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Should I upgrade? Torn here! I'm within the trade-up period with my dealer...
1975Jumby Intermediate CA USA Member since 8/19/08 Posts: 538	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 7/12/12 7:06 PM Ugh…this is so typical of me…wanting something better. LOL! I can’t believe I’m even thinking of “upgrading”, but while I’m in the upgrade period with my dealer, I’m bouncing around the idea. I just bought the Babylock Esante which I absolutely love! In fact, I can honestly say it’s the best sewing machine I have ever sewed on, hands down. No offense to my Futura 900 or heavy duty Kenmore, but this really is a fabulous machine…especially the way it handles the fabric. And best of all, the stitches are perfect…each and every one of them. Last night, I even sewed about 14 layers of mid-weight cotton twill and it didn’t budge a bit. I really was quite surprised. Anyway, so why upgrade? Well for starters, I was thinking that at first I’d rather get the machine that I will have for many years now rather than upgrade later and get the full price for my machine applied to a new one. I’ve been doing so much sewing and embroidering, I’m getting tired of taking off the embroidery unit to sew and vice versa. It’s starting to get a bit old and even though I still have to switch threads and bobbins, it still is a step saved and changing thread is not hard. That and even though I haven’t been embroidering that long, I know I would love the automatic jump stitch thread cutter. Cutting the jump stitches is getting a bit annoying because most of my designs have a lot of color changes. The mono screen still doesn’t bother me at all, but I think the reasons I mentioned alone are worth the additional cost to me. So I’m looking at the Ellegante. Now, if I could swing the Ellisimo, I would because that is one sweet machine and the little snowman stickers with the needlecam eye is unbelievable. My dilemma? Well, I love the Esante so much for its sewing capabilities (and the embroidery is just as beautiful), I’m almost afraid to trade it in and not get the same stitch quality on another machine. Even though that probably wouldn’t happen, I don’t want to end up thinking, “I should have kept the first machine…” if something happens. That, and I’m also beginning to see where having two machines would be pretty convenient at some point. So what do you all think? Should I keep my Esante and then just wait for a good used machine or floor model to come up with my dealer? Or just trade it in and get the Ellegante? I’m loyal to my dealer and really only want to go through them, but the chance of getting a floor model Ellegante is pretty much nil since they don’t carry one in the store for display…but they do have the Ellisimo. -- Edited on 7/12/12 7:10 PM -- ------ Babylock Ellisimo Gold Babylock Enlighten Kenmore 1914 Kenmore 1814
Learn To Sew   Intermediate WA USA Member since 4/12/05 Posts: 8250	Login to reply to this post In reply to 1975Jumby << Like this post Date: 7/12/12 7:40 PM Can you possibly keep the machine AND buy the upgrade? I know, it is a lot of $$. I heard you say (type) that it is a pain to take off the unit to sew and vice versa. Wouldn't this also be a problem on another machine? It sound like you need a machine for embroidery and one for sewing and not a combo machine. Just food for thought... Learn -- Edited on 7/12/12 9:35 PM -- ------ Quilting is relaxing to me. I love to play with fabrics, patterns and colors. Bernina 630 machine only Pfaff 2036 Babylock Molly Bernina 1200DA serger Unique Sewing Cabinet 450L
heathergwo Advanced Beginner CA USA Member since 11/14/11 Posts: 766	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 7/12/12 8:31 PM I agree with Learntosew. It seems that you don't just want the upgrade, but rather another machine to do the embroidery and one for sewing. I can definitely see where that might come in handy if you're doing a lot of both! It seems to ME that you're really in love with and have bonded with your machine. I say keep it and then try to purchase ANOTHER machine (used or new) to use for embroidery only purposes. HTH! ------ Brother Innovis 1250D Singer Curvy 8763 Brother 1034D Janome 385.19606 Brother 2340CV
1975Jumby Intermediate CA USA Member since 8/19/08 Posts: 538	Login to reply to this post In reply to heathergwo << Like this post Date: 7/12/12 8:45 PM With the Ellegante or the Ellisimo, I can sew with the embroidery unit attached. So I wouldn't have to switch out the unit every time I want to embroider and I can go back and forth between the two functions pretty easily. That's the plus with these two machines. Truth be told, I really would like to have just one machine, but 2 wouldn't be so bad either. At least that would relieve the pressure to upgrade by the middle of next month and can just wait for the right deal. Sigh....decisions, decisions. It's funny because I've often read posts on here about people bonding with machines and not bonding and while I've always understood it, I don't think I really grasped the whole thing until I bought this machine. It's like I totally get what people are saying now. ------ Babylock Ellisimo Gold Babylock Enlighten Kenmore 1914 Kenmore 1814
