Going to try out a new sewing machine
 

Saturday DH and I are going to the Twin Citeis (MN) to visit relatives, and he has made arrangements to stop in a quilt shop so I can try out a machine I'm considering.

So they are going to have the Juki 2010, and the Brother equivalent ready for me to try. I'll be bringing along some samples, including some long strips, pieced strips and even some paper piecing. I think I'll bring along something to try sewing on a binding also.

I think my husband is more excited about this than I am. He said the lady he talked to would make sure they have one of each ready to go in a box, and that she sounded confident we'd be leaving with one of them. My main machine is 35 years old, and though I love it, I'd also love to get a thread cutter and a knee lift. Not to mention a bit more speed!

While it's common for me to bring a sewing machine back home when I make a trip like this, this will be one of the few times the machine will be less than 50 years old!

Congratulations. Have fun. Sounds like you have enough samples to try, however, if free motion quilting is something you need the machine to do, make sure you take a quilt sandwich or two to try too. Good luck.

Wind a bobbin on each one, put in and take out the bobbin. Be sure and know how the auto threader works. All new machines sew the same, it's the details that make it great.

Sounds like a fun trip! Let us know what happens. :)

Have a great trip, and keep an eye on the weather.

Sounds like fun but I slow down and find that I am more accurate with my piecing when I do slow it down. No need for speed. I have had my Bernina 1530 and very seldom use the knee lift. I tried the thread cutter on a Janome 6600 and I am too old to learn new tricks so I am just sticking with using enders.

At the Houston Quilt Festival, I was able to use a machine that had the thread cutter, and found I preferred leaders and enders; however, it would be a good feature for PP. I do use my knee lift. It is great if you machine applique. I agree that you should check out the mechanics -- winding and loading bobbins and threading the machine.

That will be fun! I have had the Juki TL2010 for over 2 years now. I love it! I didn't have a nearby dealer...bought it sight unseen based on many positive reviews. It's been perfect straight from the box! It's not fussy about thread and I never have to mess with the tension.

Hope you had a fun day! What a nice idea your husband came up with, even if you don't come home with a new machine.

Have had a Bernina w/ knee lift for 20 years and used it... Twice? Others I know love it and wouldn't be without. I think it is true that they are very helpful for machine applique.

I'm looking forward to hearing how your trip went!

That is wonderful, I have heard great things about both machines. The one you work well with is the one to get, as you well know. Sounds like a nice trip and exciting. Let us know what you come home with.