Replies

1. 
   ShelleeWA | Dec 12, 2002 07:11am | #1

   Sounds like you've been doing the same research I have... :)

   I've pretty much ruled out a Viking Designer 1. I don't like the fact that a $6000 machine still uses a FLOPPY disk... old, old, OLD technology. Plus I have used a Viking Lily a few times in different classes -- and wasn't impressed with the way it handled changes in layers of fabric -- my old singer featherweight does a better job!

   I absolutely LOVE the Pfaff 2140... but can't justify spending $6000 on a machine just yet... too busy with work and family. Need to be able to get some ROI (return on investment) by selling my services with that kind of machine. Have been watching the ones for sale on e-Bay... stupidly, I let the $3500 one get away. If you are looking for a FAST high end embroidery/sewing machine -- this is a great machine... approaches 1000 stitches per minute doing embroidery. The rest (including Janome) are 800 or 900.

   Pfaff 7570 is another on the trade-in market -- it was the Pfaff top of the line until the 2140 came out this year. A Viking/Pfaff heirloom sewer tells me that the Pfaff stitching is more 'filled in' than the Viking and does a great job.

   Bernina 180E -- just don't like the 'user interface'... those little, tiny buttons don't make any sense at all.

   Janome 10000 -- Doesn't have the reputation that the others have... BUT I love the fact that you can update this machine with either a USB connection of ATA PC Card -- FAST, FAST, FAST. Janome has that one right for sure. I wish I knew more about the reliability of this one!

   Elna -- I haven't even looked at... anyone else want to weigh in on this one?

   I also looked at the PC8500 and ULT2003 (Babylock Ellagio's twin). I wasn't overly enthused from a sewing perspective -- but the embroidery capabilities are out of this world!

   Right now -- I have an old Singer Featherweight (dates from the late 40's) that I wouldn't trade for the world. This is the machine you should teach your daughters on!! (Save the computerized/high end one for your own fun until they have learned for awhile!!) Fix that Featherweight -- you won't regret it.

   I also have another old singer (in a cabinet) that I will probably loan to a friend. And last... I have a 20+ year old Kenmore 10 Stitch that I hate... it has never worked right. I recently started sewing avidly again... and need a new machine that gives me what I need now and allows room for growth.

   Carol Freesia also suggested buying 2 machines -- one for sewing and another for embroidery... because WHAT will you do when the embroidery machine is tied up for HOURS? :) Still looking into that idea!

   Good luck to you D... Anyone else with opinions?

   Happy Holidays to you all!

1. 
   sseu | Dec 13, 2002 03:13am | #2

   You definitely should not rule out the Janome 10000.  This is an awesome machine and has an excellent reputation - much better than a lot of the Vikings, etc. when it comes to the repairs.  I own the Janome 10000 after much research on the Viking Designer 1, Bernina 180E and the Brother 2002D. My mother also ended up buying the Janome 10000 as well as 2 other people I know and it is WONDERFUL!!! You might want to check out the list mc10000@yahoogroups to find out more about Janome's reputation.  The support over there is wonderful.  I have talked to many techs who work on all the brands and they have said that they rarely see a Janome come in for repairs.  I never knew how much I could enjoy sewing until after I bought this machine.

   Hope you find what works best for you, but please don't rule out this machine over "reputation". It has an EXCELLENT reputation is too good to pass by, IMO. Feel free to ask any questions you might have and I can possiby answer them.

1. 
   daynamay | Dec 31, 2002 09:46am | #3

   hi!! --- i just bought the janome 10000 --liked it the best from the minute i sat down at it---I came from a featherweight when i was growing up and a horrrrrilbe 80$ white machine from when i was first married.....the featherweight is a sweetheart of a little machine that takes a multithousand dollar machine to replace--pretty amazing....i like it so far ---am reelling a bit from the $$'s....but it gives me great incentive to hike down to the shop where i bought i t and learn how to use it....and my two girls are fascinated....so i hope it is true that it is a great machine--am glad to see your post as i am seizing over the money and did i do the right thing----thx--happy holidays!!

1. 
   sseu | Dec 31, 2002 10:54am | #4

   Congratulations on your new machine!  Isn't it WONDERFUL?!!!!  Like you, I also fell in love with the 10000 from the moment I sat down in front of it.   I had planned on getting the D1 but had heard good things about the MC10000 so decided to check it out.  I went back and forth between the two machines but  it always felt so good when I got back in front of the MC10000.  Did you get digitizer?  Digitizing is a lot of fun too!  Now, if I could only find more time in the day to do everything I want to do.

   Shannon

1. 
   daynamay | Jan 03, 2003 07:21am | #5

   yes i got the digitizer too but have to figure out the computer end of it--have to get usb connectors i think---am crashing at 8pm these days---this aging thing is a bummer so have to go sort out the generations of computers and printers in our house tomorrow morning!!--hopefully will hook it up!!--so far the second embroidery attempt was better than the first --its very exciting!!

2. 
   sseu | Jan 03, 2003 12:02pm | #6

   And it is soooo.... addicting!!!  Every time we go to my inlaws, my machine comes with me.  My husband just bought me a new laptop so that I can take my digitizer with me too.  It is so wonderful now to have a computer for my sewing stuff!  I travel back and forth to my cousin's house out of state and we sew, embroider and digitize together so it will be fun to bring the laptop with my stuff on it next time. 

   Did you get the Digitizer 10000 or something else?  I had the Digitizer 10000, but just recently bought Generations.  The downside is that I feel like I am learning digitizing all over again.  I really had D10K down really, really good when I gave it up for Generations.  Generations seemed to offer more features so I thought I would give that a try.  Now, if I could just find the time to learn it.  I have a just turned 4 year old and 6 year old  at home who keep me pretty busy so my sewing time is limited.

   Shannon

3. 
   Maryjo | Jan 05, 2003 12:01am | #7

   My 35 yr old Singer just died again.  What machine would be good for learning both quilting and embroidery, computerized (why not?), under $1000?  I can't wait try the triangle boxes in the new Threads.

4. 
   daynamay | Jan 06, 2003 07:22am | #8

   i got the customizer and the digitizer--but cant get the customizer to work on my newish computer--so havent loaded the digitizer cuz i keep getting these serious error messges on my computer-probably due to other things... and am trying to link my computer internets so i can take the laptop down to my machine....didnt know about generations---whats that??!!---good news is my 15 year old who loves color is interested--cuz of the color--so i hope this will be a good thing!!