Miss Fairchild   Advanced USA Member since 8/24/02 Posts: 7121	Login to reply to this post In reply to 1975Jumby << Like this post Date: 7/12/12 8:55 PM Okay, here's my two cents. You mentioned that you really love this machine, so why get rid of it? If you've bonded with it, (and believe me, that can be hard to do!) then why not keep it and get another that might suit your other needs as well? If I had a (newer model) machine that I liked as much as you said you like yours, I wouldn't get rid of it for fear that the newer one wouldn't have something I wanted. ------ "We don't impose our rhythm on Nature. The key is to respect and live within Her." Jean-Charles Boisset, Winemaker "And no, now that you asked, I didn't enjoy that play one bit, and I'd like a refund" Signed, Mrs. Lincoln My Etsy shop: auntmaymesattic My blog: auntmaymesattic.wordpress.com Avatar: First place award for jacket at county fair
LynnRowe   Advanced BC CANADA Member since 3/9/09 Posts: 7012	Login to reply to this post In reply to 1975Jumby << 1 member likes this. Date: 7/12/12 9:32 PM No single machine is going to be 100% everything; the industry pros use a different machine for almost every different step because one machine just can't do it all and do it all perfectly. They have "specialist machines", and if the pros can't have one machine that does it all, we certainly can't! Bonding is not an easy thing, as Miss Fairchild said. if you and your current machine have bonded, keep it. It does exactly what you want and need for a large number of things. Perfect! For the other things you need and want, look at adopting a separate machine for that. Just because both machines may overlap in certain areas - ie they both do straight stitches and zigzags and have some embroidery etc- doesn't mean they aren't both needed and valued members of your sewing habit. One will be a sewing machine than can do embroidery...the other will be an embroidery machine that can sew. Even with my beautiful fabulous Pfaff Creative Performance arriving, I have no intention of losing my Pfaff 2023; there isn't anything the 2023 has that the Performance doesn't have...except 6mm feed dogs, portability, and back-up status. That this is causing you stress means, IMO, that you really need to keep your current baby, and as and when you can, add another baby to your stable. ------ I heart Panzy, Pfaff Creative Performance, the sewing machine love of my life! And Rupert (Pfaff 2023), Baby (BL Enlighten), Victor (BLCS), Ash (Bernina 350SE), Pal (Bernina 530), Kee (Bernina 750) and the Featherteen Flock! Most of all, I heart Woo (HimmyCat). Until we meet again, my beautiful little boy. I love you.
SewBusy63 Advanced IA USA Member since 12/10/07 Posts: 3259	Login to reply to this post In reply to 1975Jumby << Like this post Date: 7/12/12 10:36 PM I would keep your machine if you love it so much. Why not get a stand alone embroidery machine if you have the room for it? I can leave the embroidery unit on my 830 but don't. It's in the way, IMO. ------ ~Diana~ ♥ Bernina 830E ♥ Bernina 1150MDA serger ✝The Lord is my Light and my Salvation: whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1✝
sewfrequent Intermediate TX USA Member since 6/27/03 Posts: 2935	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 7/12/12 10:55 PM Well, i think both the other machines you are considering do the very same thing as the Esante with the advantage of the color screen (no small thing) and the cutting of jump stitches. There will be many other smaller perks in addition... You'll get the same stitches (and then some), the same embroidery functions (and then some)..a larger embroidery field?? more stitches? So if you can afford it and want it, i don't think you'd LOSE anything you have now-- but will have much to gain. It should be very much like your current machine with added enhancements. There probably won't be anything you "miss" but a thorough test-drive will help you tp see clearly the difference and some will be significant. You probably won't be losing a thing with the trade-up. Only you can decide if what you would gain is worth the difference to YOU.
sewplenty   Advanced WA USA Member since 4/1/12 Posts: 156	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 7/13/12 1:56 AM I agree with Sew Frequent. I would ask the dealer if you can sew on your new machine first before you make the decision. Make sure it sews as beautifully as the one you have. Sometimes there can be slight nuances between two machines of the same model. I personally have several machines to do different jobs like some others have posted, but if you only want one machine, then test drive the new one and go for it! ------ Brother PC420 Brother 1034D Singer SESQ6700 Singer Signature (New One) New Home Combi DX Singer 319 Singer Featherweight 221
PattiAnnJ   Advanced OH USA Member since 12/3/06 Posts: 5231	Login to reply to this post 3 members like this. Date: 7/13/12 12:17 PM Stop buying and start using what you have............ooops.........that's me in that mirror! Take a test drive, talk nice to it and it will probably follow you home. ------ “I don’t give them Hell, I just tell the truth about them and they think it’s Hell.” — Harry Truman

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