Date: 11/19/09 4:14 PM

There have been numerous threads on what people like to read in a pattern review so I thought it's time we discussed sewing machines in depth too. Before I go ahead and make changes I'd like to hear from you all.

1. Do you like to read brief reviews or do you prefer longer reviews?
2. It would be nice to be able to upload a photo of the sewing machine you are reviewing.
3. Do you think people should specify where they bought the machine? ebay, dealer, online etc.

Anything else?

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- Deepika
Founder, PatternReview.com
Blog: http://www.deepikablogs.com

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Reply to Deepika
Date: 11/19/09 4:48 PM

Deepika, glad you have begun this discussion. :)
I like the format there already, but for sure we need:

price
where it was purchased (online or dealer etc.)
reasons for choosing this particular model
features
uses
experience with various features
things you love
things you don't love

Most reviews do cover these points quite well, and are a big help. Some reviews have been much too short, being only either "I love my machine" or "I hate my machine." Oddly, usually these have been TOL machines that I am sure we would love to hear all that is possible to hear about!

What I also hope is that people will moderate their own comments and remain neutral or positive. By thinking before posting, most comments would be constructive. I admit to a few posts without much thought, and for those I am sorry. Our group is large and diverse, and should always be inclusive and welcoming.
Thanks and I know there will be lots of ideas!

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"Let's play librarian. I'll read and in 6 hours you come and tell me the library is closing."
--Brick Heck

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

Blogging at http://eyeletsintheseams.blogspot.com/

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Date: 11/19/09 4:50 PM

I would like to see some indication of the reviewer's experience with other machines. Eg. have they been the same older machine for 20 years and finally bought a computerized model? Is this their first serger? Maybe they have a stable of machines at home, but only use this particular one for buttonholes, etc., etc.

I think they should specify where they bought a machine. Something like, "the tension was never right" might lead you to believe that a machine is poorly designed or manufactured. However, it could be because the machine is second hand and just needs servicing, or the user didn't receive the appropriate lessons when they purchased it new.

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"My butt is just the price I have to pay for having such great tits."
-Kellyanne Russell (Project Runway Australia Season 2)

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Date: 11/19/09 4:54 PM

I also think number of hours sewn on, primary use and comparisons to other machiens would be helpful.

I think it wouldn't hurt to have a minimum number of characters either.

Possibly a 24 to 36 hour review period so it can be seen by moderators since we've had spam and ads there before?

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Cidell
www.missceliespants.com

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Reply to Deepika
Date: 11/19/09 5:12 PM

I'm extremely interested in pricing information and think people should be strongly encouraged to provide this. Whenever you shop for a sewing machine, you should know the price range of the model you're interested in before you set foot in a dealership. This gives you the strongest position in negotiating a price.

I'm not necessarily interested in reading a long, highly detailed review from someone who's used the machine for many months. Sometimes a short, well written critique from a relatively new owner can be just as valuable. It really depends on the machine and the particular owner.

Here are a few criteria that might be included: ease of use, convenience, feel of the machine, position of controls, lighting, features, noise level, vibrations, durability and reliability, manuals and videos, piercing power, overall assessment.

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

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Reply to MissCelie
Date: 11/19/09 5:13 PM

YES, an actual moderated review "standard operating procedure." Excellent idea.

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"Let's play librarian. I'll read and in 6 hours you come and tell me the library is closing."
--Brick Heck

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

Blogging at http://eyeletsintheseams.blogspot.com/

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Date: 11/19/09 5:29 PM

I'd like to see a way to sort or search reviews by price ranges. Many people post questions about machines in a certain price range that fits their budget; if they could search reviews that way it would help people narrow the range of reviews to read. I wouldn't mind something akin to the amazon star ranking, as well....
-- Edited on 11/19/09 7:17 PM --

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Viking Lily 545
Viking Scandinavia 400
Bernina Activa 210
Brother 1034d

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Reply to Deepika
Date: 11/19/09 5:36 PM

Great discussion! Would there be a way to organize the review in a question answer format so folks know what to cover in their review? The suggestions for what we like to see in a review is great but when writing a review from scratch it is hard to address all the areas that others find interesting. If there were a question answer format along with the ability to add comments and essay it might give more organization to the reviews. ???? I also think we should encourage those who work in sewing machine stores who have access to multiples of machines to be given the floor to give us their expert and much coveted input as long as it is not advertising. Or what about if you borrow your Mother's machine...and love it /hate it for various reasons...I do not think actual ownership of the machine should be a requirement for a review. Perhaps there should be a spot to disclose that this is not a review by an actual owner...??? Quite frankly I would prefer to see a review by Mrs Moos or a sewing machine tech who has a wider range to compare with than the beginner who has just bought her first machine at a big box store on impulse. Certainly the review from the later is appreciated but I would not trust it as much as I would from the former.
As much information as we can get and share from everyone the better.

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formerly kirstensews
"The problem is not that there are problems. The problem is expecting otherwise and thinking that having problems is a problem." Theodore Rubin
"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life's about creating yourself." George Bernard Shaw

Bernina 730e,1630,1130,930. serger 234 and BLcoverstitch

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Date: 11/19/09 5:42 PM

Hi Deepika!!
As mentioned by others, I'm most interested in:
price
where it was purchased (online or dealer etc.)
THEN I can compare... Maybe 'cos I'm in Canada, eh!!
Soft H1N1 elbow hug,
Rhonda

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You are most welcome to visit us at:
www.rhotos-rag.blogspot.com/

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Reply to Mufffet
Date: 11/19/09 7:12 PM

Quote: Mufffet

YES, an actual moderated review "standard operating procedure." Excellent idea.

Personally, I wouldn't like that. It could be a lot of extra work for a moderator and it would be confusing and/or discouraging to the reviewer, especially if they were hoping to edit it right away. Not everyone writes error/typo-free reviews on the first go-round. In the grand scheme of things, it really does no true harm to leave an "advertising" review up for a few hours until a moderator would see it. What does the most harm are all the nasty comments such a review generates.

I'd like to see a template be loaded similar to what we have for pattern reviews.

I like the checkboxes at the top for features. Perhaps we can add more from the suggestions this thread will generate.

Love the idea for searching by price range.

Would like all the features we have for pattern reviews - HTML, photos, not pushing an edited review to the top, etc.

Looking forward to seeing everyone else's suggestions.

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"I base my fashion sense on what doesn't itch." — Gilda Radner
http://stitchesandseams.blogspot.com

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