How do you know what features to look in a machine?
 

I wanted to start sewing clothes 13 years ago and did a ton of research into SM features. There was a lot of info online and I was positive that I wanted a Husqvarna Emerald 118. I went to the local dealer, she showed me the features and I ordered one on the spot for $500 CAD. I LOVED it and am so glad I picked it.


I turned to quilting about 9 years ago and haven't made clothes since (except pj pants) and my SM has been great. But my quilting skills/goal have outgrown the machine. I stopped quilting 4 years ago, picked it up with covid and am realizing that the issue is the machine doesn't meet my needs anymore. I need a larger throat. I need a machine that I can free motion quilt. I had purchased a couple feet to allow me to free motion but they didn't do an ideal job when I bought them years ago...and I have tried to put them on again recently and use them but no matter the youtube videos I watch I can't figure out how they work anymore. And I want them to look better than they did. I can only SITD with a normal walking foot and it doesn't look nice on larger quilts. I want an upgrade.


But I also find I want to experiment with applique more, doing a dresden quilt now. I don't even have a satin stitch and that's the one I want, the emerald 118 hardly has any stitches. Doing a zig zag with no space between doesn't work - we tried it at an applique class I took.


I have a janome, pfaff and viking dealers in my area, but I am very loyal the the store that sells pfaff and vikings. Just before Christmas I went in with a budget of $3000 and told her I wanted a quilting machine. The person who knows about the machines came out with pamphlets and said to either buy a opal 690q or a quilt ambition 630 and that they were basically the same. (just under $2000) She told me since I was used to vikings that she recommended I stick with them. That's it. Gave me the pamphlets and waited for any questions I had, but I don't know what to ask so that was that.


I know I love my needle up/down, and speed control. I want to applique things on quilts and wall hangings. I also want to put words on the wall hanging in big fabric letters but also wonder if there are QM that embroider smaller letters? I don't want an embroidery machine though. I want to free motion quilts and have flexibility there. I don't know what else I need or want though...


I google QM online there is a HUGE price difference so it's hard to know what is a need vs want vs dream feature. I want to go in the end of May again and demo them and get a better feel for them with the intent to purchase in July.


I feel a bit nervous/lost in what to look for even a bit overwhelmed to make a big purchase during a pandemic. I want this machine to meet my needs for at least 10+ years...I don't anticipate upgrading afterwards. What should I ask? Look for? What features are great in my price range, which aren't necessary?

Good questions!

There are different things people mean when they say a quilting machine. Sometimes that is a general all around machine that you can do all sorts of things on, including quilting. Sometimes it is a machine dedicated to just quilting, like a long arm. When talking to dealers, you have to stress "quilting as in every day/heavy duty usage". For examples there are cheap Brothers that just will not hold up even though they may say stuff about what they can do with quilting, and there are expensive ones that might be great choices for you.

From looking at the Husqvarna, I think the biggest thing you need is more throat space. The Pfaff 630 does have alphabets -- most machines these days do, depends on if the size you want or not. The 8" throat is ok, not huge. With the desire to do FMQ -- I see no integrated walking foot feature, or stitch regulator? Different brand but for Bernina there is the BSR
https://www.bernina.com/en-US/Footer...-Regulator-BSR

I understand brand loyalty -- but if I had a budget and space, I might look at the midarm/sit down machines like maybe Babylock and I know several people here have different set-ups. Will be interesting to me to see their comments. :)

JANOMES ARE GREAT machines for the money. For budgeting, find a machine you like, call we severalon line dealers, then let your local store know that you can get X machine at no tax....they may match that price. D &H Sewing and KensSewing.com can also help you find the right machine with your features and budget.

I understand wanting more throat space. I bought a Juki 2200 QVP Mini for the throat space and FMQ. I've been happy with it. But I don't understand the problem with the FMQ feet. What type of problem are you having? I've found that most often when my FMQ isn't as good as I'd like it, it's a problem with how I'm moving the fabric and not a problem with the foot at all. Could this be the case with you?

Buy two. One straight stitch only either Juki, BabyLoc, or Brother. All are made with the same features and you have the large throat space and they last for decade being all mechanical.
Get a second machine for piecing and decorative stitches. You can get both for about $1500 or less.
I wouldn't invest in a thousands of dollars machine for sewing quilt blocks. I rather have a new regular sewing machine every few years that I'm not stressed about it breaking or messing up and requiring hundreds of dollars of repair. Now if my piecing machine which is a Brother 420 (six years old) goes belly up no big deal.
I paid about $378, so it has cost me $50 a year. It has auto thread cutter, knee lift, needle position, neeld up/down, start/stop button or foot control. Low med and high speed settings and needle threader. Those are the features I want in any regular sewing machine and they are available without paying a fortune for them.

