't need to see bolts and bolts of fabric to make me happy. I've learned where to get thread on sale for the embroidery part and how to buy so that I'm not spending more than needed. I figured that my machine has been in constant use since I got it, mainly the embroidery part and I've been using my other machine for piecing. It's not a dust collector like some have stated about their emb machine; that was my promise to myself when I got it, to use it. Now I'm going to start using the new one more for piecing and making clothes; that's my new promise. As long as you use it I think it's great. I'm hoping that I can start making money from the embroidery part but no matter what I'm going to enjoy it. What's life if you can't enjoy the extra things from time to time. It's not being greedy. I'd say, go and get it, especially but not because you have family support.

i think you need to consider the pfaff! as your skills advance/change so will your sewing machine needs.....so i would really look at it!

I remember when I first started quilting I was fretting over the decision to buy a new machine. My DH said it's just a sewing machine, you don't think twice about new shoes when you want them what's the difference? LOL

My Viking Sapphire 830 has those features and I love it. Bought it years ago so used should be alot cheaper than I paid.
Never had any repairs so far.
The pop up foot is great and use it all the time. In fact there is no lever to lift the foot you just push a button if you need to lift it higher than it lifts automatically. It automatically lowers the foot when you start to sew also.

.....eh......about $1800 :D - that or you've got VERY expensive shoes, lol.

Having the right machine makes all the difference. There are so many new wonderful machines , get the one that you want. Sounds like you have done your homework and are ready to make the leap. If $$$ is not standing in the way GO FOR IT!!

My theory is that I can only be as experienced as my machine enables me to be...so if you have outgrown your current machine, buy something that will allow you to expand your knowledge and experience. Remember to research customer service and support after the purchase as buying a dealer is just as important as buying the right machine for you.

go for it-Husqvarna also has that feature-love it for applique.

If you don't buy it you will wish you had it each time you sit down to sew. Do yourself a favor and buy it and have a very happy time using it. I bet you will be very happy you did.

If you can afford it and want it - and especially if your DH is for it - GO FOR IT! and enjoy every minute of owning it!

Vikings also have the pivot option which is great for doing applique. They just came out with two new Opals that are really nice and worth looking into for anyone wanting a good machine for quilting. I just traded my Ruby in for the Diamond Deluxe because it has so many great features even though I loved my Ruby. Easest machine I ever used; sewing or embroidery.

It sounds as if you are seriously worried about being greedy. Why not give an equal amount of money as the amount you will spend on the new machine to your church above and beyond your regular gifts = or give that amount to a non-profit charity and then get your machine.If this doesn't seem like the answer you are seekiing and if you still worry about the issue of greed, maybe you can donate time to charity causes of your choice. Perhaps it isn't the choice of spending on yourself that is bothering you, but the not giving of yourself in a personal way to others that is seeming selfish. Do some serious soul searching. While we seriously care, we board members can in no way give you answers to a serious question like the one you are asking.

DH doesn't know the cost of a new sewing machine no more then I know the cost of a new hunting rifle or power tool, or four wheeler or boat trailer. I don't ask or tell. LOL

Then your feeling of being greedy is deeper than the worry of spending money.

The foot lifting feature will save a lot of stress on your neck and arm muscles if you are doing a lot of appliqué. See it's a medical necessity. Buy it and you may avoid arthritis.

I guess my question to you, is why do you feel greedy?

When I bought my machine, I thought it was the end all, and now I wish I had thought more, and gotten a few things mine does not have, like auto tension (how I hate having to mess with tensions) and a auto thread cutter (I honestly think I would save money by having one).

I think the one thing, even though we tell everyone this, to test all the machines out there, just in case the one you thought was your end all, is not. IF I had gone just a step up, (trying to save money) I would have found my end all, or I may have looked at a completely different machine.

Honestly, you need to enjoy your sewing, if your not happy with the machine, you will sew less, and then there is just no point in even having one. I say get what makes you happy and does the things you want.

Good luck!!

if wanting a new machine [despite already having more than i care to admit in print] is wrong ...

i don't want to be right.

LOL LOL LOL

I understand completely. I too purchased a Brother Laura Ashley and love it. However it is heavy & I am to pick up a Viking 100Q next week. It's light & stitches like a dream. MY huzband isnt crazy about me getting this however, I am doing more teaching & I need a light weight machine w/ needle up & down & cutter. I sold my other 2 machines (old % heavy) upon his reqest - oh well - why do we need permission to have what we need without all the guilt? He doezn't ask my permission when he needs parts for his vet!!! Thanks for listening - I needed to blow some steam.

