What sewing machine do I buy?
07-02-2009, 08:07 AM
#52
Super Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Central PA
Posts: 5,573
After many, many years, I decided to purchase a new sewing machine because I wanted to get back into quilting. So, I bought a Singer quilters edition. I thought I spend a lot on it $398. I was satisfied until I started really quilting and then I felt like I was wrestling the material through the machine. Then I started watching some online quilting shows and took a local class. I noticed that a few names serviced: Bernina, Janome, and a few Pfaff's. So just on a whim, I went to a Bernina dealer and test drove a few. Now they can cost as much as my last car, but I finally found the Aurora 440 QE...it was love at first touch! I got the BSR a stitch regulator that will make my learning to stipple a possibility. I go a good used one and then 3 weeks later invested in the embroidery module. I am in love. Quilting on this machine is like a hot knife through butter, effortless. And the best thing is, if I decide to upgrade to more bells and whistles I will get a trade in that is almost the same as what I paid. Test drive all you can and get the one that you like. You will do a whole lot more sewing with a machine that works like extension of you rather than a wrestling partner. Good Luck!
07-02-2009, 08:44 AM
#54
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Adelanto, CA
Posts: 4,044
I love my Janome6500 and it is also a huge technical improvement over my 38yr old Kenmore which is still a workhorse but I use my Janome unless it is in the shop getting a 'tune up'
You do get free classes when you buy a Janome and what I was impressed with was all Janome dealerships will give you free classes anytime anywhere. I bought my machine 3 years ago from one dealer and then moved last year and took it to a different shop...they were eager to let me know that they have monthly Jamome classes and that I was welcome to come whenever I would like and as often as I'd like for FREE. I am all about free, LOL. I believe that all the large brand names give free classes
Go to any sewing machine dealer (you can do an online search to find one near you, whatever brand you want to try) ...you just walk in and tell them you are looking for a new machine and need help deciding on what to get and you would like to try some out. Take your own fabric with you so that you can sit and sew....if you need directions and assistance, they are happy to help...they all want to make a sale. If they aren't giving you good customer service, go somewhere else...you don't want to buy from a dealer starts out not giving you time and assistance.
good luck and let us know what you finally decide on
warm quilt hugs, sue
You do get free classes when you buy a Janome and what I was impressed with was all Janome dealerships will give you free classes anytime anywhere. I bought my machine 3 years ago from one dealer and then moved last year and took it to a different shop...they were eager to let me know that they have monthly Jamome classes and that I was welcome to come whenever I would like and as often as I'd like for FREE. I am all about free, LOL. I believe that all the large brand names give free classes
Go to any sewing machine dealer (you can do an online search to find one near you, whatever brand you want to try) ...you just walk in and tell them you are looking for a new machine and need help deciding on what to get and you would like to try some out. Take your own fabric with you so that you can sit and sew....if you need directions and assistance, they are happy to help...they all want to make a sale. If they aren't giving you good customer service, go somewhere else...you don't want to buy from a dealer starts out not giving you time and assistance.
good luck and let us know what you finally decide on
warm quilt hugs, sue
07-02-2009, 08:46 AM
#55
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Douglas County, GA
Posts: 1,722
Originally Posted by STAR
I looked up a few on-line and they are all about 25-30miles away!! we used to have a store right in town but they went out of business last year. I guess thats not so far, atleast for service but i think it would be hard for me to make it to classes and such with my schedule. but like i said im just starting to look! :D
07-02-2009, 09:56 AM
#56
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Winchester, VA
Posts: 1,552
Star,
My 5 cents' worth mirrors some other comments. I now have 4 Husqvarna Viking machines Iincluding serger and mega quilter and love every one of them.
I originally was going to purchase a Bernina - had the cash in my pocket (Christmas and Anniversary present from HUBBY)...Went to the local Bernina dealer, asking about machines, and every 2-3 minutes, salesperson would walk away from me to talk to someone else who just walked in and wanted to chat...After 2.5 hours of this, with very few of my questions answered, and not even able to start trying the machines out, I left that shop (SERVICE AFTER THE SALE IS AS IMPORTANT OR MORE SO THAN MACHINE BRAND OR FEATURES)....and drove to the closest Viking Dealer.......They demo'd 4 different machines (I wanted to do it all - I sew garments, do machine embroidery, heirloom sewing, quilting and home dec)......After the issue with the staff @ Bernina, I had several questions regarding help I might need after the sale......was told - just give us a call, or if more convenient, come on in - we will always be happy to help you!....
So - I bought their top of the line machine, and have never been happier.......If I run into an issue with a project at 7PM - a quick call will usually get me the answer........
They have ongoing classes (both owners and created classes) and the owner's class is NOT restricted to just one class......You can come in and sit for any of the classes as many times as you want/need.
