Why Do You Have More Than One Machine?
 

I've seen many posts about people saying they have several machines. I have a sewing/embroidery combination and that's my only one. What do you do with the different machines?

I have a big Brother and a little Brother. I use them for different sized projects, and the little one I also take to classes at the LQS.

Just cause I love the machines. I like collecting them, some I sew with, some I just have! LOL!

I have four machines. Three are Brothers. The first one is my every day sewing machine and still is my favorite. My second is an embroidery machine, third is a new brother 1500 that I bought for machine quilting ..but haven't used it very much yet. Then I recently bought a Vintage Singer 99 which I also LOVE. In all honesty ...I have enough machines.

I suppose I have two bernina's because I got a great deal on the second one. It has worked out great by the way. No down time while one is at the shop for servicing and cleaning. Also I can put one onto the quilting table and take a break to sew something else at the same time. They are different in the way they work. One is a touchscreen (190 with upgrade and embroidery module) and the other is operated with the buttons on the machine and when it's hooked to the computer, operated by the computer. (440QE with the embroidery module and the stitch regulator). I would have my old original bernina 830 too, but hubby wanted me to gift it to my sis.

Oh and I bought a machine to teach my 8 year old neice how to sew this last christmas. A janome mini. And I inherited my mother's singer with a roll top case in the garage. See? It just happens. That also doesn't mention the janome serger which you can sew knits with and finish edges. Amoung other things.

I have 1 for my house and 1 for my camper. The only other one I want is the 3/4 size singer I grew up with. I won't get that till my mom is no longer with us & trust me, I'd much rather never get the machine!:-) I'm sure I could get into collecting machines but since I don't have the room I just don't give in to it.:-)

I had an old (1983) basic Sears Kenmore that I was using to construct garments. My husband proposed buying me a new machine for my birthday and I chose a machine for garment making (a Huskvarna Lily 535 - a great machine). After that I started quilting and I wanted different features that the Lily didn't have - specifically needle up/down and a larger harp. So I got a Janome 6600. Then I got a vintage Singer 66, then a vintage Singer 115 ... and Sunday I'm picking up the new member of the herd!!

So ... 6 machines!

I won't give up my Husky ... I like that machine too much. I'd be willing to part with the Kenmore. The vintage machines will of course remain.

I have 10 sewing machines. 3 serger's, my mom's treadle, the first sewing machine I ever had, given to me from my parents. Some mechanical, several computerized. As I continue on my sewing and quilting journey, I have different sewing machines for different jobs that need to be done. I have however decided that I really don't need anymore.

and one more
 

I have 7 - three vintage which are not used much, one older elna given to me which is going to be given to the next deserving person I meet, a mid=arm high speed which I use a lot - straight stitch and quilting only, one older Elna which was my primary till I got the high speed, and a small Janome which I take on travel and to classes. I love the old machines which is why I still look for good ones to buy....and also purchase machines to pass along to others as a way to encourage them in their sewing and quilting. I also have a serger.

I just added my second this week, and was surprised too when I read about the # of machines that some of us have.

My 10+ y/old Pfaff has a teeny throat and I was having a really hard time quilting anything larger than 45". My Juki 2010Q will be used for quilting and bulky work like sewing binding. I love the IDT on my Pfaff for piecing, but also love the thread cutter & knee lift feature on the Juki so am kind of in between with piecing right now. The Pfaff is more accurate & the Juki more convenient!

I'm also going to be buying a Juki F600 in the next week or so because I want a free arm for clothing and now that I'm getting into machine applique I need a nice blanket stitch. The deco stitches on my Pfaff aren't very pretty! And, it has the thread cutter and knee lift that I love on the 2010Q so I think it might become my piecing machine as it has a box feed that it supposed to be really good.

So, I'm joining the multi-machine club in a hurry! Then I'll be set for another 10 or so years... I like having a backup machines since I have no local dealers. I've been really lucky with my Pfaff that has required no service at all.

I have a little Brother (has some fancy stitches, but isn't an embroidery machine) that I use for piecing & sewing. A Juki TL98Q on a frame for quilting. A 1953 Singer 15-127 that I bought just because it was so pretty & light green. And my mother in-law's Singer treadle that doesn't work.

Ditto!!! I love sewing machines!!!

