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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
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which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: JohnBoy
Date: 07-19-2006, 01:50 PM (1 of 20)
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Hi everyone, New sewer here, and i need a machine! I really need some help though since I do not want to waste my money on a machine that will not suit my needs. Basically I want to sew, I want to make some interesting shirts, jackets pyjamas and trousers for myself, so most of my sewing will be clothes. Now I carnt say money is not an issue because its ALWWAYS an issue! LoL but lets just say i dont mind how much i spend as long as i get a good machine that will last a long time and gives great results. Now I have been looking at all the manafactureres and here is the conclusion i have come too: I want a GOOD basic machine that will not go wrong, and will be a really reliable workhorse. An "old faithful". I really dont trust computerized machines as i work on computers all day and know how easy they go wrong and soon need replacing. for this reason I have though about getting the Bernina 1008. It seems a good heavyweight tough machine that will act as my main machine. Once I have my 1008, which i can be using, I will save up for a computerized machine that can embroider etc. However i will still have the traditional manual Bernina 1008 if anything goes wrong with the computer version. What does everyone think to this? is it a good plan? What would be really useful is an account of just how good these Bernina 1008's actually are, are they worth the money and will it last me a lifetime? Are there any other models of machine what will last years without the display, computer, chips, circuit board, memory etc etc etc going wrong? Many thanks for your time and help!!! John |
User: JohnBoy
Member since: 07-18-2006 Total posts: 21 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 07-19-2006, 03:15 PM (2 of 20)
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It sounds like you have a good plan. Berninas are good machines. I have a Pfaff that is a workhorse too but a few years old. I love the attached walking foot that makes sewing almost any fabric easier. And it takes on layers of denim with out a shrug. Whatever you get, make sure you have a warranty. And let us know how your sewing adventure goes. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: esrun3
Date: 07-19-2006, 04:17 PM (3 of 20)
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Welcome to the boards! I love my singer but I know many others prefer other brands. Best advice I can give is to research, buy from a dealer who can help you after the sale, get a good warranty and test drive-don't let them "show you", you need to actually sit and sew and see what you like about each machine. Good luck!
Lyn
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User: esrun3
Member since: 12-02-2004 Total posts: 2345 |
From: Patty22
Date: 07-19-2006, 09:42 PM (4 of 20)
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John, I do mainly quilting and clothing and own a Bernina 1230 and 801 sport. These are older models and have been WORKHORSES. The main reason I love my 1230 is the ability to use the knee lift to raise the foot without using my hands. Next, I have never had a problem with bobbin tension or any kind of tension problems, even when going from thin to heavy fabrics. Third, I like having the needle down position when I stop sewing. With this feature I am able to adjust my fabric without my stitches moving in the seam (say on a curved area like a sleeve). My machine is around 14 years old and the only thing I've had to replace are the lightbulbs. I do about 25+ hours a week at the machine. Is there a possibility of buying a used Bernina from a dealer or from a sewer wanting to upgrade? It is a possibility? You do have a good plan. Really get into sewing and then decide how serious you want your machine to be or if you would really use all the bells and whistles more expensive machines offer. Patty
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User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
From: Tom Land
Date: 07-20-2006, 12:22 AM (5 of 20)
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Although Bernina is not my first choice it is a very good machine. Just as important as a good product is a good dealership. Make sure you feel comfortable with the dealer and that he/she is close enough to you to be readily accessable. As far as brands go you will be happier with a machine from Europe. There are good machines coming from other places but the Europeans make the best ones.
Have fun or don't do it, Tom
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User: Tom Land
Member since: 09-21-2005 Total posts: 514 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 07-20-2006, 07:23 AM (6 of 20)
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I often think that needle down feature would be helpful but I wouldn't trade my little foot for it. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: Patty22
Date: 07-20-2006, 10:44 AM (7 of 20)
Dorothy, you don't need the needle down feature because you're not a clutz like myself!  Oh, you know what, besides being a clutz, it is because I don't pin when I sew.....maybe that's why I have grown so accustomed for the need of this feature. Only my 1230 has this and I fumble around when I switch to my other machines. Patty
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User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 07-20-2006, 11:36 AM (8 of 20)
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because you're not a clutz like myself How, after meeting me, can you say that? I do pin though. when my husband went shopping for my machine he was so proud to have memorized everything the dealer told him including "she won't have to pin so much" because of the walking foot. I still pin, pin, pin more out of habit than anything I think. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: plrlegal
Date: 07-20-2006, 11:39 AM (9 of 20)
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Dorothy I'm a pinner also and I love, love, love my Pfaff 2044. When I sew on one of my machines that doesn't have the IDF, I feel like I'm learning to sew a straight line all over again. I have the needle up/down feature and sometimes I use it and sometimes I don't. I use it mainly if I'm sewing long seams or piecing a quilt block. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 07-20-2006, 11:45 AM (10 of 20)
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Patsy -- Do you use the IDF all the time? Mine is down unless I'm using a foot that won't allow it. I don't think I could sew without it anymore. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: esrun3
Date: 07-20-2006, 03:12 PM (11 of 20)
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I don't pin often either and love, love, love, my needle down position!! I thought the big step up for me would be the needle threader but I never use it-it only works half the time but I sure do like the needle down!!
