Replies

1. 
   softfurn | Oct 12, 2005 02:22am | #1

   What exactly will you be using your machine for? Draperies or garments? How much sewing will you be doing... in other words, will someone be at the machine 8 hours per day?  Susan

1. 
   kmm410 | Oct 12, 2005 03:43am | #2

   I make Irish Dance Dresses. I plan on using it 4-6 hours a day. Probably 5 days a week. I'm not sure if you're familiar with Irish dance wear but there is a lot of applique work, sequined fabric, heavy stiffener and thick layers. My regular machines won't handle the weight. They keep overloading and I don't want to ruin my good machine that I use for garments and embroidery on these dresses. I have a New Home Memory Craft and I really like it but I don't want to trash it doing these dresses. They really take a toll on the machine. Any ideas?

1. 
   KarenW | Oct 12, 2005 06:36pm | #3

   I've heard absolutely nothing but stellar reviews of the SInger 20U series.... on sewingworld.com there used to be a thread on industrial machines and those who've used these rave about them.  We had one as a trade in at the dealer I work for, in pristine condition... I so wanted that machine to come home with me... but I sold it... what a nice precise piece of equipment.  Not sure about all of them but that one went to 14mm zz.

   Karen

2. 
   feismom | Oct 20, 2005 08:27pm | #4

   I made a couple of Irish dance dresses for my dd before she retired.  My "heavy duty" Janome couldn't handle the satin stitch applique work even on lightweight fabrics and after repair (during the warranty period, less than 4 weeks before the Oireachtas) it had a hissy half-way through the second sleeve of the next dress where I was applying glitterball and liquid metal fabric to raw silk.  I bought a Husqvarna Designer on the recommendation of another feis mom who used to make phenomenal dresses for her dd's.  The feature we really appreciate is that you can set the machine so the needle drops and the foot lifts when you take your foot off the pedal - this frees both hands for guiding around the applique.  It also has a sensor mechanism that adjusts the pressure in the foot which is great for getting even stitches when you attach the skirt to the bodice.  The machine seems to be heavy enough to handle the workload.  I know another woman who used a Husqvarna in her business making Irish dance costumes as well as a Bernina and one other machine.  She personally liked the Bernina better than the Husqvarna but I'm not sure which models she used and she said each of the machines have their strengths - nothing in particular against the Husqvarna.  While I too entertained the notion of buying an industrial machine, the functionality of my high end home machine convinced me otherwise and I was encouraged that others use these machines for the dance dresses.  (Although I HATED attaching the skirt with the stiffening to the bodice and putting in the zipper, not due to the machine but due to the awkwardness of the garment.)