Many of the machines have very similar features - some are very partial to a particular brand........
For my money - I wanted the most features I could get, from a dealer who would be around - was honest, and who would have varying classes to show off machine features and spark creativity. The Viking Dealer here did all of that and more..............
Good Luck!! Take your time.....go in, and go back a second time.....all shops have sample fabric to stitch on.........try every machine they have....ask questions...........and when you are comfortable with how it works and what it costs - GO FOR IT!
My 5 cents' worth mirrors some other comments. I now have 4 Husqvarna Viking machines Iincluding serger and mega quilter and love every one of them.
I originally was going to purchase a Bernina - had the cash in my pocket (Christmas and Anniversary present from HUBBY)...Went to the local Bernina dealer, asking about machines, and every 2-3 minutes, salesperson would walk away from me to talk to someone else who just walked in and wanted to chat...After 2.5 hours of this, with very few of my questions answered, and not even able to start trying the machines out, I left that shop (SERVICE AFTER THE SALE IS AS IMPORTANT OR MORE SO THAN MACHINE BRAND OR FEATURES)....and drove to the closest Viking Dealer.......They demo'd 4 different machines (I wanted to do it all - I sew garments, do machine embroidery, heirloom sewing, quilting and home dec)......After the issue with the staff @ Bernina, I had several questions regarding help I might need after the sale......was told - just give us a call, or if more convenient, come on in - we will always be happy to help you!....
So - I bought their top of the line machine, and have never been happier.......If I run into an issue with a project at 7PM - a quick call will usually get me the answer........
They have ongoing classes (both owners and created classes) and the owner's class is NOT restricted to just one class......You can come in and sit for any of the classes as many times as you want/need.
Many of the machines have very similar features - some are very partial to a particular brand........
For my money - I wanted the most features I could get, from a dealer who would be around - was honest, and who would have varying classes to show off machine features and spark creativity. The Viking Dealer here did all of that and more..............
Good Luck!! Take your time.....go in, and go back a second time.....all shops have sample fabric to stitch on.........try every machine they have....ask questions...........and when you are comfortable with how it works and what it costs - GO FOR IT!
07-02-2009, 10:40 AM
#57
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Porter, TX
Posts: 530
Star, The dealer should have a variety of floor models for you to sit and sew. They should be happy for you to take as much time as you want to test out the different features on the machine. They should also have trained service people and accessories. I have a Bernina QE 440, which replaced my 30-year old Singer Fashion Mate. One thing I really like about my Bernina is the knee lever to lift the presser foot.
If you don't want all the bells and whistles, I'd suggest you try to find a Singer 221 Featherweight. Singer manufactured these machines from the 1930s to the 1960s, and they do one thing -- sew a straight stitch (forward and reverse). They only weigh 13-14 lbs. (without the case), so are great for taking to classes. And they are very easy to maintain. There is a Yahoo! group for FW owners and you can get a lot of good information on buying and servicing them. I have a 1939 black machine and a 1955 white machine and I do almost all my piecing on them. The feed dogs don't drop, so you can't do free-motion quilting with it unless you have a cover for the feed dogs, but you can do straight stitch quilting with it. Of course, the throat is very short, so it's hard to handle a lot of bulk. Most FW owners I know use it to piece and have another machine for quilting.
If you don't want all the bells and whistles, I'd suggest you try to find a Singer 221 Featherweight. Singer manufactured these machines from the 1930s to the 1960s, and they do one thing -- sew a straight stitch (forward and reverse). They only weigh 13-14 lbs. (without the case), so are great for taking to classes. And they are very easy to maintain. There is a Yahoo! group for FW owners and you can get a lot of good information on buying and servicing them. I have a 1939 black machine and a 1955 white machine and I do almost all my piecing on them. The feed dogs don't drop, so you can't do free-motion quilting with it unless you have a cover for the feed dogs, but you can do straight stitch quilting with it. Of course, the throat is very short, so it's hard to handle a lot of bulk. Most FW owners I know use it to piece and have another machine for quilting.
07-02-2009, 12:26 PM
#59
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Illinois
Posts: 479
I love my 4 year old Viking Scandinavia 200, but it's not made anymore, and Vikings aren't made in (Sweden?) anymore, they're made in China. And also, the 200 is a pretty basic machine, but VERY good for quilting!
07-02-2009, 01:25 PM
#60
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Michigan
Posts: 2,146
First sorry to nursie76 not 79(my oops).
thanx for all the info on the featherweight I got from everyone this is a basic machine that is getting lots of props from everyone so i will be checking this one out. because until i get the hang of a machine straight lines and pieceing is probably all i will be doing on it.
thanx for all the info on the featherweight I got from everyone this is a basic machine that is getting lots of props from everyone so i will be checking this one out. because until i get the hang of a machine straight lines and pieceing is probably all i will be doing on it.
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