mo2 Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 I'm a little overwhelmed at all the options. My current machine is very basic, with no extra features. Not sure what I'm looking for...I mainly sew clothes but would like to get into quilting too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arch at Home Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 I looked at a used Bernina right before Christmas. That would be my choice at this point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lailasmum Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 Bernina, husqavarna or pfaff. Janome can be good too. I have been through too many rubbish machines from other brands to bother buying them again. I had a singer confidence that hugely disappointed me by lasting about 2 yrs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 Basic with not a lot of extras. I bought a Janome that will do all kinds of things. But I only use straight stitch and periodically zig-zag. Maybe if I ever figure out how to make it do a blind hem (which it is supposed to do) and create a proper button hole (which it is also supposed to do) I'd get more use out of it. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jane in NC Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 I replaced my old basic Singer with a basic Husqvarna Viking a few years ago. My Singer had lost its oomph and my Husqvarna has more juice than the Singer ever had. (I can sew multiple layers of canvas with it!!) My decision was based on the customer service offered at the local shops. I found that Husqvarna store had staff who sewed. This was not the case with our local Janome shop. (:confused:) The Husqvarna store offered free lessons for new owners. I'm not sure how different the major brands are so I was ultimately swayed by the service aspect. Obviously your mileage will vary depending on your local business owners. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FairProspects Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 Bernina, but one with the steel insides. Mine is computerized and has metal insides and is only a few years old, so if a switch happened, it must have been really recent. A Bernina 830, or 1050 would be high on my wishlist, but they are very hard to find as they are worth more now than they cost new several decades ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsheresomewhere Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 If you can find a used Bernina (made in Switzerland, not China), do that. I have not one but two--both are fairly basic, but I made a ton of quilts on them. The newer Berninas do not have the steel bodies that the older ones had. i don't know the year that the switch happened, but this is the word on the street--used is better. I love my Berninas. Do NOT buy any Bernina made after 2000. They are crap. I have a Janome that is all steel and I love it. Only certain Husqvarna Vikings are worth it now as they are doing the same thing Bernina did to ruin there brand. I like Babylock, Brother (certain models), and Janome. I own two brothers for embroidery and they are work horses. My Janome can go through layers of denim without hesitation. Avoid Singer as they are junk now. Call a local independent repair shop and see what they like. Good independent repair shops will let you come test them out and mine has a try it out program. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsheresomewhere Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 Bernina, but one with the steel insides. Mine is computerized and has metal insides and is only a few years old, so if a switch happened, it must have been really recent. A Bernina 830, or 1050 would be high on my wishlist, but they are very hard to find as they are worth more now than they cost new several decades ago. You got lucky with yours. They really shot themselves in the foot when they switched to all plastic gears. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FairProspects Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 Do NOT buy any Bernina made after 2000. They are crap. Hmm. I'm not sure why that is the definitive year b/c mine is a 2006, still made in Switzerland, and still all steel inside. I love it and have had minimal problems (such as you would have on any machine). I'm a heavy duty sewer with lots of heirloom sewing (hardest on a machine because of the lightweight fabrics and thread) and my Bernina has handled them fabulously. I have also sewed leather with it on the other end of the spectrum. I asked a ton of questions and tried out a many machines before I bought mine so I would say the key is just to know what you are looking for and ask a lot of questions rather than just going by a date. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caroline Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 I have a Bernina 830 that I love. My mom got it in the 70's. As long as I stay away from navy blue thread, it sews like a dream. That said, my mom has a top of the line Bernina with embroidery capabilities. I covet her machine. What I really want is hers to embroider while I sew with mine. If you want to quilt, look for a machine with a large harp. I think Janome makes one. I can, and have wrestled a queen sized quip through my 830. (it is an amazing machine) However, I do send most of my large quilts out to be quilted. I like the designing, piecing, and appliqué more than the quilting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsheresomewhere Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 Hmm. I'm not sure why that is the definitive year b/c mine is a 2006, still made in Switzerland, and still all steel inside. I love it and have had minimal problems (such as you would have on any machine). I'm a heavy duty sewer with lots of heirloom sewing (hardest on a machine because of the lightweight fabrics and thread) and my Bernina has handled them fabulously. I have also sewed leather with it on the other end of the spectrum. I asked a ton of questions and tried out a many machines before I bought mine so I would say the key is just to know what you are