Suggestions on Sewing Machine Trolley Bag
 

Hi All,

I was hoping to get your advice on a good quality sewing machine trolley bag. I have a Bernina 350 and go to a class every week, so would love a trolley that I can take it safely in.

I live in Australia, so if anyone knows any that will ship here that would be great!

So far, I've found this one that seems like a reasonable price, but have no idea if they are any good:

http://www.hobbysew.com.au/storage/t...ag---navy.aspx

Any help will be appreciated!

I bought mine at Joann Fabrics for $39.00 and it works for me however I don't know if they ship out of the country.

I use a bag made like this every week for my classes. Make sure the size is big enough for your machine. In my bag I have my Janome 3160, a reel type extension cord, a mat for under my machine , a travel iron, a fabric sewing kit, usually my current project and still get my lunch in there too. I use the outside pocket for my 6 x 12 ruler. I have had mine for over 10 years and it is still going strong. I would replace it in a minute if this one breaks down.

I would first check with a Bernina dealer to see if they make a bag specifically for your machine. If not, check Tutto bags. I googled "Tutto Bags Australia" and it looks like there are AU vendors for these well made bags.

I already had my machines in the universal plastic cases so my sweet hubby went online and found me a small foldable luggage trolley for less than $30. It came with a bungee so I just strap my machines in the case to the trolley. Works great for friend's houses

I put my machine down in a rolliing cart -- sort of looks like milk crate on wheels with a pull handle. Would this work for you? Will Amazon.con ship to Australia?

https://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&ke...l_2pb7d5sg3u_b

Jan in VA

My bag is from Walmart and cost $49. I don't use it that often, don't carry a cutting mat, and carry an inexpensive Brother mechanical machine for traveling. If bad stuff were to happen to my sewing machine, it wouldn't hurt that much. If you intend to transport your machine frequently, a better quality bag is probably a good investment.

I have also used a small luggage bag with wheels - carry on size or the next size up. It was heavier than the sewing bag, and not as easy to lift into my car, though.That has become more important to me in the last few years.

LOVE my Tutto...but not a cheap date but so easy to pull. Like power steering on a trolly.
sandy

I have one I got from Hancock's before it went out of business. My machine just fits in it. I don't belong to a guild so mine is mainly to have if I need to store it. It has pockets. The main thing is to measure your machine and determine how often you will be using it and what you want to put into it. Will it carry your needs for guild or travel like your iron(s). Small cutting board etc. If you're going to use it often, get a sturdy one or a cart like Jan in VA mentions. My cousin belongs to a guild and uses a cart like Jan's. She likes it because she can also strap on her tool box (notions) on top.

I also have a Bernina 350 (among lots of other machines ). and I purchased a trolley right from the Bernina store - abiut $200 - not cheap. For my machine that I take to my quilt guild stuff I have a Tutto plus two other Tutto bags and I love them. Bought them at a big quilt show and got a terrific price. I also have other,rolling trolleys that I use periodically but I love my Tutto - instead of having to tilt the case to pull it pulls longwise with no tilting and has great wheels that turn. The handle does not telescope but just lays down flat on the case - you just lift it up and pull. The top is flat so lots of,other things can be stacked and held down with bungee cords.

A lot depends on what you can pay. The ones from Joann's are just fine but my machines don't fit - and I don't like the color choices. But I do have a friend that has one for her smaller machine that she brings to our guild and it does just fine. Like others have said, just make sure your machine fits and if it has more room for other things, like a,sewing box, etc. Or you can sit smaller cases on top and strap them down so they don't fall,off.

Sandy in Mooresville, NC

Tutto, is awesome! E xpensive, yes but I personally feel it is well worth it. Think of it this way, you've spent $$$$$ on your machine & therefore you need a good safe way to carry & protect your machine, plus you usually have extra room to pack your fabric I. & around for added cushion and great way to carry your fabric too.

I bought mine from Overstock.com. (I just looked, and it said they shipped to over 180 countries.) It was a good deal. My machine is larger than many, so I had to have a size I couldn't find locally. And I wanted wheels. This was several years ago, but I think I remember paying about $50.

Dina

I don't know what your weather is like, but I didn't like the fabric totes due to rain and snow issues. I bought a plastic tub that fit my machine pretty well. I then took the fabric I was taking along and padded the machine. I put the entire thing on a standard folding luggage cart, and added my notions tote (a box made for fishing). Everything was strapped together and impervious to the weather!

Pam

I always look in the suitcase section of thrift shops. Most have no idea a traveling machine case is different then a regular suitcase. I have found several Tutto machine rolling cases and many other brands for just a few dollars.

I agree. I love my Tuttos.

TUTTO....How do I love thee? Let me count the ways!

4 wheels for stability when rolling over the floor or on a parking lot.
The outer frame protects the precious content..my sewing machine.
easy to grab the Tutto by the frame in order to lift it into the car and to take it out of the car.
outside pockets for storing patterns, project bags, etc
extra room to carry my desktop Ott light (in its soft padded bag) in it. I just set it on top of the machine.
Easy to place the machine in the Tutto via the side zippered flap-door
two straps to secure around the machine for added safety and stability for tranporting. Seatbelts for the machine. :)
fits perfectly behind the front seats in my car.

