Feeling like a Traitor
10-26-2012, 08:20 AM
#1
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: My Sewing Room
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Feeling like a Traitor
I've always loved the look of the old black machines from days gone by. And I truly appreciate their reliability. They were built to last, and they do. I have so many I am embarrassed to tell the number, and I love each one, although some get used more than others.
So, why am I feeling like a traitor? Last week, I attended the Machine Quilters Expo in Portland, Oregon, and took some machine quilting classes. The machines that were provided for us to use were Janome Horizon quilters edition, and I have to say, I really liked the machine. It provided 11 inches from needle to post, more room even than my old reliable Singer 15, 201, 27, and all the others. It came with a whole slew of decorative stitches and it handled all different types of threads without complaint. I used 30 wt, 40 wt, 60 wt, bobbin thread, even metallic thread and that machines just kept chugging along.
The machines used in the classes were being sold at reduced prices, and if I'd had the $$ I would have bought one. A few people in the classes DID buy one. Since I came back, I catch myself mooning over them online, checking prices, comparing features. Still, there's that nagging thought that keeps recurring, about the fact that it is a computerized machine, that surely wouldn't last as long as my old reliable cast iron models have.
So, why am I feeling like a traitor? Last week, I attended the Machine Quilters Expo in Portland, Oregon, and took some machine quilting classes. The machines that were provided for us to use were Janome Horizon quilters edition, and I have to say, I really liked the machine. It provided 11 inches from needle to post, more room even than my old reliable Singer 15, 201, 27, and all the others. It came with a whole slew of decorative stitches and it handled all different types of threads without complaint. I used 30 wt, 40 wt, 60 wt, bobbin thread, even metallic thread and that machines just kept chugging along.
The machines used in the classes were being sold at reduced prices, and if I'd had the $$ I would have bought one. A few people in the classes DID buy one. Since I came back, I catch myself mooning over them online, checking prices, comparing features. Still, there's that nagging thought that keeps recurring, about the fact that it is a computerized machine, that surely wouldn't last as long as my old reliable cast iron models have.
10-26-2012, 08:31 AM
#2
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Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Illinois
Posts: 9,312
No it probably will not last as long as the old all metal machines... but there are things the new machines can do th eold ones can't. Each machine has its place in our "tools" we use. The thing is to not have the same expectations for each. Value each for what it assets are.
No need for guilt or feeling like a traitor! My grand parents used a horse to plow the fields... they bought a tractor when they became available... did they get rid of the horse... nope... the horse just had different tasks !
No need for guilt or feeling like a traitor! My grand parents used a horse to plow the fields... they bought a tractor when they became available... did they get rid of the horse... nope... the horse just had different tasks !
10-26-2012, 09:06 AM
#3
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Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Outer Space
Posts: 9,319
I have several new or newer computerized machines as well as my hoard of vintage machines. As Lori said, there are just some things the new machines do that the old machines can't. There's no guilt in adding to your resources if you can afford it and if you use it. I rationalize all my machines like this...if I use the machine at least once a year, it's earned it's spot in my home. I have Janome and they're great machines. No, I don't expect any of my newer machines to be around in 50 years. But, that's o.k.! I will have used the machine to make it worth the expense. Buy it, if you can and enjoy it!
10-26-2012, 09:09 AM
#4
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: El Paso Texas
Posts: 987
I understand. The owner of my local sewing machine store recently sold her Featherweight because she became so frustrated with it...she got used to the presser foot going up automatically whenever she pressed the foot pedal...I laughed at that because when I go to classes and take my older machine, I have the same moment of , hey, why didn't the presser foot go down? We do get spoiled quickly.
10-27-2012, 06:24 AM
#6
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Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: USA
Posts: 1,617
I have a Bernina 640 with some goodies that I simply love. I can tap the foot control backwards (with the heel) and it will do needle down/up (or half of a stitch, in other words). The many feet available is a dream come true. The knee control to life the presser foot is wonderful! Although when I switch back to using my 201, 15-91 or the Belvedere Adler I do forget that their knee control is for power! 
