Quilting Sewing Machine Recomendations
03-12-2018, 06:45 PM
#12
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: SW Michigan
Posts: 487
Thanks so much for all the advice and good information! RedGarnet -- good idea about the bobbin, I'll have to try that tomorrow. But I can tell I'm getting antsy about some of the features that I would really like (the needle stopping up or down, I am sooooo tired of stopping and having to manually crank it).
The advice on some of the brands had me looking at the Juki on sewingmachinesplus. They had a couple machines under $700 with monthly payments with no interest. I could swing that. We have two in college right now so it's hard for hunks of money to leave the house, but smaller amounts are ok. (I know makes no sense since it is the same outcome, but it works for me) I'll have to look at the other brands there when I have some more time, as well as where the official dealers are for repairs, etc. I think I have a lot of research to do! And I know two dealers near by that I can check for used machines, obviously that's what I did before - I just had the hankering for shiny and new, but maybe I can compromise. Thanks for helping me start in the right direction!
And SillySusan, your input wasn't silly! I'm glad you spoke your mind. I want to know how people like their machines in ALL price categories. That's why I asked for advice - Thank you.
The advice on some of the brands had me looking at the Juki on sewingmachinesplus. They had a couple machines under $700 with monthly payments with no interest. I could swing that. We have two in college right now so it's hard for hunks of money to leave the house, but smaller amounts are ok. (I know makes no sense since it is the same outcome, but it works for me) I'll have to look at the other brands there when I have some more time, as well as where the official dealers are for repairs, etc. I think I have a lot of research to do! And I know two dealers near by that I can check for used machines, obviously that's what I did before - I just had the hankering for shiny and new, but maybe I can compromise. Thanks for helping me start in the right direction!
And SillySusan, your input wasn't silly! I'm glad you spoke your mind. I want to know how people like their machines in ALL price categories. That's why I asked for advice - Thank you.
03-12-2018, 07:21 PM
#13
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: kansas
Posts: 6,407
I don't know if you'll find a large harp for the price range you said, but I have a Brother Simplicity that I got for a trade-in plus $250 that has the needle up/down, a built-in 1/4" seam (that's pretty accurate), lock stitch and drop-in bobbin. Its lightweight and is my travel machine. It does not have the large harp, but does have a smaller table.
03-12-2018, 09:15 PM
#14
Super Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 9,442
I was just joooookinnnnng...... 
my comment about SillySusan was lighthearted, hence the smiley faces....
I've never taken my Brother 1500 to the dealer for anything. I clean and oil it myself, I've never thrown off the timing or had any other kind of incident. I told my husband I should just sell my other machines, because if something ever happened to this one, I'd buy another 1500 in a heartbeat.
my comment about SillySusan was lighthearted, hence the smiley faces.... I've never taken my Brother 1500 to the dealer for anything. I clean and oil it myself, I've never thrown off the timing or had any other kind of incident. I told my husband I should just sell my other machines, because if something ever happened to this one, I'd buy another 1500 in a heartbeat.
03-12-2018, 10:08 PM
#15
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Chula Vista CA
Posts: 7,363
When you talk with your dealer you may find out they have a similar payment option of Sewing Machines Plus. The advantage of going local (even if it is a few payments more) is having a local provider to service the warranty and lessons. I know many of the new machines have YouTube videos to help you but I liked having the one to one assistance when I bought my Viking.
03-13-2018, 04:35 AM
#16
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 2,414
Thank you, Peckish. I guess I feel a little overwhelmed by y'all. You're such a talented bunch . I'm just a little old lady making quilts that have no future in shows -- or even be remembered by anyone. OK, maybe a kid or two. I make 'em mostly for baby charities. Linus, CPC's ... etc.
03-13-2018, 04:45 AM
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: SW, MI
Posts: 827
Have 2 Vikings. Have 2 Janomes, one with the wid(er) throat. Have an Eversewn Sparrow. And, to fill out the stable, a 1917 Singer 66. If you want a brand new machine for about $400, you won’t get the wider throat, probably not the extension table, don’t know about needle up/down or thread cutter. If it has been 15 years since you shopped for a sewing machine, be prepared for sticker shock. A top of the line Bernina will out you back the orice of a small car. But you can try some of these ideas.
—get an eversewn sparrow. Great little machine, but no wide throat
—look on craigslist for a used machine that fits your criteria.
— see if your sewing machine dealer has a used Janome 1600, Brother 1500, or Juki 2000/2010 taken in trade for a reasonable price.
—see you can get last year’s model of any of the above machines, which will bring the, closer to your budget. Try to get the dealer to throw in some extras.
Good luck.
—get an eversewn sparrow. Great little machine, but no wide throat
—look on craigslist for a used machine that fits your criteria.
— see if your sewing machine dealer has a used Janome 1600, Brother 1500, or Juki 2000/2010 taken in trade for a reasonable price.
—see you can get last year’s model of any of the above machines, which will bring the, closer to your budget. Try to get the dealer to throw in some extras.
Good luck.
03-13-2018, 06:31 AM
#19
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Central Ia
Posts: 1,113
There is the Janome HD 1000 that Leah Day highly recommends, she has an informative video on Youtube. The Janome HD 1000 is in your price range. It's a mechanical machine that Leah likens to the old Bernina 830 Record. Or look into the Sparrow Evergreen models, they have been getting good reviews.
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