sewing machine thoughts?
 

I'll apologize up front for the long post. I have a Pfaff Ambition 1.5, that I've had for a couple of years. Like it, but not in love with it. I've ALWAYS had difficulty getting the bobbin case out to clean it (as have others, upon doing research). yesterday, when trying to get it out, a piece broke off. The sewing machine store has to call Pfaff to get the part number tomorrow, and they said that it would take at least three weeks to get the part, because Pfaff isn't too quick about sending stuff, apparently.

My question to y'all is do any of you have the following machines? Juki HZL-F600, Janome MC 6600, Janome Horizon (7700?) and what do you think of them. What do you love? What do you not love? The reason I asked, my husband was doing some research and suggested I look at these machines.

I have a Juki 98Q that I use, I've never loved the whole tension issue with the machine, but I do LOVE that it always stops with the needle down and I love the thread cutter.

One thing that I really want is the on/off button (I'm not ever sure that's what it's really called). On the Pfaff I can set the speed and when I FMQ I can press the on button and it goes at a set speed and I tap the foot pedal to stop. That way I don't have to coordinate my hand movements with the speed that I'm using the foot pedal (like walking and chewing gum at the same time!)

I don't need 80 gabillion different stitches, but I do want some decorative stitches, especially applique. Definitely want a wide harp so I don't have to fight so much with my fabric. I was reading somewhere yesterday that someone said that using her sewing machine was like sewing with nothing - she didn't have to think about the machine at all, it just did what it was supposed to do. That's what I want!

Any thoughts and or insights would be greatly appreciated.

Michelle

I have had the Janome Horizon 7700 for 3 months, I had done a lot of research and had asked questions here and on other quilt forums before purchasing. I have been very happy, it is an excellent machine and it was within the budget I had set. There is a website, Pattern Review .com that reviews just about any machine you are looking for, the reviewers are sewers/quilters like us, who use the machines. You will find a lot of information there about the machines you are considering. As for me, the Horizon was purchased primarily for Free Motion Quilting and it handled that like a dream. It is quiet, well lit, easy to learn to use, has a large variety of decorative stitches which turn out beautifully, and has the power to sew through many layers of fabric without a hitch. It comes with every foot you need, and nice storage compartments. I find the feet easy to change, and the machine is easy to clean. It is solid and heavy so no shaking or moving at higher speeds. It has a knee lift for the presser foot, needle up/down, automatic thread cutter which is so nice - saves thread, a lock stitch feature, and has a speed control. I could keep going, but this is already long so will sign off. Happy shopping!!

Oh, forgot to say that the Harp on the Horizon is 11 inches.

I'm a Janome owner (lover). I've been using them ever since New Home (former name) hit the maket back in the 80's (I think). I presently own 5 different Janomes. They are real workhorses, rarely need repair. I'm biased, absolutely.

I have the Janome 6600 and it's a dream to sew on. It has the start/stop button that you are talking about. You have to unplug the peddle to use it, but since I have trouble with my right leg, I don't mind at all. Knee lift for the presser foot, needle up/down, auto thread cutter, lock stitch, and speed control are some of it's features. I also have the 760 for taking to classes and camp. If I ever buy another machine, it will be a Janome. And I like the price of them too.

I've grown to really like my Pfaff QE4. It wasn't love at first stitch - my first machine was faulty and was replaced after two months, unlike my Janome which I loved from the minute I got it out the box.
I don't think I would buy a machine without a built-in walking foot now and the auto-pivot is brilliant for appliqué. I've also mastered the Sensormatic FM quilting. The only negative is the 4 doesn't have an On/Off button like the new 4.2.

I'm going to put in a plug for the Juki HZL-600. I have the Juki 2010TL and really love it. However, I've been coveting the HZL-600. I don't own one--yet, but I've been taking garment sewing classes a few times a week for the last six months, working exclusively on the 600. I love sewing on it, love how quiet it is. It has the same needle down and thread cutter as the TL series. It just has more stitches. Another woman in the class owns the HZL-400 and says she hasn't had a single issue with it in the four years she's owned it.

Just to defend it: Have had a Pfaff Ambition for o er 2 years and have never had a problem with it. I find the bobbin case easy to remove and replace. I also have two dealers within a couple of hours that actually stock Pfaff parts so have never had any wait getting an accessory ( or a repair part on my older Pfaff).

Just to balance the picture:)

I have a 7700 and love it...I just quilted my King size quilt with ease...I did stitch in the ditch which took me 4 hours which included sewing extra piece of batting, cutting backing and spray basting....I also serged the ends and put in pockets on the corners. In the washer it goes...I will bind during the week. So glad I went forth and quilted it myself instead of paying 200.00 to have it FMQ'd. Yah!!!

I agree. I bought a Pfaff Ambition last summer to use for my traveling machine--but I LOVE the IDT foot and and use my Pfaff all the time now. In fact, I just listed my Bernina sewing machine for sale today as I plan to buy another Pfaff Ambition as a second machine. I do Long arm quilting for customers and do some customer alterations, too, so I always think I need to have the security of having two sewing machines in the house. Once I get another Pfaff (because I love the Pfaffs and the IDT feed), I will be able to just keep one set up all the time and one in the case all the time for traveling to classes and retreats. Good luck with your machine shopping.