For some reason, this quilt took me forever to complete! It's practically a whole cloth quilt so you would think I could finish it in a snap. I don't know what happened. My machine is really failing me at this point. There is something wrong with the shank and foot. It doesn't raise up that much. I distinctly remember I pulled on it or pushed it up one time and felt a resistance and thought, Uh oh... That was a while ago.
I've been in the market for a new machine for a long long long time. I'm too lazy to figure out when I started talking about it on this blog but let's just say that it's probably been two years or more. I currently have a $200 Singer. Even the one my 13 year old neighbor got at Costco is better than what I have. I just don't know where to start. Singer, Janome, Bernina, Husqvrana, Babylock, Brother, Pfaff-- the list goes on and on. Not to mention that I would love to have a long arm machine someday. I noticed a machine on someone's blog the other day so I called up the Bernina dealer and asked how much it was... $6000! HELLO! So at least I know where to start-- PRICE! I decided I have about $600-$800 to spend on a machine. Using that as a guide I can basically afford the lowest end of the "good" machines. I could get a Bernina that doesn't do anything. I can get a Husqvarna for $1000 if I buy the floor model. I'm thinking about a Babylock since I can afford one that actually does some stuff. Does anyone have any recommendations for a machine in that price range?
3 comments:
First write down the features you can't live without. Needle up/down, adjustable blanket stitch etc. Then go to every dealer you have in the area. Sit down and try out the machines. Take notes. Go home and figure out which one you want. I bought a babylock floor model and got a BIG discount... Of course, I also caved and bought the Bernina 440 with the BSR...lol Ask all dealers about trade-ins they have available, floor models, specials, sales etc.
GOOD LUCK.
Hi Nikki, Cute quilt and I love the matching bird. I know people with Babylocks and Janomes. Both groups of owners are very loyal to their machines. I suggest trying both to see what you like and dislike about the units: a knee lift for the presser foot, thread cutter etc. Ardyth's Sew-N-Shoppe in Baraboo is a Janome dealer with an excellent reputation, you may try there.
I love how the quilt turned out. I had some of that fabric and was really upset with myself that I didn't get more because it has been hard to find.
As for sewing machines, I can't really help you. I have a $100 Brother that does enough, but ?I wish did more. For instance, I would really love to do stippling on a quilt and free motion work, but I can't do that on mine. But it does have a few decorative stitches and does the basics well. It is, however, a noisy machine.
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