Second Machine
 

I have recently come into a Bernette 46, a small, very basic machine. It doesn't have many bells and whistles, including the knee lift and automatic thread cutter, two features which I use all the time. I am really attached to the features of my Brother NX6500, which has these features. Perhaps I could use this for a raffle or quilting garage sale for the OMQG. My question is what do you all use a second machine for? I could use it to take to classes and whatnot, I suppose. My question is what do you all use a second machine for?

Good question. I have an Baby Lock Ellisimom, a Singer Quantum CL, a Baby Lock Serger and my old Baby Lock Ellegante (that I am trying to sell). I use to just sew with my singer, then I sewed with my baby lock and really liked it, so started sewing with it and the singer sat. Now I have learned that you must use your machines, they are like cars and must be "started up". For classes I use to take my ellegante. I had one doing embroidery while I sewed on the other. In the end I have decided I have "too" much and need to get back to basics. Not much help, am I?

When I first started quilting (two years ago), I bought a cheap Singer because it was lightweight and could take it to classes. What has happened is the needle jumps out of alighment... had it repaired once. One week later, it messed up again! If I have it repaired again, I will have spent enough $$ to buy another one!! So, I'm learning to sew with the needle off center.

To answer your question, a 2nd machine is good backup if nothing else.

Use one as a backup when the main is in the shop.

Sometimes machines have different strengths so I set them up differently. My old Kenmore is great with heavy stuff so it gets used for that, my Juki does better with small seams or delicate items than my Janome. I have a new(to me) Bernina 230 that is the smallest and lightest so it will get used for classes and most likely to teach my DD to sew.

I have a small Janome that I love!! I bought it so I wouldn't have to drag my heavy Quattro anywhere. I use the Janome to take to pillowcase parties to make pillowcases for Conker Cancer. I have also used it to teach a couple little girls how to sew.

When your main machine is in the shop you need a backup.
Since it is small you can use it for travel.

Two machine? Of course!! I have a Singer Confidence quilter and a Brother 1500s. The brothers is straight stitch only and the Singer does the fancy stitches. .I use the Brothers for my piecing and FMQ. and the Singer when I need fancy stitches. I really needed a back -up machine when my Brothers was in the shop for 3 weeks. As for other machine like sergers and embrodery machine- not for me. Also I take Singer to class since it is lighter than my Brothers.

Because I feared I would damage my Janome 6600 taking it back and forth to classes, I recently purchased a Janome 760 to use as a backup and to take to class. It is very light weight but sews beautifully - I am so excited to have it in my sewing room :-) !

Two machine? Of course!! I have a Singer Confidence quilter and a Brother 1500s. The brothers is straight stitch only and the Singer does the fancy stitches. .I use the Brothers for my piecing and FMQ. and the Singer when I need fancy stitches. I really needed a back -up machine when my Brothers was in the shop for 3 weeks. As for other machine like sergers and embrodery machine- not for me. Also I take Singer to class since it is lighter than my Brothers.

Don't get me started about more than one sewing machine... I only had one machine (a Singer from high school until 30 years ago) but I was only sewing clothes then. When it stopped working I took it to be repaired and found out I had totally worn out the the machine so I bought a simple Viking 150 (still just sewing). When my Mom passed away in 2000 she left me a note to buy a really good machine with some of my inheritance so I did. Got a Viking Designer 1 and I love it. But that started it, as I started quilting, when that D1 got older I was so afraid of it breaking and I started taking quilting classes so I bought a Featherweight (the type of machine I got in middle school when I started sewing) for classes. Love it but I think I went crazy, bought a Viking 183 for class also. This year I wanted a bigger throat for free motion so I got a Viking 875 with 10 inch throat and within 1 month bought a Janome 8200 with an 11 inch throat.
You really need more than one for all the reasons mentioned by others but be careful it can become an addiction. Guess we all have to have our obsessions. I do think it's important to have a machine to take to classes if you attend with any regularity, but be careful. I have a quilting friend that has 13 machines, some older ones for display as she has an actual quilting room but each machine has different features....Oops I also have a Viking surger....Love them all

I have three Janomes. My Janome 3500 I have had about 15 yrs, and its never been in the shop and I take it to Quilt Group with me as it is lighter weight to carry etc. The other two Janomes are combo, emb machines that I use here at home. Always have a backup if something goes wrong with one. But Janomes are very dependable and only go in for reg. maintanence once a year.

