Date: 8/1/09 12:49 PM

I am wondering how much one really saves on the Janome 100CP after all the attachments are purchased? Assuming one gets all the binders, fellers, clear foot etc. which it appears are rather expensive for the Janome vs. the Babylock which accepts the less costly generic attachments. The Janome machine itself seems to be $500 to$600 cheaper at the get go but what if one buys all the additional "stuff"? I am still debating between the two and am a bit put off by the up to $500 that needs to be spent on the Janome attachments . Has anyone actually priced out a comparison?

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Date: 8/1/09 3:23 PM

I haven't priced it all out exactly but that was a factor in my decision to get a BLCS. I liked the option of being able to get various sized binders readily and not too expensively. So far I've got 3 binders and one belt loop maker. I think with the Janome machines you're limited to just a couple of binders sizes. That said, I know others have had success using generic binders on Janome - just takes a bit of fiddling and/or a one time purchase of Janome accessories so the generics work.

JEF

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Reply to kirstensews
Date: 8/1/09 3:39 PM

Debbie Cook has a comparison of the different coverstitch machines and their machines here . She doesn't have specific prices, but I think the chart is very helpful.

Nancy2001 does a great job of giving prices and suppliers on this thread

I paid about $330 for the 1000CP and I have spent about $150 on some "extras" so for me going with the Janome has been a significant savings over the Babylock.

Best wishes on your search.

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Reply to JEF
Date: 8/1/09 5:30 PM

What a good point! I just looked at Debbie Cook's comparison chart (thank you Debbie!) and it seems the optional attachments and feet are quite different between the Janome and Babylock. Yikes! I have read of some folks having a bit of problems with the Janome binders in addition the downturn fellers are very useful for the Babylock...oh dear...help! I have not yet seen the topic of the attachments and accessories covered except in Debbie's comparison chart. The Bernina is completely lacking in attachments which would take it out of consideration ( if it were on my list which it is not). Another thicket to wade through in the decision...BOOO...

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Date: 8/1/09 5:43 PM

When I bought my BLCS, the Janomes didn't yet exist, so they weren't even an option. And I hadn't yet discovered the generic industrial attachments. The Bernina was definitely out, because (1) price was the same as the Brother, (2) I had read many times that it was fiddly, and (3) it has NO accessories. So, for me, it came down to price of the machine itself. My local dealer was able to go pretty low on a "demo" (barely demo'd) BLCS and there were no dealers for the Brother so I couldn't see it in person. So, the BLCS won in the end.

With hindsight and different options now available, would I still choose the same? I think I would. I *adore* my BLCS. It has never ever given me a moment's trouble. I love that I can just screw on an attachment and not have to mess with tape or tacky gum or such. I love that I don't need an extension table because the BLCS (and the Brother) both have more space in front of the needles than the Janomes.

It has more than paid for itself in terms of enjoyment and results. The only thing I don't like about it is that Babylock seems to have ignored accessory feet for it. But that really only matters to my inner sewing foot fetish self because the BLCS doesn't need to be guided. It sews perfectly straight over anything w/o any hands so I've never really needed a clear foot or a center guide foot when I've been using my BLCS. I just like to have every gadget known to sewing machines.

The add'l harp space of the Janomes has never been an issue for me either. The BLCS is definitely more limited in that way, but I've never NOT been able to coverstitch something - even right down the middle - because of it. It just means I have to stop and rearrange fabric a little more often.

BTW, I just blogged about another cheap almost generic option for a hem guide for the BLCS, that I happened onto by accident. Works like a charm. Blog post here. (At some point, I'll transfer this post to my coverstitching tips.)

So, just food for thought.

(I like the idea of adding accessory prices to my comparison chart ... but I'd need to research the prices of all the attachments.)


-- Edited on 8/1/09 5:46 PM --

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"I base most of my fashion taste on what doesn't itch.” ~ Gilda Radner
--
http://stitchesandseams.blogspot.com

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Date: 8/1/09 5:52 PM

I just bought the clear foot and Janome binder for my CP1000 and I was shocked at the range of prices I was quoted.....I called around to local dealers and then started calling the internet sites (because there are no prices listed for Janome accessories). The foot ranged in price from a high of $92 to $53, the binder (including the binder foot) ranged from $80 to $137. I think your approach to the decision makes sense - consider the cost of the machine and the accessories, but don't make a decision based on the list price of the accessories.

