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Juki 98Q for me! Everything you mentioned but the beep for the bobbin running out- that is the sound you make when you realize it about 6 inches down the seam. :)
It is a workhorse! I used it this morning to take in my jeans. Darn stretch denim- they stretch and I don't own a belt. Next time I buy a pair of jeans I will go down 1 size. Didn't have to adjust anything from the table runner I was working on yesterday. Went back to the table runner- didn't have to adjust a thing again. Love my Juki! |
I'd certainly look at Vikings, maybe a used one. They have anumber of models with all the things you listed. They have something better than a knee-lift. It is automatic--when you have it in the needle-down mode, it automatically lifts the foot so you can move the fabric. I'm in love with my viking, and Bernina lover won't be disappointed! :thumbup:
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I think if you look at a Bernina dealer they may have the a special on one of the less expensive 220's. I think I received an e-mail fom my dealer about the sale. I know they have just a limited number of whatever the model was. Sorry I can't find my newsletter from the Presser Foot in Ft. Collins, Co. But maybe if you would just look you would get a Bernina for alot less then the $1000 price.
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Juki makes a great machine under $1000, knee lift, thread cutter, straight stitch.
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Originally Posted by sewnsewer2
Check out ebay for the juki QL98 it has a wide throat, and straight stitches only. I love mine!!
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The Juki 98Q sounds right, the only thing it does not have is the low bobbin indicator. I bought it online, came with all the feet including a walking foot, bobbins, needles a $50.00 gift certificate, extension table, cover, free shipping and no tax for $899.00. I think it was sewingmachinesplus. It is great and can also be put on a frame.
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I would go to a dealer too, and just test out a bunch, see what you like!
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I have the Pfaff Hobby 1200 GrandQuilter. It has all of the features you asked for except the low bobbin. I believe you would like it if you gave it a test drive.
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One of the things about the Juki that I think is maybe NOT true for the others mentioned in this thread is that is is an all metal machine- no plastic interior parts, no sealed parts. You almost cannot destroy it unless you have a sledgehammer. AS long as you oil it, she will run her little heart out. No computer to fry, and no spendy repairs. I've never had a machine that told me when the bobbin is low. I'm sure I would love it, but I'd never trade the Juki. Her stitches are beautiful and straight and perfect for FMQ.
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bernina's are great..they have just come out with the 300 series..which means they are not going to have any more 200 seroes..so i would keep my eyes open for a sale on the 200's or perhaps a trade in..the last 300 is just under a thousand dollars but certainly worth it..plus you can get service too..dont waste your money on a singer..however if you dont want to spend that much..buy a kenmore between 300 and 600 hundred,,but you may not be able to get service or parts..good luck and let us know what you get
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I have a Viking that has the beep for low bobbin, so you might want to check them out
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Yes it is called a Juki TL-98E love mine.
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Boy, IrishNY, I'm with you. What you mentioned is exactly what I want and have been looking for....but not actively looking for. I'm going to watch this post to get some advice and information. Thanks for posting this.
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Originally Posted by IrishNY
I have a Bernina that I love but want to buy a backup machine. I want to spend under $1000, so not top of the line but good quality (remember, I am used to a Bernina ;-) ).
Here's the catch - I don't care about lots of stitches, embroidery, etc. I want a great straight stitch, automatic tension, knee lift, needle up/down, feed dogs that can be dropped. I would love to have a warning about low bobbin thread, automatic thread cutter and self-threading but can live without one or all of these if I have to. And a wide throat space would be wonderful! I've looked at the Janome 6600 but it seems like more machine than I want. The 6500 doesn't have the dual feed and I think I would like that. I don't want a old machine - I know they are basic and well-built. I have a FW and love it but want a backup that stands up to sewing really fast because that's the way I sew. I kind of want to trade off having a zillion extras on the machine for high quality basics. Does such a machine exist? As you can tell, I am really confused about what's out there and I don't have time to check out every type of machine. If I could get a few suggestions from you experts, it would help tremendously. Thanks in advance! ;) ;-) |
I love my 6600P. A good used one should be in the neighborhood of $600. At least that is what my dealer said I should ask for mine if I try to sell it myself. It is NOT for sale. Lots of 6600 owners want to move up to the 7700 so are selling or trading. Takes seconds to engage the dual feed foot which stays attached on the back. I lift the pressor foot, move the dual feet portion under the regular pressor foot, it snaps into place and I sew!
