purchasing a new sewing machine
alotofstitches
| Posted in Gather For A Chat on
I purchased my first Bernina 830 30 yrs. ago, it’s still working but treated myself to 170E (embroidery) Bernina right before my first grandchild came. I sew for others as well as family so I’ve not taken the time to really get into the embroidery. I do lots of monogramming and names as well as some other stuff. The embroidery “cards” are expensive and learning all the ins & outs of embroidery take time that I don’t have so you might consider all that. I recently purchased another 830 because my 2 7y/o granddaughters are learning to sew and I want them to have a good machine to sew on–they just don’t know they’ll get it yet. I set the machine on the child’s table so she is comfortable. I don’t think you’ll ever regret the Bernina.
Replies
Thanks so much for the info on your Bernina.....I am tending toward a Bernina as it has such a stellar reputation. I am heading down to the quiltstore tomorrow to get a hands on experience and get a feel for the updated electronic screens. Just so many wonderful choices out there....and like you mention, so little time. And I know that the whole embroidery scene could become yet another addiction so I have to be careful of that since weaving is really my primary passion. Thanks again for your words of encouragement.....
I haven't looked into Bernina machines so have no idea of cost but I recently purchased a Janome Memory Craft 9700. It is a great machine if it is in your price range as it is very user friendly, does wonderful regular sewing, heavy duty as well. It is also an embroidery machine and that part is user friendly. It is less expensive than top of the line quilting machines but with all the added features and many more. I have been sewing for over 50 years and this is the finest machine I have owned so far other than my Huskvarna/Viking 936 serger and Janome Coverstitch machines. All great machines if you sew frequently as I do.
Thanks for your reply....great idea to check out the Janome and Husqvarna models....I am heading down to the store today and had thought about checking ou the Husqvarna models, but had not even thought about the Janome. The Berninas are very nice, but very expensive as are all their accessories...still, their owners absolutely love them. Just such a multitude of choices out there these days vesus years ago....when I bought my Singer 46 years ago I just walked into the store and bought it because my mother had always had a Singer....and these days there are just so many wonderful electronic options on the machines, and of course I want them all....thanks much for your great idea on checking out the Janome models....
I suggest that if you are interested in Janome machines that you might want to also check out the Sears Kenmore models which are Janome made. You might find one that has the same features as one with the Janome name on it but at a lesser price. I own a Janome made computerized Kenmore, a mechanical Pfaff and a Viking Interlude 445. I can highly recommend them all. I use my machines for different purposes and love them all but the Kenmore has way more features for the price including the famous Janome 7 piece feed, comes with more feet than most machines and the feet are much less expensive to purchase. I love the stitch elongation of up to 5 times when programming and combining the many stitches on the Kenmore. I can program stitches on my Viking also but I cannot elongate them. Each of my machines has different features than the other. I hope your find a machine with the features you love and that it serves you well.
I can elongate stitches with my Husq/Viking and program them. It must depend on the model or year, just like cars I guess. Mary
Mary, my new machine is a Viking Interlude 445 with the Sewing advisor that is simliar to some of the Platinum models. I have had it about a month and I can program stitches with it and of course change the length and width but it does not elongate and completely change the deco stitches like I can do on my Kenmore and elongate the entire design up to 5 times in length. Both machines have the mirror image. The Janome Kenmore also has a much wider stitch (7mm) than the Interlude and has the 7 piece feed. My Kenmore has the 2 Alphabets and numerals and punctuations and 365 stitches but even though my Interlude does not have as many stitches it does have some prettier ones that my Kenmore does not have. I love all 3 of my machines for their different functions and features. I use my mechanical Pfaff with the IDT as the workhorse. Poor machine is starting to show it also. It is rather stained from sewing much heavy bright and dark fleece.
Edited 11/15/2006 5:23 pm ET by Betakin
did you look at the elna and the janome there are a lot of machines out there and if you punch up sewing machines that might help to compare what you need
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