If you have the money to buy another machine, I don't think you need to justify your purchase. Different machines offer different mechanisms to deal with a variety of jobs and I would buy one for each good feature if I had the money.We have a smaller choice here and machines cost twice as much and yet I have four. I say go for it.

I say if you want it buy it. That is what I would do.

I haven't seen the auto tension. What machines have this lovely feature? I haven't been checking the machines for a while (long while).

You know what your finances are and you get to say what you want to spend your money for. Use your own judgment. froggyintexas

The one I'm thinking of buying :)

You'll love the Pfaff. Have used them since 1982. Go for it, it will make a world of difference.
SandyQuilter

In imho (which is just that ..LOL), buy what you can afford; but make sure it can last you for a while. That is why I bought the Pfaff Ambition1.5 (went through 2 machines and decided hmmm.. time to buy another machine) and going to buy a quilting Pfaff in the next couple of years. DH was behind me all the way with buying a good sewing machine, then the quilting machine next. Be sure your budget can handle it and your family doesn't think you are well "that crazy quilt lady" LOL

Romanojg: Oh girl .. tell him his vet said you could buy a new machine and see his reaction !LOL Did that once to hubby.. walked out to his tools and told him the tools told me I needed whatever it was (Gingher Scissors..lol) and he was just beside himself .. LOL so I won out and got what I wanted, I still use that every once in a while. (okay its nuts but hey it worked!LOL)

There is a strong difference between want and need.....If you can afford to do it, without cutting into the food budget....go for it.....there will come a time to stop, but it has not come YET !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

If you want it and can afford it, get it! Life is too short to live with regret! I have a machine to embroider on, one to applique on, a Kenmore, a Morse, and 4 Singers. I say go for it! You can never have too many sewing machines or too much cloth!

Ladies - thank you all for your advice! I took a lot of your comments on board and I went out today and bought the Pfaff Quilt Expression 4.0! :)
I gave it a good test run with piecing, appliqué and even a little FMQ and was very pleased with it. This brings my total number of machines to two!
It honestly never entered my head what I would do if my Janome broke down (I'll be keeping it to take to class) and the comment about how one machine can't do everything was very apt.
Once again you ladies have given me great advice - thanks to everyone.

I don't think you are greedy at all. Many, many years ago (when my kids were small, they're 35 &37 now) I literally burned out the motor on my Sears Kenmore, went to the local sewing machine shop and bought a Singer (I forget which model), but when I bought it I told the dealer that I wanted a machine that would stand up to the hours and hours of sewing and quilting that I was doing. Well, one year or so later, I'm preparing a quilt for a quilt show - time is short and my machine went "postal" and had a "meltdown". I took it back to the dealer, where one gentleman said there was nothing wrong with it, then the owner came over and he showed me the Janome 4000, and let me test drive it. He said he would give me the full price I paid for the Singer in trade for the Janome, so instead of $900, it was $300. I'm hoping I don't jinx it, but she and I have been "best buds" ever since. I also have a Brother that I got for free at our local trash incinerator where people dropped off items too good to throw away and this gentleman was going up the stairs with this Brother machine, still in it's original box, well, it came home with me and was a great stand-in when the Janome was in for a tune up. Then just before leaving our home of 33 years a friend drops by with a Kenmore machine, which is very close to the bells and whistles of my Janome. At one point I had 6 machines, but now I'm down to 3, although I haven't spent much time with the other 2 machines, I know they are there, it's nice to have a back-up plan, although I should take them out of the closet and use them occasionally and give my Janome a rest. I don't think it's ever greedy to have something to use for something you love.

Go for it. make the men in your life happy!!!

NO NO NO!!!!!!! We quilters are never greedy, we are just making sure we have the right tools for the job - LOL LOL LOL!!!!

If you have the funds and the family are with you I say ......... GO FOR IT!!!!!

hugs

Caroline

No matter how many other quilters tell you to ignore feelings youhad that made you ask if you are greedy, the feelings must have been honest, or why would you have even brought up the subject? The feelings are probably not really related to whether you own one, two or forty sewing machines. They probably relate to something very personal to you. Certainly 2 sewing machines is not unusual for someone who sews. Not even unusual for someone in the USA who doesn't sew. I would suggest you not ignore your feelings or confuse them with your quilting. They may be justified or they may not be, but I would suggest that you find out for sure and not be in the position of asking strangers about something like this. I think you will probably feel better later. I don't mean to sound preachy, but it is unusual to ask strangers about such a personal question that it sounds as if it is not a superficial question at all.

Heck, no!! Go for it! I have an Exp 3.0 and would love a 4.0 also!

I have that very machine and a Janome. I like them both for different reasons. That presser foot option is awesome, it is also easy to figure out how to run the machine in general. Enjoy them both!
Darlene