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I have Singer, Kenmore and Pfaff. But now I just sew mainly on Pfaff 7540 that I bought used and would not like another for the jobs it will do. It is over 20 years old but there is a shop in Kenesaw GA that works on this type machined. Even though it is a embroidery I only do sewing on it because my embroidery I use a Brother ULT 2003 that I bought new in 2003. Good luck with trying to find the right one. Have a Happy Mother's Day and happy searching!
7628I wish I could help. I bought my last sewing machine from Walmart. I hate the "auto-threader". It is somewhat portable and comes with the extended table. It is a brother of course, to go with the other brothers. Lol! Happy Stitchin!
173580I have a Bernina Favorit 730 bought in 1970 which is stll sewing beautifully today. But a few years ago the old bernina factory had a fire and they never replaced all the machinery etc so if there are certain pats you need they are no longer available for these old machines. So although /i would recommend a second hand machine be aware certain repairs may not be able to be done if you hit a snag. They were swiss machines wereas they newer machines are manufactured in Thailand.
6339I sew on a janome 9000 had it since it was new, I have never had it in the shop, but one time for repairs I bent the throat plate when I broke a needle (I take it in to clean and oil it maybe once a year). It does do embroidery but very small design field I never use that part anymore, lots of decorative stitches, I also have and old feather weight (no decorative stitches), But the running machine I ever own and I have been sewing for over 50 years,Have owned kenmore, Babylock , and sewn on many others in the classes I teach.
27356I am also a Bernina girl. Would not go for anything else.
253107Like several have said I would check what used machines your dealer has. A lot of the machines made today just don't compare to the older ones as far as durability goes. Singer used to be a good name but not so much anymore. You can't go wrong with Brother/Babylock/Janome and my favorite is Husqvarna. My Rose is 20+ years and still going strong - I only use it for sewing now. Most machines are similar. It just depends on how many and what types of decorative stitches you want. Good luck in your search.
by basketkase
17 Mar 2018
I wouldn't be afraid of a used, especially from a dealer....I am just confused about what I want vs what I need
14619Last year I was in a sewing machine shop & they had a sewing machine skeleton on display.I asked the lady about it,it was there to show you that the small ,cheap ,light weight machines had plastic parts instead of the usual metal parts.You can imagine how long these parts would last.It might be something to keep in mind ,while you are looking around.
If you live where a craft show is going to be held,it would be a good place to look at different machine brands at the same time.
by basketkase
17 Mar 2018
I believe that, in fact some of the more expensive machines have gone to some plastic, too....
25212Vicki my go to for just plain sewing with some fancy stitches and to do quilting is a Babylock Katherine../Lillian
by basketkase
15 Mar 2018
Thanks, Lillian....I thought babylocks were only multi needle machines....
145789I thought you were a Bernina girl. I am not sure why you sold your 830 as it would have done everything on your wish list. Every time I up graded my Berninas, I made the new machine my embroidery and kept the next older model for my sewing machine and traded in the one I was sewing on. If you bought all the extra feet for your 830. I would buy a Bernina that the feet would fit. You can have hundreds of dollars in the feet. Only let the man who bought your 830 have the feet that originally came with the machine. If you bought your 830 from a dealer , check to see that they have in trade ins that your extra feet will fit. Kay
by basketkase
15 Mar 2018
I am Kay, for digitizing....I had no business buying tbe 830, it is way too much machine for me....One almost needs a pilots license to use it....it has always intimidated me, so now it will be going to a lady that spends her days sewing, I feel so sorry for it sitting in my other room not being used...thanks for the advice on the feet...
by RodnickBiljon
16 Mar 2018
Was about to ask why you selling your 830.....mine has been sitting for 2 years now....very intimidating and whenever I want lessons the dealer is too busy and and.....so now am taking it with me to my daughter who is 1000kilometers away and hopefully that Bernina dealer will help me
85867I have Brother and Babylock. My sewing only is a "quilters choice" machine (older) but it has a button to thread and button to cut the threads and decorative stitches. I personally would buy Brother/BabyLock (basically the same machines) because I have had good luck with them and they are easy to use.
11257No ideas at all as I'm not in your part of the world BUT I would buy from a dealer and rescuer has given some great advice on pre used machines. Happy hunting and do let us know what you buy when you have sorted out what your getting
114321I would go to a shop and buy a used or demo machine with at least a 90 day parts and labor. Look at the models that are for quilting and sewing as they will usually offer decor stitching and auto everything. If price isn't really an issue, look at a new Crescendo from BabyLock. It allows you to save combined stitches and has a laser light to guide for straight stitches. It also has a digital duel feed you will want to make sure the layers of fabric stay together.
No, I don't have one. I have an older sewing/quilting model that I love though.
Good luck!!
by basketkase
15 Mar 2018
Thanks for the advice on babylocks....I hadn't even looked at those cuz I thought those were all multi needle...
57618I have a Janome and it does all you are asking for. I have had it for a few years so model number wouldn't help you. What I wanted to say was also look for one that does the automatic buttonhole. It has a foot that you place your button on the back and then put the foot on the machine and it sews the complete buttonhole the correct size for you.
Some machines still have a 4 step buttonhole not as efficient.
by basketkase
15 Mar 2018
Its so confusing as there are so many different machines, thanks for your i put...
29723I bought a Brother Project Runway for not too bad, seems like $199, about 4 years ago. I think they are still updating this one and continuing to put it out under that name. Simple, did everything I need, stitches through 6 layers of denim, so hemming is no problem. Easily portable, yet heavy duty where it matters. Give it a look.
by graceandham
15 Mar 2018
Tell the Brother dealer your requirements and ask for the lowest price that will do that, then ask what you would step up to for a bit more, and what additional that machine offers.
66506Baby Lock, Brother and Janome all make very good standard sewing machines and the "basic" ones are not very much money. Here is a link to a basic Brother machine with 270 built in stitches at Costco....
https://www.costco.com/Brother-SM...
313862I have a Janome Gem that is pretty standard and not a heavy machine. It probably doesn't have the decorative stitches you are looking for but it will give you an idea of where to start maybe
by basketkase
15 Mar 2018
Thank you....I wanted some decorative stitching in case I start to do some sewing or adding details onto apparel....
20077Now a days most machines have the requirements you are looking for. I have a tendency to go to a brother machine just because I trust them. I would stay away from a singer. Other then that I am of no help. I guess it also depends on what you mostly plan on doing with it.
by basketkase
15 Mar 2018
Actually very little, unless it is simple to use then I may start doing more stitching.......right now it'll be for seaming & repairs.....thanks for the heads up on singer, I was looking at those, so I will take those off list.....
by lildoll2
15 Mar 2018
i got a babylock grace, simple easy to just 'SEW'.. ive had it for few years, no problems , good luck ,, doris
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