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Separate sewing machine? (Moderated by Sharon1952, EleanorSews)
Posted on: 7/18/11 7:43 PM ET
I used to sew a lot, now, not so much as i'm too busy. Then, my very old (>20 years) Brother died. I had it refurbrished once already. Now, RIP. I'm hoping to get back into sewing and need a new machine. I've looked at the crazy priced TOL sewing/embroidering machine, but am no sure i want to pay that much, or need it. Some of the embroidery is cool, though, esp some of the lettering.
I'm looking at Brother (or Baby lock equivalent) Innovis NX 2000/Laura Ashley (Baby lock Symphony). I've read too many neg comments about Pfaff - though that would have been my first choice. SEWING is my top priority so I need the machine to sew well and reliably, including heavy (men's) clothing.
Are there things the Brother NX 2000 does that the Quatro combined machine doesn't?
What else should I be considering? (I know, I have to test drive whatever I'm considering).
THANKS in advance
I'm looking at Brother (or Baby lock equivalent) Innovis NX 2000/Laura Ashley (Baby lock Symphony). I've read too many neg comments about Pfaff - though that would have been my first choice. SEWING is my top priority so I need the machine to sew well and reliably, including heavy (men's) clothing.
Are there things the Brother NX 2000 does that the Quatro combined machine doesn't?
What else should I be considering? (I know, I have to test drive whatever I'm considering).
THANKS in advance
Posted on: 7/18/11 7:54 PM ET
I think the best thing you can do is sew with each machine before you make a decision. However, I will tell you, that I, having sewn for close to 50 years, found that I do not like a combination machine. I have a Brother combination machine - sews well and embroiders beautifully - but I prefer to sew on my sewing only machines and leave it set up for embroidery. Often when I am embroidering, I am sewing another project at the same time. When a project has sewing and embroidery I do not want to have to change back and forth. I would suggest a good machine for sewing and an embroidery only machine for your embroidery projects. Both can be obtained from Brother or Babylock.
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Elna Excellence 740, Pfaff Performance 5.2, Elna EasyCover, Babylock Enlighten, Babylock Meridian, Singer Treadle, Singer 66, Singer 99, Bernina 440
http://juliannasjourney.blogspot.com/
http://juliannasjourney.blogspot.com/
Posted on: 7/19/11 0:32 AM ET
In reply to SewingManBalt
I think that when you start taking all of your swatches around for test drives you're going to be very surprised. The wider feed dogs that are so nice for the decorative stitching can be disconcerting at first. I was being told that, now, after 50 years of sewing, I would have to start stabilizing everything; ridiculous! Or, change out a needle plate?!?! Just to sit down and sew. With some machines you can move the needle over to artificially change that opening by exposing the fabric to less of the opening. Your old machine was only 20 years old and died. Mine is still going strong at 28 and I acquired the new machine last year. Based on my experience, I would recommend that you run the swatches around on the sewing side first to find out what is going to be satisfactory to you and then make the embroidery rounds. Even if you are testing the same machines multiple times. If you hone in on a brand or two, you can ask if the dealer has any project classes where they provide the machine. For years, I have been able to work on the finest silk chiffon one day and heavy canvas and vinyl with zipper inserts the next and jumping back and forth between knits and wovens in between. In the past none of this required any extra fiddling. I bet that you will have similar requirements. You will be delighted with the lighting on the new machines. You will probably never get used to the start up noise. Since you've had an old machine, pay close attention to the workspace required for the new ones. Some of them are monsters and it is not practical to think that you would just pop it out for a project and put it away before company comes. There have been so many changes in 20 years, it just seems that it would help to know what you want from each side; sewing and embroidery, before you try to decide whether or not to combine the two.
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Each fallen petal reveals a life pollinated by a colony
and nurtured by The Master Gardener.
and nurtured by The Master Gardener.
Posted on: 7/19/11 8:02 AM ET
THANKS all. To be fair - my old machine was "greater" than 20 years old; in actuality it is closer to 29 years old
I'll keep looking and test driving
I'll keep looking and test driving
Posted on: 7/19/11 9:20 AM ET
I prefer the narrow feed dogs for sewing and when I finally figured this out I purchased a stand alone embroidery machine. When I want to use it I put it on my cutting table and get it going then go and sew. To sew a really nice straight seam a 5.5 mm is best.
Leslie
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Leslie
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Bernina Gal
Posted on: 7/19/11 10:06 AM ET
I recommend you get two separate machines. I traded my Brother 780D up for an Innovis 2800D sewing/embroidery combo and while I absolutely love it, I ended up purchasing a Brother 770 embroidery machine a few months later. I really like to be able to sew while the other machine stitches out the embroidery. It is really easy to switch the Innovis from sewing to embroidery, but I get bored waiting for the embroidery project to finish. I only have so much time I can spend on my sewing projects so every minute counts....lol
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