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need LOTS of help picking a machine gardenmom 07-14-2009
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Posted by gardenmom on July 14, 2009, 4:02 pm

My only machine has been a Singer that is 50+ years old. HELP!! I have
tried to do research and am totally lost. I don't know what features are
important, what questions to ask nor do I understand most of the machine
terminology. I am a beginner/intermediate sewer even though I have been
sewing for over 40 years. I sew a project for 10 hours a day for several
days and then don't sew again for months. So I need a machine that is easy
to use and not difficult to relearn every time I do a project or make a
clothing repair. I want to do quilting and am more a craftsperson than a
seamstress. (I am not really interested in doing embroidery.) I am willing
to pay up to about $1500 and a heavy machine is okay. I have been looking
at the Brother and Janome machines since there is a dealer here in town. I
also work with silky fabrics all the way to rolled denim. I want to get a
machine that I won't need to replace when I retire and can do more sewing
(especially when it comes to making quilts). Any help would be GREATLY
APPRECIATED!!!

-------------------------------------





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Posted by Polly Esther on July 14, 2009, 4:14 pm
Just an off-the-wall sort of beginning question - but what is the general
reputation of the SM dealer in your town? Having a fine one close by is
wonderful, however, he could be a total jerk and no advantage at all. Polly

"gardenmom" <wrote>
> My only machine has been a Singer that is 50+ years old. HELP!! I have
> tried to do research and am totally lost. I don't know what features are
> important, what questions to ask nor do I understand most of the machine
> terminology. I am a beginner/intermediate sewer even though I have been
> sewing for over 40 years. I sew a project for 10 hours a day for several
> days and then don't sew again for months. So I need a machine that is easy
> to use and not difficult to relearn every time I do a project or make a
> clothing repair. I want to do quilting and am more a craftsperson than a
> seamstress. (I am not really interested in doing embroidery.) I am willing
> to pay up to about $1500 and a heavy machine is okay. I have been looking
> at the Brother and Janome machines since there is a dealer here in town. I
> also work with silky fabrics all the way to rolled denim. I want to get a
> machine that I won't need to replace when I retire and can do more sewing
> (especially when it comes to making quilts). Any help would be GREATLY
> APPRECIATED!!!



Posted by Kate XXXXXX on July 14, 2009, 4:18 pm
gardenmom wrote:
> My only machine has been a Singer that is 50+ years old. HELP!! I have
> tried to do research and am totally lost. I don't know what features are
> important, what questions to ask nor do I understand most of the machine
> terminology. I am a beginner/intermediate sewer even though I have been
> sewing for over 40 years. I sew a project for 10 hours a day for several
> days and then don't sew again for months. So I need a machine that is easy
> to use and not difficult to relearn every time I do a project or make a
> clothing repair. I want to do quilting and am more a craftsperson than a
> seamstress. (I am not really interested in doing embroidery.) I am willing
> to pay up to about $1500 and a heavy machine is okay. I have been looking
> at the Brother and Janome machines since there is a dealer here in town. I
> also work with silky fabrics all the way to rolled denim. I want to get a
> machine that I won't need to replace when I retire and can do more sewing
> (especially when it comes to making quilts). Any help would be GREATLY
> APPRECIATED!!!

Take a look at my sewing machine buying essay:
http://www.diceyhome.free-online.co.uk/On%20the%20care%20&%20Feeding%20of%20sewing%20machines/on_the_choosing.htm
While it's mostly aimed at the new sewist, there will be things in it to
make you ponder, and links to all the major manufacturers.


--
Kate XXXXXX R.C.T.Q Madame Chef des Trolls
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
http://www.katedicey.co.uk
Click on Kate's Pages and explore!

