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What's the difference?
JTink Intermediate VA USA Member since 4/20/08 Posts: 4831	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/20/13 1:04 PM As I age and physical ability tends to be fading, I'm considering the purchase of an electronic or computerized machine. I've been a dyed in the wool Mechanical machine user for about 38 years. Can anyone enlighten me on the difference(if there is one)between electronic and computerized machines?
PattiAnnJ   Advanced OH USA Member since 12/3/06 Posts: 5000	Login to reply to this post Like this post Subject: Whats the difference? Date: 1/20/13 1:24 PM Not a big enough difference to justify the large difference in cost for sewing. For machine embroidery, there is no choice as they are computerized. But, you need to take test drives and make your own decision. Test all the brands and models within your budget. Don't lock your mind on one particular brand and then miss out on the machine of your dreams. -- Edited on 1/20/13 3:57 PM --
JTink Intermediate VA USA Member since 4/20/08 Posts: 4831	Login to reply to this post In reply to PattiAnnJ << Like this post Date: 1/20/13 2:05 PM Thanks PattiAnnJ. I'm just starting the search. I have a Babylock dealer very close to me. I've used their service department for my Kenmores and Singers. Have also looked at some of their machines. The Babylock prices are over the top and I had a bad experience with the Natalie I bought before finding my Kenmore 18221. I like the Janome(Kenmore). There are a couple of places within about 50 miles of me that carry Janome. I'm just not terribly computer savvy, and didn't want to get in over my head with any of them
RipStitcher Intermediate Member since 5/28/12 Posts: 1404	Login to reply to this post In reply to JTink << Like this post Date: 1/20/13 2:06 PM Welcome to my world! I'm loving my new machines and my old Elnagirl (SU 1975) has been retired to her case in my sewing haven. When I started my journey last year (sounds like where you are now) .. the first thing I had to do was *detox* from all things I knew to be true about sm brands, quality, etc. Make a list of the things you love to do... and maybe add some things you may not have done that you'd like to try. I do like sewing funky projects... and garment sewing just doesn't make sense to me in this day & age of being fabric-store-wastelands (compared to what was out there when I used to sew all of my clothes!) Originally, I wanted a machine that could embroider as well as sew... but after reading this group thoroughly for a few weeks, it became crystal clear that there wasn't going to be a one-machine-does-all for me. I'm so very glad I bought a sewing machine for construction first. But even just getting a sm with the best features for the money got overwhelming for me (again, detoxing off of my incredible mechanical Elna for all those years!) ... so I just bought the New Elna Lotus for my granddaughter, first... as a starting point to play with electronic machines. No regrets there - it's a sweet little machine. *Then* I bought the Horizon. I'm super pleased with the capabilities of my Janome (as you probably already know from the Love Fest thread) For sewing, there just isn't another machine on the market, IMO, that offers as much bang for the buck as the Horizon lines offer. Especially when it comes to dual feed capabilities. And for every one person that might have had probs with the Horizon... it's minimal compared to some of the nightmares that were going on with other lines at the time I bought last year. I'm so very happy with it's performance. If you check out the Love Fest thread, you'll see how my machine's maiden voyage was chomping through 30 layers on a challenging tote bag project. So for piercing power, it seems every bit as good as my mechanical that served me well for over 30 years. :) *Then* after buying the Janome, I started looking at embroidery machines, etc... the choices are staggering... I was such a chicken sh*t about making the change that I wimped out and bought a Brother SE400 on Amazon to even see if I liked doing embroidery before jumping in to a bigger machine for that. So much depends on what kind of $$ you're willing to spend... There are great choices all across the board. Looking forward to hearing more of what you're thinkin'. ------ nightowlsally.com On my radar someday: Babylock Serger, and some machine for travel. My dearest wish is to have Bernina come out with a machine that doesn't give me a reason to *not* buy it. 2012: New Elna Lotus (mostly for granddaughter), Red Elna Press, Horizon 7700, Gidget 2 Table, Babylock Ellisimo Gold 1970's: Elna SU62 & ElnaPress
tgm and Kittys   Advanced Beginner WI USA Member since 3/8/10 Posts: 6952	Login to reply to this post In reply to JTink << Like this post Date: 1/20/13 2:17 PM The Janome 8050 that is in Hancock's on sale this month has had some good reviews here. ... You might like the Kenmore 16321 if you can find one... to me it is the best of both worlds mechanical plus it has the speed control, stop/start & needle up down features. .... I am not sure what the Janome brand is for that model but I really like it. .................... yeah this aging business is not for the faint of heart... to add; I should say it has a dial that is easier to read than some sm, & the knobs are not too difficult to turn once you have done it a few times the stiffness is gone & they work pretty well.... (I have lost strength in both hands & my left arm so this was also important to me). hope this helps just a little maybe... -- Edited on 1/20/13 2:19 PM -- ------ I am a gal from Kalamazoo.... oh what a gal... smile.... It is in Michigan... la la la ...love that Glen Miller classic! Home of Abigail The Babykins & Lil Mittee kitty >^,,^ Be Still, & Know That I am, God + Please say a prayer for my poor feet. ... + ..one month down .. 6 weeks more to go.. They are healing. Thanks everyone for your prayers. 5/8/13 smile
karen149   Intermediate CA USA Member since 3/4/05 Posts: 2521	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/20/13 2:50 PM I would say the greatest advantage with computerized machines is that you can get models that will lift the presser foot for you automatically, along with cutting the threads. Like tgm and Kittys , I don't have a lot of strength in my hands(especially my right hand) and not having to reach to the back of a machine to lift the presser foot or take time to snip threads with scissors or raising it up to a thread cutter on the side of the machine, as small a task as that may seem, can really make a difference.
