Please LOGIN or Join PatternReview

Go to Page: 1 of 42 of 43 of 44 of 4

Help!! In a tizzy over machines Trying to decide which is best for me
Miss Fairchild   Advanced USA Member since 8/24/02 Posts: 6999	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 10/29/12 7:49 PM I've had a rough "machine week". My Janome 6019 QC, aka Junky Janome because it can take any kind of junk thread, is in the shop with a cam issue that will cost over $200 to fix, after being sent to Janome. I liked it because I can take it to class (being a mechanical) and it made nice button holes. It also had a nice hard cover. My 6500, aka Big Bertha, is acting up because she refuses to make decent buttonholes and won't even consider the monogramming/lettering, and I need that for my Etsy shop. The last time she had a snit, it cost me $183 and I've used her about half a dozen times since. The interesting thing is not one of my vintage machines, as in those Touch and Swears some of you always talk about, have given me any problems. And I found that the Janomes are made in Taiwan, as indicated on the tag on Big Bertha. I'm sure it's a good machine, but sometimes the newer Singers have gotten a bad rap because they were made in China as well, so maybe they're not so bad after all. So I'm in a whirlpool trying to figure out which machine I should buy, if I should. I've had the Singer Quantum 9960 on my wish list for several months. Under $400, and does monograms/lettering, although I'm unfamiliar with the button holes. I've been looking at a Singer Concerto 9217, (which I had once and sold because it was the slowest and I didn't use it as much), and that one is about $300. It makes buttonholes out of this world! Hard case, no problems and....a Touch and Sew. No lettering, though. Then there's the Janome 2012, computerized, but no lettering, and that one's about $600. And here's the kicker: I've been commissioned to make two grand piano covers--one for the art museum and one for the theatrical center near me, so I need something that will be durable. I don't want a Bernina, because I find them overpriced and I need a horizontal bobbin due to the sewing desk configuration I have. So can any of you provide some input as to what I should get and why? I'm looking to spend about $400, maybe a little more if I sell Big Bertha. Thank you! ------ "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
sew2006 Advanced ON CANADA Member since 6/24/06 Posts: 1705	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 10/29/12 9:30 PM If you do a lot of sewing why not add a straight stitch machine like the Brother PQ 1500S, Janome or Juki equivelant? I love the speed 1500 stitches, heavy duty for jeans and great for sheer fabrics too. I live in an apartment and this was as close as I could get to an industrial. The hook's all metal, full rotaty and loads from the left side. ------ Janome10001, Babylock ESG3, Brother ULT 2001, White 634D serger, Pfaff 1472, Singer featherweight, Singer 14T957Dc, Bernina FunLock 009DCC coverlock, Brother PQ1500S, Janome CP900.
Miss Fairchild   Advanced USA Member since 8/24/02 Posts: 6999	Login to reply to this post In reply to sew2006 << Like this post Date: 10/30/12 2:09 AM You had me thinking, until I read "loads from the left side". Nope, can't do that either. I tried an industrial for the first time about two weeks ago; that thing really zinged! But it was too fast for me. I'll check back to see other suggestions. Thanks so much for yours, though. ------ "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
tgm and Kittys   Advanced Beginner WI USA Member since 3/8/10 Posts: 6951	Login to reply to this post In reply to Miss Fairchild << Like this post Date: 10/30/12 5:52 AM Do the Touch N Sew have a monogram attachment that would work for you? Maybe that would be a temporary fix or ??? My sister's sewing buddy loves her Singer's Quilting Confidence I believe the name of it is, though she bought it 2 years ago. I do not remember if it does monograms though. I think someone on the Singer posting recently got a Singer Stylist.. the new one not vintage & they really like it maybe they would know about the monogram with that sm. ............Say could you check out the videos on HSN & see what you think of the Singers, Brothers & such .... not to buy from them if you do not want to but see the demos? I had a Kenmore 19233 a couple of years ago the lettering was awful IMO & it did not do well on denim, thicker fabric. So I can understand the frustration with a "junky" fussy fussy sm. Grrr....!!! Congrats on your upcoming projects! That is wonderful! ------ 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
Mufffet   Intermediate VT USA Member since 8/14/05 Posts: 8925	Login to reply to this post In reply to Miss Fairchild << Like this post Date: 10/30/12 8:04 AM Have you tried a Viking? Is there a chance of a previously owned Viking Platinum 770 around you anywhere? They do a nice script and lettering and sew over anything I have tried to sew on mine. Also your vintage Singers should be good for monograms and buttonholes surely? Can you rethink the furniture and get a Bernina or a Brother 1500 after all? I do hope your problems can be solved and am waiting to see what you can figure out. I am so sorry about your Janomes though - surely the 6500 can be fixed?! If I were you I would get a Brother 1500 and table and embroider the monograms on an embroidery machine I think. I am no help at all probably. ------ "Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." --Dalai Lama I have sewing machines
mkhpaintsew   Intermediate IN USA Member since 4/5/06 Posts: 164	Login to reply to this post In reply to Miss Fairchild << Like this post Date: 10/30/12 10:31 AM "Touch and Swears"
misskira Member since 3/3/12 Posts: 119	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 10/30/12 11:46 AM I have a brother pc420 from amazon and adore it. Drop in bobbin, strong, has monogram stitching and easy to use. It's $400ish. I've heard gret things about the singer quantum too. It has really good amazon reviews.
Sew Jane Intermediate KS USA Member since 8/24/02 Posts: 137	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 10/30/12 11:59 AM How about a Singer 401a? I've seen them anywhere from $50 to $125 on Craig's list. I just acquired one for a young sewer a friend is teaching for $75 from CL with a the cabinet you can land an airplane on and tons of extras.They're not fussy, can use the Singer Professional Buttonholer (my all -time favorite buttonholer) and have a lot of built in stitches. They also have a beautiful straight stitch. It's my daughter's go-to machine. ------ "The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes." - Marcel Proust
tgm and Kittys   Advanced Beginner WI USA Member since 3/8/10 Posts: 6951	Login to reply to this post In reply to Mufffet << Like this post Date: 10/30/12 12:21 PM There is a Viking 990 on the classifieds here ... would that be good? The ad is asking $400 for it. I just wondered if that would be a good one for our Miss Fairchild. ??? ------ 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
AminaHijabi Advanced Beginner Member since 10/22/10 Posts: 813	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 10/30/12 2:22 PM I do believe the Juky TL-2010Q has speed control... so you don't HAVE to zing on it. I think if you want to sew something as heavy as a canvas piano cover I wouldn't want to sew it on a regular domestic machine. http://www.jukihome.com/products/quilt_tl2010q.html

Go to Page: 1 of 42 of 43 of 44 of 4

Please LOGIN or Join PatternReview

Printable Version

* Advertising and soliciting is strictly prohibited on PatternReview.com. If you find a post which is not in agreement with our Terms and Conditions, please click on the Report Post button to report it.