Need new sewing machine -- need advice

[Sandy F.]

My poor old (>20 yrears) machine is dying.... I am starting to look for a new sewing machine. In consideration are:

Bernina 440 quilter's edition with stitch regulator, 180 decorative stitches, can add embroidery module can be added ( additional > $1000.) Several quilting feet are part of the package. needle up needle down, knee lift presser foot Standard extension but Sew Steady acrylic 18x24 quilting surface is available. Bed from needle to right side is only 7-1/2 inches. Their are other features but I can't remember what they are. New machines are $3100

Next model up is the 630 and is suppose to be easier for embroidery but you still have to buy the module.


The other machine I am looking at is the Janome 6600P ( quilters edition)... Stitch Regulator is additional but not out of line. Has most of the same features as the Bernina... Walker foot is built in for free motion... 14 quilt/ sewing feet ( 2x as much) 160 decorative stitches. Speed control ( a must for me) Bed from needle to right side... 9 inches. Cost is about $2000 with a stand alone table. Special design for this machine.

What is attractive to me is since I had a Janome I have tons of specialty feet and gadgets. I am pretty sure they will fit the machine I am looking at.

The Janome dealer is about 25 miles away from me... Bernina dealers are over 50 miles.

If you have either of these machines can you tell me what you like / dislike about them.

Never looked at the Viking but probably will before I plunk my money down.

[Sandy F.]

I have a Janome 6600 Memory craft Pro with the sewing table. My sweetest Bjoern bought it for me 20 months ago..my old Husqvarna was given to my daughter (and she is happy :wink: ).

After using the machine alomst every day since I got it I can not say there is anything I dislike about it...I just simply LOVE it.
The kneelifter, needle down and speed control is GREATE. I have 4 different blanket stitches to choose from and a lot of different stitches (and the mirror image of them if I need).
In addition to what comes with the machine I bought the 1/4" foot to the upper walkerfoot and it came with a plate for quilting ( A must have), and the darningfoot and bobbincase specially made for free motion quilting. Made a huge difference in my free motion quilting!!

The built in waking foot (upper) is a blessing!

I find it easy to maintein the machine myself (daily routine :wink: ). And, if you need extra gadgets to it, they are not as expencive as other brands.

I have a little Janome Jam to take to classes or guildmeetings...the sewingfoots to my 6600 fits perfectly with the Jem.

The sewing table I couldnt do without. When quilting big items, it is easy to drag the table where ever you need it to go while sitting in your chair :lol: .

After getting my Janome, sewing on it, I feel like it is worth all its mony and more!!

BUT, you need to figure out what you want your new machine to do for you and go to the dealers and try them out. What I think is greate and could not live without may not be what you need. There are a lot of great brands out there; Husqvarna, Phaff, Brother, Bernina etc..you need to find the right mashine for you

Happy sewing machine hunting!!!

[Sandy F.]

I purchased the Janome 6600MP about a year ago and I love it but I do a lot of hand work so I'm not familiar with all the features. I love the speed control, needle up and down, and the thread cutter. I am very happy with my purchase.

[Sandy F.]

I have had the Janome 6500 since it came out and I love. The 6600 has a few features (built in walking foot, extra lighting) that the 6500 doesn't. I love Janome's. If you are wanting to do embroidery also, the Janome11000SE is a dream. I have it strictly for the embroidery, but it sews as nicely as the 6600. And no add on module, it is all there.
Best advice, is to take your typical work (sewing quilt seams, a quilt sandwich to try the quilting) and try each one out. If you are doing quilting, the 9" harp is a must!
Good luck! And always, ask for a deal!

Maggie in E. Central Illinois

[Sandy F.]

I am a Bernina Gal...440QE. I went from a 30 year old Singer...to a Bernina...in one great leap.
I just took a class to learn how to use the BSR...and the additional feet. I highly recommend foot #57...simply because it is a perfect 1/4.
Even without the embriodery package...you still get hundreds of stitches.
You are correct that the throat space is not big...but I still can get a queen size quilt thru there!!!

Perhaps my only complaint is...I find it cumbersome to change the feet...only because of my one finger on my left hand doesn't bend correctly. But that is specific to me...and no one else.

I think everyone's needs are different....think about your needs and pick the machine that suits you best.

Happy Shopping!!

FW

[Sandy F.]

I LOVE my Bernina 440!! I also have a 153 and it is now my backup machine. I am able to quilt a queen size on this machine with no problem at all. Can't wait to read what you finally decide on.

[Sandy F.]

"What is attractive to me is since I had a Janome I have tons of specialty feet and gadgets. I am pretty sure they will fit the machine I am looking at.

"The Janome dealer is about 25 miles away from me... Bernina dealers are over 50 miles."


I don't have the 6600 Janome, mine is the 6500. But it's absolutely perfect for me. And you can get one for much less than either the 6600 or a Bernina. Don't assume the Janome feet you have will fit the 6600, because it's a high shank machine, while the 6500 is a low shank.

Having a dealer nearby is important, but only if they have great customer service! I would put that high on my list of things to think about when deciding on a machine.

Happy hunting!
Brita

[Sandy F.]

I have a Phaff 7570 and a Baby Lock and love them both

[Sandy F.]