I have 3 machines and 1 serger. I have a Brother innov1200-Vicking Mega quilter- FW221- and a 1975 Kenmore I bough 37 yrs ago- and a brother 1034d serger. Why? I don't know just do. LOl

I have 3. One a 1950's Pinnock purchased for around 20 years ago at auction. It was my first sewing machine. Originally just used for general sewing/curtaining etc. Very handy when we bought our first tiny run-down home, which we renovated on a very tight budget. The second is an 80's Singer I bought it new for general sewing (I only ever EPP in the beginning). Wanted something a bit easier to move around than the Pinnock as the kitchen table was my workspace then. The Pinnock was given to Mum....who years later gave it back, when I started quilting seriously. The third is an early Singer Treadle....my most recent purchase. I intend to renovate it and use it for quilting....why?....because I love vintage. My everyday quilting/always set up ready to go...is the 50's Pinnock. I may part with the 80's Singer...but it's handy to have a spare for back-up/emergencies.

Will I gather more? Well....very tempting...but I'm trying to reduce the clutter here and downsize somewhat. But if I see something "special" well....don't think I'd hesitate too much.

What is your reason for just one machine?
All quilters need a back up machine. I won't tote my heavy Bernina machine to class or workshops so I have a portable Janome machine for that. I have a Featherweight because it's awesome and sews great and I wanted one I could leave for my granddaughter. I have a Singer 301 because it's great for fmqing small quilts. I have a Brother 1500 because I won it. I have a Singer Quantum I bought before I started quilting for the decorative stitches for clothes. I have a Singer 15-90 in wood cabinet because it's perfect for paper piecing. I use them all.

mostly for classes and travel is my little one, but also as back up when my baby is getting her yearly cleaning which can take 2 weeks so if I need to finish a project I still can

I have 5 sewing machines and one serger. My first sewing machine is a 25 year old Singer; kept it for what I consider "dirty work" like sew canvas for our boat or anything heavy duty like that. I got a Bernina 153 QE in 2000 since the Singer would not do any FMQ. Next came my little Janome Platinum 760 around 2009 so I have a machine to take to classes/retreats etc. Last year I bought a Janome 6600P at the Lancaster Quilt Show so now I have two machines (Janome and Bernina) set up in my sewing room at all times. I usually piece on one and use the other for FMQ or paper piecing projects that take longer to do. My fifth machine is a vintage 1942 Singer I bought at an antique shop in PA for just $50. It comes with a wooden dome lid and all its original accessories/ booklet etc. It works like a charm but it is mostly a display piece. I always tell myself that since it took 25 years total in gathering all these machines, it does not sound so bad that there are 5 of them :)

I have several, I've sewn all my life so machines very important. Right now 4 machines are used regularly. I've had machine problems while trying to complete a project by certain date. Sooo.. it's very convient to have at least 1 backup.

I sew PIece, small quilted pieces on my workhorse a Singer 778 that I purchased in 1976. have not regretted it.
I inherited my Mom's late 1950 Singer 301. which I quilt my larger quilts on.(It sat in my son's basement for several years till we could rescue it.) She purchased it second hand.

I purchased a Janome 3138 just to take to class as above machines weigh a ton. I really wanted a FW which was my next purchase on E-Bay. At the same time I bid on a Singer 66. Won both. FW & 3138 alternate going to class with me.

My DH has learned how to service vintage machines. so one of these days he will work on the 66 so I can use it to quilt large quilts and give Mom's machine a rest.

Last Fall I stopped at an estate sale, saW a filthy cabinet with a black machine in it. Very pretty cabinet & dirty macghine caME HOME WITH ME FOR JUST $20.00. That machine is a 27 treadle factory authorized electric conversion. Still need DH tinkering.

My prize machine in my mind is an 1830 White treadle That I purchased for $3.00 45 years ago. One day it will also get working.

I also inherited one of my grandmother's Reliable machine, don't know year or model, but she died over 60 yrs ago. Some day it will work also.

I have 4 Grand daughters who will each inherit one of my vintage machines, hopefully in working order.

