Date: 11/4/09 1:06 PM

About me: I'm a garment sewer (don't quilt at all), and don't need fancy stitches (not into machine embroidery), but I do need something that can handle "extreme" fabrics like chiffon, velvet, leather, as well as multilayer "sandwiches". Overcasting stitches are important to me since I sew primarily with my own handwoven fabric (yes, I'm a weaver too) and they tend to be more prone to unraveling. I had a Bernette for 14 years and loved it, but it died recently so I need a new machine.

Suggestions? My budget is roughly $300-600, and I want something that will last me 15 years or more. I also want something that has some of the nifty new easy-to-use functions like drop-in bobbins, needle up/down, multiple speeds, and so on - though those seem to be becoming increasingly standard.

I'd also like to know a little bit about what new features are available - the last time I looked at sewing machines was, well, 14 years ago and I'm not sure how technology has marched on since.

For a better idea of my sewing projects, check out my website at http://www.tienchiu.com - the first two unfinished projects on the page are the cashmere coat and my wedding dress, which have been my main focus for the last year or so.

Bottom line is that I don't sew many garments (quantity) but I try to sew them as high-quality as I possibly can. I work for weeks to months weaving the fabric and perfecting the fit before sewing up the garment, and with all that work put into making the fabric, I want to make it to the highest standards. Bound buttonholes vs. machine buttonholes, hand stitches where appropriate, and so on - so fancy machine stuff isn't really what I'm looking for, just something that is easy to use and will let me turn corners smoothly, handle difficult fabrics, etc.

Thoughts?

Tien

Next page>>

Date: 11/4/09 3:16 PM

don't have any suggestions as far as SM's go (I quilt and don't do garmet sewing LOL) but thanks for the link to your blog. It's very interesting and you're a wonderful writer!

Next page>>

Reply to tienchiu
Date: 11/4/09 3:53 PM

My suggestion is to purchase two machines, one computerized and one mechanical, or more specifically, one computerized and one vintage. This may be excessive to some, but I'm continually rewarded by the advantages of owning two machines, one computerized and one vintage.

As a garment maker, here are my must-haves for a computerized machine:

Date: 11/4/09 4:07 PM

My advice is to read the boards. If you look at the sewing machine threads at the moment you will find several with the same sort of question, and many answers! Read the reviews and go shopping around your local dealers to see what is in your price range - the good news is that you already have chosen a budget!Good luck.

------
"Begin each day as if it were on purpose."
--Mary Anne Radmacher

"No one should ever feel bad about buying a sewing machine."
--Sewwolf

Next page>>

Reply to tienchiu
Date: 11/4/09 4:23 PM

You might look into the BabyLocks--I know you can find one in that price-range. You'll love the new needle-threaders and they have at least as much (probably more) power than your Bernette had with more features too but about the same size and good warranty so 15 years isn't a stretch. You can get your desired features $300-$600 very easily!

Next page>>

Reply to tienchiu
Date: 11/4/09 8:41 PM

Hi, Tien--

I'm looking for more or less the same things you are, and am still in mid-shop--so I don't know anything from experience, but could give you a rundown of several models I've looked at, if that would help.

A couple of notes: I'm shopping in Canadian dollars, so these prices will look high to you. We have two dealers here, covering Singer, Husqvarna Viking, Baby Lock, Elna (nominally--they only carry one embroidery model, but could bring others in, which I'd have to commit to buying, so probably not an option for me), Pfaff, Bernina, and Janome. There are no Juki or Brother dealers in under 4 hours' travel time, so those are out for me. So, things I've encountered so far (some of which were suggestions from the lovely people here, who have been so kind):

1. Machines with several buttonholes, what I personally consider a more than reasonable amount of stitches, but no adjustable presser foot pressure: Babylock Grace (40 stitches, 5 BH, $489), and Janome 4030QDC (30 stitches, 6 BH, $519--NB, if you are in the USA, this model DOES have the adjustable pressure; it is also called the Threadbanger 30, I gather--if I could get the US-configured version of this model here, I'd buy it).

