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  • need new sewing machine/what kind do you have??

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    Old 08-30-2010, 07:32 PM
      #91  
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    The best machine is the one you love. Try out the machine before you buy it. I have 2 Singers, a brand-new one (last year) and an old feather weight that my DH found in a thrift store for $5.00. It pays to be married to a man who knows his antiques and does most of his shopping at thrift stores. I love my feather weight.
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    Old 08-30-2010, 08:04 PM
      #92  
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    I know what you mean about getting a sewing machine for graduation...I got one for my high school graduation in 1967 and about wore it out. I was straight stitching but I could move the needle position from side to side which helped in putting in zippers. Fast forward to your question... I bought myself a Baby Lock Espire (floor model) as a retirement gift to myself two years ago. it is not real fancy and is not programable but it does have decorative stitches that I can just punch -- The only thing I don't like about it is that the needle position is programmed to be on the left. Wtih my quarter inch foot always on, if I don't change the needle position to the center and start to sew--BAM! the needle hits the foot and breaks it. Whcih I have done abut a million times. The shop where I bought this machine also gave me a one hours class, one on one, to learn to use all the feet that came with it, button holes, sewing on buttons, etc. So, you might just want to find a sewing machine shop and see if they will give you a good deal on a floor model when they update that particular model. Good luck.
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    Old 08-31-2010, 03:22 AM
      #93  
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    Originally Posted by sbrown04
    The only thing I don't like about it is that the needle position is programmed to be on the left. Wtih my quarter inch foot always on, if I don't change the needle position to the center and start to sew--BAM! the needle hits the foot and breaks it. Whcih I have done abut a million times.
    sbrown04 - I have a little Brother CS4000 as a back up machine, and it has the same odd (to me anyway) needle orientation....boy do those needles go flying! :wink: but it is a nice little machine, and the decorative stitches can go up to 7mm width. It is surprising how much nicer they are at that width.
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    Old 08-31-2010, 08:47 AM
      #94  
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    I have a Babylock Esante (sewing / embroidery) and absolutely love it. If I were buying a new machine without embroidery, I would definitely consider the new Babylock Symphony. It has a lot of stitches, some cool bells & whistles...price $1800. Good hunting.
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    Old 08-31-2010, 11:44 AM
      #95  
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    thank you so much.i am doing very well and i think my oncologist will be happy with the results so far.i believe in 2 weeks i will be 1/2 way done with treatment.hope you and yours are well,marty on the machine front,i have looked at a viking last saturday that was nice.fairly quiet,learning curve not too bad.auto threader-that was nice.looked at a dc4030 janome today.still looking-but i do like that one!:)
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    Old 08-31-2010, 11:45 AM
      #96  
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    Originally Posted by purplefiend
    Grammyv,
    Don't go for the really cheap new Singers, you won't be happy. They're not the quality of the older Singers.
    I like Janome and Viking. A nice mechanical machine is the Husqvarna Viking Emerald 116; its well made and sews great. Pfaffs are great machines too, especially the ones that have the IDT(full time walking foot).
    yes, i did ask about the new singer-was surprised to see that they still make a stylist-but the saleslady said they are loud.so i didnt look at them.
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    Old 08-31-2010, 02:05 PM
      #97  
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    Some of the newer Janomes have a button for scissors which when you are in the middle of your quilt, just push that button and it cuts the threads top and bottom so you don't have to fight the quilt to cut the bottom thread.
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    Old 08-31-2010, 02:11 PM
      #98  
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    I have the Bernina 220 and just love it, it is a workhorse and can do quite a few 'fancy' stitches, dropping the feed dogs is a breeze and it does FMQ nicely as well as everything else. There are other pricey Bernina's and some specifically for quilters, it all depends on how much you want to spend. A quality machine will cost $$$. I recommend you go to a Bernina dealer and see and test the machines out for yourself.
    Kind Regards,
    MaryAnna
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    Old 08-31-2010, 02:15 PM
      #99  
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    Originally Posted by Annya
    Some of the newer Janomes have a button for scissors which when you are in the middle of your quilt, just push that button and it cuts the threads top and bottom so you don't have to fight the quilt to cut the bottom thread.
    Yes, the thread cutter that are like scissors are wonderful. Between that and the knee lifter I tend to choose my Janome 6500 to sew on.
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    Old 08-31-2010, 02:19 PM
      #100  
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    Originally Posted by Annaquilts
    Originally Posted by Annya
    Some of the newer Janomes have a button for scissors which when you are in the middle of your quilt, just push that button and it cuts the threads top and bottom so you don't have to fight the quilt to cut the bottom thread.
    Yes, the thread cutter that are like scissors are wonderful. Between that and the knee lifter I tend to choose my Janome 6500 to sew on.
    Most of the Babylocks have these features too....you will get spoiled with the features very fast.
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