My mother bought me a used Singer 401A as a wedding gift (27 years ago). A couple years after that I got my first serger, a 3 thread Pfaff. That serger broke down while I was sewing the nursery for my 3rd child. While I had it in for repair, I found an updated computerized serger. I brought the used computerized model home when I picked my old mechanical serger up. My husband bought me a Pfaff 7570 new. I love it, but continue to use my old Singer, too. About 4 years ago a good friend gave me her Juki 98 with a Grace frame when she upgraded to a much better system. Last year I rescued my mother's old Singer 66-16 from the house she grew up in that was damaged by a tornado. I now have 6 machines that I use enough to have threaded and out (covered, of course). So that is my very justified story on why I have and use so many machines:D

I have a singer 401 I use for all piecing, mega quilter on frame for quilting, brother for fancy stitches and quilting small things I don't put on frame, a singer 201 i keep set up with ruffle attachment as i make dgd's clothes and little girls like ruffles, and 4 other vintage singers just cause I love them, one is a beautiful red eye and one is a 96 yo treadle, still works great.

I collect vintage and antique sewing machines so I have a lot of those around. My Mother passed a White on to me, the Simplicity I purchased before the White and it was handy at the time to have two main machines - one for piecing and one for quilting. Then the Husband bought me another machine for a backup which also turned out to be very handy as a machine for sewing friends who visit. I also have three girls and I'd like them each to have their own machines so I'm always keeping my eyes open for good working machines...people get rid of them all the time it seems!

I use my serger for clothing, my Featherweight for sew day with my guild, my Janome 1600 for quilting, my Bernina for all the extra stitches, my Morse for heavy canvas, vinyl and heavy upholstry, and lastly my little aqua Dressmaker because she is beautiful. It is great to have extra machines. My Bernina's computer timing got out of line and I was unable to finish a quilt that had to be done in 2 days. Thank goodness I had other machines to turn too. Also there were two of us sewing at the same time. One machine.....never!

I bought my 404 in '62. It's a straight stitcher. Has attachments for zigzag and buttonholes. In the early 70's I got a White zigzagging machine. In the 8o's obtained a White serger and later a White heavy duty "school machine." In the 90's, got a Janome MC4000 (computerized). DH found a Singer (1896) treadle (still not restored). Now I'm working on getting a Janome 6300 Quilting machine and table.

Let DD#2 use the Singer 404 (It's in a cabinet.) Now it is back home. The White zigzagger is still in good shape but doesn't get used very much. I carried it to classes that I taught. The Janome MC4000 is my go-to machine at the moment. And the White heavy duty school machine is the one I use to machine-quilt. Treadle machine is taking up valuable space in the sewing room. Have a new Janome serger. Old one is in a box packed to have it repaired and cleaned.

I have my Singer that my parents gave me when I graduated from high school in 1969. I have my Mom's Singer 301A. I have an old Montgomery Ward sewing machine that I found at an estate sale that I bought for about $20. I bought it because it has a free arm, in case I ever may need it. I use them all. I like to take Mom's 301A in my camper in the summer.

I would like to collect some awesome old machines as many on here do, but I don't have a lot of extra space for more sewing machines as so much of my storage space is filled with my fabric stash. I am very happy with the machines I have.

I have a Viking Platinum 950 that I do all my piecing and home dec sewing on. I also have a FW on which I got a fabulous deal and take to classes. A serger that I bought for cheap from CL and an electrified 66 redeye which needs to be refurbed so I can put into my g'grandmother's refurbed converted treadle case. There are a couple of other that are floating around the compound but these are the only ones I have intention of using. Oh, and I have a 15-91 in a table that I'm willing to unload for pretty cheap...only cuz I just don't have the room for any more. The redeye and serger I'll use as necessary...if I have other folks sewing here or just because.

Why do I have at least 20 sewing machines? Why not!

It just happens....I have a Viking Lily....great machine but limited as far as decorative stitches go. I have my late MIL's Viking Rose...because none of my SIL's sew. I rarely use it....it is just a back up machine. And in Dec I bought a brand new Viking Ruby! Now I am learning to embroider. Oh, yeah....also have my grandmother's Singer Treadle in it's gorgeous cabinet....I do not use it but I sure love it.

I have only two sewing machines. I'd have more if I had space for them. I am using my Featherweight for piecing and my Bernina for quilting at the moment. I have either a walking foot or the BSR on it. It is easier to do piecing on the Featherweight than to take off my quilting feet, etc. from the Bernina. I got the Featherweight to take to classes; but it is a great backup when my Bernina is in the shop. I'm always working on several projects at a time so a second machine is really helpful.

