asabrinao

Hi, Everyone,

I'm new to the thread and can't wait to read more. Learning a lot already. I'm a beginning-ish quilter--I've made half a dozen quilts over the course of as many years, but would like to invest more time and energy into my hobby. I've made three quilts entirely by hand and three others on a 1918 Singer sewing machine--one of the first portable, electronic models ever made (I bought her at a thrift store for $25 thirteen years ago). This old beast has been very good to me--but she's really loud, she vibrates, she weighs 45 pounds, and her tension control is iffy.

My budget is $500, give or take. My old Singer gave me a lot of good practice with the basics (she only had one stitch), so I'd like my next machine to be one that will take me to the next level (FMQ, machine applique, etc.). I live in a small space so a machine I can put away will be helpful.

The two models I've looked at so far are the Janome DC2030 and the Babylock Grace. Both are within my price range. Does anyone own either one of these models? Or know anything about similar models? Any other models I should look at? Is it essential I have dual feed? Is an attachable walking foot okay or do I really need to upgrade to a machine that has an attached one?

Though I've made a handful of quilts, I've never bought a new sewing machine before. My vintage singer is the equivalent to a bike with a single gear, so any advice is welcome!

Thank you!
Sabrina

toverly

I can't advise on either machine, but I do have a Janome 3050. If I were buying a machine for the first time, I would look at the throat size and what attachments come with the machine. If they don't come with the machine, the cost of the attachments. You will definitely want a 1/4 inch foot, walking foot and a hopping FM foot. The feet need to be interchangable, you will not want a walking foot all the time.

asabrinao

Thanks, toverly!

Prism99

Are you planning to try out different machines before purchasing? It's a really good idea to do that. Also, have you considered buying a used machine from a dealership? You can get a lot more bang-for-your-buck that way, as there are always customers who trade in a slightly used model for the newest model.

I did a search on Amazon for sewing machines in your price range and sorted the results in order of average customer review. These two were the two top listed:
http://www.amazon.com/Janome-DC2012-...dp/B007JBQYQM/
http://www.amazon.com/Janome-DC2013-...dp/B00B0FDITE/
I couldn't find the Janome 2030 on Amazon.

Both of these have the smaller throat size. For $500 I don't think you are going to find a new machine with a large throat size that also has a variety of stitches. Also in that price range you will not find a built-in accufeed. I have an older Bernina and do not miss having a built-in accufeed. You will probably want a walking foot, though, for quilting.

Wounded warrior wife

My motto is try out the bobbin winder first. If the bobbin is wound smoothly, buy the machine. My sister-in-law just bought the Janome DC2013. I have three Janome. The Gem which I take to class. The 1600p for piecing and the 6600 for fancy stuff. I had a Singer for 30 years. I like the 9.5 throat of the 6600. If I were to purchase again SOON i'd by the DC2013 in a second. Quality stitching, smooth bobbin, multiple attachments.

I also have a Babylock Crown Jewel/computerized long arm. These are both great name brands!

asabrinao

Hi, Prism. Thanks so much for all the great advice on both threads. I definitely plan on test sewing before buying. The shop I went to had a DC2030, but not the 2013. From what I can tell, the only main difference between the 2012/2013 and the DC2030 is the number of stitches (the 2012/2013 offer more).

I've sort of accepted that I won't get a longer arm in my price range. I figure that any machine I get will be an advancement on what I have anyway. I'm heading to the Janome retailer next weekend and I would love to see a reconditioned model.

Thanks again for all the help!

asabrinao

Hi, Wounded Warrior Wife,

Thanks for the response. It's good to hear that your sister-in-law likes her DC2013. The only difference I can see between the 2030 and the 2013 are the number of stitches (the 2013 has more). Since I'm going from a machine that has one stitch, anything more than that feels like a significant step up!

How do you like the 1600p for piecing? Is there a reason why you don't piece on the 6600?

