What Machine should i buy!?
 

I have a sort of conundrum, and am completely torn. The machine i was using for quilting is no longer available. So I am looking to buy a machine. From here it gets...fuzzy. I have a machine with 11" on throat space...so decent...it does embroider and fancy stitches. it is really very good, but not superb as say the Luminaire....which i am wondering if i should take a loan for a sewing machine?! i want to...it looks like this machine does it all with pizzazz!! it is supposed to be amazing for in the hoop quilting!!! with hoops that do that well and are large enough to make sense! It has a camera for perfect alignment. it can also some of its own digitizing utilizing the camera to make designs !!! amazing! I am sure it can do the FMQ as well as any domestic machine. ! it has 13.1" harp space!!!! wowsers....sounds a dream...and a fortune. if i am going to spend that much ( and it is hard to determine how much that is. please PM if you are willing to share what kind of deals i should be looking for cost-wise) as a dealer said i should consider single purpose machines as well....i really love embroidery and i really love quilting...so i could pick one and do it well, i could get a 10 needle emboidery and continue to sew and quilt on the other machine...i can make it work.....or i can look for a reasonably priced longarm on a super deal sort of thing...and get a !!!! i am giddy with the thought of the machines, they all seem so wonderful...i think that the one the most 'different' than i have is the frame long arm---i really have a hard time with the quilting....but i am not sure, i think i will ultimately spend more actual stitch time on one of the others. I am sooo conflicted...i really want a goal!!! i just don't know which direction to go. Please share your perspective with me. (I cannot afford all 3, though I would it)

Tartan is right make a list of your must haves and what you can afford. Buying new is not always a must. You may find a better deal on a floor model, last year's model or even a trade in. Watch warranties with a used machine. You may be very surprised what is out there.

If I have to take a loan out for a sewing machine....I can’t afford it. Happy shopping.

Wouldn't it be nice to win the lottery? And grats to all those that have big spaces and big budgets. Undecided, I understand your situation, I had access to a friend's long arm that I no longer have and my backlog is piling up. Trying not to think about it but over 20 by now and I used to be the "finish every quilt" type.

Set a budget that you can afford. Figure out what you need to put down and what you want to pay per month and start saving for it now as you make your decisions -- you might give yourself a bigger or smaller budget with the reality of it in the budget. For new machines there will be sales, prices will go down, and some people will trade back. Sometimes though you just come across a super offer and you know when you have to take it -- and you will be ready.

Yes, it is/can be expensive but I can say that I spend more time at my sewing machine than I do in my car. A lot of people trade up several times and actually lose more money in the long run. You already know most of what you want, make a list and put down some "it would be nice to have". One of the things I found about the machine my friend gave me is that it has a proprietary bobbin and I can't buy pre-wound bobbins. Might not bother other people, but especially with embroidery I would want a big pile of available bobbins.

Now, look at your available space? Does that put any constraints on you? For me I would so love and so need a frame but I have a small house and that would mean giving up on any sort of living room. Which, on the one hand, we don't really use. But on the other hand, I already have the small bedroom as my sewing room. My friend was rather unprepared for the shear amount of space it took to store her embroidery machine and all it's gear even with a dedicated sewing room and Koala cabinet. The thread, the hoops, the this and that. One of the sit-down set-ups is still too large for anywhere in my house except to take out the couch -- but can fit in some houses better than the stand up and can be a great option.

And third, look at the time factor. With my backlog and I piece quickly enough that I could easily make a quilt a month, it would be used often enough to not collect dust. I can say from the time I had available on my friend's set up that I needed to use that long-arm regularly or else it really showed in my results and what I could do, if it had been more than 3 months since I last quilted I had to run some practice pieces first. If you are only going to use a long arm a couple times a year, does it still justify the amount of space it takes?

Sometimes it is entirely justifiable to give yourself an ample budget to have someone else quilt your quilts. While I can and do my own work, I'd be happy with a bigger budget and having someone with a set of skills I don't have improve my projects.

For me I had hoped to find someone's home long arm to rent a couple days a month, don't see that happening in the Seattle area now this year and am just going to ignore the to be quilted pile until it falls down on top of me.

Whatever you do, good luck and enjoy your purchases. We deserve nice things. I rather enjoy my vintage machines too, but yeah... there are things I can't do well on them and that includes machine quilting. Other people can machine quilt a queen sized project on a featherweight but that's not my skill set!

Hi & welcome!

Take a demo lesson or two on the different machines you are considering. If your dealer has an event you can attend, this allows you hands on experience with the machine. Be sure there are classes to attend to learn the different features. Make sure you have the time to invest in learning the machine features otherwise they are lost.

