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This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
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From: Emmy
Date: 09-27-2006, 02:59 PM (1 of 16)
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I'm in the market for a new sewing machine, I want one that is reliable, and can sew everything from jeans, to cottons, knits, sheer fabrics, and even some leather and fake fur. I currently have a White that is over 24 years old and in need of repair, again... It never could handle heavy work and I want something that can manage everything I can throw at it. I also want a really good buttonhole, some decorative stitches, and stretch stitches. My husband suggested a new machine might be possible in the near future. We can't spend thousands of dollars, so I am looking for something affordable, between $800 and $2000. I have heard that Janome, Elna, Pfaff, and Bernina are good, but have also heard that recent buyouts and changes may mean that some brands are not reliable anymore. I can't afford to end up with a lemon, or a machine that I can't get parts for. What do YOU recommend and why? Please give the brand, model if possible and explain why you like this machine and what your experiences are with it. Thank you for any help you can give me! Emmy 
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User: Emmy
Member since: 09-01-2001 Total posts: 127 
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From: MissTaraTara
Date: 09-27-2006, 09:03 PM (2 of 16)
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What do YOU recommend and why? Please give the brand, model if possible and explain why you like this machine and what your experiences are with it. Emmy Hello Emmy, I am not trying to steer you away but I am sure you will find a plethora of advice and recommendations at Pattern Review (http://www.patternreview.com). I went there when I was looking for a new machine. After reading several reviews, I made my decision and have been quite pleased. |
User: MissTaraTara
Member since: 01-24-2006 Total posts: 227 |
From: esrun3
Date: 09-27-2006, 09:19 PM (3 of 16)
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Emmy, I love my Singer 9940-it does everything and I've had no problems with it but......truly, the best advise I can give is go try them. Be sure to buy from a dealer-so much easier to get help, classes, etc. Test drive-don't let them show you, do it yourself and see what meets your needs. You will get a hundred different answers from a hundred different people about the machines. You need to find what will work for you. One thing I really like with my Singer is that I can move the needle over and get it just where I need it. I'm not impressed with their needle threader-never have been able to get it to work right but I didn't buy it for that. I bought it for it's ease of use and the decorative stitches that I like but probably don't use near often enough. Good luck, keep us posted Lyn
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User: esrun3
Member since: 12-02-2004 Total posts: 2345 |
From: toadusew
Date: 09-28-2006, 08:11 AM (4 of 16)
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I'm a fan of the Janome brand myself. All the brands you mentioned are supposed to be good brands of sewing machines, but I'm the owner of a Janome sewing machine and just love it. Currently, I have a Janome 10000 (that had the upgrades to have all the features of a 10001. Kath can probably explain this better than I can.) Anyway, this machine sews and embroiders beautifully, and other than a slight glitch right out of the box (I think a few of them had some problems from the factory), I've been very happy with it. (The dealer did fix the problem, by the way, which is why buying from a dealer is a good thing.) Although I haven't sewn with some of the fabrics you mention, I have full confidence that this machine could handle anything, with the correct presser foot and needle. Of course, as always, test drive the machines, know what your sewing needs are (and you already know that), and then find the best "fit" for you. Good luck with your search. |
User: toadusew
Member since: 01-08-2005 Total posts: 369 |
From: MartySews
Date: 09-28-2006, 08:11 AM (5 of 16)
Emmy, I have a Pfaff 7570 and love it. It makes beautiful buttonholes, has over 200 decorative stitches, and an embroidery unit. It sews heavy upholstery fabric as easily as it does chiffon plus has a built-in walking foot. While this particular model is no longer made, there are Pfaff's within the price range that you specified. I would recommend that you visit several different dealers (if possible) and test drive various machines to find the right one for you. To me, buying a sewing equipment is like buying a vehicle. There is a right one for everybody. Besides, sewing equipment lasts much longer than most vehicles.  Happy Stitching! Marty It takes one moment to change a life.
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User: MartySews
Member since: 02-23-2003 Total posts: 504 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 09-28-2006, 08:25 AM (6 of 16)
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If you are spending that much money think of it as buying the dealer as much as the machine. Even if, like some people, you have to do a bit of travel. Decide what features you need -- Pfaff's walking foot, a needle down, lots of fancy stitches, whatever -- then find out which machines have them. You can learn a lot from the manufacturer's web sites. Then go to the dealers and test drive. When you fall in love with a machine be sure you factor in how you feel about the dealer and the support they offer. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: chris b
Date: 09-28-2006, 10:59 PM (7 of 16)
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Any brand can have a lemon every now and then. The thing is to find a good dealer who will take care of you if that happens. I have both a Pfaff 7570 and a Pfaff 2170 both are wonderful machines but even used the 7570 is in the $1200+ range. Go out to all of yor nearby dealerships and test sew on the machines and see what you think! Pfaff 2170,Pfaff 7570,Elna 945
Singer 301A,Singer Redeye,Singer 15 HC Simplicity 2/3/4 Pfaff Creative 3-D digitizing,3-D Fabric Decorator Pfaff PCDMac2.2 StitchBunnyPro,FlutterWhumper Embird,Studio,cross stitch, EQ5....and adding all the time! |
User: chris b
Member since: 01-10-2001 Total posts: 109 |
From: MotherInLaw
Date: 09-28-2006, 11:24 PM (8 of 16)
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I think it's a personal preference myself. They have some really good machines out there that I haven't test drove but people tell me they love their machine. I personally love my Janome 9000 for sewing. Not for the embroidery part of the machine. Oh it embroideries beautifully but there is so much more to buy in order to embroidery with it. You can't beat the stitches and it takes a lot of punishment. My Singer XL6000 sews nice and it embroideries wonderful but it's over your price range and I haven't had it long enough to put it through the paces with that much fabric. I use it mostly for embroidery. The Janome 9000 last time I looked sold for around 1200.00 on the internet.
