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From: m1khaela
Date: 10-13-2004, 05:01 PM (1 of 9)
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Hi everyone, I'm a young sewer (24) buying my first sewing machine and I would really appreciate some advice. I'm looking to spend $500-$800 on a reliable, versatile, user-friendly machine that will last. I'm currently looking at a Necchi (made by Janome) or maybe a Viking, but I'm open to suggestions for Bernina, Elna or Babylock. I want to sew clothes, home decor and quilts, and I'd like a decent amount of stitches, but I don't need a special embroidery machine. I wouldn't mind getting a sturdy mechanical machine instead of a fancy computerized one (I'm not against computerized but I want to use a magnetic seam guide if possible). What I've been looking at: (1) The Necchi Omega 6147 (msrp $1,000, but sells for $500ish) http://www.sewfastseweasy.com/items/Sewing+Machines#Necchi+6147 Does anyone have any experience with this or a similar machine? I would be buying it through the small sewing store where I am taking classes, so I would get very good training on it. My wonderful sewing teacher swears by it, but she also has a financial interest so I was hoping to get unbiased advice. (2) Some type of basic computerized Husqvarna Viking, maybe a Freesia 425 or a used Lily. My mother has a Viking and unlike her old Brother it has never had any stitch tension trouble. She swears by it, and I've sewn on it quite a bit, but I find the interface a little confusing. If I did this I wouldn't get quite the same hands-on training as with the Necchi. Please help, I'm totally lost here! thanks so much, Mikhaela |
User: m1khaela
Member since: 10-13-2004 Total posts: 4 |
From: Hogmami
Date: 10-13-2004, 06:56 PM (2 of 9)
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I have the Viking 425 and love it. I was afraid of it at first but not anymore.I have had it for 5 years and have never had any trouble with it. I have taken it in 3 times to be checked out at the Viking store, but all they have had to do to it is clean.
Carolyn
Michigan |
User: Hogmami
Member since: 09-30-2004 Total posts: 800 
|
From: m1khaela
Date: 10-14-2004, 12:33 AM (3 of 9)
| I'm currently leaning towards the Viking 425 (as I'm nervous about finding a location to repair the Necchi in case anything should happen), and it's good to hear that others have had a positive experience with it. I'm still interested to hear if anyone else has experience with a Necchi or Dual Sew, though. |
User: m1khaela
Member since: 10-13-2004 Total posts: 4 |
From: soverysewey
Date: 10-14-2004, 03:25 AM (4 of 9)
| The Necchi you listed is built by Janome. I do not see where it says anything about the features..how many stitches,etc. I wonder which Janome machine it might be comparable to and what the price is of the comparable machine?Janomes are good machines.Not sure about Necchis. If you like that one why not look at the Janomes online? Or the New Homes also built by Janome? Check out Mrvacandmrssew and also Allbrands..they both sell various Janome made machines and are very reliable online sellers. |
User: soverysewey
Member since: 12-19-2003 Total posts: 56 |
From: Kylnne2
Date: 10-14-2004, 04:26 AM (5 of 9)
| Viking has a new line of machines called the Scandinavia's. I thought they looked interesting. On the Husqvarna site it shows them and their stitches and features. I believe there is only 3 of them..models 100,200 and 300. The 300 is a combo embroid/sewing machine and has less stitches than the 200. The 200 offers some very nice stitches. The 100 was a bit too basic IMO. There is another Necchi that I had seen on line that I did not see in the site that was posted. It seems like a very well built machine and was all metal. I thought it was called the Omega but I must be mistaken. It was strongly built and had industrial qualities and was not that expensive. It was a bluish grey color. Sorry I don't know the model number. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: sewingrandma
Date: 10-14-2004, 08:40 AM (6 of 9)
I'm partial to Vikings. I've owned two in the last 35 years. DH decided 3 years ago that I needed a new machine. There was nothing wrong with the old machine,it never had to go to the shop for repair, he just felt I needed something newer!  Currently I have a Lily 545, unfortunately they no longer make this style. I love it. Easy to use, can do most any type of sewing on it and it handles all thicknesses of fabric from the flimsiest to multi layers of heavy denim. I made all my children's clothes, mine and most of DH with the old Viking and now I'm making a large portion of the grands clothes, plus lots of crafty things, even a quilt or two. Machine preference is definitely an individual thing. Go to all the sewing centers near you with a variety of fabrics and test drive them all and make your decision that way. Lessons on the machine and a place for repair are important too. Good luck in your search.
Brockie
|
User: sewingrandma
Member since: 03-06-2003 Total posts: 432 |
From: m1khaela
Date: 10-14-2004, 03:16 PM (7 of 9)
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After some thought, I think I will go with a Viking. The dealer who sells them in my area has a wide selection of new and used, and I feel more secure buying a machine that is more widely known, as it should be easier to get repairs, etc. Still haven't decided which model, though I've heard good things about the Interlude and the Freesia... thanks so much to everyone for your helpful comments! Mikhaela |
User: m1khaela
Member since: 10-13-2004 Total posts: 4 |
From: Kylnne2
Date: 10-15-2004, 05:09 AM (8 of 9)
| Mikhaela, some Viking dealers now sell Pfaff also since they took them over. If yours does sell Pfaff you might want to check out the Pfaff Select and Classic line. I own the Paff Select 1530 it is a mid price mechanical machine and has the dual feed and is a wonderful machine. I always have to say something nice about my Pfaff every chance I get. I have sewed for a long time on many machnes but love this little one even more than my computerized machine with many stitches. I hope you find a machine you love also. Ky |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: m1khaela
Date: 10-15-2004, 04:35 PM (9 of 9)
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My local dealer has an Interlude 435 on sale for $640, and the owner says she usually sells them for $939, so it sounds like a good deal to me. I will check out what else they have in stock (she carrys Bernina, Elna and Babylock as well as Viking.) thanks again! Mikhaela |
User: m1khaela
Member since: 10-13-2004 Total posts: 4 |
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