Sew, What's Up

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: sews4love
Date: 07-01-2006, 03:13 PM (1 of 13)
I mentioned to my hubby that I wanted a Sewing/Embroidery machine and he has been on the Internet trying to find me one. He knows NOTHING about sewing and I know nothing about Embroidery machines. This is the one he wants to get me. Does anyone have one? What do you have and do you like it?
Thanks for any and all help.
Molly :nervous:
User: sews4love
Member since: 05-20-2006
Total posts: 57
From: mollycat
Date: 07-01-2006, 07:53 PM (2 of 13)
I had a MC9000 and it sewed beautifully. As an embroidery machine, I felt it had several drawbacks. The embroidery field is only 4 x 4 and the machine will only stitch out designs with a maximum of 10 or 12 color changes limiting the designs you can do. Also, to place designs where you want them, you MUST use the clothsetter which I found to be a nuisance. I traded my Janome in on a Babylock Ellageo and haven't been sorry. While the Janome is a nice machine, the technology of the MC9000 is very outdated. Also, to transfer designs to the machine, you will need an Amazing Box. There are a lot of embroidery machines out there in that price range that will do much more than the MC9000. Take the time to check out other machines, you won't be sorry you did.
Molly
Babylock Ellageo ESG3, Kenmore, Janome 734D serger
User: mollycat
Member since: 02-10-2005
Total posts: 2
From: sews4love
Date: 07-01-2006, 10:18 PM (3 of 13)
Thanks so much for the info about your experience with this machine. It has been very helpful and I will remove The JanomeMC9000 from my list.
By the way, I love your name! :smile: I am a Molly too and a cat lover.
Molly
User: sews4love
Member since: 05-20-2006
Total posts: 57
From: mollycat
Date: 07-01-2006, 11:12 PM (4 of 13)
I'm glad I could help! If you have any dealers in your area it would be worth your time to "test drive" the machines they have. This will give you a better idea of what you want in a machine. There are a lot of nice machines out there at a reasonable price. Reading the posts on forums like this one, is also a big help. Good luck and happy hunting!
Molly
Babylock Ellageo ESG3, Kenmore, Janome 734D serger
User: mollycat
Member since: 02-10-2005
Total posts: 2
From: blessedmommyuv3
Date: 07-02-2006, 12:32 PM (5 of 13)
IMHO, I would really suggest you consider purchasing a separate sewing machine and a stand alone embroidery machine. Less fuss with switching back and forth. With the added benefit of being able to sew and embroider at the same time. Some designs can take a very long time to stitch out (ie: over an hour), and I, personally, would be nuts waiting for it to finish so I could use it to sew.

I have a Kenmore (made by Janome), and a Janome sewing machine (both were purchased at Sears and are workhorses and wonderfully priced).
This year my dh added the Janome 300e stand alone embroidery machine.
It has one of the largest embroidery areas offered and does beautiful embroidery.
You do not need a clothsetter with it. There is no maximum (at least that I have run into yet--and I have done some big designs) of color changes possible. You do not need an amazing box with the 300e, just a flashcard like your camera takes and an adapter and you can download designs off the internet.
I added Embrid, and now I have the ability to digitize too.
Just my 2 cents.

Also check out:
www.patternreview.com
They have a section which posts reviews on all types of machines and various models.

HTH!
Jen
User: blessedmommyuv3
Member since: 05-18-2004
Total posts: 263
From: sews4love
Date: 07-02-2006, 04:51 PM (6 of 13)
I love this site! all the information I can get is helpful. I checked out www.patternreview.com and am now a member there too. Love it! I have a Kenmore zig zag and can not say anything negative about it. In fact, I learned to sew on a Kenmore way back in 1960. Kenmore rocks in my book. I checked out the Janome300E, well I tried to, and can't fine the actual machine on the internet. Since the nearest dealer is 50 miles away, I might have to switch gears.
I am not real computer savy so what does IMHO AND HTH stand for? :nervous:
Thanks,
Molly
User: sews4love
Member since: 05-20-2006
Total posts: 57
From: beachgirl
Date: 07-03-2006, 12:00 AM (7 of 13)
I still have my Janome 9000 & love it. Have never had a problem one with it. Im never used the amazeing box i use the sandisk. so simple. I can get designs off the internet sites. 9000 uses sew format. It embroideries, sews regular, can quilt on it & has so many extras. I also have the 10001 &love it also. It has a larger sewing field & much more. The 11000 has even more but I don't have that one "yet " Do have the Janome Compulock serger. Janome is one of the best machines made & I've never had a problem with any of mine. They are workhorses & so user friendly. The 10000 & 0i take the Jeff format. You can combine embroideries & do all sorts of things with them & so easy. You will just have to try out all the machines you want to check out & decide what " you " want & need. You can talk to 10 different people & get 10 different answers. You are the best judge for what you want & like. Me, I'll stay with Janome & my old metal singers.
User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004
Total posts: 615
From: blessedmommyuv3
Date: 07-03-2006, 10:49 AM (8 of 13)
I'm sorry. I'm lazy so I use abbreviations alot- lol!