Thanks again!

kiffie2413

Hi and welcome!
I have had Singers, Brothers, and most recently a Janome 7700 and a Juki HZL-400.
My 1st "I am serious about machine quilting" machine was a Brother PC-420. It's in your price range. For the price it has a lot of great features. I will post a link to Amazon, which has great info/reviews. I also purchased mine from there. Now I know it's a big decision on whether or not to buy a machine on-line. Everyone is different, and for me I have bought several machines on-line...I have also had great customer support when needed..but I know that's not always the case. One thing I really like about this Brother is it has auto thread cut and a knee-lifter, which I had never had. But once I got it, I don't know how I quilted without it . http://www.amazon.com/Brother-PC420P...brother+pc+420
I then bought a Brother PQ-1500. It's a straight stitch only machine. It has a pin-feed system which is wonderful for piecing. It also has a 9" harp/throat, which is great for quilting. I can't get the link to post right, but you can type in Brother 1500 and Amazon has info/reviews on it, too. This one usually costs around $650-$700, so it's a tad over your budget. (I sound like a realtor on House Hunters TV show..). As I got more into quilting I bought the Janome Horizon 7700, then the Juki HZL-400. I love them both! Anyways, just wanted to give you a lil more info. You can do a search here on QB on all the machines you're interested in, too..there's a lot of helpful posts from others who wanted info before they bought their machines.
Good luck with your decision, and let us know what you pick!
Regards,
Kif

asabrinao

Hi, Kif,

Thanks so much for the response. It's nice to get a different perspective on a Brother machine, which was one of the brands I had not heard great things about. In looking at the two early Brothers you had, I might have to seriously consider them--they seem like a lot of bang for the buck.

I'm curious, did you trade the Janome Horizon for the Juki or do you use both? I've been hearing a lot of great things about Jukis.

Thanks,
Azita

kiffie2413

Hi Azita,
I actually use both. I also kept the Brother PQ-1500. I have a Grace frame, plan to use the Brother 1500 on it for quilting. I had that idea in place before I made the leap and went ahead and bought the Janome.
I also have my Great-Grandma's antique Singer 66 in the original cabinet. It's a treadle, she also had a motor put on it. It went to my Grandma, then to my Mom (who never has liked to sew or quilt, so lucky me has it!). The last machine I have is a Singer Featherweight...I had been wanting one for a bit, and got it on an Ebay auction.
I honestly will say if I had heard about the Juki HZL machines before I bought the Janome, I might not have bought it. And it's nothing against it...I love it, and it does have a big throat area (11"). But it is a pricey machine, well worth it, though. In spite of it sounding like I have an unlimited machine budget, I absolutely don't. I don't have the money for a long arm, or a Sweet Sixteen set up. So I have tried to figure out the best way to set up my quilting room for the way I quilt. Prior to buying the Juki, I hadn't heard of that model series (HZL-300, 400, 600-each level up has more features included...more money, too, of course). The price of the 400 pkg is half of the Janome 7700, actually over half less (does that make sense..lol). I don't know how I missed the Juki HZL series when I was really getting serious about the Janome. Just overlooked it! I had been dreaming about the Janome 7700 for over a year, though, and couldn't believe it when I was able to buy it.
I did buy both machines at sewingmachinesplus.com. I have had excellent customer service from them. As I said before, it is a personal decision on whether to buy from a local dealer or on-line. I make no judgments either way. If asked, I try and give as much honest info as I have. I enjoy getting honest constructive feedback, too.
Here are links to both machines, and the Juki 300, too. They also sell show models for less, I haven't ever bought a show model, so can't speak about them.
http://www.sewingmachinesplus.com/ja...h-7700-qcp.php
http://www.sewingmachinesplus.com/hzl-f400-kit.php
http://www.sewingmachinesplus.com/hzl-f300.php
If you have any other questions, feel free to pm me.
Regards all,
Kif
PS I only kept the Brother 1500 instead of the PC-420 because I planned to use if on a quilt frame, and I knew I was going to buy the Janome 7700 to take the place of the 420. If I could only choose one of the Brothers, I would've kept the PC-420 because it has more features...and it fits what I would do with it, which is quilt, applique, sew. The 1500 is straight stitch only. The 420 has a lot of decorative stitches. The bed of the 420 is approx. 2" smaller than the 1500 ( like 6.5"-7" vs 9")
For the money, you can spend $200-$300 more dollars and get the Juki 400. The 300 is similar, but I think you have to purchase the optional knee-lifter separately. Sometimes you can talk to the sales person and work a deal to add in accessories. When you decide what machine you want, and if it's one that doesn't have knee-lift, but does have it as an option, maybe you can get it added in...worth a shot! For me the knee-lift is very important...it's a HUGE difference using a machine with that option. HUGE! Hope I haven't overwhelmed you with all of this...
K