looking for and ask a lot of questions rather than just going by a date. It was only one or two models that they made in Switzerland after 2000. Really sad what they did to the brand. My machine shop has entire wall of Berninas in for repair at all times now. I went to trade mine in at one point (its a 2004) and the value now is nothing. A several thousand dollar machine now is only 200 avg for trade in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FairProspects Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 It was only one or two models that they made in Switzerland after 2000. Really sad what they did to the brand. My machine shop has entire wall of Berninas in for repair at all times now. I went to trade mine in at one point (its a 2004) and the value now is nothing. A several thousand dollar machine now is only 200 avg for trade in. Yikes! I guess I'm glad I demanded a machine made in Switzerland then! That stinks about the trade in values. Hopefully, I won't have to trade mind in for years to come. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caroline Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 Hmm. I'm not sure why that is the definitive year b/c mine is a 2006, still made in Switzerland, and still all steel inside. I love it and have had minimal problems (such as you would have on any machine). I'm a heavy duty sewer with lots of heirloom sewing (hardest on a machine because of the lightweight fabrics and thread) and my Bernina has handled them fabulously. I have also sewed leather with it on the other end of the spectrum. I asked a ton of questions and tried out a many machines before I bought mine so I would say the key is just to know what you are looking for and ask a lot of questions rather than just going by a date. I agree with you. My mom's is an '04 made is Switzerland with steel insides. Other than regular cleanings, it is never in the shop. She sews almost every day when she is in town. The only reason she wants the 830 back is so she can have both her Janome and Bernina embroidering while she sews seams on the 830. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awisha. Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 Check out patternreview.com for heaps of machine reviews. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Impish Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 The one that includes someone to use it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hellen Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 I just bought a new Brother. I found it really overwhelming to figure it out just by looking online. Now that I've been through it I would say that you should definitely go to a dealer and check them out in person. That is the only way to find the right machine for you. I also agree with the previous poster that mentioned customer service. My dealer is great. I can call or email any time with questions, they offer a free extended warranty, and offer lots of free classes. I've been sewing for over 20a years and couldn't believe how much I learned in just the intro class. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mo2 Posted February 5, 2012 Author Share Posted February 5, 2012 Thanks, everyone. We have no sewing store in town, and the closest place that sells sewing machines is a Joanne's that is an hour away. I may have to make a trip down there to see what they have because the more I look online, the more confused I get. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsheresomewhere Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 Thanks, everyone. We have no sewing store in town, and the closest place that sells sewing machines is a Joanne's that is an hour away. I may have to make a trip down there to see what they have because the more I look online, the more confused I get. See if anywhere else has sewing machines. IMO, Joanne's tends to sell the lesser end ones although some do have a mini viking shop in them. Also, I have noticed they tend to have a higher price on the machines than the net or shops. Do you have a vacuum repair shop near you? Quite of few of them do sewing machine repair even if they don't advertise it. It might be a way to find out who they like and see if they have any to check out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Therese Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 Another happy Bernina user here. I've had three, starting with an 1130 that I wish I still had - it was one of the classic all-metal machines. I traded it in for a 1530, a more computerized all-metal machine that I still own and use the most. I've had no problems with it, but it is computerized, so I expect eventually it will fail. My other Bernina is a new 430QE that I won a few years ago and which I've used sporadically. I have no idea where it was made - does anyone know how to find out? I like it, but I'm not as familiar with how to program it. It's just easier for me to sit down and get sewing on my 1530 than to get out the manual and figure out what I need to do on the new machine. I've always hoped that one of my daughters would like to sew, but that hasn't happened. The newer machines can do a lot in terms of embroidery and have a lot of features, but for reliable every day sewing, there's nothing like the older Berninas. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlsdMama Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 What's your budget? I just went through this. Cheap Berninas ARE crap, but the high end models are still the best out there. I did a huge amount of research AND nh my budget was not that high. ;) I chose Elna. While Elna and Janome arw both made by Janome, there is a belief our there that Elna is just slightly more sturdy. I wanted dependability over bells and whistles. I sew a lot, including carriers and clothing so everything from heavy canvas to light knits. I'm VERY happy with my purchase and she was $400. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennsmile Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 In my dream world it would be a New Bernina 830. