Rhonda K

At least she can get her sister to embroider something for her. Embroidery is like watching paint dry Stitch and wait...stitch and wait.

I am still learning features on my newest machine but love all the bells and whistles. I debated about selling one of the machines when upgrading but decided to keep all of them.

dunster

I have a Bernina 440 in the quilting room upstairs, and I love using it. But I've made the last few quilts on a vintage Singer 301 sitting on the downstairs table. I'll get back to using the Bernina, but for now I'm enjoying the 301.

quiltingcandy

When I was getting ready to retire I bought the Janome MC6600 P - it has a lot of wonderful stitches and I have tried out a lot of them. I grew up using a basic Singer - and I have the machine and love it - but I wanted one that could do more. And it is wonderful. But I saw the Viking/Husqvarna Designer Topez 20 sewing and embroidery machine - my dealer made me such a deal I couldn't resist and I an so glad I bought it. I don't know why anyone would say the embroidery is boring - I love finding designs, using them in pillow cases, dish towels, hand towels, beach towels and quilts. And all the wonderful colors of thread! I have done some T-shirts and some sweat shirts - but not as a rule. I also use mine to make book marks for my daughter's students and also little egg holder at Easter for them. It's been 5 years now and I am still having fun. I let me friends come over and use it too.

When I bought my Janome I wanted a quality machine and some extras that I never had before, I didn't look into anything more because I couldn't see myself growing - after all my days sewing clothes were over. But I love to make quilts and pillow cases. I didn't want to trade in my Janome when I got my Designer - I wanted both. Guess I could have bought a stand alone embroidery machine like my friend did - but I like that the Designer can fill in if the Janome needs to go to the "Sewing Machine Doctor."

pennycandy

Some of you will have a chuckle over this. Around 1980 I saved up for a "fancy" sewing machine. It had 11 stitches which included some stretch stitches as well as some to finish raw edges. In the 34 years that I owned it, I used three on a regular basis. Some of the stitches I never used at all.

A couple of years before some gears crumpled in the fancy machine, my mil's 1948 Singer 15-91 was past down to me. I love how it sews and it started my love for vintage sewing machines. I replaced the "fancy" machine with three vintage sewing machines. The straight stitching Singer 15-91, a simple straight stitch and zig zag 1965 Kenmore 50 and 1990's(?) JC Penney 6923 that I use for the stretch stitches.
I've been very happy with "downgrading" to the vintage machines and do not feel the need to upgrade.

lindaschipper

I have the Janome MC6500P....with 4 different modes that include 80 different stitches plus over 200 alphabet design stitches. What do I use ?....straight stitch, zig-zag, and the blanket stitch. It's a good machine, but what made me think I would use this other stuff? I must have been delusional.

janjanq

I bought a Babylock Ellegante sewing/embroidery machine 11 years ago using money from my husband's life insurance policy to pay for it. I was only 54 when my husband passed away and needed something to help fill the void and help me through the grieving process. I have used most of the "bells and whistles" and still love it. The only thing I regret is that I wish I had bought a stand alone embroidery machine AND a computerized sewing machine instead of an all-in-one. That way I could piece quilts on one machine while embroider on the other at the same time. Two years ago I bought a Babylock Sofia sewing/embroidery machine. Smaller and not as many bells and whistles, but more portable. Great for taking to classes, camping, and to take to Florida to our winter home.

carolynjo

I have 3 machines: a featherweight, a 1958 Singer 401A, and a Viking computerized machine bought in 1988 (?). I use them all. My 401A is my go-to machine and it has been a work horse; I have made awnings, car seat covers for a VW, you name it. I took a Stretch and Sew Class and made dozens of T-shirts for my kids. My GD # 2 lives on a boat and she will get the featherweight this summer. At 82, I don't need all these machines. I still do repair stuff; just don't sew new stuff now.

trolleystation

At 83, less is better.

plainpat

I also have a Bernina 440 with extra feet,the quilting doo hickey etc. It’s a fine,lonely machine.Wish I had realized my interest in sewing/quilting was winding down. No other quilters in our small family,but I don’t worry about it.
Some day,someone else will love it.

cathyvv

The only 'fancy' feature that I would really like to add to my sewing machines is an automatic thread cutter. If I see a machine on sale for a price I can bring myself to pay AND it has the automatic thread cutter, it's mine!