granny64

I have a Bernina Activa 230, Singer 201, Singer Featherweight, and a Brother embroidery machine(only embroidery). I use all of them for quilting. For more detailed work, I use my Bernina.

judykay

Kenmore and Pfaff. I had a Janome which I loved but a friend wanted a small machine for her granddaughter and asked if I would trade my Janome for her Pfaff Essential. Guess what my immediate answer was. I loved my Janome but it didn't have enough decorative stitches for the type of quilting I do. I actually have two Kenmores, which is the only brand I had before my Janome and I have been sewing since 1963 when I got my first machine for my first Christmas of being married and loved them all. My one Kenmore is being stubborn and after I gave it a good cleaning and oiling it decided it wasn't going to sew any more. The wheel just won't turn, when I do it by hand it is very stiff and all this happened after I cleaned it. I think it is upset with me because I hadn't used it for a while but I have always kept my machines cleaned of lint and oiled.

Iceblossom

Well. For most of the last 30 years I've been sewing on a vintage Remington, not a "real" one, but a post war Japanese machine (similar to a Morse) that originally belonged to a friend's grandmother and was being sold in a garage sale. It is a great little workhorse, it doesn't do much more than a straight stitch (it does have zig zag), but it does that well. It can piece delicate fabrics and it can quilt down tops or make a pair of jeans and I can do all the maintenance on it.

Then a bit over a year ago a friend gave me her modern (computerized) Bernina 820. Bernina caused a lot of confusion by reusing the 820/830 numbers. It still retails used in the 2-3k range. The machine didn't go over well, there were some issues, but I think it's rather lovely. Friend is still a Bernina fan and has gone to the 770. Except that it stopped working a month or so ago and needs to go to the shop, and I'm figuring the cost of the servicing is about what I'd usually pay to buy a machine -- but not a machine with a 12" throat and a fully automated threading system! So it will go in, just haven't done it yet.

Then the machine I'm using now is a low end Brother.XL2230 that I got even lower end in the box at the thrift store for $20. Bobbin winder didn't work so spent another $20 on a portable one. But hey -- working beats non-working. It's doing the project I'm working on just fine (Bonnie Hunter Frolic Mystery), I've been impressed with the accuracy of the quilting foot (I can sew from either the left or right side of the foot), and it has a threading assist. But after this and until the Bernina gets back from the shop I'm pulling out my heavy vintage machine. Have this sewing superstition that I like to do all of one project on one machine...

I also have a couple of other vintage machines. A really nice Pfaff in a wood stand that belonged to a different friend's mother. When I still did costuming/garments, it was my go-to machine for fancy fabrics. When my hubby came here he brought his grandmother's machine and stand with him. Forget what the machine is, sturdy, non-fancy and in working shape. And I have my original traveling/class machine, a 301 another sturdy little workhorse.

edit/PS: My last completely new machine was from Sears, forgetting who made them then (around 1980-1982), but it was the last model with the plastic cams before we went fully computerized. I loved that machine and sewed with it happily until one very important part broke that was not part of the 20 year warranty. I tried for years to get it fixed and was unable, that's when I started sewing on Remy (yes, many of my machines have names).

juliasb

What I am currently using is a JUKI. I also have and use my Singer FW and Singer 66. Then in an emergency I have a Janome that I bought in 1984. I also have a white 77 that sews like a dream. then there is the simple little Singer I bought at a garage sale and there is the Singer That I picked up from another garage sale for $3. I have yet to take the time of look at what model it is.but it is all metal no plastics! I have only sewn with it a few times. I also have 2 Brothers machines. They are Identical. One needs to go into the shop right now. Something went out on it last fall and I use the other one for my Sit and Sew or to take to guild functions were I need my machine. There are a couple more here that I do not use at all but are in working order. Oh I almost forgot my 1905 Singer treadle. Last but not least is my New Home (Janome) serger. Of course it is a great tool when needed. There is never a need for a good sewing machine in this house. I have a couple that could use a service call for a good tune up but that is it.

patchsamkim

my main machine is my trusty Bernina 1230 that I have had 25+ years. I also have my grandmother's featherweight, and a Pfaff passport for a portable machine (bought before the EVersewn machines came out or would probably have one of those instead)

joe'smom

I have an old Singer made in the 80s, and a HQ sit-down quilting machine.

I would like one of the Juki straight-stitch machines, but all of the non-computerized machines have the lower side bobbin, which my arthritis-warped fingers can't manage. Since I need a drop-in bobbin, I will have to go computerized if I ever up-grade.

Lady Diana

I am a Janome Girl!
350e
3160
4900
6600- 2
10000
11000SE
8900QCP
Skyline 7
15000
Singer Feather weight
Babylock Evolve Serger
Babylock Ovation Serger
Hmmm, thanks for asking, I think I need to purge.

Sew Girl 2

Each sewing machines are made for different purpose. I use a Pfaff for my regular construction sewing, Brother embroidery machine, featherweight for quilt piecing, Bernina for quilting, old commercial Singer for heavy duty sewing and quick sewing. Several others for general sewing, plus 2 treadle sewing machines I use for fun. I'm not sure if one machine is better than the other as I have never had problems with any of them, except a Singer that I purchased years ago, couldn't keep it in time when I sewed denim jeans. I usually buy the top of the line as they get dated real soon. I feel the newer machine are likely to have more problems because they do so much more than the old metal machines that just ZZ. I feel keeping them clean, changing needles and general maintenances any machine will last long time.

rryder

Fun thread.

I have four machines that I are set up all the time:

1. Brother PQ1500s - I use it for piecing as it is very accurate. I also used it as my main quilter until I got the Sweet16.
2. Brother PC420- I use it for clothing repairs and when I want to use the decorative stitches and for taking to classes, I also sometimes use it for FMQ if I’m working with a thread that needs special care.
3. Brother VX560 that was given to me in 1981 or 82 - it mainly gets used for sewing clothesline baskets, but I used to use it for FMQ and free motion embroidery back in the day.
4. Handiquilter Sweet16- now my main quilter

and two others that seldom get used:

1.featherweight-hasn’t been used in a while but fun to play with. It lives in a rolling case under the Sweet16.
2.Kenmore model 158/1914 with the cams and other nifty attachments but it’s very finicky so it mainly lives under the guest bed.

Rob

MaryLeeR

I have to very economical Kenmore. One from 1965 which sews like a dream and weighs a ton. Even made a tailored suede jacket in my tailoring class in HS. My teacher, bless her heart, took me to a large city to buy the hides! I think I used six. The one from 2004 is noisy. It sews good but I prefer the older model. Feet are interchangeable between the two machines.