Still thinking about my Brother problem...

Am thinking I would like to have a used older model Pfaff or Viking or Janome or Bernina....

What's your opinion on this? Still needing help!!

Do a search here on the QB for those machines. There is a ton of information here on all of them.

For piecing, I think it's hard to beat a Pfaff because of the built-in walking foot. For me, I love my Bernina 1230. It's hard to go wrong with either of those brands.

My sister has a later model Pfaff (maybe 5 years old) and it is more "plasticky" than my metal Bernina, I don't like the curve in the base (that holds the attachments), and I don't like the placement of the foot lifter (different from other machines). However, if I weren't used to my Bernina I would *love* sewing on that machine! It has an incredible decorative stitch selection and sews and quilts beautifully.

My wife and I are sold on Pfaff. Smooth running, IDT, German engineering, they are just great machines. We bought my wife's machine new, and mine used. We haven't had any trouble out of either of them that threading correctly or changing the needle didn't fix.

Darren

I'm a family of Janomes and I'm sold. I bought mine new and got a special deal because I saw one online for much cheaper and got it at the online price through the dealer. My mom also got hers new, and I've never had problems with either machine. They both sew like a dream!

I have sewed on a Pfaff and a Viking before and both sew pretty much exactly the same as my Janome.

I have no experience with Bernina as the Bernina dealer is so snotty and is so rude to newbie sewers that I just haven't had thick enough skin to go in there and give one a go. Not to say that Berninas aren't good machines, of course!

Hope that helps!

Any of the older machines that have all metal parts are really pretty good machines. My family has an assortment of pre- 1965 machines , Kenmore, Singer , White, Viking, Bernina all are still running , many can be purchased for under $50.00 . Go to a local Sew and Vac they typically have a good amount of trade in's and will usually give you some kind of warrenty. It surprising how many of the older machines are just work horses and will just run for seemingly forever. When it comes down to it most of our sewing is just a straight stitch.

I have an older Viking Turissa 2840 that is my favorite back-up machine, but I'm having trouble finding parts for it. The older machines are great, but be sure there are still parts out there for them. I bought mine on Ebay for about $50.

Thanks for all the help.... I'll post a picture of whatever I wind up with. Everybody is the area is searching for me now..

I think the IDT is what's selling me on the Pfaff now. People really do love piecing on these, and that's the main thing I'm looking for, too.
Thanks so much! I'll post when I find mine...

I have a 25 year old Bernina 910 and I love, love her!! I know that most new machines can do things that she never even thought of, but she is dependable ( I have never in 25 years had to take her in to be fixed), she is not picky about thread, I don't do anything with the tension ever, and it is always perfect. Every time I sit and sew, I love her more. She is all metal and heavy so a year ago I found a FW to use on the go. I obviously love my Bernina, but I would trust any of these brands, especially the older models.

Bernina 830 is great for piecing, quilting,almost all metal, has reverse, zig and many other stitches and if you hook your arm under the opening you can actually lift it with out breaking your back. It is a machine you can do all aspects of quilting with plus more. A good used Bernina 830 can easily run $800.

Some other machines are the Singer 401, Singer rocketteer but they are heavy.

Other Singers are fun too, 301, 221 Feather weight but might not have zig zag, do not drop the feed dogs, or not have reverse etc.

I like the all metal Pfaff and Elna too but sometime sit is harder to find parts for some of them.

For the newer machines, we are pretty sold on the Janomes.

I love my Pfaff. I had the 7570 and then I traded up to the 2144 because I wanted to do more embrodiery as well as alot of piecing. Great machines!

Good luck,
Sherryl
Candlequilter

I think the pfaffs , bernina, janome are some of the better made machines but these are the older ones as so many of the dealers have changed hands now. machines that used to be made in geramany ect. are no longer made the same way. I bought a pfaff about ten years ago and it is great! but I think if you stick to those basic machines you can't go wrong.

I would say a Janome 4000. It is a work horse and has all the stitches you could need. I have one and I use my other newer machines now, and sadly it just sits, like it is in retirement on the shelf. But it is still a great machine.

I also love my pfaff 7570 out of my three machines I love this the best and I have a new bernina and a husqvarna

As you are finding out - this question has many answers. Each board member has their favorites.

To answer your question directly - all those that you mentioned are good machines and each brand has machines that range from OK to fantastic.

I have sold Vikings and owned Vikings, Babylock and Pfaff. My personal favorite is my Pfaff for piecing because of the IDT. But the others worked fine for sewing and quilt piecing (just had to be a bit more careful). One lacked multiple needle position the other was excellent but lacked the dual feed that the Pfaff has. If you are in an urban area - and have a big sewing center - go and play on every machine possible.

I have two Pfaffs now - both bought used (one off Craigslist). Your ultimate decision will be based on features, availability and price - good luck.

Hands down when it comes to Viking; it is the #1. This machine is a work horse and even all the stores around here and all of the previous users have told me it's the best and most people who started off with one still have it even though they also now have one of the latest and greatest. I just got one this past year and you can get an embroidery machine with it too. I don't know about other machines

My first, bought used 3 yrs ago was a Pfaff 1196. Have not yet been able to find a date for it. It has some decorative stitches. I love it! What I like is that you can adjust the needle side-to-side to any degree which is great for the "scant" seam allowances. It sews wonderfully. The only thing was that there is no walking-foot that will fit it! Also love it's wide throat. I quilted 2 King size with it.

Now I have my Pfaff Exp 3.0, but the oldie but goodie still has its jobs to do.