Sew What’s Up Presents
The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was
retired in August 2007. It is being provided by
“Sew What’s Up,”
which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: StitchInTime
Date: 07-14-2005, 12:51 AM (1 of 5)
Ok, me again.  I've read some good ideas and reviews on here regarding different sewing and quilting machines so far. What are some important features for an embroidery and quilting sewing machine that helped you decide which machine you bought? I have so many questions and have only begun the search...so please bear with me. 
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's sewing machine.
|
User: StitchInTime
Member since: 06-17-2005 Total posts: 30 |
From: Kylnne2
Date: 07-14-2005, 04:48 AM (2 of 5)
| Whoops somehow I made a double post..I hope this one deleted. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: Kylnne2
Date: 07-14-2005, 04:54 AM (3 of 5)
| The Janome 6500 and the Elna model similar have many nice computerized features and many stitches and are considered quilting machines. They are heavy flat bed models. But if you are a quilter, I do suggest to try the Pfaff Grand Quilter. It is a semi industrial machine, stitches at 1600 stitches per min and boasts to have the largest sewing area of any models. The Viking Mega Quilter is supposed to be the same machine. I sewed on the Pfaff GQ and it is the best free motion that I feel I have ever done. This machine though a Pfaff is made by Janome and does not have the Dual feed. I sewed on the Viking MQ and though it is supposed to be the same as the Pfaff I did not feel it was the same. There is a Yahoo group for the Pfaff GQ and other quilting machines where the owners compare their models etc. The Pfaff is a large straight stitch only machine ..but does it extremely well. When I start into quilting this is the model I would like. I prefer a stand alone embroidery machine. I have a Pfaff mechanical with IDT which I cannot live without now that I have tried the dual feed. I love my Janome Kenmore 19365 for the lovely well stitched 365 stitches alphabets, memory and many features..like speed control, up/down needle, mirror imaging, stitch combination and stitch elongation etc. I believe you said you had a Kenmore and that you would not buy another. My Kenmore is a very strong whisper quiet machine. Is your Kenmore an older model before Janome made Kenmores? Does it have an oscillating or rotary hook? I was wondering what model you have and what you didn't like about your machine. The 19365 has all the features of Janomes 4800 and most of the features of the 6500 but even has more stitches than the 6500. Janome makes Huskystar for Viking, some lower Bernina's, some Elna's and also the newest Bernina embroidery machine I am told. There are differences in machines even in the same line. For instance the Huskystar 224 has electronic features that the rest of the Husky line does not have. I hope you get a chance to test drive some machines and find one you love. There are so many great new machines out there today, and yes, it is mind boggeling. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: paroper
Date: 07-14-2005, 12:41 PM (4 of 5)
|
There is a good comparison chart in the Creative Embroidery magazine this month. That might give you some ideas about where to start, but the information is a little misleading because where one machine might not have as many "things" in a column it may offer something else in its place. However, it is a very good place to start. Before you seriously start looking, consider 1. What do you plan to do with this machine: 20% sew, 50% quilt, 30% embroider for instance. If you sew, you may want better button holes and a very nice stitch. If you plan to embroider more, you'll want a large stitch field, good quality embroidery, ability to edit and enlarge designs on the machine, ease of getting the designs to the machine, easy access to many designs in your format. If you get a machine that will allow direct download from a CD player or the computer, you'll save money, time and limitations involved with a transfer box and cards. You'll also need to know that you will need software early on to be able to enjoy your new obsession. It is a very expensive hobby. If you quilt, you will want to consider if you plan to take you machine to quilting guilds which will involve transporting your machine. The width of the throat, the width of the feed dogs are big players. Also, you may be interested in the new Bernina Stitch Regulator, or the Pfaff built in walking foot. 2. You'll need to look at features like built in button holes and designs. 3. The biggest purchase of all: THE DEALER! When you purchase a machine, the warrenty is only as good as the dealer that stands behind it. Do you want a local dealer that you can take your machine to and have a small adjustment made on the spot or do you want to send your machine off someplace and wait to get it back (hopefully) better than you sent it? 4. Does the company or dealer offer a trade in/trade up option? Many dealers will allow you to trade your machine up within a given time, sometimes as long as a year after purchase if you decide to trade up. Many will give full credit for your purchase. 5. Does your dealer offer sewing lessons on your machine. Bernina dealers are required by the company to offer lessons on how to use the machine and how to use additions features of their machine. (They also offer software lessons if you purchase software.) 6. The cost and quality of sewing accessories offered by your machine's maker along with availbility. If you save big money on the machine but the accessories you need cost a fortune or are not very good, you haven't saved much. Standard feet for routine sewing should come with your machine. 7, How many "fancy" built in stitches will you need? If you want lovely built in stitches, the Pfaff machines are some of the prettiest I've ever seen. The Bernina machines have more utilitarian stitches..it is person taste. If you are doing children's clothing, the lovely built in stitches can be quite useful. 8. How fast does the machine sew or embroider. 9. MAJOR CONSIDERATION: What is my maximum stitch field? No matter how big, it won't be enough!!! We all have our favorite machines and we are all have a very good reason for why we like them. I like the stitch quality of the Bernina machines. I like the power of the machines and the editing features of the embroidery. If I use a design made in ART format, I can infinately size the design without loss of quality. That is a BIGGIE. I also like the sizes of the hoops I have...that the machine will automatically split very large designs without intervention on my part. I like the way the company stands behind their product. pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: StitchInTime
Date: 07-14-2005, 04:57 PM (5 of 5)
Thank you ladies for your very helpful replies! I'm going to print out this page for my notes.  I just have a very basic Kenmore sewing machine model 385. I bought it about 7 years ago and done very little with it until last year when I started making clothes for my daughter. Then I started making bags, shopping seat covers, etc. I've always wanted to quilt, and since my neighbor has the Bernina 200, I get to see the cool things she makes (quilts, embroidered shirts and towels, etc). My husband plays sports and his club has recently started putting their logo on coasters, shirts, etc. I want to be able to embroider the logo on shirts, towels, etc. And I'd like to make quilts with the pretty stitchwork patterns. So far I've made quilts by using prequilted fabric and just adding a border. Time to move on to something more challenging.  
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's sewing machine.
|
User: StitchInTime
Member since: 06-17-2005 Total posts: 30 |
Visit Sew What’s Up for the latest sewing and quilting tips and discussions.
This page was originally located on Sew What’s New (www.sew-whats-new.com) at http://www.sew-whats-new.com/vb/archive/index.php/t-16409.html
Sew What’s Up is hosted by ZenSoft