Posted by Taria on July 14, 2009, 4:22 pm
I have learned that I don't particularly like computer machines. They are
finicky and need more service than a mechanical. If I was in your spot I
would look for the TOL Bernina mechanical. Pfaff in a similar model might
work for you too. Test out as many as you can. What fits
you may well be different than what works for others. Know that buying
sewing machines is like buying a car. The price is what you can negotiate.
That stinks but is the way they go these days. A sewing or quilt show with
lots of vendors is a great way to see a lot of machines in a day. Often they
have show specials prices too.
HTH, Taria

>
> My only machine has been a Singer that is 50+ years old. HELP!! I have
> tried to do research and am totally lost. I don't know what features are
> important, what questions to ask nor do I understand most of the machine
> terminology. I am a beginner/intermediate sewer even though I have been
> sewing for over 40 years. I sew a project for 10 hours a day for several
> days and then don't sew again for months. So I need a machine that is easy
> to use and not difficult to relearn every time I do a project or make a
> clothing repair. I want to do quilting and am more a craftsperson than a
> seamstress. (I am not really interested in doing embroidery.) I am willing
> to pay up to about $1500 and a heavy machine is okay. I have been looking
> at the Brother and Janome machines since there is a dealer here in town. I
> also work with silky fabrics all the way to rolled denim. I want to get a
> machine that I won't need to replace when I retire and can do more sewing
> (especially when it comes to making quilts). Any help would be GREATLY
> APPRECIATED!!!
>
> -------------------------------------
>
>
>
>
>
> ##-----------------------------------------------##
> Delivered via http://www.sewgirls.com/
> Sewing Community of the Net
> Web and RSS access to your favorite newsgroup -
> rec.crafts.textiles.quilting - 130053 messages and counting!
> ##-----------------------------------------------##



Posted by Patti on July 14, 2009, 4:48 pm
Whatever you do, wherever you go, carry with you a list of what *you*
want the machine to do for you. The ones you look at may have loads of
other things that they can do; but, if they don't do even one of the
things on your list, they are no good to you.

I moved from mechanical to computerised, but not a terribly fancy one,
and I don't use all I could! But, I love it.

If you are going to quilt, then I would say you really a machine that
will let you lower the feed dogs (you can do free-motion quilting with
the feed dogs up, or with them covered, so there are alternatives - if
all else is better). Of all the things that I have on my machine, the
most useful and invaluable to me things are:
the larger than usual harp space - it is only 9", but those couple of
inches make a huge difference;
the fact that I can move the needle from left to right so that I can
place it in exactly the right position for what I am doing - centre for
best visibility, to the right for an accurate seam and so on..

If you local dealer seems knowledgeable, you could go with either of the
brands he sells.

You really must test whichever one you think you like. Some people
adore a make, and others dislike it. There is no way of know until you
try it. I always remember that I loved a model of car once and went for
a test drive, only to find that the angle I had to keep my foot on the
throttle was so high that I couldn't last more than half an hour - and
I'm very tall! Take something with you as a trial piece - don't just
work on the piece of fabric they will have there ready with the machine.

Don't throw your old machine away, or sell it on, you will need a back
up.
.
>
>My only machine has been a Singer that is 50+ years old. HELP!! I have
>tried to do research and am totally lost. I don't know what features are
>important, what questions to ask nor do I understand most of the machine
>terminology. I am a beginner/intermediate sewer even though I have been
>sewing for over 40 years. I sew a project for 10 hours a day for several
>days and then don't sew again for months. So I need a machine that is easy
>to use and not difficult to relearn every time I do a project or make a
>clothing repair. I want to do quilting and am more a craftsperson than a
>seamstress. (I am not really interested in doing embroidery.) I am willing
>to pay up to about $1500 and a heavy machine is okay. I have been looking
>at the Brother and Janome machines since there is a dealer here in town. I
>also work with silky fabrics all the way to rolled denim. I want to get a
>machine that I won't need to replace when I retire and can do more sewing
>(especially when it comes to making quilts). Any help would be GREATLY
>APPRECIATED!!!
>
>-------------------------------------
>
>
>
>
>
>##-----------------------------------------------##
>Delivered via http://www.sewgirls.com/
>Sewing Community of the Net
>Web and RSS access to your favorite newsgroup -
>rec.crafts.textiles.quilting - 130053 messages and counting!
>##-----------------------------------------------##

--
Best Regards
pat on the hill

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