New Sewing Machine?
 

I’m looking for a new sewing machine and have no idea where to start. Any suggestions?

I saw this one but still not sure. tia

Juki TL 2000Qi

I looked at the Juki too, but thought it too loud, and bought a portable Janome HD-3000. It is so quiet stitching. After all that I found the VMA industrial machines (set in a table) and ended up with one. Nearly half the price of the others and I love it so much. Another similar brand is Jack, same with a different badge.

My Juki 2010 is quiet. I took it to a retreat last week and everyone around me commented on how quiet it was. I never paid any attention to the sound. Of all the 40 there at retreat, all machines were different. Some same brand different models. I couldn't tell any difference in the sound of any of them really. All sounded like sewing machines.

I have the Juki TL2010 and love it. Straight stitch with speed control and easy to maintain myself. I don't find it any louder than my 2 Pfaff machines and if you do any type of bag making the TL series of machines are awesome. Go to JukiJunkies.com and also their YouTube channel they have the most compelte info of the TL series with comparison of features. As to where to start I would make a list of things you like or don't like about your current machine and what features you use or don't use or need and don't forget support by local shops if you do need to take machine in for repair/maintance (I wouldn't want to have to travel miles or ship a machine). Good luck on your search.

I have the Juki 2200 QVP MIni (repackaged TL 2010). I don't kniow that its any noiser than any other machine. I love it.

Try a Brother PQ 1500 or newly Labeled PQ 1600. Similar in shape to JUKI. much less expensive. I have two of them. I can take care of them myself.

Baby Lock has a nice portable machine for $166 for Cyber Monday sales.

Decide what features are "must haves" and start there. Most machines have more bells and whistles than necessary. I'd look for a large throat space. I'm a Janome user but know there are many other good machines available as well based on features and prices. Try to visit and test a few machines before purchasing but avoid the sales pitch when testing.

Newbie here! PatternReview has a sewing machine review section for comparing machines based upon the features you want.

How fun, I would love a new sewing machine, especially one with a larger throat for quilting. Must-haves in my next machine would be auto-threading, auto thread cutting, automatic presser foot raise/lower, adjustable foot pressure and so much more.

I dream of the Janome Skyline S6, LOL.

Dawn P.

I love mine. I own ten machines, and it is my favorite and go to machine for quilting and bag making. Of course if you want a machine that makes a lot of decorative stitches and does zig zag etc, then I understand. But I already had that when I bought my Juki.

What is near you as far as service and repair? What are your "must haves"?

There are scads of things that I buy online - especially this time of year! - but I could not buy a sewing machine, regardless of recommendations, without trying it myself.

Many years ago, after settling my father's estate, I decided I was going to buy myself a new sewing machine. As the closest dealer was a Bernina dealer, that is what I ended up with. I have never, for a minute, regretted that choice. However, as it is well over 20 years old now, I know that the motherboard is going to be aging out. They are no longer available. So, I've thought about what I'd get.

The Bernina dealer where I bought this machine only sells the lower end Berninas now - no color screens. For a while, he had Eversewns, but I never hear anything about those anymore. Now, he has Juki's in stock, so I stopped by and tried one. I do not use nor want embroidery, and almost never use anything other than a straight stitch - so the Juki industrial models - similar to what Kimberly Jolly, Donna Jordan, and many other well known folks use - would most likely work for me. I did like it. Most of the Bernina's now have so many features that I have no interest in that it seems foolish to go farther (about an hour) and spend that kind of $. The one advantage I'd have is that I have a lot of Bernina feet, so as long as I get another 5mm, they would work.


I also happened to take a class at a shop that is about an hour away, and forgot one of the feet I needed, so they let me use a shop machine. It was a Pfaff Expression and I loved it! The thread cutter worked perfectly, never once jamming the entire day, and the hover feature was fabulous. However, most of my collection of Bernina feet would be useless. Some, I would put in my travel machine case - it's a 350 that I bought used. Smaller and lighter than a full size Bernina.

Juki does make machines that have fancy stitches, and are supposedly more popular abroad than in the US.

I would go with whatever you like that can be serviced by an authorized tech without having to travel too far to do so.

I also love the Juki 2010q.