Expensive? Yes..but the safe and easy transport of my machine is important to me. No buying regrets!

I have a two wheeled trolley that I use to store stash..,THAT one was a waste of $$.
Sandy

I'm enjoying this post. I've got a Brother PS1500 and a Bernina 1020. I'm thinking of transporting one or the other to quilt class and quilt sew-ins once/month. I'm torn between taking the older Bernina because if it gets damaged, it might be harder and more costly to fix. I love my Brother, but it's bigger, so would require a larger bag.

What I'd like to know from you all that have transported your machines to and from.......what damage can happen to them in transport? Do you put the needle down, keep it up? Is the danger in driving down the road hitting the bumps or is it rolling thru the parking lot in the ruts?

Any considerations on a bag that will protect better? I've heard the straps keep the machine safer in the tote bag. Is padding in the bag itself something that is important? Should the machine travel in the trunk or on the seat with a seatbelt?

I don't need to take my machine, but it's more fun to have my own to sew on. Just don't want to cause any damage if I can help it. What are the risks and "injuries" you have noticed in your traveling machine?

I'd appreciate any words of wisdom/lessons learned you have. Thanks!

I put the machine behind the front seat..I feel that protects it on both sides. Not sure putting a dead weight in a car seat with seat belts is a safe option......what a projectile that would be. I only pull my trolly over smooth surfaces.
sandy

I just got a brother PQ 1500 and it fits nicely in the wheeled bag I got at Joann fabrics. Nothing special. I don't have far to travel so I put it in the trunk.

I'm always picking up or dropping off fabrics, books, quilts, etc., so I broke down and bought a folding wagon from Amazon. It was about $75 - you might get one cheaper at a hardware store right now as many people use them for garden carts. Mine rolls beautifully, carries everything, and folds up nicely. I expect to use it when we travel in our motor home, too.

Oops - forgot it's summer in Australia. No end of the season discounts for you right now!

It sort of depends on what you mean by "transporting". If you just mean taking it to classes, I've done that tons of times without damaging a machine. They aren't made of glass. If you just secure them in the car and drive reasonably, they aren't going to get damaged. Ditto for the parking lot. As long as you don't haul it over any big bumps or roll it into any potholes, you're okay. Normal rolling isn't going to hurt the machine.

Tutto is the only way I go. They are expensive, but they are protection for your sewing machine. (And how much did you pay for it?). It is an investment.

Okay you Tutto lovers...you've convinced me! I just finished ordering one on-line from JoAnn fabrics for my Christmas present. They are on-sale and I was able to use a coupon for 20% off total purchase coupon (expires tomorrow 12/10). There is also a "free shipping" on anything over $99, but you can only use one promotion...so I went for the 20% off! Anyway, if anyone is lurking out there, check out JoAnn Fabrics for the size you are looking for.....they are on sale for supposedly 1/2 off. But, use your coupons! I got black...but I'm hoping I'm as pleased as you all are with its function. Your reviews "sold" me! Thanks for your input!

Does the Tutto have solid sides? Or is it soft sided?

It looks like it has soft sides (made of ballistic nylon). There are straps inside to anchor the machine. I'll let you know how I like it when I get it. I ALWAYS get "freaked out" when I purchase something over $100......just a big flaw I have! So, of course, I already have been second guessing myself! But, the ratings look good....some comments are on the wheels. Do any of you Tutto owners have problems with the wheels breaking? Help? What are your experiences? Thanks!

Another vote for thrift store rolling totes. I've found a couple of nice ones along with two square rolling coolers that are the perfect size for my sergers.

Cari

Wow - you did get a deal. I bought one about 6 years ago and it was about $175.00 and they said that was a discounted price. And when I saw them at a quilt show, the dealer was charging full price. I use it for transporting my bigger machines to have them serviced. I have another rolling bag I got at Joann's. It was on clearance for $39.00 - then was able to use a 50% off coupon (they told me clearance was not the same as being on sale). I use it for my small machines that I take on vacation or to guild or classes.

no issues with my wheels. I wonder if they traveled over rough terrain..overloaded the trolley, whatever. Enjoy the Tutto! Mine is apple green.

sandy.

I have had several Tuttos. I have never had an issue with the fabric. I did break one of the folding pieces of the frame, but they sell replacement parts. What I learned from that is to never pick up the bag at those points. If you lift the frame on the tubing, it works just fine.

One of the owners of a LQS that I used to go to would travel with her FW in a small Tutto. She flew places with it and never had a problem.

I have one for my FW and one that I use for both my Singer 301 and my Janome 8900, since they are similar in size. I switched from the smallest Tutto for my FW to the one made for Sergers (not the soft bag), which works perfectly because I can carry my "tool" bag, a small project (baby quilt size), and my Omnigrid case that holds a 12 x 12 Olfa rotatiing mat, a rotary cutter, scissors, and a 12" Creative grids ruler. Mine are red (XL for Singer/Janome) and purple for FW.

Think outside the box and go to an automotive store. Some ideas may pop into your head. Make sure you either have the machine with you or its dimensions. The telescoping handles on some of the bags purpose-made are flimsy and don't work after a too brief period. Just my observation.