what to buy when you're not made of money?
01-20-2010, 11:11 AM
#12
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Horseheads, NY 14845
Posts: 4,025
Needle up/down, ability to move r/l, drop in bobbin. I do have the knee lift, but haven't used it yet ??? I upgraded from the DC3050 to the Memory Craft 4900 because I wanted more decoratie stitches. I also notice that the 'bed' of the machine )front to back)is a little wider (not the throat) and I also like the Janome feature of the slanted front piece which makes it easier for me to see what I am working on.
01-20-2010, 11:21 AM
#13
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Clay Springs AZ
Posts: 3,229
Mine is a Viking Sapphire 830 and when you set it for needle down the foot automatically lifts a little when you stop sewing so you can move the fabric around. I love that feature. It also has a 10 inch throat and many different stitchs.
If you are looking for a feature for free motion you cant beat the Bernina stitch regulator. That is the one feature I wish I had.
If you are looking for a feature for free motion you cant beat the Bernina stitch regulator. That is the one feature I wish I had.
01-20-2010, 12:07 PM
#15
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,962
Needle up/down, thread cutter is nice, but it wouldn't be a feature that would be the deciding factor whether to buy a machine or not. I have a thread cutter on my Grand Quilter and I don't use it, I am not spending hours clipping those silly little tails of thread it leaves behind.
I have a knee lifter which hangs on the wall for decoration, my machine I can set it to needle down and whether I want the foot to raise and what height.
I have a knee lifter which hangs on the wall for decoration, my machine I can set it to needle down and whether I want the foot to raise and what height.
01-20-2010, 01:21 PM
#18
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Home town: Rehoboth, MA Now living in OK
Posts: 7,774
Originally Posted by amma
Needle down, and the ability to move the needle left/right.
Blanket stitch, a few other decorative stitches, needle threader and a 5mm stitch width, but 7mm is nicer :wink: :D:D:D
Blanket stitch, a few other decorative stitches, needle threader and a 5mm stitch width, but 7mm is nicer :wink: :D:D:D
01-20-2010, 01:57 PM
#19
Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Tasmania Australia
Posts: 78
Don't discount the vintage Singers, especially if you don't have a lot of cash. They are cheap, reliable, make a beautiful stitch and you can get a large range of feet and accessories either cheap or free with the machine.
I'm using a Singer 201 for FMQ and it's brilliant! Straight stitch only, so no stitch wobbles. The feed dogs drop, it takes a regular needle, there is masses of room in the harp. Mine has a knee control, which I find can do very presice stops.
Some beautiful antique quilts were made on these style machines, without a lot of expensive do-dads - you don't NEED them (but they are certainly nice to have if you have the money).
I'm using a Singer 201 for FMQ and it's brilliant! Straight stitch only, so no stitch wobbles. The feed dogs drop, it takes a regular needle, there is masses of room in the harp. Mine has a knee control, which I find can do very presice stops.
Some beautiful antique quilts were made on these style machines, without a lot of expensive do-dads - you don't NEED them (but they are certainly nice to have if you have the money).
01-20-2010, 03:23 PM
#20
Power Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: SW Iowa
Posts: 32,855
I think a Janome would be great. I like needle up and down and I like to be able to move my needle over to get my seam allowance where I want it. Some other stitches are always a plus. You don't have to spend a lot to get a good machine.
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