I have done a few quilting ITH projects with my machines (Dream and Luminaire). I love the larger hoop but in my opinion, it's not for large quilts and better suited for small projects up to baby quilt size. There will be drag from the larger quilt on the embroidery arm which can pop the hoop. Larger quilts also requires multiple hoopings. You can position with the camera but remember with a large hoop and large design there still isn't much space to move the design.

I use a magnetic hoop for the quilting projects. You can also quilt the borders using the machine. It will tell you where to hoop and when to re-position the hoop for the next design. I've had my machine since last August and still learning different buttons.

Right now, I'm waiting for the next release of machines in perhaps August or September to see what is offered in the line for the 10 needle. I use my machine every day.

Good luck on your decision!

I think all the previous posters have given good advice. I think that until you narrow down what you really want, it will be difficult to "settle" on your shopping criteria.

I have four friends that have the Luminaire. They spend more time formatting the machine the sewing. Quilt in the hoop is beginning to be tiresome to them, too much hassle, they send out all but the smallest quilts to the LA still. The upgrades are very expensive, the yearly maint cost is expensive, and each one wishes she didn't buy it after having it for awhile. It's a wonderful sewing machine but requires lots of TLC. When they were buying these machines all at once I was with them. They tried to talk me into getting one so we could all come for lessons together. I saw a used Juki for $200 on the trade in table. Also a Brother 8500 embroidery/sewing machine for $199. Both fully serviced by the shop. I bought them both. Love my Juki with the large harp and the Brother sews and embroiders just fine for what little embroidery I do. I found out I don't care for embroidery as much as I thought. If I had a business then the high end machines would be worth it, if I got a lot of enjoyment from all the features and used all of them it would be worth it. One of the friends is trying to sell hers, she rarely uses it and said it was to complicated. So be very sure before investing.

When I was looking for a sewing machine-I wrote down all the features that I wanted in a machine. Sometimes this will help you make your decision. I found a used sewing machine at our local quilt store and they were very helpful, gave me a warranty and a good price. Good luck to you.

I don't have a Luminaire, I have the Viking Designer Topaz 20 and I love it. When I got it, it was the floor model, and being sold with a discount and a full warranty. If it dies I will get another one of the same series because mine is no longer made. But it is still supported by the dealers for repairs. And my dealer gave me a year to upgrade with full trade in value. I have had it for 6 years now and so happy I got it. So decide what you can afford and go for it.

I don't have room for a long arm or even a mid arm machine - (my sewing room has my 15-91 w/cabinet, Damascus treadle, Janome MC 6600P in its table, and my Topaz) it's a pain to put machines away, so I don't. Also, I like to leave my ironing board up all the time, luckily my cutting table folds up to make a full length mirror. Since I embroider more than I quilt, most of my quilting is sent out. But a local store is starting to set up lessons on long arms and then you can rent their machines, and I am seriously thinking of doing that when the current situation is over. After I am done making face masks, then I plan to try a QAYG quilt with my embroidery machine.

With that logic nobody would live in a home!
I've never bought a sewing machine on credit but I've bought furniture. When they have 1 year same as cash ( or something like that- times vary) I jump on it. We added a new room and needed several pieces so it was a great way to do it all at once.

As far as machines go I can't help you because i'm not familiar with that brand. But I love the "same as cash' type of purchase, as long as you make the payments you won't pay any fees.

I got myself a used APQS Lucey......about eight years ago....I now have done 56 quilts on her....not a huge amount....but enough that I am really, really glad I got her.....yep...all Lucey does is quilt....I did not get a computer with her....so it is all free motion. but she has a stitch regulator and a needle up and down...I mainly do just meander plus on her...like I throw leaves or bubbles or something simple in...I have done a bit of ruler work....but not often...my main idea in getting my own longarm was so I could get the quilts done....and oh my! Quilting on a long arm is soooo....muchhhhh..easier than on a domestic sit down...no having to baste the layers together, and no fighting with the quilt under the needle no matter how long a neck you have on your sit down machine...yep...I would do this all over.....APQS periodically has demo or used machines....the demo machines usually come with a life-time warranty. There are other long arms out there....but I picked APQS cuz they are fairly easy to maintain and even repair if needed without having to send the head in to the company unless it really is messed up....I have only done routine oiling and cleaning on mine.....I think I shy away from the do everything machines....cuz then there is so much that can go wrong and then what do you have to use while it is being repaired....I find I generally piece 5-6 quilts....then go down and quilt them (Lucy lives in the basement...only room just barely big enough to hold her, everything else is done upstairs)

Thank you! Iceblossom
 

wow thank you for your thoughtful reply, i have read it and I am thinking. I will be reading it again. it was extremely helpful!