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hellen Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 Joanns doesn't usually sell good machines. I know there are some that have dealer space in them but I think the majority just sell the cheap Singers. If you just want a super cheap one you might have good luck buying used. In addition to my more expensive computerized Brother, I have a cheap one that was bought from walmart for around $100. It can do a straight stitch and a zig zag stitch. It works fine. My new machine has a lot of bells and whistles but none of them are essential. I was able to make lots of clothes and several quilts with the cheap machine. I'm pretty excited though that I no longer have to do buttonholes by hand and have some nice options with decorative and utility stitches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Therese Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 If you live near a large city, keep an eye on Craig's list. That way you don't have to worry about the machine being damaged during shipping, which is a huge risk of buying a sewing machine on ebay. Many sellers don't understand the importance of packing sewing machines properly. Proper packing for protection (anyone for alliteration? ;)) goes far beyond how one would package china or other fragile items. Sewing machines have been destroyed in shipping - and that's not a pretty sight! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kipling Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 I bought this one last year http://www.amazon.com/Brother-Affordable-60-Stitch-Computerized-Free-Arm/dp/B000JQM1DE/ref=sr_1_5?s=arts-crafts&ie=UTF8&qid=1328532523&sr=1-5 I've been quite happy with it. It allows for very simple sewing, but it also has a lot of features for fancier sewing and quilting (I haven't tried them all out yet). I can't attest to the longevity of it, but I use it pracitcally every day and I've never had a problem with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iquilt Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 I use a Pfaff Creative 7570 that was the store machine. I brought it home 10 years ago and love my Pfaff. They have the built in even feed foot which is perfect for all kinds of sewing but especially quilting. My local dealer, however, went out of business so I take her to the SewVac place for regular cleanings. I have also considered a Janome but my other basic machine is still working well (White) and my children use it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiewindmomma Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 I have a Bernina Aurora 440 QE with a stitch regulator for quilting. It is completely awesome and my dream machine. I also test drove Husquavarnas, Elnas, & Janomes and found them all to be very nice machines. I would buy a Husquavarna if I needed a workhorse without all of the bells and whistles.... but I really watched a stitch regulator. Pfaffs are also nice machines, but I didn't like the feel of how it worked as much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy in NH Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 Our county 4-H program has a bunch of Janomes for members to borrow. They are temperamental and break down a lot. I wouldn't buy one. I'd get a used Singer from the early 80s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ErinE Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 I'll chime in and say a Bernina. Mine was the entry level model, bought ten years ago and it runs like a dream. My MIL has had hers for more than twenty years and even though she's purchased a higher-end model, she doesn't want to get rid of her old one because it still runs so well. Originally, mine did have the plastic bobbin casing and my repair guy replaced it with a metal one. If you have a local vacuum repair shop, they may also sell Bernina's. You could also check out Ebay but I'd want to be sure a local repair shop could handle the routine maintenance and care. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shellers Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 I would get a Husquvarna Viking. I have three and have never had a problem. I love the drop in bobbin. My oldest sewing machine is from 1995, and it's still running like a champ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie G Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 Here's what I like about my Bernina- if I sew for hours a day, it doesn't give me any trouble. If I get busy and don't sew for weeks, when I come back, it still sews beautifully. I just don't have to fiddle with it- and I spent a lot of time fiddling with my old machine. Money well spent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lorilou Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 This is such a timely thread...my 1975 Husqvarna that my MIL gave me had a melt down last night. I hoping it can be repaired! If not, I will be shopping for a new one...well, used one really....love the all steel machines! It has been such a reliable workhorse for almost 40 years! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maus Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 Love my Pfaff! It's a basic one (varimatic 6085), not one of the fancy ones that can take the computer cards for embroidery. I've had it 10 years or so. I don't know what the current equivalent model is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mo2 Posted February 6, 2012 Author Share Posted February 6, 2012 What's your budget? I just went through this. Cheap Berninas ARE crap, but the high end models are still the best out there. I did a huge amount of research AND nh my budget was not that high. ;) I chose Elna. While Elna and Janome arw both made by Janome, there is a belief our there that Elna is just slightly more sturdy. I wanted dependability over bells and whistles. I sew a lot, including carriers and clothing so everything from heavy canvas to light knits. I'm VERY happy with my purchase and she was $400. :) Can I ask which model Elna you got? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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