There is a yahoo group for Janome 6500/6600. You become a member to learn if you are interested in purchasing. Love my machine. Teresa in McKinney, TX |
The Brother Nouvelle 1500 has pinfeed, which works like a charm. I never use a walking foot on this machine and it has speed and power for sewing thru thick layers. Love it..
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I would look on ebay or your dealer for a used Bernina 830(30 year old model, not current one) or Bernina 930. I have six
older machines, no computer ones. I had a computer machine and I gave it away. I have two 830's and I LOVE them. They do not have the features you want, but the machines sew well. Rose |
I just bought the brother NX630 last year. It has all you asked for plus 3 alphabets, and gazillions of stitches. I know you don't want all that, but it is a real work-horse. I spent just under $1,000 for it, but I got the fancy one. You could get a less fancy one, in your budget, and be very happy with it. Brothers are durable, long lasting, and I've never sent one in to be fixed. Just did not need to. Well made. I have used many different machines and Brother comes out the winner each time. When I went shopping for "Pearl" I had a budget of $3,000, and found all I wanted for under $1,000. You can't beat it. I did not even know they had self threading machines! Go to your nearest Brother dealer and look around. Spend some time shopping, make sure you get just what you want. Sales pitches do not make quilts, you do. Have fun.
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My daughter bought a fairly inexpensive machine at Sears and she loves it. Not a Bernina of course, but a good basic machine. She does a lot of FM quilting on it and it sure does a great job. She has a friend that buys the $99 machine at Sears and adds a years extra warranty and uses it to quilt with and when or if it breaks down it is covered by the warranty for two years and she gets it fixed free, or if the warranty runs out she simply buys another just like it and goes on her merry way. Says it is cheaper than repairs for most other machines.
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I sew, quilt & embroider on a Bernina 730, so I know where you are coming from. Starting Jan. 3 I am going to be doing full-time child care for our first grandchild (yea!!!!) and I wanted a machine to keep at the kids' house so I can (hopefully) do a little piecing when the baby sleeps. I don't need all the bells and whistles as I can do my embroidery or FMQ at home. I ended up buying a new Bernina 380. It does everything that I need and I could not believe this...it sews as well as my 730!!! There are 3 models in the new 300 series and at least one or two are in your price range. The nice thing is that while the 300s have snap-on feet, they also take the regular feet and walking foot from my other Bernina. Watch for sales and see what you can do...I love my new machine and my other daughter, an HV Designer I quilter, loves my new machine, too. I'll tell you what my husband said ....when you go in to purchase the 380 just don't mix up the numbers and come home with an 830!!!! Good luck and let us know what you decide.
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Look at the Juki TL-98Q.........semi industrial. I bought one on line a few months ago for $745. It came with 30 free bobbins, a HUGE amount of free needles, and a number of feet. I LOVE this machine!!!! It is a true workhorse........I quilt most of my quilts on this machine.
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Originally Posted by QKO
We bought a Viking Megaquilter for under 1000 dollars, brand new, from a dealer. It was on special for 995, then we got an additional 100 dollars off for buying the demonstrator, so 895. It fits your description of what you want with the exception of dropping feed dogs, it comes with a feed dog cover instead. It has a 9 inch throat.
If you go to a dealer and see that for more than 1000 dollars, try dealing with the dealer, you can probably get it for under. piecing and both free motion and straight line quilting with the walking foot. I used to work for Husqvarna Viking and fell in love with the Mega quilter. Sharon W. |
Originally Posted by RkayD
I saw an industrial Singer on eBay a while back that got me to thinking I needed a back up. I have pfaff's for my backups now...but if anything ever goes belly up I'm going back to find that machine. =)
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Contact your Bernina dealer and see what they have. You may be surprised at the selection on used machines available.
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I have the Janome 6600 and I love it! I also have the Janome 1100 Memory Craft and I use both machines - often at the same time. I would highly recommend the Janome 6600. Good machine.
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Viking MegaQuilter, Pfaff Grandquilter or Janome 1600P (all 3 are made by Janome, just different covers) have all the features you stated except dual feed & low bobbin. I have the V. MegaQuilter and I love it, it's great for piecing and machine quilting. Juki & Brother make similar large harp machines.
Pfaff is the only line with dual feed on all models but most of them are well over $1000 and just regular arm size. The 6600P is a great, heavy duty machine ... gives you the most for your $$. To get equiv. features, including the wider harp, you'd have to spend $2000+ for a Pfaff Expression 4.0. You really need to shop and try these models out to see what you like. :) |
Did you check with your Bernina dealer? There are lower end, good quality machines that might fit your needs. I know that once your used to Bernina quaility and performance, it's hard to give up the extra features. I think you should visit with the dealer and explain what you want and see what they say. I'm also a Bernina person, could you tell?
