Earleen

I use the hump jumper to go over heavy seams it came with my Viking #1+. There is another name for it, it raises the presser foot to the highth of the seam and you insert it in the back of the presserfoot and sew along. If that makes sense.

Shelbie

I have "several"(ok maybe a few more) machines and can't find the perfect machine that does it all. Some machines are definitely better at some things than others. I always have at least three machines set up, threaded and ready to go. Currently I have four and am using my Husqvarna #1 Plus to machine quilt a single sized quilt, my Singer 201 to replace zippers in DH's coveralls, my Janome 6500 to stitch an old UFO top and I'm playing around with a vintage 530-1 Bernina which looks brand new that I couldn't resist for $40. I don't think that they make the perfect machine that does it all and $'s don't seem to ensure a great machine. I paid by far the most for my Janome 6500 ($2000) and it doesn't stitch nearly as well or as fast as my freebie Singer 201. My Husqvarna and my Bernina also outperform my Janome in many ways. You just need to find a machine that will match what you are doing. If you have the space, it is fun to play with more than one machine and the older ones often outperform the new plastic ones. I think every quilter should have at least two machines. You always need a back-up machine and one you can pack up easily and take to a class.

tjradj

Some machines can sew through lots of layers, but not over humps. My Janome has a button on the regular foot to lock it in horizontal position so it goes over humps better (like jeans). That way the foot doesn't tip up against the seam "hump."
You'll notice that a lot of dealers will show you how great a machine is for sewing 8 or even more layers of jeans. But, they use a flat layer, not going on 2 layers and then trying to get over 7 or 8 layers. Most machines balk at those kinds of radical change.

Sheddah

Thanks to all for your helpful and thoughtful replies! I think that I have finally accepted the fact that one machine won't do all. I thought this Viking Platinum would be more robust than it is, but it seems that the plastic computer machines have limits that are way lower than the robust mechanicals of past years. For me (just coming from one of those past machines) this has been an eye-opening disappointment. The dealers will never admit this either--for the most part anyway.

I am now looking at pre 1990, mostly metal, mechanical machines for a second primary duty machine. (I presently have a serger also.) At first I thought a Bernina 830 or 930. But the parts are becoming harder to get and to my understanding some parts aren't available at all. So I have turned my sights towards an older (perhaps 10 years old, mostly metal) Bernina 1008--which is still being made today. Any thoughts about the robustness of this unit? Can its sail over humps?

By the way, where do you all find all the bargain/free machines?

Silver Needle

We got our older machines from E-Bay.
Currently in use.
* Bernina 640
* Bernina White Pearl
* Viking Mega Quilter
* 3 featherweights
* Singer Treadle
* Singer Model 15
* Singer Model 301 (2)
That doesn't count the 3 Singer 128's; 99; and a couple of others waiting for a tuneup before I use them.

sewplease

When I saw the title of this post, my first thought was "As many as you want!" :-)

CaptCe

The 830s are as good as you hear and my favorite.

sewbeadit

As many as you want, can't count all that I have.

ragquilter

1 Pfaff Stretch and Jeans for rag quilts
1 Pfaff 1540 Select for regular quilts and clothes
1 Singer Featherweight 75 for clothes and one step buttonholes
and I'm looking for a Singer 301 and a Kenmore like I bought new in 1990 that had a tumble down cement steps (I cried) my favorite machine ever. I always look at any machines I see because I never know what I might NEED until I see it! One more, please! (They are addictive)

jcrow

My Bernina 830 and Viking does the same thing when going over a seam in jeans. It makes tiny stitches. I think that is kind of normal. Or more normal than you would think.