I myself am very partial to Pfaffs. I sold Vikings 13 yo but bought a Pfaff (which didn't go well with my boss lol). I started with a 2058 then bought a 2170 embroidery / sewing machine. Later I wanted larger harp and bought a Creative 2.0 and now am sewing on a Creative 4.0.

I purchased the Pfaff for the built in walking foot (they call it the IDT system). One thing is all the feet I have ever purchased for any of these machines fit all the others. All these Pfaffs were used machines - one first one was from a dealer the others found and purchased off craigslist.

All the dealers you listed carry good quality machines. My list of "must haves" for piecing machines is needle up and needle down, ability to move the needle position left and right, built in walking foot, a straight stitch needle plate with an option to lock the needle from moving left to right and a variety of stitches. A lot of machines have built in alphabets. I have a long arm so if you are looking for a machine for free motion I have no recommendations for a machine there. One other question you need to answer is are you interested in a machine that embroiders as well as sews?

I would take time and go to all three dealers and sew on every machine available (new and used imho).- take notes on the ones you like and if you decide on one do not hesitate to negotiate. For a lot of dealers, while the price might be non negotiable, they may be willing to throw in extra feet (a new 1/4 foot maybe, welting foot, ..... etc ) and other items to make the sale. If you are a confident sewer and comfortable with machines you could look at used machines as well.

Good luck with your choice!!

I would want the automatic needle threader and drop in bobbin, also. I also agree with eparys/betty.

I just bought a Viking Topaz 40 which is about the price range you are talking about. It has a lot of fancy stitches including a variety of applique stitches and quilting stitches. It does not have a stitch regulator....the only DSM machines that have that as far as I know are the mid and higher end Berninas. (I also just got a Bernina 590 too...ok, I may be a bit crazy). The Bernina has a stitch regular you can use with free motion quilting. but, it is higher than your price range. Both of these machines came with the embroidery arm and both came with some quilting embroidery designs you can use on your quilts. Neither of these two machines have those really huge throat spaces as I wanted a DSM that I could actually lift and carry around. I do have a long arm also for my quilting. Free motion quilting really does take practice. and some people decide they would rather quilt by check. If you go to sewing mastery . com. They have a lot of videos on both berninas and vikings.

^ Very wise advice ^

I got a new Janome a year ago Christmas. I love it! I use it for piecing and applique.

@Onebyone and @mkc -- ditto on their advice. I bought a Pfaff Ambition 620 (one step down from the 630) and I really like the IDT. It helps with piecing. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to like chain piecing. It tends to jam in between successive quilt blocks.I also like to applique, but I use the blanket stitch and not the satin stitch, the Pfaff works great. I don't think the throat size would be big enough to FMQ anything bigger than a twin. On one of the other posts recommended using a pool noodle as a guide for using a long arm frame on a DSM to see how much throat space was available when the quilt is rolled up. Maybe you could apply this to your shopping?

I like to shop for machines at the quilt/sewing shows, plus you get good deals. Also check the Pfaff website for monthly deals. I got a free extension table when I bought mine.

Good luck on finding a new (or two) machines!

Look at the Pfaff Creative line. I think my wife’s was in the $2,500 range a few years ago. Multiple alphabets, embroidery module, wide throat, needle up/down with “pivot position,” tons of stitches, thread cutter, LED lighting, and Pfaff’s IDT. Test drive one and I think you will be in love.

As much as I love our Pfaffs, I want to test drive a Juki HZL-NX7 “Kirei.” I can’t afford one now (I’ve seen it on Amazon for $3,000), but it has everything I could possible want in a machine. If you expand your search to Juki I would recommend looking at this one, but that recommendation is on reputation alone; I don’t own one.

As much as we would all like to choose the "right" machine, the truth is that our needs and desires change over time. When I bought my Bernina 440QE around 2007, I selected that machine largely because of the BSR, and I also purchased the embroidery unit. A couple of years later, I bought a longarm and have not used the BSR since then. And I never got interested in machine embroidery. I am still happy with the 440, but if I were buying a new machine today I would look for entirely different features. I also piece on a vintage Singer 301, and the only features that I miss on that machine are the automatic needle down and the knee lift. I'm sure that if I had an automatic thread cutter, for instance, I would get used to it and eventually might regard it as a necessity. But I don't have it, so I don't miss it.

Honestly it's been so long I can't remember. I know one of the feet was not from viking and they sold it to me as an extension since that was all that's available. I think part of it was me shoving a giant quilt with the larger polyfill under a tiny spot. And now I can't figure out how to get them to work.

