Replies

1. 
   sueb | Apr 19, 2006 08:16pm | #1

   Hi Ariana,

   I have the juki tl98.  I've had it for a couple of years now.  It's an awesome machine.  It's a real workhorse and it'll sew over anything I ask it to.  It's super fast, at least twice what a typical home machine sews at which takes a little bit to get used to but once you do you'll find it tought to sew on anything else.

   I also have another juki machine, the  HZLT100.  I love the juki products.  I used to have a husqvarna viking embroidery machine but I sold it to get the juki because it just wouldn't sew at the pace and level that I sew at.  I do have a Viking serger though and it's a great machine.

   What kind of sewing do you do?

2. 
   katherinevictoria | Apr 20, 2006 01:59pm | #2

   I have owned a juki tl98 quilter; it has the really convenient features of up/down needle positions, knee operated presser foot, and foot-operated automatic thread cutting, making it almost "hands-free"  Also you can drop the feed dogs for free-motion quilting. I have since sold this machine and bought a more rugged Juki industrial machine that has the advantage of being set into a permanent table, plus automatic bobbin winding, backstitching at the beginning and end of a seam with the knee-operated presser foot and pedal operated automatic thread cutting. Also the speed is adjustable from walking one stitch at a time to super fast. I got it used for about the same price as the new Juki 98 quilter.

   Also I own a juki commercial 5-thread serger; this machine cost as much as one of the fancy home sergers. It is a Juki MO6700.  It is super quiet, set into a permanent table top, and has only two serging options: serging, and serging with the chain "safety stitch" . It can sew through very thick materials, I use it for t-shirt knits, heavy knits, and heavy multi-layer quilted handbags. The advantage to me, is that the threads never break.  Well, never say "never" - I have broken threads about 3 times in the two years I have used it. It is very easy to thread, though.

   I don't know where you live, but look into used commercial equipment; there are some really great buys out there.  I bought both of my machines from industrial sewing outlets in Massachusetts.

1. 
   GorgeousThings | Apr 20, 2006 03:06pm | #3

   I just want to second Katherinevictoria's recommendation about the industrial Juki. I bought a DDL-8700 straight stitch industrial from Reliable Sewing Machine in Stoughton, MA. It is a real workhorse. It only does straight stitch, but boy it does it well, and through everything! Ann

1. 
   katherinevictoria | Apr 20, 2006 04:38pm | #4

   I bought my Juki DDL 8700 from Reliable Sewing, too! I traded it in at Advance Sewing in Fall River, MA for a Juki 5550N-7. I found the Juki DDL8700 to be too fast for me; the feed dogs were chewing up fabric at times. In addition, I really missed the hands-free thread cutting that the Juki TL98 offered. 

   I was also very pleased with the service and attention that I got at Reliable and at Advance; both places were more than willing to accommodate my needs; encouraging me to bring some of my sewing in to try out any machine that I was considering. They both have excellent mechanics on hand.

   At the time that I bought my DDL8700, a friend went with me, so we came home with one for each of us. She loves hers.

1. 
   GorgeousThings | Apr 20, 2006 04:46pm | #5

   Katherine, where is Advance? I love the guys at Reliable, but it's always nice to know there is another dealer! I just love the DDL-8700, speed and all. I can run it slowly now. It's like learning to drive a Maserati after you've been driving a Dodge Dart all your life - it takes some practice!Ann

1. 
   katherinevictoria | Apr 21, 2006 12:51am | #6

   Hello,

   Advance Sewing is on ninth street, it is between Pleasant street and Bedford street, just across from Nate Lyons' furniture store.  The wonderful lady who runs Bedford Fabrics told me about them. 

   Yeah, it does take some practice running that "Maserati"  I almost had it mastered, when I laid eyes on the 5550N-7; it was all over for me then; It was love at first sight. I also bought an ancient Juki portable hemmer from Advance Sewing. It works like a charm. Sewing machines are my hobby, Sewing is my vocation.

   The father and son who run Advance Sewing compete very cheerfully with Mel and his son from Reliable. I hear that they often bid against each other at auctions.

   If you are in the market for equipment, you now have a second opinion on pricing.

    

3. 
   Ariana | Apr 21, 2006 05:28am | #7

   Thank you for your individual comments.

   I began sewing in my twenties. Nothing fancy. No instruction. Self-taught. Was in a monastery for a number of years and setup their sewing room. We made 'practise wear' (clothing for meditation and work), vestments, and generally handled the textiles. Then there were many years when I didn't sew. Now in my sixties, I am setting up another sewing room at my current teacher's monastery. We will handle a variety of fabric, e.g., summer weight cotton, medium to heavy cotton twill, vestment clothing which can be cotton, linen, silk or blends. I have a Janome 4800 which will handle most of my jobs. However, I was interested in the Juki TL98C because of its industrial qualities. I won't need to do multiple layers, rather I need a machine that can easily handle heavy cotton twills, and muslins, as well as light-weight fabric. In your openion, would it be worthwhile getting the Juki TL98, or not? The same question for the Juki MO-655 serger?

   I live in Vancouver, BC.