I have 3 featherweights - which I love but lately it seems that I have 1 or 2 in for repair all the time!! I use them to sew on ALWAYS!! My question is if you were investing in a "modern work horse" what would it be. I would like to have the thread cutter and needle up and down as part of the features. Is there such an animal??? 4js

I like my Janome MC6600

It has the auto cutter and the auto down feature. It has a side bar for my leg to lift the pressure foot but I am kind of a short person; 5'3, and I have a hard time using that but otherwise I couldn't ask for much more.
I will be adding a Janome 300e or 350e in the near future, like for Christmas.

Happy Shopping

Tammy

I must admit that I like FRISTER&ROSSMAN machines as I find them so reliable, I have an old one and a neighbour had one too, her family gave her a new one for Christmas, a Singer, so she gave her old one to her grand children, she wish she didn't have to as she so preferred her F n R and the best thing about them is the price :shock: Check them out you might get a pleasant surprise.

If you just want straight stitch, I love my Juki TL98Q. Has the cutter,knee lift and needle down. I can't tell you how many quilts this baby has made and I drag it to Kansas for quilt retreat. She's a real workhorse, does great free motion and has the 9" throat so a little more room. I think they have a newer model now, but I think this one will last me a LOT longer, so I'll just keep her!

If I was buying one today, I would buy the Janome 6600.

Hands down a Bernina!

I just love my new Juki 2010!! It has what you are looking for and I got mine for $700

While you have only mentioned two features, there are so many more that may affect your choice. I don't like to overbuy, though I am cautious to not buy "just" what I need, and then a year later discover I have outgrown what I have or say, oh, I didn't know that feature existed.

Thus why I bought the MC6600 instead of the MC6500 which I was first considering. A professional seamstress I met after I purchased mine, told me it's her favourite machine ... except when she wanted a workhorse (goes through thicknesses when sewing wedding dresses) her favourite is the Janome 1600. Great machine .... but nothing more than a straight stitch, forward and back! Most of us want a little more!

Go to your local dealer(s) and try some out and start your wish list!

Ditto what she said! I've had my 6600P for 5 years & I love, love, love it! Worth every penny it cost.

Bernina 300 series.

My machine is the Janome 6600 and I absolutely love it. All those features I always wanted....... and I NEVER use my foot pedal. I can control the speed, and so using the on/off with my finger is so great. I've had it for 2 years, and do not regret buying it at all. C9P

Juki 2010! Auto scissors, knee lift, extension table and straight stitch. A real workhorse! :thumbup: and reasonably priced. I got mine at http://www.raichert.com/TL2010Q/tl2010.html I got mine for $749 at the beginning of the year. Ask for Les.

I know that the auto-cutter is not on my list of needs or wants for a machine. I wouldn't want to pay for it and budget is a real main concern of mine.

I do want needle positioning more than just 3 positions, zig-zag capabilities, and only a few fancy stitches. Since I want dual feed ... I guess I'll stick to my Pfaff. It really is a workhorse.

For straight stitching only ... my FW.

ali

I have never heard of these machines. Where do you find them?? Thanks, 4js

I use my featherweights all the time, never needed any repairs; only a few drops of oil here and there. Just wondering what's happening with yours?

The Juki 2010 looks a lot like the Husqvarna Viking Mega Quilter,
that's a great machine too. I use to sell the HV machines. I fell in
love with the Mega Quilter, straight stitch only,thread cutter,
needle up/down and did I mention it sews really fast? :-D
Its great for free motion and walking foot quilting.

I love my Janome 6600P! And my Janome 750!

I love my Janome 6600P! And my Janome 750!

Ooops sorry for the double post

I like my Brother 1500 straight stitch only. All the modern features with knee lift and all metal guts. Large throat space so machine quilting is very easy. It's reasonably priced at around $600 or less.

I can't even remember why the one is in there but the second one - the feed dogs just won't move the fabric. I was sewing along and they just stop pushing it forward. It is the second time I will be taking it back for this problem. I do oil and clean them out often. Thanks, 4js Any suggestions??

for me, my White. I've had it since I was 13 or so, and I'm 28 now. I love the silly thing, and it'll do whatever I throw at it.

I have 11 machines altogether...but my favorite is my Bernina 1008...no needle down and not many fancy stitches, but she's one in a million. I also use my Singers a lot and am now using my Husqvarna Sapphire until I get my Bernina out of the shop!
Guess it's just what you want to pay for that determines what you get...

Ali, I had originally thought that a thread cutter was unnecessary . . . UNTIL . . . I got my 6600P. Now I can't live without it! It really saves on thread as you only are left with 1/2" tails. No more groping for the scissors somewhere under your work! :-) The knee lifter - well after 5 years, I'm getting better at putting it to use! My first sewing machine after getting married was a Singer Golden Touch 'n Sew in a desk cabinet. It had a knee bar that pushed on the foot pedal wedged into a holder. Even now, some 40 years later, I keep wanting the knee lifter to make the machine run!!! It's wonderful for appliqueing as you can keep your hands on your work & use your knee to lift the presser foot when you need to pivot.

After a lot of research and trying various machines, I purchased the Babylock Quest Plus. It's being replaced by the Serenade, so prices should be lower. It has a built in walking foot (a must), speed control, needle up/down, all the feet (15?) work with the walking foot (PDQ), so there was no added expense. It came with a large table and I can switch from the foot pedal to the stop/start button without unplugging the pedal. It doesn't have the cutter, but the Serenade does. I have a cutter on another machine, so it wasn't on the top of my 'want' list. PM me if you want any more information.

How heavy is it. I would like to find something lightweight also. I think I have to many "wants". Thanks for answering!! 4js

For just a straight stitcher, Brother Nouvelle 1500s as marketed in this country.I think Juki made them for Brother.It's a great machine with 9'' harp.

hands down Juki

- either the new 2010 models or the new Exceed models depending on how stripped down you want the machine to be.

I love my Bernina Artista 180.

I love my TL98Q. This is my second one; first one lasted nine years, and I sew every day! What a work horse!

I am curious also as to what problems you are having with your featherweights.I never have any major problems with mine.Maybe a thread caught sometimes,but never anything that requires a trip to the shop. Just curious.

no frills:
juki or janome 1600

This machine is impressive...I'm searching craigslist everyday in hopes of finding one. My only concern is the lack of presence in the american market, and if american repairmen can service it. There are so few dealers and non near me.

Juki would be my choice for no frills

Love my Vikings - have an old 100 with metal parts and a newer Rose (still more than 10 years old) with a few more decorative stitches AND needle-down (essential for me now). Get what you can get service for fast and locally.

I love my Janome 2160. Never had a problem with it,.

Ditto to all said above. JukiTL98Q is the best workhorse made in my opinion

i have three janomes and i love them they so far have not had any trouble. they just keep on ticking.

Check out the Janomes. I have a 6500 that I love but it has lots of bells and whistles. I'm sure they make a plainer machine that would be what you're looking for. They seem to be well made and cost less then the Bernina, Pfaff etc.

Bernina Record 830 or 930!