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I have 3 Brothers - one is an embroidery machine. Love 'em. But I really like to sew on my 15 year old Kenmore. And I really, really like to sew on my circa 1960s Singer in a cabinet for piecing quilts. I have three treadles that I'm working on getting cleaned & in working order. Even my Kenmore has stitches I've never used let alone my Brothers.
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I have a husqvarna and my old faithful 1974 singer. Guess which one I use the most? Guess which one is more reliable? Guess which one I know inside and out and can repair myself??? You guessed it...my old faithful 1974 singer. Guess which one I wish I had the money back from???? My husky...
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Try Jenome.
Personally, I have an Elna Quilter's dream maching . Her name is Rosie and I love her. :roll: |
I forgot, I do have a featherweight that I take to classes and for guild sewing. Don't think
"Rosie" would like being bounced around. |
I never compare my machine to others. I have a little Janome platinum and I love it for classes and retreats, it only weighs 12#.
I also have a larger, heavier Janome 6600 which I absolutely love! I take it sometimes on retreats. I am a converted Viking sewer. My old workhorse machine that I have had forever is a Viking 650 from 1977. My DIL is using it now. I purchases a new Viking Designer I but never cared for it so I sold it and got the Janome 6600. All is well!!! Neither of my machines do the fancy embroidery, but I don't need that so I am happy. |
I have a Bernina and love it but am looking for another machine that is lighter but also sews well. I still have my first machine, a Phaff in a cabnet. I don't think it runs anymore but I well keep it. Between the two machines I had a Sears Kenmore 100 stitch machine that gave me trouble all the time. I did make one of my daughter's wedding dress with it but it liked to run by itself. I love my Bernina and well love the machine I get in a few months to take to class. I also have a Bernina serger and embroidery machine that I have never learned to use. It is way out dated and I don't think I will ever use it. I did buy it used.
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Let me tell you what I did. I came into some unexpected money six years ago, and bought a Janome 10000 sewing/embroidery machine. I used the dickens out of it the first year. Since then, the main thing I do is some alterations for friends, and straight stitching putting quilt tops together. If I had it to do over again, I would not spend thousands on a machine. If yours sews a nice seam, and stays working, what more do you want? I feel like I wasted a lot of money on too much machine. Sometimes I sew on my featherweight, and its just fine. And I even put in time with my old treadle machine. A sewing machine is just a tool. Your quilt doesn't know how much you spent on the machine. Relax. Some people name drop about what they have. So what.
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If the brother suits your needs, I wouldn't bother until you need to kick it to the kerb also. I bought an expensive, computerised machine that never works properly and I always use my non - computer Brother to do most of my sewing. It only cost an 8th of what the other one cost and I keep kicking myself that I got conned into thinking I needed the 'super - duper' lemon.
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Originally Posted by Millstream Mom
I was at a sewing class, and was suddenly aware that everyone had fancy expensive computerized sewing machines. I was unexpectedly very embarrassed of my ~$100 Brother machine that I had gotten at Walmart a few years ago. :oops: Which was odd - because I normally don't concern myself with "material things" - no pun intended!
My original machine was a Kenmore that I'd had for about 25yrs - and had fixed 4 times during the last 2 yrs. Finally I kicked it to the curb, and bought the Brother. It seems fine for my needs - basic stitches, but impossible to sew button holes with. Love your Brother he will love you back. So hopefully I'll get over being prideful until my machine dies a slow and natural demise! In the meantime - can anyone point me in the direction of a reasonably priced product that they would recommend? |
I agree. We had a service project workshop today in my quilt guild. I noticed many of the expensive embroidery machines there, but I also see just as many inexpensive little machine, like the Janome Gem, that people buy just to take to workshops.
I have a Featherweight I take to workshops. It's light and easy to carry. I keep a travel kit that has everything I need duplicated, so I don't have to pack and unpack every time. Cheap or not, if it does the job, don't worry about it. |
I have to admit that I do love my simple singers. The newest one has the choice of stitches which is really fun, but I can't throw the other two out because they still work. One my DGD uses when we sew and the other is in the bottom of the fabric closet. I have never used a Brother but I sure would have for $20 or less. What a buy.
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i havea brother and a singer that only cost 100.00 each got both at walmart . shucks i use them almost everyday. they work just fine. so dont be bothered about what others use. im thinking about buying me a sq9000 brother just to quilt on for 200.00 at walmart. save money spend more on fabric.
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I have an old singer 99 that I was sewing on then wanted a featherweight but ended up with a 301 long bed black beauty. My hubby got to go watch the pack win the superbowl and I got a second hand Bernina 640 which I am adding the play toys to slowly. Wouldnt diss Antibes sewing machine unless it spent more time in the shop than being sewn on.
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I had the same feeling when I went to my first sewing class, it was horrible. 2 day class $150. I was brand new to sewing my mechine acted up, and sat there the rest of the day not doing anything. the next day I brought a diferent mechine and was fine. The information I got out of class was really good I thought, so I wasnt that dissapointed. I did bring the featherwieght and everyone else had fancy mechines, I was the only one in class that was a beginner tho. I felt like I stuck out like a sore thumb and probibly did.
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As long as it does what you need to sew, don't concern yourself with what others think. And, how many buttons do you sew on a quilt?
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I take my baby blue machine I bought for $45 to all my quilt classes, I do have more machines but they are heavy so I leave them home. Pluss I love sewing on the little machine too.My regular machine was not that expensive, as long as you are happy with your machine I would use it
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I have an older Bernina and it works fine but I bought a Brother at Wal Mart for $135.00 on sale a few months ago and love it. It has many stitches but a person only uses the straight stitch for piecing and I do some zig zag once in awhile. I also do free motion and stitch in the ditch on my finished quilts. Our LQS quilters have very expensive machines but I can't afford one and like some quilters said, more money for fabric
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For all anyone at quilt class knows, you have a big fancy/schmancy machine at home, and the one you bring to class is just your lightweight portable!! :mrgreen:
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I'll be my "Brother's Keeper" I guess! I'd be overwhelmed with some computerized machine, I'm sure, since I still can't figure out anything beyond the basic functions on my cell-phone!
