Replies

1. 
   Kiley | Jan 14, 2006 11:40am | #1

   I haven't used the machine you are inquiring about but besides opinions on the machines from this site you also might want to check out reviews by owners at other on line sites like QuiltersReview, Epinions and PatternReview. The PatternReview site has the most reviews but they are moving to a new server this weekend and you might not be able to access the site for a day or so.

1. 
   user-90525 | Jan 14, 2006 08:07pm | #2

   Thanks Kiley. I wasn't aware of the Quilter's Review. I will check it out!!!
   THANKS!!
   Flamingo Lady :-)

1. 
   Kiley | Jan 14, 2006 10:12pm | #3

   If you are a quilter, you might want to also check out a site called the Pfaff Hobby Grand Quilter on yahoo. It compares the large harp quilting machines and the members post their likes and dislikes, problems and triumphs with their machines and frames.

1. 
   user-90525 | Jan 14, 2006 10:44pm | #4

   Thanks Kiley!!! ALL avenues of 'research' will be used. Making this kind of … shall we say, expensive … investment, I want to make sure I'm getting something that will NOT give me headaches. I DO realize that what might work for one, might cause trouble for another, and I DO take that into consideration. I will make NO purchase without sewing on it (I had a chance to sew on my monther in law'snew Janome middle of the line machine and although it had some nice features, changing the regular foot to the walking foot took 20 minutes of time, and was VERY stressful!!! So I know to look for that kind of thing now).I will check it out!
   Flamingo Lady :-)

2. 
   lsherm | Jan 19, 2006 02:45am | #5

   I have three ideas for you:

   Read the reports on sewing machines:

   http://www.consumersearch.com

   They compile their report from all the good sources and ratings they can find.

   Go to EBAY and view the various brands you're looking at, check the completed listings box, then scan down the coluum to see how many bidders there are for each machine.  When you see a very high number of bidders, you can tell it's likely to be a very good machine.

   I have read quite a few comments that hard-core sewers love their BabyLock serger but dislike the Babylock sewing machines

   There are a lot of revies of sewing machines at http://www.patternreview.com

   Look to see which machines are loved by those sewers who are advanced.

    

1. 
   user-90525 | Jan 19, 2006 02:58am | #6

   Isherm:
   Thanks for your ideas. I'm really enjoying the nice information that people are giving me, each of them a new resource that truly HAS been quite informative. I WILL check out the sites you listed.Thanks again!!
   Flamingo Lady :-)

1. 
   lesliec4000 | Jan 08, 2007 05:56am | #7

   Hi, Flamingo Lady.  It sounds like you and I are in the exact same place as far as buying a new machine.  I had the same reaction to the Baby Lock.  I loved the see through bobbin area, the thread cutter, the needle threader (simplest one I have encountered so far), knee lift, table was sturdy, etc.  And it did great free motion quilting.

   Yesterday I tested Berninas..... and the needle threader broke off in my hand, and then the stitches were screwing up--on TWO different machines!  I am afraid to commit to the Baby Lock when everyone knows Berninas are top of the line, and in addition I can't find much info on Baby Lock's reputation... but my testing experience leads me towards the Baby Lock. 

   Have you tested any others?  I tried a Pfaff and couldn't warm up to it.  This week I test Brother and Viking.

   Leslie

    

1. 
   anniecat | Jan 11, 2007 04:27am | #8

   Hi! I took a quick look at a Baby Lock this week and it looks like a sweet machine. I'll go test it out Saturday and see how it feels. I have no experience with this brand or Janome.

    

1. 
   lesliec4000 | Jan 11, 2007 04:55pm | #9

   OK.  Let me know what you think about it......!