Undecided- I send my large quilts out to be longarmed. It's totally worth the money for me. I don't want a LA but my bed is a King so I need someone else to wrestle with that thing!
I can do anything smaller on my Bernina 770 or my Juki TL2010Q.

I'm so glad there are people who have LA's .

@sewingpup wow! good thinking point on the QITH...I was thinking it might be an option, but maybe not really....

I am off to look up the lucy

yes they are offering 60 mos no interest, so I think that is what you mean? I would love to just have the lump sum....and in theory if I just tuck away the payment amount each month, in 5 years i would be able to pay cash---boy i would have some quilting to do then LOL!

I'm not clear on whether you have a machine to do piecing on or if you need that, too? Or if you have that and are just looking for a machine to do quilting on?

I have a sitdown Tiara for quilting and I love it. I don't have a problem spray basting or moving the quilt on the table with a suspension system, so it works great for me.
I was convinced I was going to buy a long arm and I rented time on one many times and tried to use it and just couldn't get the hang of it, so be sure to try one out before you make any decisions. In fact, be sure to give any machine a good trial before you make any decisions, if at all possible. Don't be afraid to ask for a deal or add ons from a retailer.
I agree with making a list of things you absolutely need, things you'd like and things you can do without. Also consider buying used...It can save you money and allow you to buy a better machine than you might be able to afford new. Be sure that you have tech support in your area for whatever machine you choose.
Take your time and watch out for on-line deals from legit companies, especially right now.
Let us know what you decide!

Watson

Yes, that's what I meant. Wait 5 years? Ugh!!! haha.
Let us know what you decide and good luck!

I got all my large machines on the 0 interest. Its the only way i could afford them. Quilting in hoop can be tedious even with a large hoop. I do love the brother high end machines i have the dreamweaver 6200d, super easy to use, no issues, low maintenance. I will say however that i haven't used all the features which is why i never upgraded to dream machine or lumiere but if wasnt paying on my longarm i would consider it

I'm 80 years old, have the Brother Luminaire & totally love it, no problems, I do regular sewing, embroidery, make quilt labels with a lot of wording detail & sometimes poems, and free motion quilting, all without any problems.
I also have the sit down Tiara but actually like the free motion quilting on the Luminaire better, less fuss & thinking of selling the Tiara.
The last week or two spending hours making face masks, the auto features in sewing make it so much easier to go as fast as possible.

Think of what you would do most, quilting, embroidery or sewing. I've done all three and have owned several machines from 10 needle embroidery, mid arm quilting and embroidery/sewing combo and just straight sewing machine. I found you can only embroider so many things, quilting in the hoop turned into a bigger more time consuming adventure than I expected. I didn't like having to constantly rehoop and line it all up again and again, very time consuming. Long story short I purchased a mid arm with frame and a sewing/embroidery machine combo as well as a small machine to take to sewing days at church. I like the Grace frame and Qnique Machines, they have several options available for frame and machines in all price ranges. If you purchase a frame and machine make sure the stitch regulator comes with it. I only do free motion, nothing fancy so no computer needed. Go to grace frame.com to see them.

For what its worth- I decided to upgrade about 8 months ago. After lots of head scratching and waffling, I decided to go with a better quality used machine than a new. It meant I had to wait for "the right machine". But I have a Janine Memory Craft and I love it. I did get from a dealer so the machine was serviced.
Good luck with your decision.

ok. I can't say what will be the best for you, but i can tell you what i have and love. I have a viking diamond deluxe that i do all my embroidery on and anything that needs more than a straight stitch. For quilting, free motion work and anything else that is a straight stitch i have a juki 2010. I just love my set up. I can sew on my juki when i am embroidering. I also have a babylock imagine cause i also do garment sewing. Hope that helps you in your dilema.
God bless. I also pray about making a good decision.

wow... so much good info. i love the new features of the luminair but ultimately its just too much... plus i am already invested in bernina accessories, so i am trying to decide between the 790+ or a Q20 sit down---i just cannot swing the longarm costs....and the are running some promos...but still cannot decided...i decided against emb. only for now...but i want the other 2 lol!!! not sure what i am going to do....my poor brain...i might go by coin toss LOL!

Slow down and put some thought into how you would use the machine. You mentioned the one you used to quilt on no longer being available. So, are you looking for a machine to piece your quilts or to do the quilting? Why are you looking at embroidery? What are your current needs? What are your "must haves"?

It's easy to get caught up in "latest, greatest, cool features", but in reality you are best served by understanding your needs first, then finding the machine or machines that meet(s) those exact needs. And always test drive before a large purchase like this. Multiple models and brands if that's what your considering. It's no different than buying a car. You wouldn't buy that without at least experiencing the make and model in person to make sure it fit your needs and you were comfortable operating it.