2. Machines with a nice amount of stitches, adjustable presser foot pressure, but only one buttonhole: Viking Emerald 118 (18 st., $449), Pfaff hobby 1142 (23 st., $429), Elna 3230 (25 st., $529).

3. Machines that have several buttonholes, adjustable presser foot pressure, but more extra features than I feel like coping with, because I'm a technophobe!: Babylock Crafter's Choice (80 st., 8 BH, $750), Husqvarna Viking Emerald 183 (83 st., 8BH, $700), Elna 6200 (off my list, since I couldn't try it before purchase, as it would be a special order, but thought you might possibly be interested, 60 st., 4 BH, $999), and Bernette 92C (150 st., 10 BH, $659).

4. I haven't seen these, and won't be seeing them, since Elna Canada does not carry these models, (Elna USA does): 5100, 5200, 5300--these look like good combinations of features for garment sewers to me.

I don't know if that helps at all--my machine is 20 years old, and was very basic in the first place, so I am finding all of this rather daunting, but people here are awfully helpful.

After reading what people had to say on my thread, I found the idea of a vintage one pretty compelling, and bought a Singer 201-3 yesterday for $70, with lovely mahogany case, manual, all the original feet, lots of bobbins, etc.! I'm excited to get to know it. I think with the vintage machine for fine sewing, in combination with a cheapish (maybe used?) computerized machine for more everyday stuff and some special functions, and a cheapish serger for my kids' sweats and PJs, I'll be in business, I think for within my original budget of three figures Canadian. At first I felt kind of weird about potentially owning more than one machine, but I guess my old hippie self is embracing my inner capitalist!

I hope that helps a bit--I don't have much to offer compared to these much more knowledgeable folks, but thought just some model numbers and ballpark prices might save a bit of legwork.

Best--
G.
-- Edited on 11/4/09 8:48 PM --
-- Edited on 11/4/09 8:51 PM --

Next page>>

Date: 11/4/09 10:13 PM

whats wrong with your machine? Have you had it checked out? Maybe it something small like a powercord problem or a motor problem. If that is all that would be the problem its a easy fixs. Good machines i would recommend
pfaff or janome these are the machines i have. i love the pictures of your fabric. you are some sewer. let us know what happens.

Next page>>

Reply to tienchiu
Date: 11/5/09 10:23 AM

I see that your machine is undergoing surgery - good luck! Your work is beautiful!

Joanne

Next page>>

Date: 11/5/09 11:00 AM

I am also a garment sewer exclusively. I do custom clothing and alterations as well as tailoring. I would look for an older manchine on ebay. I use a Pfaff 2030 right now and have been using it for the last 12 years almost everyday for at least 5 hours per day. I love the IDT walking foot. I use to use a Bernina and moved to the Pfaff with the walking foot because it works wonders with todays fabrics. Plus it is proven technology that has been around for over 30 years. I am looking for a new manchine myself right now and having trouble decideing but I sew professionally so I have differnt considerations. If I were you I would check Ebay for a used Pfaff with the walking foot capability. I got one for a friend as a gift for $250.00 and now she uses it all the time and she is a costumer at a university. She raves about it. Quilting and Garmetn sewing are not the same and I have to say that I think you would not be disapointed in an older Pfaff. Plus the older ones are made bettter. I would look at a 2340 or 2040 or 1471 or 1473. Any Pfaffs with the walking foot should work though. I also find that most people who purchase mahcines never really use them. They just like having all of the features and really never get around to actually using them. Plus its like a new car, theres no reason to pay the premium for new when buying a used one will get you much better value.

Next page>>

Reply to gloucester
Date: 11/5/09 1:12 PM

I've sewn with the Viking Emerald 183 as a loaner from my dealer and I liked it quite a lot. It makes good buttonholes, adjustable pressure for the presser foot, enough needle positions. Needle up and down. I've seen it for $ 500 and they just came out with an Emerald 200. On any machine, the dealer is very important.

------
www.nancyksews.blogspot.com

Next page>>