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sewing machine for a beginner Brother Innov IS 40, Janome 7330 and Husqvarna Viking Emerald 118.
quest.ion Beginner Member since 12/2/12 Posts: 1	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 12/2/12 10:28 PM I'm looking to buy a new sewing maching for my wife for Christmas. She is a beginner sewer. I went to a few stores and the machines I found are: Brother Innov IS 40, Janome 7330 and Husqvarna Viking Emerald 118. From what I get, these machines are similar. I need help and suggestions please!!!
RipStitcher Intermediate Member since 5/28/12 Posts: 1404	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 12/2/12 11:10 PM Hi there..... May I ask.... do you have a budget in mind or are you shopping based on features? What kind of sewing does she think she is wanting to do? (Home Decorating, Garment, Quilting, Patch & Mend?) I personally would do a Janome if I were buying for a beginner... they're terrific machines. Here's another one that you didn't mention... but this one has a load of stitches and I think it's a great starter machine that would serve someone well: Janome DC5100 on Amazon And personally, for a machine in this price range, I'd be shopping Amazon instead of a local dealer - for the simple reason that if she wants to trade up or down ... or return it for any reason... Amazon is painless to deal with. That Janome 7330 is a nice machine, too. For that price, it's a super deal. ------ 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
RipStitcher Intermediate Member since 5/28/12 Posts: 1404	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 12/2/12 11:16 PM Hey... I just went back to do a slightly different search and found this machine: Janome 8077 Now.. this is just me... but I prefer this one over the Magnolia because I personally wouldn't want to live with the graphics of the Magnolia for years to come unless I was giving it to a younger child. But that's just me. ------ 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
karen149   Intermediate CA USA Member since 3/4/05 Posts: 2521	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 12/2/12 11:28 PM Of the three I would choose the Janome. The Brother is not exactly a full-sized model, more 3/4 size. The Janome is super easy to use. For most buyers of machines for other people we usually recommend that you give a gift card to let the recipient go and try out machines to find what appeals to them. Afterall, they have to sit in front of the thing and some wives will sit in quiet frustration while trying to love a machine as they do not want to show disappointment in your choice of gift for them. As RipSticher said, she may hate big flowers on a sewing machine...you never know. Machines are generally not returnable unless you are buying from a big box vendor(like Walmart); dealers will most likely let you trade it for something else they sell. -- Edited on 12/2/12 11:34 PM --
ilesliemy   Advanced TX USA Member since 2/25/05 Posts: 740	Login to reply to this post 2 members like this. Date: 12/2/12 11:31 PM I recommend a dealer because a beginner would really benefit from dealer support, lessons etc. Leslie ------ Bernina Gal
cocosloft   Advanced FL USA Member since 3/17/12 Posts: 124	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 12/3/12 6:47 AM In the under-$400 range I recommend the Singer Quantum Stylist 9960, online purchase. It has box feed - Magnolia does not. It does not need oiling - Magnolia does. I've had both. Stylist is far superior motor, tension, everything! However - for a beginner, both may be too much machine and money. Might look at Singer line, lower end, Tradition for instance, for a starter machine. With the idea of replacing if sewing continues and advances. Can see in stores. And at good price during holidays. ------ Coco
Changma   Advanced Beginner NY USA Member since 2/20/12 Posts: 413	Login to reply to this post In reply to quest.ion << Like this post Date: 12/3/12 7:57 AM The current Singer Fashionmate-easy, easy, easy...top loading bobbin, 70 stitches, just a fun machine. $150 at Amazon or Walmart. -- Edited on 12/3/12 11:06 AM --
AminaHijabi Advanced Beginner Member since 10/22/10 Posts: 813	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 12/3/12 11:17 AM I'll be the crazy person and say the Emerald because I think it will have more versatility in types of fabric it can handle easily, has a fairly powerful motor, Viking dealer support (from my experience) is really excellent, and I think mechanical machines are less daunting for beginning sewers of adult ages. HOWEVER, you should take her shopping and see what she chooses. It has less stitches than the other two and some people like lots of stitches. They are all three good machines which she will likely enjoy. I hope they are all priced similarly as well.
Learn To Sew   Intermediate WA USA Member since 4/12/05 Posts: 8001	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 12/3/12 12:10 PM Does she know you are doing this for her present? If a surprise, she might or might not like the machine you choose for her. There are many machines and SHE needs to find the one she likes. If you choose it for her and she does not like it, that is not good. She would try to love it, but it often does not happen. It needs to be her decision. Gift cards are wonderful. Shopping trips are the best! Take her out to lunch and then to 2 or more dealers. Plan the day for her and left it be a great time for her. She will remember this day for many years! Get a babysitter if you have children, so she can concentrate on machines and not kids. Dealers, dealers, dealers is the only way to go. You could also try Babylock. They have nice machines for less than $700. I believe they have 4-5 models in this range. Mechanical or electronic model of machine? I do not remember you saying which you were looking for. ------ 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
SandiMacD   Intermediate FL USA Member since 2/8/09 Posts: 1055	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 12/3/12 3:44 PM I would go with the entry level Janome from Amazon if she is a true beginner. She can return it easier than with a Janome dealer (they won't refund, just trade up or exchange). They are easy for her to learn from the CD and manual. After she sews for a year or so she will then know what she likes about it and what type of sewing she wants to do. Then she has the Janome as a great second machine and can visit dealers and get another machine with more features and the dealer support and lessons. If she buys from a dealer before she knows a little more about sewing and some basic sewing machine features she may end up spending too much money and not get the right machine for her. ------ re-living my youth through sewing...

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