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Sounds like you should look into a Baby Lock, they
are reasonable and have the features your talking about. |
Juki TL98Q. Has every feature you are looking for except the low bobbin indicator. Amazing machine. (Juki 98E is an entirely different machine).
Dana |
This past summer I bought a Juki HZL-F600, it came in at just over $1000.. and I LOVE IT! The walking foot isn't built-in, but included. It has a lot of embroidery stitches, but is geared mainly to quilters. I've used some of the decorative stitches on applique. The HZL line are Juki's models that are being marketed to the home quilter, rather than commercial sewer.
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I'm so envious--I saw the Juki F600 being demonstrated at a show and talked with the shop owner and rep--I walked around and around the show trying to keep myself from going back and throwing caution to the winds and buying it--good show price too. I have a couple of machines to sell through my local guild's listserv and then----
I do have a Juki TL 98Q which I love but you're right, the F600 is great. I think the 98Q has a slightly wider throat space. Dana |
I have the Bernina 200 and I wanted a back up besides my FW's also. I found a used Bernina Virtuosa 150 which has suited my needs perfectly. I also have been able to find a 1060 for my daughter and a Virtuosa 153 for my niece and a 185 machine for my DIL. All were in immaculate shape and worked perfect...as most Bernina's do. I don't think you will be happy with another machine if you are accustomed to stitching on a Bernina. I believe the low end (basic features) is right around $1000. My DIL bought one brand new from the dealer. I found the machines on Craig's list and I put a request on a yahoo group...sewitsforsale and got the other one. My dealer just advertised that they have some trade in machines they are selling. Your dealer might be doing the same thing. Good luck.
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Have you looked on "Overstock.com" many refurbished and new at reasonable prices...Also Husqvarna Viking dealers are having a great sale on the Saphire line for 999...
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Janome has come out with a scale down machine with 9" throat, and I think all the features you might be looking for. I think my dealer quoted me about $1000 or $1200. Don't remember the model number, but google Janome and check it out. It is 26 pounds. I want one for retreats and this just might be the one!
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you may want to check out the Bernina Activas. Bernina is replacing the Activa series with the 300 series and they are clearing out all the activas at very great prices - you can get a top of the line machine for about /2 of what they typically sell for. Happy shopping.
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Originally Posted by IrishNY
I have a Bernina that I love but want to buy a backup machine. I want to spend under $1000, so not top of the line but good quality (remember, I am used to a Bernina ;-) ).
Here's the catch - I don't care about lots of stitches, embroidery, etc. I want a great straight stitch, automatic tension, knee lift, needle up/down, feed dogs that can be dropped. I would love to have a warning about low bobbin thread, automatic thread cutter and self-threading but can live without one or all of these if I have to. And a wide throat space would be wonderful! You've described my Pfaff Grand Quilter. I love it. It doesn't have all the fancy stitches but it sews and quilts beautifully. I've looked at the Janome 6600 but it seems like more machine than I want. The 6500 doesn't have the dual feed and I think I would like that. I don't want a old machine - I know they are basic and well-built. I have a FW and love it but want a backup that stands up to sewing really fast because that's the way I sew. I kind of want to trade off having a zillion extras on the machine for high quality basics. Does such a machine exist? As you can tell, I am really confused about what's out there and I don't have time to check out every type of machine. If I could get a few suggestions from you experts, it would help tremendously. Thanks in advance! ;) ;-) |
Originally Posted by IrishNY
I have a Bernina that I love but want to buy a backup machine. I want to spend under $1000, so not top of the line but good quality (remember, I am used to a Bernina ;-) ).
Here's the catch - I don't care about lots of stitches, embroidery, etc. I want a great straight stitch, automatic tension, knee lift, needle up/down, feed dogs that can be dropped. I would love to have a warning about low bobbin thread, automatic thread cutter and self-threading but can live without one or all of these if I have to. And a wide throat space would be wonderful! I've looked at the Janome 6600 but it seems like more machine than I want. The 6500 doesn't have the dual feed and I think I would like that. I don't want a old machine - I know they are basic and well-built. I have a FW and love it but want a backup that stands up to sewing really fast because that's the way I sew. I kind of want to trade off having a zillion extras on the machine for high quality basics. Does such a machine exist? As you can tell, I am really confused about what's out there and I don't have time to check out every type of machine. If I could get a few suggestions from you experts, it would help tremendously. Thanks in advance! ;) ;-) sorry for the mixed up first posting. :oops: :oops: |
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