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From: Shellymoon
Date: 04-04-2006, 09:47 PM (1 of 12)
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I've been looking at new machines. I am mostly a clothing and home dec sewer. I need a machine that can do denim well too. I'm not so impressed with the Berninas. Anyone out there care to defend them? Looked at the Janomes (I love my Janome serger). Found one I liked that I can afford and have a question about it. Kenmore has a twin model they say is made by Janome. A friend has it and she loves hers. Anyone else used the Janome/Kenmore? Looked at Target too. They sell a machined called the Shark. Anyone know anything about those things? And, finally, are Singers as bad as they were when I bought my machine 20 years ago? Can't wait to get a new machine so I can sew without all the clunking and messed up stitches from the old machine. Shelly Moon
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User: Shellymoon
Member since: 05-27-2001 Total posts: 240 |
From: esrun3
Date: 04-04-2006, 10:20 PM (2 of 12)
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I love my Singer 9940. Had some trouble with it in the very beginning but once I convinced them they needed to replace the machine, I've not had a drop of trouble with it.
Lyn
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User: esrun3
Member since: 12-02-2004 Total posts: 2345 |
From: paroper
Date: 04-05-2006, 06:57 AM (3 of 12)
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The Berninas are a fantastic machine, but maybe not for you. Which model did you look at and what didn't you like? That might give us a clue to what the problem was. The low end Bernina machines are Janome. How are you planning to use this machine? That also may also be the key, it could also be the dealer you visited. However, if the dealer is no good, you probalby won't get the most out of your machine. A great machine for me might not be a great machine for you. Have you also looked at the Pfaff and Viking? If you want beautiful built in stitches, the Pfaff is the machine to look at. If you want a fantastic straight stitch, a fast, high power machine that will last a long time, you want to look at the 5.5mm Bernina made machines. The 9mm machines don't have the same look to the straight stitch.
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: Lynnie
Date: 04-05-2006, 11:02 AM (4 of 12)
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I first got the Janome 8080 from Sears. I had issues with it. Long story, but basically I was not happy and Sears has no one local that can help you if you have questions. I returned it and got the Janome Decor 3050 from a dealer. It's basically the twin of the 8080 sold by Sears, but with added features... like having places where it can be oiled.  It cost a little more, but I felt it was worth it to have a trained technitian that I could talk to and work with directly if I had any questions.If you are comfortable going it alone or have a local shop that doesn't mind working on machines that they don't sell, the Kenmore might be okay. I would just look for things like can it be oiled and can you get repair work done if needed. |
User: Lynnie
Member since: 02-23-2006 Total posts: 44 |
From: paroper
Date: 04-05-2006, 11:32 AM (5 of 12)
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Sears technicians aren't all that great. I took mine to the main service center (years ago) in downtown OKC. They broke the machine and left me with a broken machine that couldn't be repaired and as I found, there was no place to go to complain. Since I checked it out of the shop before I realized it was broken I had no recourse. That coupled with selling me a washer with a short that they couldn't find and a matching dryer that never worked....it was over two years before they found the short are the reasons that I would never buy from a Sears store again. The problem is that is you have a warranty on that Sears machine it is through Sears and it has to be serviced by them. 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: plrlegal
Date: 04-05-2006, 02:36 PM (6 of 12)
