ok some of you know that my long time friend, Singer Touch & Sew sort of went belly up on me a few days ago. I still have hopes that just maybe it can be fixed but so far I have not heard good news on it.

Anyway, I started a search for what I think is the best machine for the money. These were my absolute "need to have" options that had to be on the new replacement machine.

1. the throat CAN NOT be any smaller then 7"
2. it had to have more then straight & zigzag stitches
3. had to have quilting capabilities as well as normal dress making abilities

anything beyond these things were an added bonus to me and I can deal with each bonus as need be.

After spending several days online searching for the right machine I got really frustrated because most of the machines that seemed to fit what I wanted did not show the throat depth. Or the ones that did show the depth were quilting only with very little else going on with them. Those were priced so high that I would not even want to go look at them. Why would anyone spend that much money for a machine that pretty much is good for doing one job? No not me, I wanted more out of the machine I get.

So, I decided to take that long ride into town. I goggled all the sewing places I could find within a hundred mile area. Then set a path to do a complete circle and drove to all locations and checked out each machine in every store. Off I went with pad, pencil & ruler. Oh my goodness, what a shock I got. Not only are all those nice looking machines expensive but the throat depth is only between 5 and 6 1/2". What a disappointment they were.

I would like to know when the standard size for the throat depth became 5 1/2"? This is so ridiculous, how dose one sew in a space that small?

I only found 2 machines that would even come close to being my new replacement. One was a Viking on sale for $999 and a Baby Lock for $1010. Now comparing the 2 machines was not hard at all. The Baby Lock had it beat hands down. The biggest reason is that although the Viking had a 10" throat and was a few bucks cheaper it did not come with any of the quilting feet, (an extra $139) nor did it have as many features. I have a Viking Designer 1 and I'm not impressed with it, the only reason I bought it was it was second hand, didn't cost that much and I only use it for embroidery.

So with all this said, my new friend is called Melody by Baby Lock.
I was so tired by the time I got home I fell asleep reading the book that came with her so I have not set her up yet. But she will be ready to roll in the morning.

yep...it's time consuming and mind boggling looking for just the right machine that you want like an car shopping! Im glad you found what you wanted though...have fun with it!

Congrats on your new machine!! Just Googled it as I had not seen it - What a sweet machine!! I am sure that you will be pleased with it.

CONGRATULATIONS!
You made the right choice! I love babylock machines, the learning curve is so easy on them. I have a Babylock Ellisimo and I love it. Enjoy your new "Baby"!

Boy you are fast LOL thanks
They give free lessons so as soon as I can get back over to their store I will do that so I can be sure to know the machine a bit better. But I will be running piece work in the morning.

Woo Hoo :D:D:D Congratulations on your new friend :D:D:D

Congrats!!!!

Congrats!! on your new machine and may you have many happy days quilting

Congratulations on your new Babylock. You will love her! I have a Babylock Quilter's Choice Pro and am very happy with it!

Congrats on your new baby!!

You did a great job shopping for your machine. I haven't sewn on a Babylock but I've heard a lot of good things about them. Congratulations.

Congrats! looks like you got a really nice machine. Sometimes research pays off. Enjoy!

saw a demo on the babylock serger... way to cool..

Congratulations on your new machine, have fun sewing with her

Have fun with your new machine. That throat space is a real issue for me also. Even though I don't love my 15 yr old viking, I can't seem to find anything that would justify spending $$$$. I'd like the BSR on the bernina, but that throat space is smaller than what I have now.
Why Bernina calls it a quilters edition with that little throat space is beyond me.

Congrats on the new machine. Hope you learn to enjoy it and it gives you great service.


Blessings, Ruth

Congrats. Enjoy.

I am happy for you! I hope you have a long lasting realtionship with Melody!

What she said!

Congrats!

Congrats on getting a new friend!

Congrats on your new machine. I bought the Babylock Espire and really love it.

Congratulations on Melody!! :)

Have fun!! I have a new Janome 9700, and I am learning how to work on it,. The problems I have are not so much the throat space, but how close everything is to the needle. They sure don't allow much room for large arthritic hands to maneuver.

I've heard nothing but good things about Babylok machines regardeless what they are used for. A relative does everything from remodeling clothing, sewing wedding/prom dresses, altering clothes, and quilting galore - she is overjoyed with hers... good luck - have a great time using it - you won't be sorry from what I've heard.

Boscobd:

Does this machine do great FMQing? If it does, I may consider it since I have had nothing but trouble FMQing with my Pfaff 2040. However, my daughter-in-law and I bought the same machine (2040) the same day at the same business and she does great FMQ and has never had her machine in for service. This service will be my FOURTH. Could it be me? Probably :o(

congrats on your new machine, I hope you have many happy years togeather!

:) :) Congrats, sounds like your research paid off. E N J O Y!

:) :) Congrats, sounds like your research paid off. E N J O Y!

Pictures!! Pictures!!

Congratulations!!

Congratulations! Enjoy your new machine.

OHHH-I looked at one and thought that would be great-enjoy, have fun and sew something for me!

Congrats on your new machine. I've had 2 Babylocks so far and just ordered a Babylock serger. I LOVE my Esante and I'm sure you'll be very happy with your choice of machines. When I went looking to trade up from my Babylock Quilters Choice, I looked at Viking too...was not impressed for the price. Babylock has much better features and the optional feet are more affordable. My next door neighbor just bought the Symphony and really likes it. Again, I'm sure you'll be happy with your choice.

I recently had the same problem. My true friend Elna SU (1972) was severely misbehaving. I was confused because I bought her brand new that many years ago, and never had a problem.

Frustrated, I thought, well, no machine will last forever. With fear and panic I shopped online for two days trying to get caught up on technology. After reading many articles and reviews, and still confused about how to decide on what I could afford. I thought I better do a thorough examination.

So, took everything apart, thoroughly inspecting and methodically checking every adjustment and installing new needle - I held my breath and started testing every stitch. Guess what! I ended up with a perfect sample of all stitches and variations! Somehow I knew back then I had bought the perfect machine - told my husband I should have bought two at the time, and saved one!

I'm so glad we're both happy! Have fun - I know I will!

Yep I did the same with mine, redid everything but still no luck in getting her to work. I am sad to have to replace that machine we had been friends for over 25 years. She wasn't the best on the market but she was dependable and to me that counted more then anything else.

I still have hopes that the tech can fix her but in the mean time I really need a machine to keep going with. I have to many projects that need to be done by the first of the year.

If they do fix her, I plan on using her as a traveling machine so I can take her with me when I go places and as a back up when I need it and here in the past few weeks I have had several people ask me to teach them to sew, so I can also use her in teaching others as well. I have not written her off yet.

Congrats on your new machine, I'm happy for you.
I got a new one 3 years ago--actually my husband took me to the store, made me sit down & go thru the sales demo with the nice lady. We left with a sweet little Janome, nothing fancy but lots more options than the straight & zig-zag stitches I was used to. I love my little machine. And I went back for 'Bring Your Own Project' Thursdays & made some great friends & quilt projects.

I see a bright future for the two of you...enjoy your new BFF! :thumbup:

congrats !!! i have been checking out sewing machines , thinking of getting a back up one and it can wear you out comparing all the machines

Gee I'm surprsed that your not quilting with your Designer.
I have a Husqvarna SE and can't live without it for the embroidery and quilting. Since viking is the only manufacturer with the Sensor Foot that lifts on it's own for pivots...how could you not use it for quilting? I know I wouldn't buy anything but a Viking with a Sensor foot once you have it you can't live without it...