A couple things to respond:

-I looked up the stitch regulator and I'm not super concerned with having one, it seems like a dream feature.

-My machine doesn't have a blanket stitch either but I would like that stitch to applique in a future machine. If I couldn't have a satin stitch I'm sure I'd be happy with a blanket stitch!

-I looked up IDT and it sounds like it'd be great! I will look for it, but not a deal breaker.

-I agree that my needs will change over time. But I am saving for big things (IVF) and this machine will have to meet my current and anticipated future needs for 10 years+. I also want to get it soon because once I get into fertility costs and hopefully pregnancy than I will not be buying a new machine.

-I'm not interested in embroidery. Like at all. But I'd like the letters to make quotes.

I was surprised that the dealer had recommended those machines as my emerald has apx 5.5" of throat space so an extra 2.5" doesn't seem like it'd make much of a difference. It sounds like most people are saying bigger throat space should be key and it sounds like I could still piece on my current DSM and find a machine that meets my other needs? If I found the perfect machine I would up my budget (MAX $5000) but would likely wait until the end of the year as I prefer to save first and then purchase. It's hard to easily test machines as I live in Ontario and we are in constant lockdown, or so it feels. Ontario hasn't had a quilt show since the pandemic and they won't for at least another year so I can't purchase anything there. But I'll plan to try to test things out. I also noticed a bernina seller close by.

I think for the free motion quilting I'm NOT interested in doing those fancy, time consuming designs all over the quilts. I think I'd like to do large meandering and for the practical reasons of some quilts. ie my current dresden quilt has 12" blocks and if I SITD it leaves large blocks unquilted. If I could FM than I could add a little design around the flowers. I have sent two of my quilts out and honestly the cost hurt my soul, I am very frugal with my money!

I will look at two machines, but I live in a small apartment and space is tight so may not be an option.

Thanks for all the feedback, I feel like I can look for things a little bit better!

It sounds like you already know the features you like and would like in a new machine, which is a good start. I am a Janome gal and love my machine, and have worked up to the machine I currently have, starting with a smaller machine, and much like you, outgrew it and upgraded. Have you considered any of the machines from the Eversew line, very reasonable price, lots of great features, and a good amount of throat space on the larger one. Good luck in your search, keep us posted when you finally decide. How exciting.

My domestic sewing machines are middle-aged - but, from what I have heard, were consdered "top of the line" at the time they were made. Apparently "domestic" has replaced "home" when referring to sewing machines.

Bernina Record 930 - bought used
Pfaff Creative 1475 - bought used
Necchi BU - bought used
Necchi Mira - bought used

So - will one ever have "the latest and greatest"? Maybe for about five minutes until something newer and "better" come along.

Because I have never had a "fancy" machine - I am not used to an automatic thread cutter or serious computer settings.

The only thing I really would have wanted on the Pfaff and/or Bernina is a buttonhole/applique stitch. Other than than, I am happy with how both of them work. And for what I do, they are more than adequate.

And a lot of times, my "humble" Singer 237 (straight stitch, zig-zag, forward, and back, and three needle positions) is my favorite workhorse. It is heavy, though. weights 35-40 pounds.

PS. I wish you and everyone concerned the best long-term outcome possible with your fertility issues. From what I have heard and read, IVF is a very expensive procedure.

PPS: I have finally learned - for me - sometimes simpler, more one-purpose - is a better way to go.

The more complex a tool or piece of equipment is, the more that can go wrong with it.

umm...both of my machines (viking topaz 40 and Bernina 590) have a couple of different blanket stitches and you can vary the size of them and also mirror them. I just did the blanket stitch on the bernina. Also both of my machines "hover" meaning they will stop with the needle in the down position and at the same time just lift the pressure foot automatically enough so you can turn your work a bit to go around curves and points. I love that feature for applique. Both have about 8.5 iches to the right of the needle which is not a huge space...but big enough to do some free motion. I actually like a smaller machine for piecing as it is lighter and usually less expensive to buy. Getting a smaller machine with the features you want and the second one for free motion seems like a good way to go. All you need to free motion is a straight stitch machine with a larger throat. You should be able to get a decent one brand new for about $1000 and may even be able to find a used one. Oh, I would recommend getting a cabinet that you can set the machine down in....It makes free motion or any quilting so much easier than trying to do it with the little "surrounds" you can get for some machines. Have fun deciding. It can be overwhelming...there are so many options out there. Oh, and I would recommend looking at the dealers you have in the area. Machines these days have so many features, they really need some tech people to support them.