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.
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User: MotherInLaw
Member since: 06-25-2005 Total posts: 1118 
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From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 09-29-2006, 07:05 PM (9 of 16)
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Emmy, I have a Janome Memory Craft 4000 machine.. It is a jewel.. It has many decorative stitches, needle threader, 4 automatic 1 step buttonholes, (1 for knits, even)..Automatic tension setting, free arm, 2 tiny alphabets, 3 speeds, I cannot even think what else.. It is 12 or 13 years old and still sews like a new machine.. I love it.. My sister has a Pfaff portable that she bought about 4 years ago.. It has their patented idf that no other machine has..To me that is worth about a million dollars.. What it does, is feeds both pieces of fabric equally.. Her machine also has the auto needle threader.. Saves the eyes if you are my age..I wish janome had the IDF... it would then be 100 % Perfect.. 
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: paroper
Date: 09-29-2006, 08:37 PM (10 of 16)
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Bernina is an old family-owned company (still). I wouldn't necessarily recommend their starter machine but the machines starting with numbers like 220, 230, 240 (I believe those are right) are machines that are built by Bernina standards and are out and out Bernina machines with the fantastic hook system. There is a great cross over machine in the next level called a 430. It is very much like my old 1530 that was TOL when I bought it. The thing that is neat about the 430 is that it can be converted to an embroidery machine and still has the capacity to be made into a great quilting machine with add-ons. Those add-ons actually move it up to the "next level". When it first came out about a year ago in the spring it was pretty pricy but now I understand that you can pick one up for a decent price. It would certainly be a great machine to check out. They come with very good warranties and it is a machine that could actually grow with you. The 230 group are 3/4 size machines and makes a great portable. Not only does it have the great hook mechanism but because of their size they are quite a bit lighter than the other Bernina machines (which weigh a ton). Berninas put a LOT of metal in their machine so they are VERY heavy. The quilters who go to quilters' groups LOVE these machines because they have all the attributes of a Bernina but are easier to tote around. Many buy them as second machines. 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: Tom Land
Date: 10-01-2006, 06:24 PM (11 of 16)
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In that price range you can get a very good machine. As Dorothy pointed out you are buying the dealer. The brands you mentioned all make some good machines. Make sure you feel comfortable with the dealer and that they will provide all the support you will need. Without getting brand specific I personally would lean towards a European made machine. As far as a "lemon" goes if you are dealing with a reputable dealer you are not going to get stuck with a bad machine. If the problem can't be corrected quickly a reputable dealer will get the machine replaced. A dealer does not want someone out there saying they don't like the machine they bought from them. Neither does a reputable manufacturer. Have fun or don't do it, Tom
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User: Tom Land
Member since: 09-21-2005 Total posts: 514 |
From: Emmy
Date: 10-03-2006, 12:14 PM (12 of 16)
Well, we've had a few appliance breakdowns since I wrote, so... my new sewing machine is going to have to be put on hold.  Our vehicle has to be replaced soon, before the transmission goes completely. We can't afford a new vehicle, so we have to start looking around and see what we can find. I was hoping it would last for a few more years, but I guess 15 years is about all you can expect! Its rusting out too much to make a rebuilt tranny worthwhile.  I'm still going to look at machines every opportunity I get, because I want to familiarize myself with what's on the market these days. I haven't really looked for about 10 or 15 years, except for the occasional pamplet for an embroidery machine. (I can dream can't I?) Anyway, I'll enjoy looking. If things look up next year, then maybe I can get a new machine then, or the following year. Please keep the suggestions coming, I'm going to print them off and start looking, so I have my machine picked out when the time comes. Here's hoping, Emmy 
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User: Emmy
Member since: 09-01-2001 Total posts: 127
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From: paroper
Date: 10-03-2006, 03:09 PM (13 of 16)
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One thing I can promise you...these are not your grandmother's machines. It is amazing the changes that have happened over the last 15 years!!!! My dealer and I were talking about that one day and he said that it was a shame that our grandparents didn't have these machines. The fact is that our grandparents help come up with the technology that gave them to us. Those were necessary steps....and it is pretty cool! 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: putzirwin
Date: 10-03-2006, 05:32 PM (14 of 16)
| Hi, I own a Bernina QE 150. It is a wonderful sewing machine. I have had it about 5 years. I do not know what new Bernina would be comparable to it though. Good Luck Linda |
User: putzirwin
Member since: 09-23-2006 Total posts: 11 |
From: MartySews
Date: 10-03-2006, 05:46 PM (15 of 16)
Emmy, am so sorry that you have to put your wish for a new sewing machine on hold. Hugs to you Marty It takes one moment to change a life.
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User: MartySews
Member since: 02-23-2003 Total posts: 504
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From: paroper
Date: 10-03-2006, 09:37 PM (16 of 16)
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They were replaced with the 430/440 line. The 185 was replaced with the 640, the 170 (I think) became the 630. The 200 is the 730 with a BSR, a new case and a very cool spool pin, and double the memory (those were the only changes to the 200..and you can add the BSR and ssome machines already had the upgraded memory because they were made in the last year of 200 production).
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 |
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