I had a Singer for 40 years and my DH thought I should have a new machine so we bought a Janome 6600 P a couple of years ago and I love it. I can sew very heavy fabrics for DH, love the walking foot (a must), love the speed regulator and push button on/off switch, (I have lower back & right leg issues), lots of decorative stitches and easy to use. The only thing that I have any problem with is around the needle area, changing needles & feet. My short stubby fingers don't like getting in those tight places. I am completely happy with this machine.
Good luck on chosing your machine.
Carolyn

[Anne B.]

If you're unsure what machine you want, I recommend you get a copy of a little book by Sharon Darling called The Quilter's Review Guide to Picking a Sewing Machine You'll Love.

It's available at Amazon.com, though I no longer see it on Sharon's website (http://www.quiltersreview.com).

This is like a workbook that helps you identify your own needs and wants, then tells you how to shop for them. It does not recommend particular machines; it discusses features and tells you how to test drive them.

Anne in Vancouver, Canada

[Anne B.]

If there's a better machine on the market than the Bernina 630, I don't know what it could be. This machine is simply outstanding. The stitch is absolutely perfect. The features it has are all a quilter could ever want. It embroiders like a dream if you want that option as well.

Have you "Tinkled" today?

[Jo H.]

My turn.... :lol:

Can you tell that basically we ALL love OUR machines regardless of what they are....

I have owned a Pfaff 7570 (older machine) a Viking Sapphire (fairly new machine), a Viking Designer SE (a little older than the Sapphires), and a Singer (very old 1950s model and made of iron).

I now have only one machine and it is a Bernina 450 that has the 9 mm stitch width.

I sold every other machine I had after getting the Bernina. Each of the other machines were absolutely "wonderful" machines, and they all had features and things that I loved. For me, it came down to which machine I actually went back to use over and over again. Because I had the advantage of having several, it was interesting that in my mind I always had a reason on why I sewed on the Bernina. After a while, it seemed silly to have all of these perfectly good machines just sitting idle and not being loved so I found them all good homes where they would be used and loved.

My advice is to not rush yourself if you can at all help it. In fact, I would take my own fabric in and sew and sew and sew on each machine that I was serious about. If any dealer gives you grief, write that dealer off the list and find another. Believe me I am positive that my dealer thought I was never going to make a decision. It took me several months.

My machine is perfect for me and I wish you an enjoyable experience in bonding with whatever machine ends up choosing you!

JoJo

[Jo H.]

I too am a Bernina fan. I first had a Bernina 180; now have a Bernina 640. I upgraded mainly to get the stitch regulator, but actually haven't used it much. I've never used the embroidery module, either, but hope to *someday*.... My happy daughter now has the 180. I got an excellent deal on the 640 on ebay. It was used, but looks & acts brand new (but do note that Bernina unaccountably honors their warranty only for the original purchaser, if this concerns you -- though I've never had a problem with either of my Berninas) If you're planning on doing a lot of machine quilting, a quilting cabinet that allows you to place the machine bed level with the tabletop is a good investment, too.

I also have a Janome Jem for a small portable -- I'm not wild about it, but it works well for its low price. It has built-in, non-adjustable stitches.

I also have a Juki TL98Q, a quasi-industrial machine which does only a straight stitch. It is VERY FAST, great for chain piecing and machine quilting. It has a large (9") open area under the arm that fits even a huge quilt easily. No embroidery option on this machine.

I know there are fans of all the major sewing machine brands. It's often a good idea to buy one that has a dealer somewhere near you, for convenience of buying accessories or getting repairs; but you can generally find accessories online or mail-order from a dealer; and in 40 years of sewing I've never had a sewing machine -- even my oldest klunker -- need a repair! Lucky thing, too, because I live at least an hour from the nearest dealer of ANY sewing machine brand.

My recommendation is to try out any brands you're considering (bring a project to the store, and spend a half hour sewing). Then, decide what you like the most...and buy the BEST machine you can afford! Get all the features you want!! This is a big purchase, and you're not likely to get another machine for years and years. You'll be using it nearly every day, and the right machine will bring you years and years of joy!

[Jo H.]

I've had the Bernina 630 for just over a year now, the longer I have it the more I love it. I chose it over the 440QE because you can do zigzag stitch with the BSR as well as straight and I can also add the embroidery module later if I want to. I haven't used anywhere near all the functions of the machine, but everything I've asked it to do has been perfect. Berninas are the Rolls Royces of sewing machines, but if you're on a budget, go for the Janome, all my friends who have Janomes love them too. But, as everyone else has said, first make your list of what you're looking for in your machine and then check it against the features of the machine to make sure it does everything you need, then finally take your samples to the shop and play for a day. If they're a good dealer they'll be very happy for you to spend time with the machine, you could even run up a quick cot quilt while you're there

[Jo H.]

I have had the Bernina 440QE for about a year and a half. DH gave it to me for my birthday . I love the machine, it sews beautifully. I didn't get the embroidery unit because I wouldnt use it often enough to justify the cost. I did get the stitch regulator, it look a little practice to get the hang of it. Now I would miss it if I didn't have it. There is only 1 thing I would change, the position of the bobbin. My machine sits down in my sewing table so it's flush. Changing the bobbin I have to lift out the machine (not that big of a deal, just being picky lol!) I give the 440 thumbs up!