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grannypjb 11-18-2008 10:43 AM

For many years, I had a Singer for my main sewing machine. I changed to the Elna-Quilters Dream because at that time it was being shown by Eleanor Burns who is one of our top quilting teachers. (since then she has changed brands, not me).

I do like my Elna very much. It does what I expect it to do. But, you need to know that if you are doing quilting and the machine you purchase does not come with a 1/4" quilting foot, you NEED to purchase one. This is important.

I also have a Singer Future which is a sewing machine with an embroider attachment and I really like it also.

The reason for having more than one is that I teach sewing in my home and also do sewing for the public.

If you have any questions, please contact me and I will be glad to answer if possible.

GiGi 11-18-2008 10:45 AM

Janome is my pick; I currently have the 6600P, Memorylock Serger, smaller 760 and the 350E Emb. machine. I gave my first Janome to my girlfriend and she continues to use it. In addition, I have just purchased the Janome that Hancock's sold for $39.99 for my Grandaughter so when she comes to visit this summer, we can play together :D . So, there you have it; I give thumbs up for Janome. I have never had any problems with any of them. They have traveled everywhere with me and I wouldn't trade them for the world. Good luck choosing. GiGi :D

GiGi 11-18-2008 10:47 AM

One more thought before you buy. Make sure the machine has a walking foot and quilting foot. These two are invaluable. Thanks, GiGi :D

GiGi 11-18-2008 10:48 AM

After looking at the site, it appears they only sell Pfaff machines. GiGi

jeanie 11-18-2008 10:54 AM

Do your research and then go to ebay. You can buy new and used machines at a fraction of the cost and quite often delivery is free. I bought a Brother that retailed for $560 for $189. You can buy the accessory pieces as well. They have all of the major brands so you really can get what almost any machine you want.
You won't get the lessons that a local dealer might offer but if you're all about the bottom line you sure get a lot of bang for your buck. Use a paypal account and the whole thing is money-back guaranteed.
Even if you decide not to buy on-line, go ahead and print out some of the offers to take to your local dealer and use them as leverage to get him to offer you a discount or throw in some freebies.
Hope this helps. Your wife is one lucky gal and you tell her I said so.

bouldercreek 11-18-2008 10:59 AM

I am completely satisfied with my 6500 Janome. I have no trouble with it since purchasing the machine and then I purchased the Janome Plat 670 for taking on vacations and classes. What is especially nice is that the feet will go with both machines. I have also used the small machine in needle thread classes and it also does a wonderful job.
Good luck :

justdenise1 11-18-2008 11:00 AM

I have been sewing for more than 30 years and I have found that you get what you pay for. I have sewn on $100 machines and $1000 machines. For light sewing, a $100 machine is probably fine. But if you are going to tackle quilts, I would recommend a better machine. That doesn't mean they have to be brand new, you can get wonderful machines second hand. But I think that your wife would just be very frustrated with a cheap machine. The thread tangles, gets caught and gets jammed easily. It makes sewing no fun. They also wear out very quickly. I currently sew on a Janome. It costs a litltle more than $1200, but oh, so worth the money!

2manyprojects 11-18-2008 11:11 AM

I received a kenmore 385, it is a wonderful machine for the price! It has all the bells and whistles of a Bernina! Love it!

Susan in Texas 11-18-2008 11:18 AM

I agree, when buying a sewing machine, you get what you pay for. I went shopping for a new Singer/Kenmore and found that many of the new models are built in foreign countries and have inner parts that are made of plastic. Needless to say I still sew on my 30 year old Kenmore. My niece bought one of the new Singers and her cat jumped up on the top, breaking the foot she was using. This was a small cat and the foot was made of plastic. Ask many questions when shopping for a new machine. And look at more than one brand so you can compare.

Tricky 11-18-2008 11:22 AM

Hi I have a Janome Memory Craft 6000 that I have owned since 1982 I paid 1500 for it at the time and noticed recently a used one similar vintage for 530 dollars. I also own a singer 222 which is a featherweight /featherlight from 1957--has a removable arm. I learned to sew on that machine and my brother very kindly gave it to me when my mother died. It is still in excellent condition and works like a dream.

