Stitchnripper

I am glad to see your review. I am curious about this machine and/or the Baby Lock Crescendo which I believe is very similar. I do use three very basic mechanical Brother machines and am very happy with them.

grann of 6

I have the Husqvarna Viking Designer Diamond AND the Topaz 30. I LOVE LOVE LOVE them. I use the Diamond just for machine embroidery which does awesome huge designs, has wonderful adjustable lighting, and just too many features to list. I rarely use it for regular sewing because I have the Topaz 30 for that. They both have the larger neck for quilting. I miss the large screen on the Topaz 30, but it does nearly all that the Diamond does, for about $7000 less. All of my machines have been TOL when they were purchased, except for the Topaz. Since I have always done so much sewing, I figure I should always buy up from what I think I need or want. I have never regretted this. I also have the earliest Designer I, then the Designer SE. I still use them all. The D1 is my everyday do-it-all machine, the SE has the walking foot on it all the time. You can never have too many machines.

Happy Tails

Ruby, I have the MC12000 too that I just traded up for. So far so good ... I'm still in shock spending that kind of money, although I traded up for it, so it was a bit better than buying it outright lol

Edie

First off, I think TOL is not important. It is what you like, what works for you. And what you can afford.

I have a Singer Precision, purchased May, 2009, $199.99 Target. Best features? None! What do I use the most? The pedal. Feature not used? Needle threader -never worked anyhow. Buy again? Probably not. I am used to Betsy Bobbin and just paid $50.00 for a tune-up. She is happy, I am happy. When she quits and the White quits, I quit!!!(I do have an over 60 year old White that I can fall back on....doesn't do as much as this one does, just goes back and forth and now is the best backup anyone could ask for!

Unless, of course, I win a lottery!!!!! Or a jackpot at the casino! Don't scoff --- my Mom won a $400 jackpot and bought herself a Husqvarna and made the most beautiful quilts you have ever seen. And she was in her 80's. (I don't think the casino was too happy because she didn't put the money back into the machine. I learned that from her as well as everything I know about quilting. I just don't win $400 jackpots......just $10 - $20. I save that for fabric, tools, thread, what else do I need??????

Hey, Minnesota - beautiful day today! Make it a good one! Edie

mhansen6

I have a Pfaff Creative 4.0. I absolutely love it.
It has a very large harp for FMQ.
It has a built in walking foot.
Thread Cutter and hundreds of stitches.
It has one really cool feature for chain piecing. When you stop to add the next piece the pressure foot will rise about an 1/8 of an inch so you can slide the next piece under the foot. Wonderful feature for quilters.
I have owned Pfaffs for 30 years and I love them. I would buy this machine again if I needed a new machine.

grann of 6

All of my Vikings have always done that. I thought that was just something they ALL did. I love that feature too, for chain piecing. I have arthritis pretty much all over, but my wrists don't bend much, so the auto needle threader and cutter are what drew me to the Vikings.

psquared52

I have a Janome 12000 which is less than a year old. It's my second Janome. I quilt and FMQ almost every day on it and have never had a problem. Great stitch selection and variability. Every foot I could ever use. Love the embroidery ability as well. That's my goal this fall...to become as comfortable with that capacity as well. Excited to use all my embroidery threads and stabilizers. Wouldn't buy anything other than a Janome....love love love my machine.

chatonne40

Ditto! I love everything in mine except the needle threader it never worked well. I would have to send my machine to the dealer but just cant and what would I use while it's there ;-)
I have theembroidery attachment with it and also love it.

grann of 6

I think most people stick with a brand they are familiar with. I have never tried any other brand except for my Vikings, mainly because the dealer is in my local Joann store, and her service and knowledge is beyond spectacular. The other dealers are too far away to make checking them out practical.

I would say for anyone considering a new machine, to make sure you have a GOOD dealer, and good customer service. You never know when you will need it. Also what is important to you in a machine may be far different than what I need. Buying a sewing machine is really no different than buying a car, or even a house for that matter. Take your time, and get informed.

QuiltE

Well Said!!!
Absolutely vital to have a dealer that will be there to service your machine ... and to help you if you are having troubles, on the phone or IRL, as needed. A bargain/deal does not prove to be such when you can't resolve a problem, get service, parts, etc.


Me? I purchased a Janome 6600, a year ago (my third Janome).
Love all the features and use most as appropriate.
Seldom use the fancy stitches, though they are there when I do want them.
Absolutely love the needle up/down, auto-thread, start-stop, accu-feed, wider throat, etc.

The knee lift is annoying as some say ... though it's all about practice, practice, practice ... and I am coming to like it. Someone suggested on the QB before, to use my left foot on the pedal and the right knee on the lift and that has made a difference to my getting used to it. Some sewing I do not use it, though for some, I see huge advantages ... now for the practice, practice, practice, to get more comfortable and adept in using it!

As for what I do not like about it... nothing!!

..........well, that's not exactly true ..........Because it has helped me come to love FMQing, I now want a larger throat and would like more consistency in FMQ stitches (BSR-like, though I keep hearing negatives about it's functioning). So I'm following this thread to see what machines that may be the answer to my dreams!