I have a Viking ruby and I love it! It sews smoothly and the embroidery function works beautifully even when I screw up it is easy to go back and fix my mistakes. I'm sorry you are not satisfied with your Viking.

Does your 2027 have top or bottom problems? Is it with all threads? I've found my 6230 hates certain thread. Also a few weeks ago I was throwing stiches with my Plaff serger and after racking my brain, and doing everything I could think of I changed the threads, (all 4 spools) and not tossed a stich since. Go figure it was the last trick up my sleeve before it was going to the DR. for a check up. :shock: :roll:

love my babylock elissimo. great embroidery smooth regular sewing. had 2 viking diamonds, one was a replacement. they wouldn't emb without creating birdsnests. definitely look into the babylocks.

I have a brother nx450q and it sews through most anything.
it is also not as loud as some of the machines I tryed out at the store. automatic threading , feed dogs that drop, programmable stitches. not the most expensive machine but it works great.

I have a Viking Mega Quilter that I absolutely love. I wanted a machine for blanket and other fancy stitches, so I bought a Viking Sapphire which was expensive for my budget and I hate it. It is in a box going to my sister next month as her old garage sale machine finally died. I replaced it with a 200.oo Brother that works so much better. Then I have a Singer 201 made in 1952, it is my fav, go to machine for piecing.

I have to keep tightening the top tension. When I reach the top number, I take it in for an adjustment. I haven't noticed that the type of thread makes any difference.

I have Pfaff's: 2046 for piecing/sewing & the Creative Vision for embroidery and sewing/sometimes piecing. I love the IDT. I try to not take the CV out of my home.

Basically I really think most all major machines are good. It matters only if you can bond with machine and know how to maintain it.

Me, I bonded with my 2046 and the cost was good.

Hope this helps,
ali

I have a Bernina 910 that I bought new in 1986. I have loved it every day since the first day I sewed on it. I have only had to have her cleaned, in all these years. I can use any kind of thread in it, no tension issues, very smooth running, beautiful stitches.So far I have only played around with free motion quilting, but the stitches are great, none of the loops and eyelash issues I read about, I just drop the feed dogs, change to a darning foot and go to it, I need practice to get my stitches even but the machine is doing her part perfectly! I sometimes get caught up in "machine envy" when reading here about some of the fancy new machines and all their bells and whistles, and start thinking about getting a new machine, but I would never get rid of this machine, and so which one would I use? I also recently was given a FW, it is wonderful for taking to classes or anytime I need to take a machine with me. The Bernina is all metal and very heavy, it is also in a cabinet, so not real easy to take out. I love both of my machines.

I guess Babylock is my favorite machine. I have a 7570 and featherweight and 301, but Babylock motors sold me. I will take my 301 (big sister to Featherweight) slant needle, direct drive and it uses the same accessories as the FW!

The Babylock is the most user friendly to my mind and has consistant stitches. Almost everyone is my quilt group has bought the Decorators Choice for class and many have Janome and Vikings.

I want thread cutter, up down, needle threader, etc on my machines anymore.

The most important thing is that you go sit and sew at these different machines. Listen to motors, look at ease of use.
Know what you will be using the machine for. Babylocks are not cheap, but it is my understanding, and I could be wrong however I have been told that Brothers are made in the same factory. The specs are probably different but if I bought a Brother I would make sure I had a place that could work on the machine instead of sending it off somewhere.

NO Way would I buy a Singer, tho some do. They are not made by Singer.

Try them, see what you like, don't be afraid to go back to shops again and again. Bring your own fabric to see how machine goes over seam intersections, etc, instead of little scraps they have for sewing in the shops.

Find out about sales, warranty, reconditioned by your local shop or new on Ebay or post a notice once you find the machine you love in wanteds.
Very best of luck.

What model of Viking do you have? What don't you like about it?

I have the Viking Sapphire 830 and love it. I quilt with it and decorative stitches on it. When I first got mine, it was an adjustment because it was so different than any machine I've ever used. My dealer offered unlimited lessons on it, so I brought it in a few times and learned from her how to do the common tasks I do. I think that made a big difference to me. I've also got a Featherweight that I do most of my piecing on. I do have a Singer 201 in a cabinet that is great, but I don't have anywhere to keep it set up, so it rarely gets used...it was a freebie, so I couldn't pass it up. :)