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Moderated by Sharon1952, EleanorSews
Posted on: 10/6/08 4:04 PM ET
It looks like I can get the BLCS for $899 or the Janome 1000CP for $499. It seems people really love their BLCS, but I am wondering if it is truly worth the extra $400?
Posted on: 10/6/08 4:41 PM ET
In reply to tunibell
Perhaps someone with lots of experience with both machines will speak up here. But I can tell you that I tried the BLCS and Janome 1000CP side by side when I bought my coverstitch machine. I did this on 3 separate visits just to be sure of my decision.
Buying any machine is such a personal thing. In this case, you have to weigh whether the wider harp area and free arm of the 1000 CP are important to you - they weren't to me. You also have to sit down and see which machine feels best to you.
While I know that so many sewers have had great experiences with their 1000CPs, I just found the BLCS to feel more solid. The 1000CP would likely have served me just as well, but I've not been sorry that I spent the extra $$ to get the BLCS.
BTW, that's a very good price you found on the BLCS.
Buying any machine is such a personal thing. In this case, you have to weigh whether the wider harp area and free arm of the 1000 CP are important to you - they weren't to me. You also have to sit down and see which machine feels best to you.
While I know that so many sewers have had great experiences with their 1000CPs, I just found the BLCS to feel more solid. The 1000CP would likely have served me just as well, but I've not been sorry that I spent the extra $$ to get the BLCS.
BTW, that's a very good price you found on the BLCS.
Posted on: 10/6/08 4:44 PM ET
In reply to tunibell
The BLCS is a great machine -- almost everyone who has one here on PR loves it. But if you'd rather spend the $400 on something else, I think you'd be very pleased with the CP1000. I have a Babylock Imagine Wave, and I really wanted a BLCS. But I ended up with the recently discontinued Janome CP900 this summer because I could buy it for just $225.
The CP900 and the CP 1000 are virtually identical except that the CP900 has only a wide coverstitch and not a narrow one. Both are easy to use, highly reliable and tough little machines. So, I think you can feel confident that the CP1000 is an excellent coverstitch machine.
-- Edited on 10/8/08 8:46 AM --
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The CP900 and the CP 1000 are virtually identical except that the CP900 has only a wide coverstitch and not a narrow one. Both are easy to use, highly reliable and tough little machines. So, I think you can feel confident that the CP1000 is an excellent coverstitch machine.
-- Edited on 10/8/08 8:46 AM --
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No sewing project is ever a complete success nor a total failure.
Posted on: 10/6/08 5:20 PM ET
In reply to tunibell
I own the Babylock Evolve and I just purchased the Janome 1000CP. I needed a second coverstitch machine and went through the same process that you are going through now. I knew that I loved my Evolve and therefore reasoned that I would only love the BLCS, but I didn't want to spend the extra cash on the machine so I finally bought the Janome. I used the janome today for the first time on knit pant hems and I totally loved the machine!!!!!! I am so happy that the extra money is in my pocket
Posted on: 10/6/08 5:23 PM ET
In reply to nancy2001
Nancy, just a quick note. The 900cp actually lacks a wide coverstitch as it is only a double needle whereas the 1000cp has the triple needle. I was going to purchase the 900 until I found out that it wouldn't do the wide coverstitch.
Posted on: 10/6/08 5:28 PM ET
I had this decision to make and went for the Janome.
The clincher for me was the large harp area. I like to have topstitched seams on my skirts and pants, the Janome does this with ease. I felt that a long denim skirt would have trouble fitting on the BLCS.
I love my Janome, it does beautifil topstitching, so even. I even use it for single rows of topstitching because it is so good at getting over bumps etc.
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The clincher for me was the large harp area. I like to have topstitched seams on my skirts and pants, the Janome does this with ease. I felt that a long denim skirt would have trouble fitting on the BLCS.
I love my Janome, it does beautifil topstitching, so even. I even use it for single rows of topstitching because it is so good at getting over bumps etc.
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Clare
Machines: Juki TL-2300(straight stitch)used for most things including brilliant free motion, Juki HZL-DX7, Juki 654 serger, Babylock BCLS2 , treadle Singer 201, Elna Lotus SP for easy travel
A Singer Featherweight Centennial recently given tlc and an old Necci in the loft waiting for tlc
Machines: Juki TL-2300(straight stitch)used for most things including brilliant free motion, Juki HZL-DX7, Juki 654 serger, Babylock BCLS2 , treadle Singer 201, Elna Lotus SP for easy travel
A Singer Featherweight Centennial recently given tlc and an old Necci in the loft waiting for tlc
Posted on: 10/6/08 6:35 PM ET
It looks like you've got great feedback on both coverstitch machines - so you know you can't go wrong either way. You can find additional information on Debbie Cook's website, where she has good comparison information on several coverstitch machines. She also has some instructions and demos which many of us have found invaluable (thanks, Debbie). Although she has the BLCS herself, the information on her website is relevant to all coverstitch machines. You can find this at
http://www.cedesign.com/familyphotos/sewing/info/cs_faq/index.html
http://www.cedesign.com/familyphotos/sewing/info/cs_faq/index.html
Posted on: 10/6/08 6:40 PM ET
If I had it to do over again, I would STILL buy the Janome CP1000. It has been a great machine and so far has done everything I have asked of it--including swimwear. My vote is for the Janome!
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Janome 6500P, Babylock Eclipse SX, Janome Coverpro 1000, Babylock BLCS, Juki 654 (2), Babylock Spirit, Juki TL2010q, Brother PE770
Posted on: 10/6/08 8:29 PM ET
Count me in the Janome Fan Club!! LOOOVE my 1000!!! And I deliberated the same choice as you. For me the wider harp really was important. I figured that trying to cs heavier things like sweatshirts/outerwear would be MUCH easier w/ that and I stand by that theory now. It runs like a dream and I'm thrilled with everything it can do. It wasn't even as difficult as I had imagined to figure out.
I will say that I find the "free arm" useless. It pretty much stops just right of the presser foot. Not very helpful when stitch lines are typically not at the edge of your fabric, so you kind of have to smoosh your fabric over to use it. But then again, I'm used to sewing in the round. Sew enough baby clothes and you get over your "need" for a free arm, as they are entirely useless for that type of sewing anyway.
Anyway, just another opinion, but I, too, am glad I didn't spend the extra $. The 1000 is everything I'd hoped for.
Eve
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I will say that I find the "free arm" useless. It pretty much stops just right of the presser foot. Not very helpful when stitch lines are typically not at the edge of your fabric, so you kind of have to smoosh your fabric over to use it. But then again, I'm used to sewing in the round. Sew enough baby clothes and you get over your "need" for a free arm, as they are entirely useless for that type of sewing anyway.
Anyway, just another opinion, but I, too, am glad I didn't spend the extra $. The 1000 is everything I'd hoped for.
Eve
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People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it - Chinese proverb
Posted on: 10/6/08 11:53 PM ET
I have the CP1000 and LOVE it. It's been a part of my family for almost 2.5 years and it has never let me down. I looked at the BLCS, but I honestly couldn't justify spending the extra money so I went with the CP. It's a great machine!
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"The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain." ~Dolly Parton
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