I love both machines for different reasons.
Good luck shopping

garbaby 11-18-2008 11:22 AM

May I suggest a Janome machine, I use the Janomes for quilting, sewing, embroidery and all other crafts. I do not think you can beat the price and durability of these machines. Our local Janome dealer is great and very helpful in all areas.

Shotgun 11-18-2008 11:22 AM

for thomas

I have a singer , about 1o years old I love it for straight sewing or piecing quilt tops It does have a few extra fancy stitches I can and do use some times. best she try one out sewing machine stores usually
have floor models to let her do that.

shot gun

quiltykiwi 11-18-2008 11:28 AM

Hi There . I now use a Brother NX400. and love it. Previously I used an Elna which I bought new in approx 1966 and I think I killed it with overwork. The fault with my Elna mainly was the fact that I couldnt drop the feed dogs, :cry: but the Brother does all that I want and more, still havent worked it all out yet and I have had it for a couple of years. :oops: Probably a slow learner :roll:

quilting grandpa,. 11-18-2008 11:36 AM

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About 6 months ago a friend posted a message on free cycle
that is a site that you can get and give stuff away free.
she wrote telling that i wanted to teach my grandaughters how to sew and a short time later she recived a reply stating that i was to go and pick up a used singer simple zig zag sewing machine.i picked it up oiled it and began to quilt for the first time in my life i have sence made four quilts not bad for a beginner.

Mary Lou 11-18-2008 11:37 AM

Janome makes a small machine model JP 760. You should be able to get a good used one in your budget range. Just be sure to go to a dealer now a K-mart or that kind of a store. People trade up to bigger ones all the time. This is a small one that she will be able to take with her when she quilts with friends. I also have a Janome Memory Craft 6600 which is quite a bit more money but she could get one later if she decides to keep quitling.( and she will)

purplelady 11-18-2008 11:40 AM

Well, I have has singers and Kenmore and Bernia's and my choice is the Bernia. I have 2 now and working on getting the 3rd. I lost the deco one as I was not using it. I have the 170 and the 730. I love them both. But if you want a good machine and she is going to be doing a lot of quilting then the 830 Bernia or even the 730 is good. You can sew, emborider and almost do anything on it except do dishes, and make the bed lol. But the service is great. Take it in once a yr for a check up and a way you go. It is just like your car. You take that in for a service check, so you do the same for you sewing machine. I have not had to take my machine in for anything but my yearly check up. It is such a good machine and you can always find a dealer and a servious tech to answer your questions. No matter how dumb you think there are. I would not trade my machine for all the choc in the world. Best bet is go to a Bernia dealer and try one out. Just like a car. Sit and sew with it and tell them what you are going to be doing with the machine . Good luck Sharon from South Dakota

andy 11-18-2008 11:45 AM

What a great gift fot your wife! I love the used ELNA 6003 (with a walking foot) that I purchased from a long time quilter who was updating to the latest model, and I have made many quilts with it without problems. I suggest, as I did, that if you buy a used machine, have a dealer check it over first. (mine only needed a new cord which was worn)


quilting grandpa,. 11-18-2008 11:45 AM

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a friend got me a machine on free cycle and that got me started quilting sence i have made 4 quilts for my grands its a simple singer zig zag nothing big it works fine.i think if i could afford a new machine it would be a brother they are a good choice.

larkinsma 11-18-2008 11:47 AM

I have a Janome Memory Craft 3000. I like it alot and did haveproblemswith the bobbin case, but the repair man put in a larger case 3 yr ago and it has been working fine since. I watch that it stays threaded correctly as at time the thread goes off the front track. The bed is average size and janome now sells a larger bed that handles quilting much better. I am postponing buying another machine at this time.
I also have a Simplicity machine and rarely use it. I don't advise a cheap machine from a discount store as you may end up paying more in repairs than the machine is worth. Good luck