Lyn
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User: esrun3
Member since: 12-02-2004 Total posts: 2345 |
From: Patty22
Date: 07-20-2006, 06:07 PM (12 of 20)
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Patsy and Dorothy....I had to google your Pfaff machine to see what you ladies were talking about with an IDF. Looks like a very nice feature to have. Patty
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User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
From: plrlegal
Date: 07-20-2006, 08:22 PM (13 of 20)
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Dorothy I do use my idf all the time unless I'm using a non-IDF foot but there are only a couple of those. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: plrlegal
Date: 07-20-2006, 08:25 PM (14 of 20)
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I have 3 machines that have auto needle threaders and I use them all the time. You have to be sure the needle is in the highest position before my needle threaders work. If I can't get one to work all I have to do is move the needle up and they will work every time. I'm too old to struggle with threading machine needles. I even wish they would come up with an auto needle threader for my serger. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: JohnBoy
Date: 07-21-2006, 06:21 AM (15 of 20)
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Can you buy these autofeed feet for the 1008 also? Those Pfaff machine actually look great. It alway makes me laugh when I think of Dame Enda Everage speaking abount her Pfaff! LoL |
User: JohnBoy
Member since: 07-18-2006 Total posts: 21
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From: DorothyL
Date: 07-21-2006, 06:49 AM (16 of 20)
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I think most brands have walking feet but they look kind of clunky to me. As for the auto threader -- mine never worked right. You know, I can't see much of anything small anymore. I have to take my glasses off to read, sew, work on the computer -- almost anything but watch television or drive. Then fine print is still lost on me. But -- and this cracks my husband up -- I never have a problem threading a needle either on the machine or by hand. Go figure. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: Tom Land
Date: 07-21-2006, 09:41 AM (17 of 20)
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Can you buy these autofeed feet for the 1008 also? Those Pfaff machine actually look great. It alway makes me laugh when I think of Dame Enda Everage speaking abount her Pfaff! LoL No. The IDF or "Walking Foot" has to be built into the machine. All brands have an attachment to mimic it but they don't really feed the fabric. They just have teeth that move up and down but not back and forth. The difference is night and day. Have fun or don't do it, Tom
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User: Tom Land
Member since: 09-21-2005 Total posts: 514 |
From: mommydionne
Date: 07-27-2006, 07:36 PM (18 of 20)
Tom, I'm curious, what brand of machine do you recommend? (I have a bernina, viking, brother, singer and just gave away my janome a year ago and love them all!  )
Jeanette
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User: mommydionne
Member since: 01-08-2004 Total posts: 838 
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From: Tom Land
Date: 07-27-2006, 07:52 PM (19 of 20)
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Tom, I'm curious, what brand of machine do you recommend? (I have a bernina, viking, brother, singer and just gave away my janome a year ago and love them all! ) Jeanette thanks for asking for my opinion. There are a lot of good machines on the market. Nearly all brands make some good models and some not so good. Since I am a retailer I don't feel this is the proper forum for me to discuss brands. If you want to e-mail I will be glad to give you my 2 cents worth (because of inflation let's make that 25 cents worth). Have fun or don't do it, Tom
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User: Tom Land
Member since: 09-21-2005 Total posts: 514 |
From: lamx
Date: 07-28-2006, 07:41 AM (20 of 20)
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None of the Pfaffies will mention it, but Janome now has a machine with built-in walking foot, the 6600P. Lots of nice-to-have features like needle up/down, thread cutter, several alphabets, lots of utility and decorative stitches, and my favorite - 9" of space from the needle to the vertical pillar. My wife and I both have 6500P's, the 6600's predecessor. I bought mine right about the time the 6600 was introduced and opted for the 6500 because originally, Janome only had one foot that would work with the walking foot. Since then, they have come out with several more compatible feet and if I had to choose today, I might go with the 6600. I think you would also find the price on the Janome much more comfortable than a Pfaff with the same features. The only downside I find to the Janome is that it is a flatbed machine. Our Grandmothers knew nothing else and sewed everything on flatbeds, but most modern sewers are spoiled by the freearm and don't know how to sew without it. Ed |
User: lamx
Member since: 05-04-2006 Total posts: 44 |
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