Replies

1. 
   Pattiann42 | Feb 10, 2008 10:32pm | #1

   I have had the Elna Pro Quilter's Dream for about three years and love it for sewing and quilting.  The decorative stitches are as "ok" as on any sewing machine.

   A year ago I bought the Babylock Ellegante.  I wanted a stand alone home embroidery machine, but the Ellegante had everything I wanted  - USB flash drive, large hoop & auto thread cutting.  There are a lot more features, which you can review at http://www.babylock.com.

   The Ellegante is a combo, but I kept the Elna.

   I had never owned an Elna or a Babylock before and they are great machines. I do most of my sewing on the Elna, but the BL is also just as good for sewing.

   I bought them from the same dealer that I have been dealing with for the past twenty plus years.  The first machine I bought from him was a Bernina.

   A great machine and a great dealer is an even greater combination.

    

2. 
   Ckbklady | Feb 12, 2008 03:56am | #2

   Hi there,

   I don't have the Elna, but wanted to suggest that you look at the sewing machine reviews at http://www.patternreview.com. Reviews of your make & model may be there.

   :) Mary

1. 
   silkscreen | Feb 12, 2008 05:12am | #3

   Mary, thank you for your reply.  Yes I absolutely look at the review on that particular site - it's a great site.  On some of the machine models there are only limited reviews on each, but I do love that site.

    

   Take care,

   Carrol

1. 
   Ckbklady | Feb 12, 2008 07:53pm | #4

   Yeah, it can be hit-and-miss by machine model, but you never know. You can also put the make and model into http://www.metacrawler.com and see what comes up. Someone may have a blog going about crafts wherein they mention the machine and its functions, or maybe you'll find a listing for sales, auctions and such. All of it together can be quite illuminating.

   :) Mary

1. 
   silkscreen | Feb 13, 2008 07:26am | #5

   Great advice, will search, gather my finds and post anything that seems to be of universal interest and useful. Thank you! 

3. 
   serger6055 | Feb 16, 2008 05:48pm | #6

   Hello,

   I have the Husqvarna Viking Designer 1 and absolutely love it!  I have had it about 3 years and have been extremely satisfied with the embroidery and the way it sews.  I have been so pleased with this brand that I also bought the 936 serger.  Now, I haven't had it as long, so I have not become quite as proficient with it yet.  I have considered upgrading to the SE embroidery/sewing machine, but I need to save up a little more money.  I have this problem about spending my money on fabric, patterns, embroidery software, and tools.  Does anyone else have this problem?  Ha, Ha.

1. 
   Crazy K | Feb 16, 2008 09:27pm | #7

   Now that was a silly question!!  ha ha Don't we all spend money on fabric, notions, designs, thread, etc. etc......????  I go into a fabric store and I'm like a kid in a candy shop!!

   I have two SE's.........they are wonderful.  The lights are like 'landing lights', the motor has a bit more power than the Designer 1 and they are just as user friendly.  I've had mine since right after they came out......well, the first one.  I bought back my D1 and kept that for a while and then went to a company survey (invitation deal) and bought my second SE and then traded in the D1...........

   I love to sew.........nothing fancy.  Mostly kids things, a little home decor and just quick and easy clothing for myself or hubby.  I also love to embellish what I sew with machine embroidery.

   When you save up your spare change...........don't hesitate to trade up.  You will not regret that decision.  I still use floppies for my designs and have a hub hooked up to the USB port on the machine and run the mouse (SEs have a mouse!) and an external floppy drive.........works great!

   'Nuff said...............have fun and Happy Stitching!

   Kay

2. 
   MaryinColorado | Feb 18, 2008 06:25am | #8

   I just heard from a very reliable source, Hus/Viking is coming out with a new machine very soon.  It will be like the Pfaff Creative Vision.  So that usually means the prices will drop considerably on the DesignerSE's when the new "top of the line" arrives.  

   I also love my Designer 1, but may upgrade to the SE if the price goes down considerably or if I can get one that someone loved and took care of but trades up to the new model. 

   I just love the new 4D software.  I got the Pfaff 4D Suite which is the same as the Viking except for the packaging.  This software says it will work with any of the embroidery machines out there now, even Bernina formats.  It does everything you can imagine and more!  Some of the machines are being sold with the software, different package deals with different dealers though.  Mary

4. 
   summer | Feb 24, 2008 04:55am | #9

   Hello, I do some monogrmming with my Babylock.

   Have you thought about purchasing FONT embroidery designs that come in different sizes and the format that is made for your machine.

   This way you would not need to size the font to the size you needed.

   Is this  something that would interest you?

   Bree