Bev 11-18-2008 11:50 AM

Hey Tom:
Looks like I'm a bit late getting my two cents worth in, but here goes anyhow.
I started my quilting career off with a Janome Jem Gold. It served me well both as an at-home machine and to take to classes and workshops. It's light weight, easy to use, as in "user friendly", has some good features, and works like a charm every time. A big plus was the price, around 200.00 to 300.00 depending if you get it on sale or not. I believe my hubby got mine on sale (it too was a b'day gift) for $200.00 complete with a case and many attachments. So when I was ready to upgrade I went for the Janome Platinum (I've been using my "Jemmy" for about 7 or 8 years now.) I wanted something that would do just a little bit more and I wanted a new model. I bought the Platinum 760. It has everything I wanted or needed. I keep it set up at home all the time. But I still carry my Jemmy with me everywhere I go, even on long trips. I've never, I mean NEVER had a moment's trouble with either one of them. I, of course, take good care of them and have them each serviced every year like clockwork. Ya don't mess with a good thing! My dealer tells me Janome also makes Singer now as well as Sears. I think your wife would love to have a Janome. If she's not up to date with sewing machines, she may not recognize the name and think it's some kind of knock off, but it's definitely not, and it's way up there in consumer's reviews.

larkinsma 11-18-2008 11:50 AM

By the way, a cheaper machine may be more difficult to use and require more knowledge about how a sewing machine runs, in order to make it behave.

AlwaysQuilting 11-18-2008 11:50 AM

Just FYI----the Kenmores that are made by Janome have a model number that begins with 385.
AlwaysQuilting

Pat Fox 11-18-2008 11:59 AM

The Quilter's review is a good place to get info as to the type of machine to get. She has actually written a book specifically about that issue.
I have 3 different machines that I use for different things. One is a Brother - straight stitch and is on a frame for quilting only. Great machine. I have an old Kenmore (was quite fancy 10 + years ago) and is still going strong. I also have a Singer Featherweight that I use most for piecing and travelling.
As for embroidery - a few stitches might be ok but most have suggested that if one is to really get into the embroidery that it is best to have a dedicated machine for that because it takes so much time and when set up for a project you can't do much else. But this is just an opinion.
Website is: http://www.quiltersreview.com/review.asp
Good luck. Pat

mimee4 11-18-2008 12:00 PM

I was delighted to see all the responses mentioning Janome and Kenmore. I, too, have both these machines. I absolutely love my 8 year old Kenmore - haven't used the Janome yet.
And I'm a newbie to this site. Been quilting for a long time.

Andie 11-18-2008 12:02 PM

Pfaff are a great machine they have what they call dual feed, which helps with machine quilting. Make sure no matter what machine she gets that. service is available and lessons . No matter how simple the machine looks a good sales person can really help with info Happy Hunting PS thats if the sales person knows how to sew, I used to sell machines and have sewn for 50 yrs.

lyndad 11-18-2008 12:04 PM

I was ask to post a msg about what sewing machine I used. I recently purchased a Mega Quilter machine and frame, they are Husqvarna Viking. The machine is great, it's very powerful and fast, has a knee lift, needle threader & needle up/down positioner. It only does straight stitching, came with a darning foot. I've been practicing (over, over, over) before I put it in the frames to quilt. I'm just about there, thanks to all you nice ladies, I know I don't have to be perfect in all my quilting endeavors. Lynda

willie 11-18-2008 12:12 PM

hi-- I have a baby lock esante and a janome 9700.
Both are sewing/embroidery machines. I like both of them but the janome is the work horse of the two. I agree , she should test drive
several machines before making a choice.
Willie

quilting grandpa,. 11-18-2008 12:16 PM

My choice of a sewing machine would be a brother if i coulden't find a used one.brother is a very good choice for a machine. 8)

lyndad 11-18-2008 12:20 PM

Welcome to the board, :D from Texas. I've only had a Singer for years until I got the Husquvarna, but so far I just love it.