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I have come to realize that sewing machines are just like automobiles. Just because there is a name on the outside does not mean they have the same quality workmanship on the inside (i.e., a Ford may or may not be a Ford). It may have been made to a lower specification with the brand name fixed to the outside of it giving the consumer the impression that it is top of the line workmanship on the inside. Not so in this day and age. You have the right to see under the "hood". For instance, a lot of the Singer machines sold by Wal-Mart, Sears, etc. have plastic gears in them whereas the Singer machines sold by the Singer dealers probably have metal gears in them. I was shown this very fact by an older sewing machine repair man here in Oklahoma City. He had 2 fairly new Singer machines in his shop for repair and sitting side by side they look almost the same. However, when he took the top cover and the house from around the bobbin assembly off, you could clearly see the difference in them. One had a lot of plastic/nylon parts in it and the other one had all metal parts with no nylon/plastic parts visible. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: Kylnne2
Date: 04-05-2006, 05:45 PM (7 of 12)
| Patsy, it is so true about the differences in machines even in the same brand and line of machines. I have had some good machines in the past that lasted me for years and I gave them to family when I upgraded. I have always wanted a Bernina..even a mechanical one..but could not afford the price. I purchased a Singer 9910 because it was special priced if I bought my stand alone embroidery machine (which is what I was really shopping for). I gave my older machine to a daughter and now had my first computerized machine and I loved the 9910 at first but the machine developed several problems within weeks. I used to sell Singer when they had stores and I was very disappointed in this machine. It had 3 major problems one being in the computer..but sometimes there are lemons and models do vary. My dealer did not accept it back because I had owned the machine around 32 days plus got a special price on it (and hardly used it). I said I wished to upgrade and he no longer had or sold the next models up for trade in and upgrading. I went elsewhere and traded in the 9910 for a serger that I gave to DDIL and took a loss of about 1/2 the price I paid. I have no regrets now about the money loss because I now have 2 machines for less price than one that is more expensive and has less features. I now have a Pfaff 1530 mechanical machine and a computerized Janome made Kenmore 19365 Elite. I have had them for several years now without one complaint. These machines are used constantly. I love the IDT on my Pfaff and the many features an lovely stitches of the Kenmore. The Kenmore has a 7 pc feed that feeds everything well and almost equal with the Pfaff. The 19365 has a pressure foot control that the Pfaff does not have (nor need) but I have noticed that not all of the newer computerized Kenmores have the pressure foot control. The Kenmore has 365 stitches, 2 alphabets, Block and Script with upper and lower case plus numbers and punctuation. Stitches can be combined, elongated, mirror imaged and memorized and the machine has memory recall with a touch of a button. I have used the 7mm wide stitches to deco stitch on light to very heavy weight fabric, I do a lot of monogramming of towels with my stand alone embroidery machine and I use the Kenmore to decorate the bands on the towels. I have not seen a machine that can do stitches any more lovely than this and the machine is so quiet it is hard to tell you are sewing. It came with many feet and many more are available through Sears and Janome at less price than most feet of other brands. I love both of my machines and paid about the same for both on sale but the Kenmore has many more features for the price plus a 25 yr warranty on the head etc. I have a local Sears Service Center if I ever need it, but have not needed as yet. Both of my machines are very different and I use them for different types of projects. I do highly recommend both but it depends on what type of sewing one does in choosing a machine that is right for them. After finding a machine with the features you like and seeing on line reviews by owners I suggest to test drive a machine to be sure it is the one for you and your pocket book. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: paroper
Date: 04-05-2006, 06:28 PM (8 of 12)
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Well, it isn't quite true of the Bernina machines. Once you get into the machines that are actually made by Bernina they are all pretty much the same on the inside except that the higher the model the more it does. The bottom ones are pretty plain, and the lowest of the line that they make has plastic snap on feet (the only one). The main differences in the Bernina line are between the 5.5 mm machines and the 9 mm which have different hook systems. The 5.5 has the hook system that made Bernina famous in the 40's and the 9mm isn't, in my opinion just doesn't sew the same kind of seam, but it makes great embroidery. It is just a matter of what you want. They all have a lot of metal parts (except for all the computerized stuff they hafve now.)