I have a number of machines; the newest is a sewing/embroidery machine. Next is my quilting machine, which is probably 5-10 years old. A 1939 Singer 201 is my main machine for regular sewing if it doesn't require zigzag. The 1934 Singer 15-91 is set up for fmq on smaller items. A 1943 featherweight goes with me for quilt group and classes. My mother's old 1960s White doesn't get used much, and several others also. Then there are the 2 sergers which are used for clothing, but not for quilts. Probably too many machines, but I have a hard time letting go. I just really like old machines. Luckily, DH is tolerant of my hobby.

I have my original Kenmore with decorative cams, almost 42 yrs but really didn't do much regular sewing. Then I got interested in quilting about 10 yrs ago and after I saw all the new computer style machines my friends were using, all the decorative stitches, needle up/down, thread cutter etc I wanted one too. So about 6 years ago I got a Janome6500 that I love. I found an old 15-91 Singer on Craigslist in cabinet with bench for only $25 and couldn't pass that up. Then my dad gave me an old, very heavy machine called a Bradshaw I think but the airlines damaged the carrier it came in. Then 2 yrs ago my hubby found a great deal on a Husqvarna Viking serger on Craigslist for me ... I still haven't used it, I'm intimidated by the threading .. yikes, I want to use it for place mats, napkins etc. I just need someone to show me how to do it, our local sew/vac store went out of business and I'll have to gird my loins and try to find a tute online.

Even tho I still love my old workhorse Kenmore (I let my grands use it) my fave is my Janome. I've been wanting/wishing for a featherweight but don't want to pay the price most are asking ... it would be nice to take to classes etc. The Janome and Kenmore are SOOOO heavy!

I bought my first sewing machine at a garage sale almost 30 years ago - a Singer99K. My only machine until I inheirited my mother's featherweight (Gram had got it new in the '30s). Ok, used them both regularly. Then a few years ago an odd green machine caught my eye at our local thrift shop. $30 later my Elna Supermatic came into my life! I love that machine. Last year, same shop, a commerical Japanese machine from the 50's. This is a workhorse and hums through canvas, upholstry fabric, plus it came with a complete set of decrotive cams. So, four, and I use them all!

Good question. But to tell you the truth, for me is to secure a backup situation. 2. To not miss out on a unbelievable deal of second bernina, phaff and a $ 40 featherweight. 3. Because it sadden me to see them unwanted at yard sales. And i know they are good machines and i can find a user for them. 4. Its nice to have extras in order to let friends get together. But i still cant explain the reason to adopting them and not be able to let them go to just anyone.

I have 4, a 1920's treadle, a 221 FW, a Viking, a Kenmore and a Singer 301. The 301 is in a beautiful cabinet and I love to sew on it. I has a beautiful stitch and it sit next to to a large window to my back yard... My 221 and Viking go with me to classes and quilt retreats. I learn a long time ago to always have a backup. A lady at a retreat was lucky that I had a spare machine in my car, hers' broke and we were 1 1/2 hrs up the mountains...

I have given away 4 machines that did not mean much to me but were very much needed by others...

I have my MIL's 1896 Singer treadle, my mom's featherweight and my white featherweight found at garage sale for $25. and my small Janome that I do all my piecing on..and looking to upgrade soon..

Sewing, featherwt. Serger, whats left of an emb machine. Two other given to me that ill donate.

I have several machines because I can't find a machine that "does it all". I used my Bernina 830 Record for over 30 years but once I started quilting, the harp space was too small to quilt King sized quilts. My Janome 6500 FM quilts well but is not a great piecer. My Husqvarna #1 Plus has lots of wonderful stitches but the harp is too small. My Featherweight is great to take out to Stitch and Share for straight stitching but I can't quilt large quilts with it. My Singer 201 is a heavy duty fast stitcher for mending coveralls and making buttonholes with the old Singer buttonholer but won't do anything but straight stitch. If only they would make the perfect machine I'd buy a new one!

And what might this new child be called? :)





Me?? ... two machines ... had my basic Janome and kept it when I got the Janome 6600. It is there as a spare, and certainly lighter and smaller to take to classes than the 6600. Love them both though the bigger machine certainly is a nicer machine and definitely my preferred at-home model!

I have 4 sewing machines but they each have a different job. My basic Baby Lock Decorator's Choice for piecing, the Pfaff GrandQuilter on the frame for quilting, a self threading Baby Lock Serger and a Baby Lock Coverstitch for hemming knits & silkies!

I am addicted to buying, I have too many machines. ;) A couple are for decorating, cute ones, and a featherweight I just wanted to have, and an extra.