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I use an older singer touch and sew.
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Originally Posted by homequilter
I have a computerized Kenmore and I enjoy sewing with it so much. Yes,I look at other machines and think how nice to have the bells and whistles. Then, I read the manual and find out that I can do some of the same things-so, I enjoy my machine, lug it to class and know that I can sew just as well as the next person with my machine. It's your heart that counts!
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My Singer treadle and Featherweight machines are my favorite machines for piecing quilts. Someone asked me once if my FW was a toy, she'd never seen one before.
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heya millstream mom, I know exactly what you mean! I went into a local Beautiful) patchwork shop the other day. The assistant asked what machine I was using & I said A Pfaff hobby1132. 'Oh' is all she said!! I felt so embarrassed! When I landed in Perth 4 mths ago my pfaff was in a container, so I bought a 2nd hand one for $40. Its a bit tempermental, but did the jobs I needed. Its a k-mart 'homemaker'. Then at a local auction, I bought 2 Singer machines for $5 each, had one (singer 507) serviced for $140 & its great to use, I totally love it. Last week I bought 3 sergers for $120. A singer,($108 for service & blades), & a bernina & a globe (?). The last 2 dont have power leads so they're just sitting in a box!! Im so happy with my auction finds!! If your machine works & is comfortable to use, be happy!!
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I specifically purchased a small light weight Brother for portability purposes. I have 2 other machines, but they are just too heavy to take to all day quilting events or any other quilting events outside of the home. This machine is great for piecing, quilting and other sewing jobs. Got it at Targets 2-3 years ago.
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I know what you mean . I showed up to class and everyone has anew one and here I walk in with my FW. I just laughed and said "well it's the only thing in my house older than I"am. I don't let things like that get to me cause I could have a new fancy machine but at my age the learning curve is more than I want to handle.I just want to make beautiful quilts. To me It's kinda like haveing a new house , sure I"d like one with a sewing room of my design . But I don't want to make house pmts so I'll stick with what I have. :D
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I have 2 main machines. One sits at home ( a brother embroidery ) & a brother that goes with me. If fact my mobile brother is sitting on a portable table in my living room because my sewing room is in my bedroom & my DH works 4pm to 1am & sleeps during the day. I have been sewing in the living room before I go to work & that way I don't wake him up. Although he says that my sewing has taken over the whole house. Iron is in the kitchen. Oh well. At least he can sleep.
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If it works for you and fits your needs, you are in business.
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I agree 100%. Add to your stash of fabric! :)
As long as your machine works and the results make you happy why spend money on something else? |
You were blessed...especially the guy in the store..most would not take time to check what they have in back rooms....Great Customer Service!!!
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I have a very beautiful and expensive Pfaff machine.. I never take it to class.. I take an old machine that doesn't even have a name on it.. but it straight stitches just fine and that's all that's ever needed in class.. no worry about damaging my beautiful embroidery machine!
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Pretty much the same advice here. If it works for you - it is fine. I have two Pfaffs both the German made ones - I love them both and they are true work horses - love the built in "walking foot". If I were to get another machine - I would look to buy a used Pfaff 7570. Originally about $6000 and I see they go on Ebay for about $800 to a $1000.
I would look to buy a used upper end machine from someone who is upgrading - that is the best buy!!! |
I take the same $150 Brother which I got as my first machine at Walmart. I have since upgraded my machine at home to a higher end Brother (liked the first one so much decided to get another) but I feel no shame traveling with my machine. It has produced some beautiful work and is the perfect lightweight traveling companion that can do almost everything those other ones can do.
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98% of the stitching we do on our machines is straight stitching. A "good ole Black Head Singer". As long as a machine works, it is fine with me. I have top ender but I go to my Singer when I need heavy duty stitching.
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Originally Posted by dmyers
if you're happy with your machine, don't worry about what others have. plus that's more money you can spend on fabric.
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When and if I go to classes I do not take my Bernina. It's not high end, only a 430, but was expensive to me. I take my Brother sewing machine to classes. Works like a charm and isn't all that heavy and sews great! Don't worry what others have. Enjoy your Brother!
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I take my vintage Singers to classes. They are heavy. I now have a FW. I will be taking her with me. I almost always have the oldest machine but it works and if something goes wrong, I can take her apart and try to fix her. Not many other quilters can say that with their newer super expensive machines. Who cares what your machine is as long it makes straight stitches they way you like them to look. Actually, my machine at home that I use quite a bit is a newer Singer, it's only 25 years old.
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I had a Brother with just the basics and loved it. About 2 weeks ago I updated and got another Brother with more features. I LOVE this machine! It's a Brother CS6000i. Do a search for it and you'll see how much nicer it is. It was only about $175. I checked all the reviews on Amazon, Walmart and many other sites and everyone just raved about this machine! I decided to order online for site to store pickup that way if I would get a lemon I could return it easily. Not so easy to return on ebay and other places. But I've been using it daily now for about 2 weeks and absolutely love it!
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I sew for fun, and my machine is 37 years old and still going strong. wouldn't part with her for nothing. A viking I bought in 1974, It does not do fancy things like I hear others talking about, but I probably wouldn't do those things any ways. Enjoy your machine young lady (smile)
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I love my Brothers. Their good machines.
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My old Montgomery Wards machine is what I use. I say who cares if it gets the job done.
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