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: mommydionne
Date: 04-06-2006, 03:00 PM (9 of 12)
I'm going to defend the Berninas  I have a 160 (the 5.5mm width stitching) and love it, the stitch is amazing and soooo even whether stitching organza (just used as the base structure of a dress I just made) or multiple layers of denim(always hemming in this house, we're all short). the buttonholes are amazing (I'm very fond of the keyhole function) and the built in alphabets are handy just to mark something of my kids without fussing with my embroidery machine/hoop etc. I don't think this model is availible new anymore ( I bought mine in 2001) but the 145 is very similar.I had a mechanical Janome before that and it was a great machine, I just wanted more stuff. Jeanette
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User: mommydionne
Member since: 01-08-2004 Total posts: 838 
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From: Shellymoon
Date: 04-07-2006, 12:15 AM (10 of 12)
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Thanks for the feedback. My friend with the Kenmore is also going through a nightmare of getting it serviced. (And just an FYI, I just went through a six month ordeal to get a defective appliance replaced at Conns. I'd avoid them if I were you.) Luckily, I live in an area with many independent sewing machine dealers (I got my serger at an indy dealer and I still take it to one of his shops for tune ups). That's where I'd like to get the new sewing machine too. I am mostly a clothing and craft sewer. I have a 20-year old Brother and it has those plastic parts that are just worn out. It won't make even or straight stitches anymore and it is very frustrating. I haven't gotten a decent satin stitch in about 6 years. It was a gift from hubby when we were newlyweds. He went down and put it on layaway and paid it off, so it has a special place in my heart, but it needs to get out of my sewing room! I looked at Berninas at JoAnns. Maybe I need to "test drive" one a little more before I decide. I don't think my salesperson was all that hot either. I don't have a lot of time to sew, so I don't want to spend a huge amount of money on a new machine, but I do want one that works well. Shelly Moon
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User: Shellymoon
Member since: 05-27-2001 Total posts: 240 |
From: paroper
Date: 04-07-2006, 09:21 AM (11 of 12)
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The 3/4 Berninas start around $700 (I think). You don't want the lowest one, I think it is a 230 or 220? It has snap on plastic feet and the people aren't thrilled with that. The next two are very popular with quilters. They have the good 5.5 throat plate and won't embroidery but they are very solid Bernina machines without a lot of bells and whistles. Most Berninas are made with the serious seamstess in mind. That has been the bend of the company until the matriarch died about 15 years ago or so...none of that embroidery nonsense. It was considered to be a passing fad. That really put the company behind when she died and they decided to move into embroidery. That's why they engaged, even purchased some of the best commercial embroidery companies around to get them "caught up". If I were interested in a Bernina I would look at the 430 very close. It is a cross-over machine. It has all the solid features of the Bernina and is full size. It will handle quilts well and it will give you the great straight stitches. The thing that I like about it is that you can add the Bernina stitch regulator AND you can add embroidery with basic software to the machine for extra charges, should you decide that you want to pursue either of those options in the future. Because the embroidery is optional on this machine, it uses an external computer for doing the embroidery. Several people like that option. I haven't tried it. It is modestly priced (compared to other Bernina machines). I just like the machine because it offers you a chance to have a good machine and you don't have to "pin down" your options when you purchase it. It is a machine made to grow with your interests. Great starter machine!!! If your dealer offers a trade in/trade up policy, if, within the first year you decide you want a higher model, you can just trade it up with no fuss. I like that option too! 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: Kylnne2
Date: 04-07-2006, 07:29 PM (12 of 12)
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If you go with a dealer even if a reputable dealer be sure to check on their repair schedules and rates etc. I took a serger in for minor adjustment (loose tension knob from a move) and my dealer had it for 3 weeks and still had not looked at it. I ended up trading it in for a new serger. You get about half of what something is worth when trading in. My old serger was put on the floor for sale at a high price for a used serger and I was told that nothing had been wrong with it. Two months later I wanted to trade up my new serger to a coverhem model that was on sale at the same dealers. They have the policy that if you trade in your machine within the first year you get full value of your machine towards the newer model..well..this didn't happen. The serger that I wanted was on sale..if I traded in my 2 month old barely used serger..I would have to pay msrp on the new one I wanted. It is their policy not to give the sale prices on trade in's. Also, they were going to give me almost $250 less what I paid for my serger..plus they had my old serger that I had traded in for this one. I also had another bad experience with another dealer in town that sold me a defective sewing machine. I had purchased this machine and an embroidery machine from him at the same time and have purchased many things in the past from him. Dealers have done me no favors. When I ordered my first computerized Sears Kenmore arrived with a broken tension..it was reordered and a new one was sent with no questions asked. I can also order parts and feet at less price and if I have a machine problem or question the stores sales people give the Janome hotline number and they are prompt in answering which has left me pleased in dealing with them. I also love this machine that I got at a great price much less than other brands that have less features. I am also happy with my mechanical Pfaff. It has not had it's annual cleanings because I just do not want to go in to the dealers. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
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