QuiltNama 11-18-2008 12:25 PM

Tom, I have 2 Kenmore machines and a Phaff. The Sears machines are made by Janome and all of the parts are interchangable. I use my Kenmore every day and have had very good luck with them. Sears also have a service department if you need repair. Have your wife take pieces of fabric whe will be sewing on with her to test. At any shop they will only show you fabric that sews very easy on the machines. Many shops and fabric stores offer classes in quilting. Just have her test,test, test any machine before she gets it. Good Luck, and happy hunting. QuiltNama

bela2 11-18-2008 12:26 PM

HI!
I have been sewing for many years and quilting for about 12 or so. I have a Phaff that replaced my Kenmore. Though when I started doing more quilts I got a Janome (it was at a discounted price - new model came out). I also got an embroidery machine and that is strictkly used for embroidery. Look for a machine that suits her needs and don't be afraid to look at higher priced models - look at them for to compare differences of what they have to offer, more stitches, more feet, threader, auto cutter etc. You don't want to buy a machine and then in a few months she's out grown it or decides she really could use those other options. I love my Janome and had planned to eventually put it on a frame to do quilting with but ended up with a babylock on it for quilting. Hope this helps.
Best of luck,
Pam

lvs2quilt 11-18-2008 12:45 PM

I am using a Bernina 230 that I purchased three years ago as a retirement gift to myself. I am not interested in the embroidery features found on the more expensive machines and this one has all the features that seemed to fit with my need for a machine for a "new" quilter. I am very satisfied with it and am not looking to upgrade at this time. It is fun to look though! Our local Bernina dealer is currently featuring the new 830 model...with a price tag that gives me shivers!

wisconsin 11-18-2008 12:49 PM

Good idea to ask what sewing machines people are using.
I always wonder.

I have a Janome 9000. Sure would like the Bernina with the stitch regulator foot.
But, guess Santa will have to bring that.
maryellen in wisconsin

MsSewer 11-18-2008 12:58 PM

Years ago I bought a Kenmore Sewing Machine at Sears. It is the equivalent of a Singer. I love it. When I originally sewed it was for clothing and like the Singer because it had a buttonhole maker. Today I still use this machine for all of my piecing of quilts. It has performed especially well even after all these yers. It has marks on the needle plate and one is for the 1/4" which is the standard seam allowance in quilting. The drawback is that I don't have double needle capability nor does it have needle up/needle down capibility. However, for a first machine I would recommend it and the price is not overwhelming.

Several years ago my loving husband and 2 sons bought me a Husqvarna Embroidery machine which I really love and use to embellish my quilts but when I am constructing the quilt I always return to using the Singer.
Hope this helps.

QuiltnJ 11-18-2008 01:01 PM

It is perfectly fine for a man to visit a quilt store because many men are doing the quilting themselves.

You might also ask at the quilt store if they have any classroom machines available for sale. You can get some good deals on these machines also. They are machines that have been used in the classroom for ususally about a year and then sold at a reduced price.


lyndad 11-18-2008 01:12 PM

quiltn, my husband loves to visit the quilt stores (thank you lord) he doesn't sew, but likes to look at the different machines and materials. He also likes to see all the quilting tools available. I don't know why, like I said he doesn't sew.

sharonb43 11-18-2008 01:12 PM

I bought a White a couple of years ago and I really like it. I have done some quilting on it and some home decorating things, as well as mending. It has done everything I wanted it to do. Mine is a White Stylemaker 3100.

CRH 11-18-2008 01:20 PM

Per request of Konstantin: My sewing machines- pro and con.

Singer touch and sew: Loved it, died at age 40, could put a single stitch anywhere I wanted with it, backward or forward.

