Sewing embroidery machine?
03-30-2014, 03:27 PM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 314
Most all of the machines are made in SE Asia now. Viking, Pfaff and Singer are all made by the same company in the same factory. Brother makes many but not all of the Babylock machines. Janome makes Elna and Necchi now. It's a real tangle ...
03-30-2014, 03:35 PM
#13
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Michigan
Posts: 2,757
I have had Bernina, Viking and baby lock embroidery machines. Of the three baby lock is by far the less complicated to learn..for me. I have a Viking SE and hate every thing about it, some people love it. I sewed with the Bernina more than embroidery, just because it was a great sewing machine. They all have a plus and minus.
03-30-2014, 04:31 PM
#14
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Southern California
Posts: 6,254
Don't discount the bad reviews just because you haven't had problems with your machine of the same brand. The thing is, the embroidery machines are pretty sophisticated pieces of equipment, and there is more that can go wrong with a combo machine than a straight sewing machine. During my own process to buy a new combo machine, I became really enamored with both the Viking Diamond Deluxe and the Pfaff Creative Performance. While at a dealer one day checking out the CP, I saw a lady who was dropping off her CP for service. She also saw me looking at the CP and she sat in the parking lot and waited for me to come out. She approached when I left the store and told me that she would recommend against buying the CP, as hers had been in the shop three times in six months and they couldn't figure out what was wrong with it. She also advised against buying a Viking and suggested I do a blog search for those machines to find out what others were saying. Long story a little shorter, I marked both brands off my list, as neither of them are what they were 10 years ago.
My mom has had many Viking machines and has loved them all, but the dealer where she bought them no longer will sell them or Pfaff because of the many problems they've had with the machines.
Definitely test out whatever you are interested in before you purchase, but do your homework too. I have read horror stories of waiting for MONTHS for a new motor for a new Viking machine because the old motor was bad when the machine was purchased, as well as many other stories. Yes, there are always a few lemons out there, but when you keep hearing the same problems over and over you should take note.
For the record, I wouldn't buy a current 7 or 8 series Bernina either based on what I've heard about them. If I were looking at machines in the price range you're considering, I'd be looking at either Janome or Brother. I have both brands, and while Brother is my all time favorite (four machines and counting from them), I wouldn't completely ignore Janome.
My mom has had many Viking machines and has loved them all, but the dealer where she bought them no longer will sell them or Pfaff because of the many problems they've had with the machines.
Definitely test out whatever you are interested in before you purchase, but do your homework too. I have read horror stories of waiting for MONTHS for a new motor for a new Viking machine because the old motor was bad when the machine was purchased, as well as many other stories. Yes, there are always a few lemons out there, but when you keep hearing the same problems over and over you should take note.
For the record, I wouldn't buy a current 7 or 8 series Bernina either based on what I've heard about them. If I were looking at machines in the price range you're considering, I'd be looking at either Janome or Brother. I have both brands, and while Brother is my all time favorite (four machines and counting from them), I wouldn't completely ignore Janome.
03-30-2014, 04:56 PM
#15
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Western Southern Tier, NYS
Posts: 145
I am very fortunate to own the husqvarna designer Royal. So far I am very happy with it. I traded my designer deluxe in. I was not happy with the designer deluxe, personally I think it was a lemon for viking. The engineering was awful. I also have the previous model designer SE and love it, it is my work horse. I have owned many husqvarnas very happy with them...thus the reason I stay with them.
I agree with others, it's a big investment, test drive, test drive and when you are done test drive again. Each person has their preferences. Before you purchase any machine, make sure you understand how you will use your machine. Whatever machine you purchase..ENJOY!
I agree with others, it's a big investment, test drive, test drive and when you are done test drive again. Each person has their preferences. Before you purchase any machine, make sure you understand how you will use your machine. Whatever machine you purchase..ENJOY!
03-30-2014, 05:38 PM
#17
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Chula Vista CA
Posts: 7,363
I have the Husqvarna Designer Topaz 20 - I have had it for 2 years and love it. Since I have the Janome 6600 MP I didn't want an extremely expensive embroidery machine. It works as a good back up machine for sewing if I need it - but I keep it set up for embroidery. The largest hoop is 200 x 260, I did get the 5D program and it made everything else make sense. I needed the classes - and I would suggest once you figure out what you want, to take a day and go test them out and stay there and learn. Even though my machine came with some software and thread and stablizer you will need more to practice with.
Luckily I have the dealer within 1.5 miles from my home, and was willing to give me a full up-grade if I would trade up within one year of purchase. I like the machine I have, there were a few times I wanted to knock it on the floor and kick it to pieces, but figured I would hurt my foot and still not get it to do what I wanted it to do. Then figured out it was operator error too boot. Also, it wasn't until after I bought the machine and was beginning to branch out that I realized only Brother has Disney - so then I wanted a Brother machine, but certainly didn't want to pay that much for a machine. My machine doesn't scan and I am till learning all the stuff it can and cannot do - but it keeps me busy. A friend of mine comes over, between the two of us we figure out how to get it done - but the classes were a mega help.
So I hope whatever you decide that you enjoy the machine you get.
Luckily I have the dealer within 1.5 miles from my home, and was willing to give me a full up-grade if I would trade up within one year of purchase. I like the machine I have, there were a few times I wanted to knock it on the floor and kick it to pieces, but figured I would hurt my foot and still not get it to do what I wanted it to do. Then figured out it was operator error too boot. Also, it wasn't until after I bought the machine and was beginning to branch out that I realized only Brother has Disney - so then I wanted a Brother machine, but certainly didn't want to pay that much for a machine. My machine doesn't scan and I am till learning all the stuff it can and cannot do - but it keeps me busy. A friend of mine comes over, between the two of us we figure out how to get it done - but the classes were a mega help.
So I hope whatever you decide that you enjoy the machine you get.
03-30-2014, 05:46 PM
#18
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Midwest
Posts: 5,051
sandy
03-30-2014, 05:59 PM
#19
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: So. California
Posts: 1,447
I have the Janome 12000 and love the features and the multi size hoops. It comes with various feet, I think I have 20 more than I will use. The decorative stitches, the quilting stitches,and the embroidery function is awesome. I have now used the quilting function on a quilt by placing the fabric on top of the hoop secured by bull dog clips normally found in office supply stores.
My Viking Emerald 118 , I love equally as it's a work horse for sewing and piecing but when it comes to embroidery and quilting, then it's the 12000.
I was lucky enough to try out various models and the Janome won out. Good luck on your adventure.
My Viking Emerald 118 , I love equally as it's a work horse for sewing and piecing but when it comes to embroidery and quilting, then it's the 12000.
I was lucky enough to try out various models and the Janome won out. Good luck on your adventure.
03-30-2014, 07:44 PM
#20
Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 73
One strong consideration, for me at least, is dealer support and lessons on the use of the machine. When I bought the Pfaff 7570 (back when it was just released), I chose a dealer who offered several weeks of classes for free to anyone who bought their machine from her. (She had done the same thing when I previously bought the then newly released Pfaff 7550.)
No way would I have learned to use all features of these machines without the training. She is an excellent teacher.
A couple of times she brought in well-known Pfaff trainers from other parts of the country. That was when I met dear Phillip Pepper.
No way would I have learned to use all features of these machines without the training. She is an excellent teacher.
A couple of times she brought in well-known Pfaff trainers from other parts of the country. That was when I met dear Phillip Pepper.
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