Still... it's such a pleasure to sew on the old gals that sometimes I can't make up my mind which machine I want to use! I keep my 201 in the living room to watch TV as I'm piecing. The 15-91 sits in the entry way, stored there for when I need a "tank" to sew leather, and my Bernina is in the sewing room with the Belvedere Adler. My Tin Lizzie is in the quilting studio and my Wilson and Wheeler keeps it company.
Still... it's such a pleasure to sew on the old gals that sometimes I can't make up my mind which machine I want to use! I keep my 201 in the living room to watch TV as I'm piecing. The 15-91 sits in the entry way, stored there for when I need a "tank" to sew leather, and my Bernina is in the sewing room with the Belvedere Adler. My Tin Lizzie is in the quilting studio and my Wilson and Wheeler keeps it company.
10-27-2012, 06:46 AM
#7
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Mableton, GA
Posts: 11,201
I am in the same boat so to speak. I have three vintage machines - a Featherweight, a class 66 in a cabinet and a class 15 treadle. I love them all, but my go to machine has been my dinky mechanical Brother. That one is starting to get "long in the tooth". It was a $100 Costco machine 10 years ago and has given me zero trouble and is not fussy over anything. But, I want something with more decorative stitches and needle up/down. I feel unfaithful to my dinky Brother, but, I will still keep it. So, now that I have ruled out the Brother Dream Weaver and Baby Lock Crescendo as overkill for my purposes, I am now going to try and figure out what I really want.
10-27-2012, 07:27 AM
#8
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Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: USA
Posts: 1,617
I have a dinky Brother machine too! It's the machine that travels with me. I took my Bernina 640 to a quilt festival once and realized I was wheeling a 5K machine over sidewalk cracks, curbs, steps... what a dunderhead! Now I take the very lightweight Brother everywhere I go and leave the queen at home.
10-27-2012, 09:26 AM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Texas
Posts: 440
Originally Posted by jlm5419
I've always loved the look of the old black machines from days gone by. And I truly appreciate their reliability. They were built to last, and they do. I have so many I am embarrassed to tell the number, and I love each one, although some get used more than others.
So, why am I feeling like a traitor? Last week, I attended the Machine Quilters Expo in Portland, Oregon, and took some machine quilting classes. The machines that were provided for us to use were Janome Horizon quilters edition, and I have to say, I really liked the machine. It provided 11 inches from needle to post, more room even than my old reliable Singer 15, 201, 27, and all the others. It came with a whole slew of decorative stitches and it handled all different types of threads without complaint. I used 30 wt, 40 wt, 60 wt, bobbin thread, even metallic thread and that machines just kept chugging along.
The machines used in the classes were being sold at reduced prices, and if I'd had the $$ I would have bought one. A few people in the classes DID buy one. Since I came back, I catch myself mooning over them online, checking prices, comparing features. Still, there's that nagging thought that keeps recurring, about the fact that it is a computerized machine, that surely wouldn't last as long as my old reliable cast iron models have.
So, why am I feeling like a traitor? Last week, I attended the Machine Quilters Expo in Portland, Oregon, and took some machine quilting classes. The machines that were provided for us to use were Janome Horizon quilters edition, and I have to say, I really liked the machine. It provided 11 inches from needle to post, more room even than my old reliable Singer 15, 201, 27, and all the others. It came with a whole slew of decorative stitches and it handled all different types of threads without complaint. I used 30 wt, 40 wt, 60 wt, bobbin thread, even metallic thread and that machines just kept chugging along.
The machines used in the classes were being sold at reduced prices, and if I'd had the $$ I would have bought one. A few people in the classes DID buy one. Since I came back, I catch myself mooning over them online, checking prices, comparing features. Still, there's that nagging thought that keeps recurring, about the fact that it is a computerized machine, that surely wouldn't last as long as my old reliable cast iron models have.
The Janome Horizons are being phased out and replaced by the 8900. I would check that out before investing in the 7700 unless of course you were to get it at a great price. I love my Janomes, all 5 of them.
10-27-2012, 04:54 PM
#10
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Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Central NY
Posts: 859
I have old and new machines and I don't feel guilty at all. Most of the time I use the modern ones because I can do a better job with them, and making nice quilts is important to me. Why struggle to get consistent 1/4" seams, just to say I used an antique?? I can't see it.
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