Have you seen the Janome Continental M7, it has a very large throat space which is perfect for freemotion quilting. It also has a built in double transport foot called the AcuFeed, which is also great for quilting. It has a lot of 9 mm decorative stitches and is also great for piecing with the hp foot for a perfect scant 1/4”

if you want to stick with Viking I can completely understand. The Brilliance 75q has the most beautiful decorative and appliqué stitches. Even has so called omnimotion stitch which are very very big.

Both machines have a hover function which make them great for doing Applique.

please google these machines, because I think one of these could be perfect for you.

Good luck and have fun choosing!

Annette

I hope you find the machine that will be good for you. Lots of good advice on here. My advice is know what you want in a new machine and then try different models until you find one that "fits". I have had a Janome Professional 6600 for 8 years and have never had it in to be serviced. I do my own cleaning after each big project - basically cleaning the bobbin area good. I also have FMQ many, many quilts and feel quite comfortable doing that now. My machine has a 9" throat space and I do even king size quilts with that. Good luck in your search.

My suggestion is that you understand exactly why your current machine doesn’t work for you, so you know what problems you need to solve when buying a new machine. For example, a satin stitch is what is used to make buttonholes, so it’s unlikely you were happy sewing garments on your machine without that option.

But just because you have the option, it doesn’t mean it really works for the kind of sewing you want to do now. I bought my current machine to make flags using a satin stitch because my old machine was too lightweight to handle the task.

It also sounds like your current machine has a mostly bad relationship with the presser feet you own for quilting, such as a walking foot and quilting/darning foot. Unfortunately, many even slightly older machines just don’t have the accessories that would make our sewing life easier. But many machines will accept “generic” feet if you can find the right ones. Maybe you could take a refresher class at your SM dealer when things start to open up. They may have suggestions for you.

If you can solve the presser foot problem, the other problem is the small throat space on your current machine. Believe me, I feel your pain with this. But you should first practice on small quilt sandwiches, such as 6” x 6”. That takes the available space out of equation and let’s you get a feel for walking foot quilting and free motion quilting.

If you find yourself wanting to more with a walking foot on your current machine, I highly recommend the book “Walk” by Jacquie Gehring. It really opened my eyes to what can be accomplished using a walking foot!

Best of luck.

Since you're enjoying machine applique, I think a knee lift is invaluable along with the needle down and the blanket stitch.

While you're waiting for the perfect machine, you could try invisible applique with MonoPoly thread in the needle, thread that blends with your background in the bobbin and a blind hem stitch or a zigzag stitch. This has become my favorite way of doing machine applique. The presser foot lifter is a real pain, especially when you're doing small pieces.

(Sulky and YLI also make the invisible thread in clear and smoke colors, but they're shinier/more visible and I think they're made of nylon, which can melt under an iron and isn't as strong as poly thread - that's the reason I suggested "MonoPoly.")

I googled them and the brilliance is definitely on my list right! It's a little over budget but not too much. The Janome online says $8000 so I don't think it will work, sadly.

All of these suggestions are so great I really appreciate the time people are taking to respond. I will look into the WALK book and look at knee lift feature, I've read elsewhere that it;s a great feature.

I love my Janome 7700 which is 10 years old. Great harp space!

Both my Bernina 590 and my Viking Topaz 40 have the "hover"feature which means that when you set the machine to stop in the needle down position, the foot will automatically raise slightly enough for you to turn your work without having to manually lift the pressure foot or even use the knee lifter (on the bernina only). I love it for applique. The Viking Topaz 40 would be in your budget with enough left over to also get a longer necked straight stitch machine for free motion quilting. The Bernina 590 would be at the max of your budget most likely if you can find a sale. Both these machines have an 8.5 inch neck

Since your located in Canada, I would look up Toews of Abbotsford,BC. They helped me a lot, and I am in the USA. They have a nice web page that I found very helpful, in selecting a new machine. Also an tool free number, and I asked a lot of questions. Hope this will help you.

The features I looked for in a machine was the needle down button and duel feed. I am a Pfaff girl here and yes they are more expensive machines but you get what you pay for. i have owned Pfaff for over 25 years. I keep trading up. I now own the ICON and I love this machine! The best advise anyone can give you is to take your time and shop around. Test drive a machine and think about what each machine has. Take notes and then sit down and decided which one is best for your. Remember, a good dealer is important too.

I bought a machine! I had three to look at at the end of May to test (after lockdown) but one of my choices went on sale yesterday. So I bought it without testing it. A Viking Brilliance 75Q. The owner uses it all the time so was able to give lots of insight and feedback over the phone. It was regular $3500 and went down to $2600. She thinks they are renaming the machine and wanted to blow out stock.

It felt right and Im very excited for when it arrives!