I currently use a Bernina 1090 which I got in 1996. It's halfway between mechanical and computerized because when I got it, I wanted something where I could sit down and sew, not have to take programming lessons to operate it. While I like my Bernina, I'm not married to the brand.
I use it mostly for piecing and walking-foot quilting. Also alterations and occasional garment or handbag sewing. I do some very basic FMQ, but my skills are limited to a simple stipple, although I'd like to improve and expand my repertoire.
I'm looking for a model with a large throat space, nice even straight stitch, basic stitches (zigzag, blind hem, etc.) and buttonholes, good tension, walking foot, maybe a stitch regulator for FMQ. I don't want embroidery and I don't need a lot of fancy bells and whistles. I'm tech-challenged so the simpler it is to operate, the better.
I test-drove a Pfaff at AQS Paducah that was much easier to FMQ on than my current machine. I want to test drive as many brands/models as I can before I make my final selection. I want to buy locally in the St. Louis area so I can get the lessons/training that sellers usually offer with new machines. I also want local service for tune-ups, etc.
I'm content with my current Bernina. I have a cheap lightweight travel machine for retreats, etc. so I don't have to haul my heavy Bernina around and subject it to the rigors of travel. So I really don't need a new machine....
But DH keeps telling me I should get one sooner rather than later. He wants me to get my "rest of my life dream machine" before he retires. Better to get a big ticket item like that while he's still bringing in a paycheck.
So, what advice do you have for me? Let me know in the comments what brand/model you like and why. Also, if you know of a problem I should avoid, please tell me about that, too. Thank you.
Linking up with Lee at Freshly Pieced and Lorna at Sew Fresh Quilts.
New machine, so much to choose from, such a dilemma. I purchased a large throat Janome 730, this was to do FMQ as I did not have room for a long arm which is what I really wanted. The J730 was a nightmare of tension troubles for FMQ, garment sewing with feed dogs up was no problem. I conferred with Superior threads, my local dealer, the provincial rep for the Janome, expert FMQ who blog, I did everything for 2 years to get that machine to work for me and it just wouldn't. I sold it to a garment maker, whew, and bought my first Bernina a 710 and have not looked back, the stitch is wonderful. However, it is very computerized; I don't know if you would be able to find a 'dream machine' that isn't full of bells whistles and computer heavy. This machine has a stitch regulator but I didn't get one, I prefer to be in charge. FMQ, to me, is the most fun part of making the quilt, not an afterthought to hold the sandwich together. I do large, 95 x 95 bed quilts on my B 710 with Superior threads. I also make art quilts with heavy thread painting. Good luck with your search, I'll be checking back to see your decision.
ReplyDeleteI have a small Pfaff and I love it for piecing and the built in walking foot - never any tension issues. I bought a few months ago the Janome 8200QC as there was a deal on - I do like it a lot and am happy with it for FMQ - it has a ton of harp space. If there wasn't a deal I'd have bought the Pfaff quilt expression!
ReplyDeleteI don't know what machine I would buy when my Pfaff dies, but I would be looking for a small piecing and mending machine with hopefully a built in walking foot. I wish you the best in your search. A local dealer and needle up/down feature is something I couldn't live without.
ReplyDeleteI have a Janome Memory Craft 3500 which I have had since 1999 and just love. It is computerized, but if you can push a button (like the popcorn button on the microwave) you will do fine with the tech-y part of this machine. It free motion quilts great and I have never had any trouble with it. I have friends with newer Janome machines (some very high-tech, some less so) and they all love them. Definitely one to test drive and typically half the price of a comparable Bernina. Good luck with your shopping!
ReplyDeleteLove my Pfaff Quilt Expression, but it doesn't have a big throat. My Baby Lock Quilt Pro does, but it is only straight stitch. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteLike Laceflower, I also really like my Bernina 710, but I really don't have much else to compare it to and really haven't had it for long. I got it for the throat size, dual feed and we have a good dealer in my town. However, I think Bernina has stopped making them, so maybe you could find a good deal on one or maybe you would want to stay away from it, depending on how you look at it.
ReplyDeleteI was right in your boat a few months ago - I selected a Janome Skyline S5. I love it! Large throat - great machine for FMQ. (Although the dealer mentioned it didn't like the Superior threads pre-wound bobbins) It does wonderful with Maderia. Anyway - This model does not have the stitch regulator. Honestly, it's so easy I don't need the stitch regulator. No tension problem - no problem at all. I tried the Bernina and thought Janome sewed smoother. Good luck - it's a tough job finding a machine.
ReplyDeleteI have a 14 year old Bernina Virtuosa 153 that I love. A few years ago I bought a top of the line Bernina with all the bells and whistle. It took a programming degree to understand how to operate it. It didn't sew as well as my older machine. Stick with something relatively simple, all the bells and whistle just end up not being worth the noise.
ReplyDeleteIf / when my Bernina beast dies (it's an 820: steer clear), I will be researching Janome...
ReplyDeleteJanome is the very best. I have a little one, my first machine. Then wanted a bigger machine and got an Elna Excellence 760. Elna is made by the Janome elves. But the fmq is not happening on the Elna, Definitely, you need to test drive anything you are considering buying, including some fmq.
ReplyDeleteI've had a Janome 6600P since 2007 and it's still going strong! When I bought it, it was one of the few machines on the market with an oversized harp - which was the main draw for me because I wanted to quilt my own quilts. I've quilted an oversize queen on it. It's never easy to stuff all that fabric through a small hole, but it's definitely doable on this machine. No stitch regulator, but it has a built-in walking foot with special walking feet (zig zag, stitch-in-the-ditch, quarter-inch) which I love for applying binding and making thick items like bags.
ReplyDeletelove my Bernina 820, haven't had any issues. but test drove one of the new Bernina's and its sews like a dream with a large throat space
ReplyDeleteI bought a Juki 2060Q for its reputation and its great affordability. It isn't lightweight to say the least. It has no zigzag but then again, having only the tiny hole, nothing ever gets eaten. It sews extremely quickly. I think it has the largest throat space. It has a huge width and height so I can easily quilt huge quilts on it. It does need to be oiled daily when used daily. That is the worst thing I can say about my machine. I truly love how evenly the stitches look. I even machine bind my quilts on it now because the stitches look that good. I kept my Brother for times when I want a zigzag or want to take a machine to other places.
ReplyDeleteI recently bought a Juki Exceed. I wasn't looking for a big ticket item, that really wasn't an option for me. I've had it for a few days, and have used it every day, I didn't have to make any adjustments at all. It's extremely quiet, I was kind of shocked, it also has great lighting compared to my old machine, and the throat space is larger, not huge but it seems great to me. I think what impressed me the most was how easy it was to start out with. Still things to learn about it, it is computerized and that kind of intimidated me but I've been checking things out of it and so far so good. I really have no experience with other brands, I'm sure there are plenty of great machines out there.
ReplyDeleteI had a Pfaff QE4.2 for a couple of years and really never liked it much -- couldn't get the tension right most of the time, and the fact that it had no manual presser foot lifter made me nuts! I finally sold it and bought a Janome 8900. So far, everything works great! Large harp space, and everything can be adjusted as needed. The only thing I miss is an empty-bobbin warning, but since it's a drop-in bobbin it's pretty easy to keep an eye on it.
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