BLMLB
 
Beginner
OK USA
Member since 1/20/09
Posts: 79 |
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Date: 2/6/13 1:02 PM Going to Oklahoma City next week to test drive s/m. After much internal debate I’ve decided to start with a lower priced combo. I first had a budget of $3500 then something new would come out and I would think for a little bit more I could get this..and this. The next thing I know I’m looking at a $6000.00 machine. Then I thought of a Brother 770d and an s/m. I read most of the threads and have gotten a lot of advice. Thanks to everyone. Here are some of the things I’ve learned. 1 Bonding with the machine. 2 Dealer support. 3 Make a list of must haves. 4 Know the prices and trade in for moving up.
I’m looking at a Brother 1250D, 1500D or 2800D or Baby Lock equivalent. What is the price range on these machines? I have a Bernina Nova 900 which I love but the Bernina’s are out of my price range. It’s a 200 mile round trip for me so any information on s/m dealers in the Oklahoma City area will be appreciated. I had a bad experience in the 80’s with a sewing machine and dealer I haven’t sewn in years due to that. But I just started again and I love it. I’ve talked to the Bernina and Baby Lock dealers on the phone and they seem very helpful. The sewing I plan on doing for now is Home décor and some garment. Later I plan on quilting.
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Bernina Nova 900 my son-in-law namedt"Money Spent"
Magenta, Pfaff Creative Performance |
karen149
Intermediate
CA USA
Member since 3/4/05
Posts: 2516 |
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Date: 2/6/13 1:21 PM I'm sure there is a Brother or BabyLock model that will meet your needs. I have gone the route of keeping my embroidery unit separate...a PE700, as I am not a prolific embroider and I can sew while it does it's job. You could get a full featured machine, like the Brother NX800 and PE780D embroidery-only(the one that dealers usually carry) for under $2000 total.
It's good that you've set a budget. Some of these machines are asking way too much in price these days, which is why financing in now offered and despite being touted as 0%, there are still fees to pay for simply using their credit.
It doesn't matter whatever screaming deal you get today, when you go to trade up, it will only apply to full price(MSRP) on the new machine. I've had dealers tell me I'm better off selling it on my own, which I've done.
Have you considered a Juki for a sewing-only machine? They are at/under $1000 and have a lot of happy owners. There is a dealer in Oklahoma City(Juki site says it's The Stitching Post)
-- Edited on 2/6/13 1:23 PM -- |
BLMLB
Beginner
OK USA
Member since 1/20/09
Posts: 79 |
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Date: 2/6/13 2:26 PM Yes, Juki f600 or 400 was one of the first s/m I looked at when I started looking. I've read the post and I think it would make a wonderful machine. The only thing that stopped me from looking at a Juki is the circle sewing, bobbin works and side sewing. Don't know what you sew with side sewing but it looks like fun. Can I do bobbin works and circle sewing on a Juki?
-- Edited on 2/6/13 2:30 PM -- ------
Bernina Nova 900 my son-in-law namedt"Money Spent"
Magenta, Pfaff Creative Performance |
karen149
Intermediate
CA USA
Member since 3/4/05
Posts: 2516 |
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 1 member likes this.
Date: 2/6/13 2:43 PM Ohhh, that's a good point. I just posted a question regarding this on their Facebook page. I've wondered about that. I've read of someone using this circular stitcher on their low-shank machine just fine. You could sticky-tac a thumbtack to the bed and put an eraser on the topside. But sure, it's nice to have actual attachments...
I had a Brother QC-1000 that had directional sewing. When in that mode, it sews quite slow because the feed dogs are lifting up the fabric and moving it sideways(or diagonal) to where the next stitch will be... Sometimes it's just better off pivoting.
-- Edited on 2/6/13 2:46 PM -- |
karen149
Intermediate
CA USA
Member since 3/4/05
Posts: 2516 |
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Date: 2/6/13 3:08 PM Well, they were quick to respond!: "There is not a circular stitching attachment. For doing bobbin work you can use your machine without any extra attachments." |
BLMLB
Beginner
OK USA
Member since 1/20/09
Posts: 79 |
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Date: 2/6/13 6:37 PM Thanks, that's good to know. I'm not going to OKC until next Tue. this weekend I plan on sewing with my Bernina Nova to compare sticthes. ------
Bernina Nova 900 my son-in-law namedt"Money Spent"
Magenta, Pfaff Creative Performance |
karen149
Intermediate
CA USA
Member since 3/4/05
Posts: 2516 |
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Date: 2/6/13 8:16 PM Here's some more follow-up on the Juki bobbin case:
"You can adjust the bobbin case but with our top load bobbin I will run up to 1/8th inch ribbon. If I run something that heavy I simply skip the last tension path of the bobbin case. If you are ever concerned about wear on your bobbin case just can an extra and mark one for bobbin work. |
ilovedogs
Member since 2/18/12
Posts: 5 |
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Date: 2/6/13 8:35 PM You will like the bernina people. They are knowledgeable and helpful. John and Emily are the owners. Twyla is the queen of know everything sewing machines...she can work on nearly everything. |
sewfrequent
Intermediate
TX USA
Member since 6/27/03
Posts: 2904 |
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Date: 2/7/13 6:53 AM There is a huge BabyLock store in OKC called B-Sew Inn. they have locations in other cities...Tulsa, Muskogee (i think) and some in Missouri also. |
Sewmissy2
Advanced
MO USA
Member since 12/5/10
Posts: 95 |
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Date: 2/7/13 7:58 AM B Sew Inn is a wonderful dealer. Check out the Baby Lock machines for sure.
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