JTink Intermediate VA USA Member since 4/20/08 Posts: 4831	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/20/13 3:33 PM What wonderful suggestions I'm not willing to put a fortune into a sewing machine(even though I use it almost every day). I've been able to find deals on most of the ones I have. The Kenmore 18221 and 16221 were less than $150 each (on sale). Even at full price, they were $199. The same model is still being sold by Janome for $399. I would never pay that much for it. I don't need a machine I can plug up to a computer and down load stuff. Just something solid, with a good variety of stitches and push button operation. -- Edited on 1/23/13 12:52 PM --
RipStitcher Intermediate Member since 5/28/12 Posts: 1404	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 1/20/13 4:24 PM JTink... If I were you... I'd give an electronic machine a spin... I'd start by looking at the Brother sewing machines on Amazon . One of the wonderful features of even the lower priced Brothers is they have killer needle threaders. Amazon is great about returns... so you can give a machine a nice run for its money at home - doing the things you like to do - for a few weeks before deciding if it deserves a permanent home with you. ------ nightowlsally.com On my radar someday: Babylock Serger, and some machine for travel. My dearest wish is to have Bernina come out with a machine that doesn't give me a reason to *not* buy it. 2012: New Elna Lotus (mostly for granddaughter), Red Elna Press, Horizon 7700, Gidget 2 Table, Babylock Ellisimo Gold 1970's: Elna SU62 & ElnaPress
SandiMacD   Intermediate FL USA Member since 2/8/09 Posts: 1055	Login to reply to this post Like this post Subject: Whats the difference? Date: 1/21/13 6:41 AM I think there is a grey line between electronic and computerized. The electonic machines have a mother board (computer parts) and let you input changes by pushing a button which displays on a screen- often small. Or the button will activate a needle up/down feature or thread a needle or cut a thread. The term computerized machines generally refer to a screen that you can touch but not always- sometimes you push buttons to get around the screen. Most commonly that is found in embroidery machines. The difference is that with electronic machines that have just one screen display, your button-pushing indicates things like stitch type, length, width, on or off. But sometimes there is no screen, just a light perhaps on older models. With a computerized machine you can move between multiple screens. When you touch it or push buttons you have text and images displayed, sometimes in color. And you usually have a built in help menu. -- Edited on 1/21/13 6:44 AM -- ------ re-living my youth through sewing...
Sewshable1   Intermediate GA USA Member since 8/24/02 Posts: 422	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/21/13 7:00 AM I was impressed by the Necchi that Muffet listed the other day, it seemed to have it all. Janome is the mfg for necchi now it seems, I don't know if they have an equivalent model or not. This one seems to have everything you want, and not a lot of fluff: EX30 Features: 30 stitches with direct stitch selection 3 one-step buttonholes Built-in needle threader Snap on presser feet Direct stitch selection keys Optical magnifier Memorized needle Up/Down with Down as default 7-piece feed dog Free arm Drop feed Start/Stop button Speed control slider Manual thread tension control Locking stitch button Automatic thread cutter button Twin needle guard Easy reverse button Foot pressure adjustment Top loading full rotary hook bobbin Maximum stitch width: 7mm Maximum stitch length: 5mm Hard cover Weighs 15 lb.s EX30 from the Necchi site. Only problem is no price listed. Maybe muffet could tell us? ------ You can judge the true character of a man by the way he treats the people who can do nothing for him

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