IMHO= in my humble opinion

and

HTH= hope this helps

You can see a bit about the Janome 300e on the Janome website

www.janome.com

I'm not certain which online dealers carry them.
I purchased mine at a dealer about 30 miles from where I live in KY.


Jen
User: blessedmommyuv3
Member since: 05-18-2004
Total posts: 263
From: sews4love
Date: 07-07-2006, 07:10 PM (9 of 13)
Jen, thanks for the long version to match the short one. I called the Janome dealer that is 50 miles away and they told me the MC9000 is more advanced then the MC9500 but they did not have any in the store for me to try. After being told that, I didn't feel comfortable since I know she was wrong. I am stil researching and might take the Singer Embroidery for a test run. I had a terrrible experience eons ago with Singer but maybe it would be worth a try to check them out. Thanks again
Molly
User: sews4love
Member since: 05-20-2006
Total posts: 57
From: MotherInLaw
Date: 07-10-2006, 01:49 AM (10 of 13)
I have the Janome 9000 and as someone said it has it's draw backs but for stitch quality you can't beat it. If you are getting it for the embroidery capabilities I'd check out some of the other machines in your price range before making a final decision. All the machines on the market have their special features that the other one don't have but it's your preference that counts. Take several test drives on several machines before you decide. I wish I had. I still have my Janome 9000 and wouldn't part with it because it sews wonderful but there are embroidery machines out there that are more user friendly then the Janome 9000 and that has more features for the money. Also, I have the Singer XL6000 for embroidery and love it but I prefer to sew on the Janome. Hope I didn't confuse you more but what really matters is your personnel preference so take your time and shop for a while before deciding.
I'm regressing back into my youth, I just have to figure out how I'm going to convience my body to come along with me.
User: MotherInLaw
Member since: 06-25-2005
Total posts: 1118
From: sews4love
Date: 07-12-2006, 12:56 PM (11 of 13)
I have been to the Brother Dealer and the Viking Dealer here in town. Now I am leaning towards the Viking. I love the way the Janome looks much more than the Viking but the dealer here will give me a great deal on the Viking 400. I am so confused. So much to think about. Hubby bought new golf clubs yesterday and that really motivated me to want my new machine NOW.
(that doesn't stand for anything in computer short talk)
Molly
User: sews4love
Member since: 05-20-2006
Total posts: 57
From: blessedmommyuv3
Date: 07-12-2006, 01:42 PM (12 of 13)
Here is a review for the Viking 400:
http://sewing.patternreview.com/SewingMachine/Review/1/1280

Jen
User: blessedmommyuv3
Member since: 05-18-2004
Total posts: 263
From: sews4love
Date: 07-14-2006, 04:55 PM (13 of 13)
I will be the proud, hopefully, owner of a Brother Innov-is 1000 in a week. I put down my deposit and it was ordered yesterday.

Thanks so much to all of you that answered my question. Since my town only had "hands on" shops for 3 of the brands, I was limited from the get go. I wanted to buy from a Dealer as many of you suggested. The Brother had more features and less price than the Viking 400 and the woman I am buying it from owns the shop and will be able to answer any questions plus gives 6 free lessons to start.

I can't wait till it is here and I am embroidering on everything I own! :bg:

Thanks again,
Molly
User: sews4love
Member since: 05-20-2006
Total posts: 57
Sew, What's Up
Search the “Sew What’s New” Archive:
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-19528.html