BTW - Ken's Sewing Center in AL had the best prices available and excellent customer service.

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2009: bought 140 yards, used 184 yards, net increase in volunteer fabric 44 yards ... total stash 385

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Reply to Debbie Cook
Date: 8/1/09 7:58 PM

Thank you so much. I have a foot/gadget thing too. I have every foot made for my old Bernina 930, thus she sits on her table as always ready for all her gizmos even though my new 730 is on the next table (sans feet but with computer). I know I will want all the accessories available for the cover stitch machine once I get one that is why I am looking at that before I buy. My "gut" says get the BLCS but I want to make sure I am not overlooking a major part to the decision...the attachments and feet. BTW I noticed a clear foot in the latest Babylock brochure...BLCS-CLF? OK Madame cover stitch guru (I say this in fun but with tremendous respect for the incredible information you have provided us) what do you think of doing an accessory, attachment review? I mean what is the difference between the BL double fold bias binders and the Janome Tape Binder. Janome has a Binder foot and BL does not. BL has downturn fellers and Janome does not...I think I have just opened up a worm can huh?
PS You have a great hem guide gizmo figured out but what about the old Dritz magnetic seam guides...wouldn't they work? ( Is the BL computerized?)
Till later again thanks so much!

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Reply to kirstensews
Date: 8/1/09 8:28 PM

I have the CoverPro 1000. Honestly, I needed one to do an alteration properly, so I bought the first one I ever tried. Duh! I DO like it. I have no attachments nor extra feet. I did, however get a stick-on seam allowance guide & adhere that to the thing. I have one on every machine I own. They are marked every 1/8" to 5". I think it came from Clothilde.

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Reply to kirstensews
Date: 8/2/09 10:57 AM

Babylock makes terrific machines -- I have their Imagine Wave serger, and I love it, but the Janome Coverpros do a great job for much less money.

I have the 900 CP, which I bought for $225 and two Coverpro accessories -- the small extension table and the Center Guide Food for which I paid a total of about $100 (Ken's Sewing has the lowest prices). I also spent about $35 on two generic binders which I've almost never used. The generic binders work well, but I've discovered I prefer the look of tee shirt collars done in the round over bindings.

Keep in mind that not all of the Coverpro feet are equally useful and a few are alternate versions of the same foot, so no one who's researched the topic would ever purchase all of them. Almost all Coverpro users believe that the Center Guide Foot and the small extension table are the most important Coverpro accessories.
-- Edited on 8/2/09 10:58 AM --

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The essence of life is statistical improbability on a colossal scale.
Richard Dawkins

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Reply to kirstensews
Date: 8/2/09 11:30 AM

Quote: kirstensews

BTW I noticed a clear foot in the latest Babylock brochure...BLCS-CLF?

Oh, they do!! I may have to call up the local dealer and have them order it for me ... along with a couple of light bulbs, since I've been coverstitching "in the dark" for too long now. The dealer is clear across Tampa Bay and I haven't found the time or inclination to make the drive for a little bulb and I keep forgetting to call and just have them mail it.

Babylock CS Clear Foot

Quote: kirstensews

I mean what is the difference between the BL double fold bias binders and the Janome Tape Binder.

Functionality, no difference. One of the Janome tape binders comes with the plate needed to attach it and the other one to the machine. No plate necessary with the BLCS.

Quote: kirstensews

Janome has a Binder foot and BL does not.

The Brother also has a binder foot. Both of these, I believe, have a little guide that ... well .. guides the binding strip from the binder opening to under the foot. The BLCS has barely any space between binder opening and foot so this foot is really not necessary. The very few times that I've had an unruly binding (very slippery fabric), I either interface the fabric or I use my trusty bamboo skewer thing (more like an orange stick for nails) and just hold it at that spot so the binding strip can't slip out, or both.

Quote: kirstensews

BL has downturn fellers and Janome does not..

Janome 2 adjustable hem guides that do the same thing as the fellers, but I'm not sure what the difference is between the 2 Janome attachments.

Quote: kirstensews

PS You have a great hem guide gizmo figured out but what about the old Dritz magnetic seam guides...wouldn't they work? ( Is the BL computerized?)

The BLCS is not computerized so the magnet wouldn't hurt it. But where you'd want to attach it - there's no metal on top or even under the plastic, so it wouldn't stick.

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"I base most of my fashion taste on what doesn't itch.” ~ Gilda Radner
--
http://stitchesandseams.blogspot.com

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