I have two Brother machines, very basic ones. One I use mostly for stitching blocks:I*ve finally found the settings for the scant 1/4" so that stays on this Number 1 machine. Number 2 has the walking foot attached, also used with ruffling foot etc. I had to buy the #2(The most basic one)when the bobbin winder part on #1 quit working and there is no Brother shop in the city. I also got an elderly Bernette 330 from my sister, this one I use for FMQ and garment sewing, also piecing ,and whatever, I love the quiet humming of the Bernette. My serger is for anything that needs overlocked seams including finishing quilting projects edges. I 'm going to be a great grandmother come June; the serger will be put to heavy usage with interlock materials for baby boy clothing.

I have the Bernina 830 as my main machine and do most of my sewing on it. My second machine a Bernina 350 is used for classes, retreats and when the big machine is getting updated. My grandchildren use both machines - it is easier to use the smaller machine as it can be set up at the kitchen table for them.

I use my FW to take to classes where my time is spent piecing. My Janome 8900( I think that's the right number) I use for quilting and anything that needs something other than a straight stitch.

Always good to have a back up machine!

In 2006, I bought a Bernina 440 as my main machine but kept the Kenmore I'd had since HS graduation. The 440 has embroidery so I can leave it set up for embroidery and sew on another. But then I saw a Featherweight and really wanted one as I love vintage things, not to mention it sews wonderful and is so dang cute!

Fast forward 7 years my count stands at 14 machines, including a Bernina serger, 2 Featherweights, and a Singer treadle. Other than the 440 and the serger, everything else is vintage. I found that I enjoy restoring the vintage machines and have re-homed some but will keep several permanently. I can have a sewing party and supply all the machines!

I do all piecing on my Singer 401, my singer 201 is set up with ruffler attachment for grand daughters clothes I make, one brother used for decorative stitches and sometimes FMQ small items, Viking mega quilter now table top quilter, new brother 1500 on frame for quilting. I have the room to keep them all set up and ready to use, hate having to change things every time I want to do something different.

I use my backup machine for when mine goes in for annual check-up... It also comes in handy when I am working on a project that I have different thread colors or settings .. I have one machine that has the "other" thread or settings or special feet all set up , so I can go back and forth between the two.

I would not be without a back up machine. I have a new old 1950s machine. One we bought in 1962/63. A couple more I don't use. My Babylock Jane is my piecing machine. My Juki TL98QE I use for quilting. I use the last two all the time. I don't like the knee lift and don't use them. Fist has the thread cutter, other has the needle up button and both stop with needle down. I love those features.

I bought the Bernette 46 to take to retreats. I love it for that, so I don't have to "disturb" my Pfaff machine. I don't use the Bernette for anything else, so I don't take anything to a retreat that I need to do fancy stuff on....only piecing! It's a great little machine for that purpose.

classes mostly, my big machine is heavy so don't use it for classes unless its and embroidery or FMQ class. I also use my small machine for travel when I go to my inlaws house and take it to sew. Also there when your machine is in for servicing/cleaning to use on current projects. It is always good to have a back up even if it is not used that often. I also used to keep my mechanical out with a walking foot on so I didn't have to spend the time putting one on my big machine before I packed it away for my daughter

I just got a new light weight as a back up machine. I plan to use it for classes, vacations and mostly so I can do chain piecing on the porch on nice days. My regular machine is heavy and I don't like moving it.

I have an older inexpensive machine, I think it's a Kenmore, that I've had for years and years. I'll give it to my daughter when she settles into her first post college apartment. I have a treadle machine that I use as a furniture piece in my dining room. I got it years ago solely for the furniture. The machine doesn't work, but does look like it could be repaired and restored if I want to take on that project some day.

I use both of my machines almost every day. My daughter gave me a Featherweight to take to quilting classes; but I use it for piecing. My Bernina is used for machine appliqué and for FMQ. I usually work on the Bernina in the morning and the Featherweight in the afternoon. I really like being able to do my piecing without having to take the BSR, walking foot, etc. off the machine. I just go over to the Featherweight. It also comes in handy when the Bernina goes in for cleaning. So far, I have been able to do all the servicing my Featherweight needs.

Sometimes it is nice to have a backup or a machine that might be better at handling heavy weight layers, etc.

