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I Need Help-What Machine to Buy?
mollycoomer   Beginner MI Member since 8/26/10 Posts: 73	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 2/1/13 12:57 PM I've been looking at machines for free motion quilting. I have a Janome MC6600 that I love, but wanted a seperate machine just for the quilting. Right now I just piece but taking a class next week and plan on practicing daily as much as possible. Have sewn on the Viking Tribute and liked it-can get for $1100 with $200 in-store card. Also considering Pfaff ambitiong 1.5 for $999 on sale right now. On Craigslist there is a Bernina 450-originally called Anniversary-can buy for $1300 and a BSR for $275+shipping.I'm going to look at Bernina tonight. But local store warned me that if something goes out it can cost $1000. But I can't afford any of their new machines and they don't carry used. What's more important-the BSR plus it being a Bernina or it being a new machine with warranty. My other machines were used but bought from a dealer and had a warranty on them. Are there any other machines to consider? We only have a Viking, Bernina, and Babylock dealer thatcarries some Pfaffs.
Artsewer   Intermediate NY USA Member since 3/2/11 Posts: 1238	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 2/1/13 1:25 PM I loved the 6600 for free motion. I purchased the foot (whixh has height adjustment and three soles, that actually comes with the 7700 for mine, as it works better then the FM foot that comes with the 6600. I am not understanding what you gain in terms of quilting or free motion quilting with the machines you have mentioned. The 6600 has a 9 or 9.5 inch harp space while the Bernina 450 is 7.5 or so. Also that seems like an awfully low but then an excellent price for a 450 and the BSR seems also low. The 450 which is not disc. as of yet is a pretty pricey machine. I think if you can try out the 450 before buying it, that for the money, can not be beat. Even if it needs to be cleaned but it should sew really well, smooth and pretty quiet. It will sound different then the 6600. As they have different bobbin systems. It is a 9mm machine, has no thread cutter but is a very good machine. The others you mentioned do not compare with it., but The Pfaff Ambition is a 7mm machine, and very nice with the IDT and is pretty basic but good I dont know what the Harp space is. I dont know anything about the Viking Tribute. Im all for buying through a dealer, but if the 450 is good, that is an awesome price! -- Edited on 2/1/13 1:27 PM -- ------ Bernina 750Q, 635E, 380, Serger 1100DC
quiltingwolf Advanced MD USA Member since 12/15/02 Posts: 5003	Login to reply to this post In reply to mollycoomer << 2 members like this. Date: 2/1/13 1:31 PM I would stick with the 6600 that machine was designed for quilters. -- Edited on 2/1/13 3:15 PM -- ------ quiltingwolf.blogspot.com
Warbler   Advanced VT USA Member since 4/15/07 Posts: 2580	Login to reply to this post In reply to mollycoomer << Like this post Date: 2/1/13 2:42 PM I love piecing and quilting on my Janome 6600. If you wanted to get a machine for piecing then I would recommend a smaller Janome with the same feed and hook set up. I had a Janome HT2008 for a while and used it as a class machine. I have since sold it and now have a Bernina Activa. But the Janome DC series are the same machine. Janome DC2013 ------ Janome MC6600 Bernina 240 Juki MO735 Singer 201-2 Singer 221-1 Singer 15-91
PattiAnnJ   Advanced OH USA Member since 12/3/06 Posts: 4986	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 2/1/13 2:49 PM This question is often asked and actually it will be up to you as to which machine, which dealer, which brand and how much to spend. Make several mini quilt sandwiches and take them with you to each dealer along with a few quilt fabric scraps. Dealers usually have very crappy fabric scraps for testing. Test free motion as well as the other features you will be using. Then you can decide based upon your own experience. -- Edited on 2/1/13 2:50 PM --
Learn To Sew   Intermediate WA USA Member since 4/12/05 Posts: 7992	Login to reply to this post In reply to PattiAnnJ << Like this post Date: 2/1/13 3:21 PM Great idea. Be sure each mini quilt sandwich is different from the next one. This way you can try each one on a different machine and takes notes of what machine did which colored fabric. If the fabric sandwishes are all the same, it is much harder to distinguish this. ------ 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

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