miriam

I want a thingy finder. I'm always losing something.

Geri B

Now see! That is a winner of an idea......forward that to the mfgrs and I'll bet one of them will fly with that one!

Geri B

Well, I have both and I really prefer the vertical load bobbin...my old Viking plus has that and if I run out of bobbin thread while in the middle of a project, I simply either replace that bobbin by reaching under or if I have to rewind, take it out, put on bobbin winder- on side of machine, either thread with another spool by feeding thru wheel in back or if I need to use thread I am sewing with, then I have to cut the thread, lead it over to the bobbin, a few quick,wraps and step on the gas. Now with this top loader....project out from under, cut thread, redirect thru another path to bobbin winder on top of machine, wrap..........sidewinder type of bobbin filler is faster. But, in the meantime I have purchased on of those silly little bobbin winder gizmos......comes in handy, if I forget top rewind bobbins, which I guess is the best thing to do.

Maybe the top line new machines have what my old lady has, but not the one I have

AlvaStitcher

I like the idea of the presser foot lever in front of machine but I'm afraid I would always be knocking it and would find after it being there that I would prefer one in the back again. LOL.

I would like an arm extension lamp that stays where I want it to be instead of sagging down.
I would like pins that flash "here I am" when they fall to the carpet instead of my foot finding them. (I can always dream)

toverly

I want to be able to purchase two spools of thread, load one into the bottom bobbin area and use one on top. No more bobbins. And I want them to run out at the same time.

EmiliasNana

Re: feet on a machine. I am lucky all of my machines: Singer, Brother and Babylock, plus the treadle all take the same feet (low shank) so are interchangeable. Then I got an older 1260 Bernina given to me. LOVE IT but the feet are expensive. While at retreat a friend of mine showed me an adapter she had for her Bernina, that allows you to use other feet from other machines. I looked it up online (don't remember now where I got it) and it works like a charm. It is just a post with a top that fits the Bernina and a screw on the side that accepts other feet. I'm sure they had other type shanks available too, so it may help some of you out there. I wanted to use my rolled hem foot, making doll clothes, and already had a low shank for my other machines and didn't need to purchase another Bernina model foot. I didn't even know they made such a thing!

mojo11

I really prefer a front bobbin. I will not purchase a machine with a top loading bobbin.

RugosaB

I read somewhere, maybe this message board, that the front loading bobbins are a lot more reliable. I didn't make a note to remember it because I have an old Viking with a frt loading bobbin and I'm not planning on a new machine.
I will say that this old mechanical machine is VERY reliable, for whatever reason, and seems to do whatever I ask it to do. I even fmq with a regular ol' open toe foot!
Changing the bobbin if it's not recessed into a table is easy enough, but my machine's been in a recessed table from day 1. I manage and when and it it comes the time I can't I'll put it up on a table.

purplefiend

I like the antique machines because there is more room between the machine and needle area and presser foot to get my hands in there. Most of my machines have the bobbin case under the machine. Some of my treadle machines are nearly 100 years old and still sewing.
Sharon in Texas

maviskw

I, also, do not like those yellow lines on the rulers. If you want an accurate cut, you have to find that teeny black line space between the yellow lines to place where you want it. It's less than 1/8th inch long.

And I don't like all those teeny lines on a ruler. I have one that has a 3 inch square in a corner with 1/8th inch lines. When I pull that ruler down, I usually put back and find something else. Most rulers usually have tiny markings for 1/8 inch.

I have a slant needle and love it.

I do not own a drop-in-bobbin machine and don't want one. The 301 bobbin is on the left side and the Bernina is in front. I can lift a king size quilt out of the way and change a bobbin on the Bernina (which I need to do several times in the course of FMQing a king). You can learn to change the bobbin by feel. You don't need to see what you are doing.

If you want a spool of thread as a bobbin, you need to get an Eldredge Two Spool. They are rare, but can be found. They use the small spools that hold about 125 yards. Most bobbins hold 35 yards or less. If you think you might want to use a big spool under there, you have to think about how a stitch is made. The needle thread needs to make a big loop to go completely around the bobbin. That's what the "hook" is for. Then the take-up lever tightens up that loop again for every stitch. The bobbin can't be too big.