Machine Recommendations
 

I would like recommendations for a new sewing machine. I lost my Bernina Virtuosa 150 that I bought new in 2001. I loved that machine. I could do anything on it from making crafts to machine quilting.

I haven't shopped for a new machine since 2001, so I'm out of the loop on whether Bernina is still a good brand or if they have gone downhill? If it's no longer a good brand, what's another brand that's good?

I don't know what newer machines offer, but I would like to have a machine again that I can do quilting, I only need basic stitches, a strong machine that can sew through several layers of denim when needed and I loved the foot pedal.

I would love a machine that it's insides are mostly metal, is that possible anymore?

I have several Berninas. In my opinion, I think they’re an excellent machine. They’re still made in Switzerland.

Love my Berninas!

You can still find vintage, all metal, mechanical sewing machines for cheap or free. Some are just basic stitches. Some take cams to let you do fancier stitches.

I personally love my very basic Kenmore 148.19370 (a.k.a. 1937) but there are many other vintage Kenmores (and other brands) that fit what you describe. I understand from a vintage Kenmore FB group I'm in that models 1914 and 1941 are very good. You might need to clean it inside and out to get one working it's best or you might luck into one that works perfectly and just needs regular oil and cleaning (like I did with my vintage machines).

Newer isn't always better. Vintage, all metal machines are solid machines. I'd take one of them over a computerized new machine any day. (No offense to anyone that prefers the computerized machines.)

There's a woman that buys, cleans, repairs then sells vintage machines. She posts videos of her machines on youtube and talks about their features and accessories. I found her videos very informative when I was trying to learn more about my machines that I got elsewhere. You might find her videos helpful, too, to do a keyword search for the model if you find one elsewhere that interests you. You could learn more about it from her. I've never bought from her (and don't know her) but she seems to have a good reputation. She's Rayna Moran, a.k.a. niftythriftygirl. Here's a link to her youtube channel.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQt...rW9QwJn9Rb_NlA

I love my Berninas, too!

Love Bernina!!
I have the same one you had. What happened to it?

I have about six machines. The two I use all the time is a Babyloc Jane and a Juki TL98QE. All metal insides straight stitch only.

I have been told once you have owned a Bernina, it’s hard to be satisfied with any other brand. ???
Good luck in your decision.

I have the Eversewn Hero that I absolutely love. Until this week, I've used it almost daily since I got it last April. (She is off getting cleaned and oiled right now.)

I have machine quilted without any issues. I've stitched up to six layers of denim without an issue, but had to really slow down on 8 layers to avoid breaking a needle. The Hero does awesome machine embroidery, though there are more basic models without the embroidery unit.

The price was awesome, too. I've had machines that cost 3-4x as much, without the embroidery unit, that I didn't like half as much.

I always recommend a machine that has top feed dogs for accuracy in piecing. Those are usually Pfaff, Babylock, Janome (but not every machine they make. In Pfaff's it's called the IDT system, and Pfaff was the originator.)