Husqvarna Viking Designer 1 (6 yrs ago). (embroidery machine) Very good machine.!! Loved the drop in bobbin, the automatic needle lift feature when stitching stopped. The embroidery seemed not to stay within the lines and fill completely at times. The software for the embroidery seemed cumbersome, never really learned it.Computer interface was floppy disk which became extinct. Traded it in on:

Bernina 730: (3 yrs ago) Bought it because of the stitch regulator. (Found out it wasn't the answer to free-hand quilting, a person must still need talent.) :D :( .
I like the way it embroiders. I don't like the knee lever to raise the pressor foot when done stitching. The bobbin is on the front, and hard for arthritic fingers to manipulate. I LOVE the independent bobbin winder - use it to wind the bobbins for my other machine. Don't use it much for piecing because it is a 9mm and the feed dogs are too far apart to catch the 1/4 inch seam allowance easily. It has a lot of stitches, but about 10 that I really use, but a lot of potential for decorative work. The menu is hard to navigate, can't always find the stitch I'm looking for, and hard to remember what all the icons mean-would rather have words. It's is solid and reliable. I think the embroidery is of good quality. (Difficult to get the fabric in the hoop with the provided clips (I think some newer machines are improving this.) The entry embroidery software doesn't do much, and again is hard to learn, but if you are into this, there is (expensive), but advanced software available.
I feel I spent a lot of money for features I will probable never use, but always have a toy that will keep me learning if I use it.

Pfaff Expression 2036 - 1 1/2 years old. Bought it for the IDT (built-in walking foot and LOVE this feature!! It also has a 6mm stitch width max, so it good for piecing with these 2 features. Has 61 stitches and higher case alphabet. (I would like to have a lower case alphabet to make quilt labels with.) Can actually free motion on this machine as well as I can on the Bernina with BSR. Needle threader on this machine works great.

My dream machine would have a deeper throat for manipulating quilts and a lower case alphabet for quilt labels, but I'm keeping these. If I win the lottery I might buy a long-arm. :lol: Yeah, right!!

Featherweight Singer: Just a toy, like my other machines better.

Sorry, so long winded.

Bernadette Harwood 11-18-2008 01:29 PM

Hi, I have 2 Designer 1's I love them and highly recommend Viking machines. They have a sensor foot so it automatically knows whether you have thick or thin fabric under the presser foot and it regulates its presser. I hardly ever use my dual feed foot because of this nice feature. It also has the needle down position which it great for quilting too. I use my Des.1 for mosts of my quilts, it has lots of quilting and decorative stitches that are great for quilting.

I also have a Mega quilter and table for my quilting, it is a low end price range for a long arm. I would say buy the biggest and best long arm you can afford. I would love to get a bigger machine someday but this is giving me lots of practice till I can get something bigger. It is great other than I would like a bigger throat as it is not much bigger than the Des. 1. You get free training with your Viking machine and continual help so it is great for a bigger or new quilter.

rainyday18837 11-18-2008 01:41 PM

My advice, is to purchase by model and not brand. And buy where there is support and repair. Not at a hotel etc. they come through town or the dealer offers this terrific price on a truck load sale. In truth they only have a couple at that really low price. And they plan on selling you up. For instance, When I had my shop there was a flat bed machine, heavy duty that they came through town and sold at $299 or $399. The husbands were so proud of the deal since the dealer paid for a 1 page colored ad. Well I sold that same machine for $99 , yes ninety nine and still made money.

Remember that manufactures suggested retail is just that suggested and inflated so you, the consumer, think your getting a better deal.

Ok I have a janmome gem (11 lb. travel machine) A janome professional 6500, a bernina 950 (commercial). along with a couple of old white brand. Heres the scoop. The gem, I love it and use it all the time. That little guy is tough and has guts. The 6500 professional. WHAT A MISTAKE. it is a wimp, does not like to sew through several thicknesses and bogs down. I don't like the stitch formation when machine quilt with it or applique. Big price difference. Between the 2. they were both bought at the same time. Since I sew for a living, and was so dissappointed with the 6500, My hero/husband, went and got me the bernina 950. Now that one is my babe, but it isn't for every one and certainly is not portable. After all it has a 1hp motor and if i remember can do up to 3000 needle strokes a minute.

In essence, shop by model specific. Double check prices, and make sure what your wife wants to do with it. Is she going to travel with it, quilt classes, if your retired and have a summer or winter retreat is it going with you? Can she carry it?

Good luck
Lorraine


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