Machine woes
 

I have had a rather inexpensive Brother machine for 2-3 years ans I loved it. However, it started to misbehave - too much presser foot pressure cause it to not feed fabric properly, hardly feeding at all. As it has no way to adjust the pressure, I took it in to be fixed and they said it would cost as much as I paid for it to fix it. So, I figured that it's time for a new machine.

I am torn. My husband feels that the machine should have lasted longer than this, and I tend to agree. But I also feel that given the amount of sewing I have done and the amount of traveling the machine went through, I got what I paid for.

I am not looking to spend a lot of cash, but want a reliable, well built machine with only a few more beeps and whistles. I am looking at a Brother PC-420 Project Runway or a Janome DC1050. Never had a Janome but I hear good things. This is about the amount of money I wish to spend and they both have a larger harp area and the features I am looking for.

HELP!!!

I have had very good luck buying used machines. I have purchased them off Craigslist, thrift stores, antique stores and (believe it or not) pawn shops. The one I'm using now is a Janome 3022 and cost me $40. I had a "used but practically brand new" Juki 98e that I got for half the price of new, and sold it for a little less on this board. I think I got a good deal and I think she got a good deal too! Other than that, I haven't spent more than $50 on a machine. And all of them have worked perfectly after some basic TLC.

I have Janomes and like them but the Brother is a great machine and has more to offer over the 1050. It gets great reviews. The 1050 I believe is a light-weight machine w/ a very small harp. The Brother is larger, heavier and for that reason, probably more stable for quilting purposes. I don't know if it has adjustable presser foot pressure but the Janome does not. I believe the Brother also has a bit heavier motor. Is there a way for you to test-drive both machines to see which one you like best??

If you have an inexpensive Brother machine, I'm guessing in the $200 or under range, then 3 years of hard use is probably more than it should have lived for. I would go with a Janome. I have a 9000 and have loved it, and used it hard for 13 years.

I have the Brother SQ 900 for quilting and sewing, it comes with the walking foot and all the extras you need for quilting. It is one I got at Wall Mart and has been a good machine so far. I bought the project runway first and when they came out with the quilting one I gave the first one to my DD and got the quilter for myself. They both have a lot of pretty stitches.

I've heard that the machines that are made for the big box stores frequently have short lives. I think that I would look for a pre-owned older machine that was made well. A friend of mine bought a pre-owned Janome that she loves--it has no electronic features, several stitch choices and is a work-horse.

The machines sold in craft store aisles are made for craft sewing not heavy use quilt sewing. Many of them hold up past a couple of years of steady sewing shows they aren't as bad as many think. I would suggest the new Janome Jem line, it's portable and has lots of added features. My Jem is years old and has never given me one bit of trouble. The new ones are loaded with features. Take you DH to a sewing machine dealer and he will leave thinking whatever you like under $500 is a bargain. Remember the machines sold at craft stores are made for craft sewing, not heavy use.

I would suggest a used Bernina...I have a 1008 (bought it new) which is 13 years old and just had it's first visit to the dealer hospital. And believe me, it's been put through it! I have made over 500 quilts on it, and it hasn't stuttered until this little mishap it just had...and then it only cost me $75 to get it fixed and serviced. I think I paid $12-1300 for it back then...don't have a clue how much they are now but I DO know that there are good used ones out there. So maybe that could be a consideration for you as well. Good luck!

I have bernina's but, at one time, hubbby bought me a janome memorycraft on line at home shopping network. It was a great little machine and I bought all of the feet at my local quilt store for a fraction of what the bernina feet go for. The janome worked great. I would not hesitate to have another if need be.

Be sure to check with any machine dealer local to you and also repair shops....both will have good used machines.....I bought a used Janome and couldn't be happier with the machine and the dealer!