I have three machines set up at all times and one packed ready to go out to sew. I never have been able to find the "perfect" machine that does it all but with three ready to use, most things are covered. I use my Juki for all of my quilting, my Husqvarna for piecing and embroidery and fancy stitches and my Singer 201 for its buttonholer and mending farm clothes and replacing zippers. My take out machine is a smaller Husqvarna that makes a decent stitch and has a good walking foot and FM foot so it can used at classes or our community quilt days. All of these machines were purchased used and I have less than $1000 invested in all of them. I now have the "perfect" machine that does it all!

I just bought a new Brother Innovis40 this afternoon. I also have a Janome 11000, a Janome 6600P, a Bernina 440 QE. a small Kenmore (my favorite) and a Brother 8500D. You can never have too many machines as each usually has it's own special talent. I will very likely be buying a Pfaff18.8 long arm with a frame next weekend at a quilt show.

I have only recently managed to get a second machine and I have one set up for piecing and one set up for quilting. It saves a lot of time.

I have a Janome 6600 that's in a table, too heavy to take to classes or retreats so I have a small Janome 760 to use for those times. It's also a backup if my machine is in for servicing. It's also the machine I take if I'm traveling.

I have the Janome 7700 which has all sorts of feet and I love the 1/4" foot with guide. That said, I am making lots of string blocks and that foot is not good for that, so I don't change feet, I change machines and sew with my Juki 98Q - which is also a straight stitch machine that is tough as nails. I have a Singer 301, that is over 50 yrs old and small and gorgeous and I take it to classes. I also have two embroidery machines, a serger, and a long arm, so I'm ready for most anything.

2 machines - well how about 5 & I use them all. I have a Bernina 820, a Juki 98TL & I fell in love with the singer anniversary machine so I bought that one too. I use them all & often. The singer is not exactly TOL but how could I resist that vintage look & if I have to travel it is so light, much lighter than the other 2. I also have a Janome 350E embroidery only machine. I also have a Babylock serger with the air threading & it is fantastic ! I know I am spoiled but I love it.

I like having backups.I have the Babylock quilters choice products,Viking Designers and a Viking diamond.I usd them all,rotating turns.I do all my binding on the babylock.I thought about selling the designers,but can not part with it yet.I do not travel with any of mine,no local classes.You cannot have too many machines.

I would sew with it and have it for a back up plan. Like right now my machine isn't working right and I have a loaner to use till I can get mine fixed. So a back up sewing machine would be awesome.

I use both of mine all the time. Anyway, a sewer needs a back-up.

I, too, have the small Janome. I got it on sale for $49 and it is a little workhorse. I use it as my back up or when I go to classes.

I use one machine to do free motion quilting and the other to piece my quilts. Each seems to be better for the purpose with which I use them. They are both Bernia machines.

Janome 8900, when I feel ultra deserving ;)
early 60's class 15 clone, set up in table, gorgeous machine, a blue/greenie sea color. My reward to myself after lung cancer surgery.
WWII White rotary blackside, gift from a client, I made my whole Bonnie Hunter mystery this past winter on it, love it, also in table.
Gifted with a Singer 66-19 and treadle table, my goal this year is to learn to treadle smoothly and complete a top on it.
1920's Singer hand crank that I take out on the deck on lovely summer days, if we ever retire and travel, it will travel with me. got this one via barter.

a featherweight I just don't care for, I'd sell it but Rob says keep it, doesn't take up any room. Someday it will just be gone ;) I don't like to own things I don't use.

As someone mentioned, you could take the Bernette to classes as it would be smaller and weigh less. When I picked up my Viking Designer 1 back in 2000, I thought I didn't need 2 machines so sold my Elna Supermatic 62. Realized later, dumb move and tried to buy it back at twice what she paid. No deal, she loved it. Now I have 2 embroidery machines, 2 sergers and 1 regular machine. They are all set up to do one thing so I don't have to keep changing things out. Works for me but I have the space. My Janome I set on the end of the cutting table just for putting on binding as I need the larger table to hold the quilt. Just my take on the subject.

Suz in Iowa

I have a Bernina 830 I use mainly but I have a Viking Huskavarna Quilt Designer for back up when I have to take my Bernina in for servicing since the dealer is two hours away. I also received a Singer 401 Slant O Matic for Christmas and love to sew on her. She makes perfect stitches. I love her stitches over my 830s stitches any day. She is so much fun to sew.

For backup when main machine is in the shop. Also helps when someone comes to sew.