The Sewing Place

Which sewing machine

Iminei

Re: Which sewing machine
« Reply #15 on: June 04, 2017, 09:36:57 AM »
You wicked, wicked SIT ......

OOohhhhhh, theres The Splurge at a really good price!

I think I might have to look at these closely!
The Imperfect Perfectionist sews again

BrendaP

Re: Which sewing machine
« Reply #16 on: June 04, 2017, 10:06:19 AM »
Once you are paying in excess of £1000 for a machine I think they are all pretty good, it's the lower price budget machines which fall short of what might be expected of them.

You've already had lots of good advice - the only thing I might disagree with is the suggestion that needle up/needle down is essential for quilting - it's a nice feature, which nearly all electronic machines have, but it's not essential.  The main thing to look for if you want to do quilting and get lots of fabric to the right of the needle is a large harp space.  Other than that go to a bricks and mortar shop if you can so that you can actually try the  different models.  The je ne sais quoi factor is something that's very personal.  One person might love a particular brand whilst another person doesn't get on at all with it.
Brenda.  My machines are: Corona, a 1953 Singer 201K-3, Caroline, a 1940 Singer 201K-3, Thirza, 1949 Singer 221K, Azilia, 1957 Singer 201K-MK2 and Vera, a Husqvarna 350 SewEasy about 20 years old. Also Bernina 1150 overlocker and Elna 444 Coverstitcher.
http://paternoster.orpheusweb.co.

Lowena

Re: Which sewing machine
« Reply #17 on: June 04, 2017, 10:15:47 AM »
I have the Brother Innovis 1800q and I love it. It was about £1100 , 2 yrs ago and was well worth every penny.
Triumph of hope over experience :D

Syrinx

Re: Which sewing machine
« Reply #18 on: June 04, 2017, 10:18:22 AM »
And then there's me. Sat here with serious machine envy!

I quilt with a bog standard Janome sewing machine. No electronic machine, no massive harp space. I've managed a double bed quilt (and without a WF at that point!) on it (though it was a tight tight squeeze) and I do lots of FMQ on it. It does have drop feed dogs which is essential for FMQ, and it has a snazzy lever to help you thread, but that's about all the bells and whistles!

So I'd say the only essentials are a variable tension, a good foot pedal, and a solid stitching bit ;)

But I'd love a big one, won't ever get one I suppose as they are expensive and I own animals.  :S :D
« Last Edit: June 04, 2017, 10:23:02 AM by Syrinx »

Snowgoose

Re: Which sewing machine
« Reply #19 on: June 04, 2017, 11:32:30 AM »
Can I just speak up for the vintage machines, please?  If it were me, then I would go for the nicest  :vintage: Singer 201 I could find  :). Beautiful, beautiful quality stitches, a lovely solid machine which will outlive you  :D. Best of all, it should never throw a hissy fit or frizzle its circuit board  :D

Vintage Brothers are wonderful, too.  I have one sitting waiting for my room to be cleared out!  I have it purely for its wonderful zig zag stitch.  It is a beast of a machine!  Solid metal and heavy - very heavy. 

The  :vintage: have plenty of room to wrangle a quilt through and are very, very forgiving of user error.  No horrendously expensive service charges, just a nice clean, a drink of oil and all is well.

My vintage ladies are my joy and absolute  :angel: even if I could ever afford a 'plastic fantastic' I would never buy one, straight stitch and zig zag, plus my lovely vintage Bernette overlocker I am learning are all the sewing family I will ever need  :). Yes, sometimes I dream of an embroidery machine, but that's all it is, a dream!  Applique and a little simple hand embroidery are ample for me  :)

So please, don't overlook the oldies - they are still sought after and cherished because those who use them know they cannot be bettered  ;)

Lowena

Re: Which sewing machine
« Reply #20 on: June 04, 2017, 11:51:10 AM »
I couldn't buy anything that wasn't brand new, shiny, with all the bells and whistles possible for my money  :|
Ok, I don't need all that it can do but then I don't need everything my car's computer can do, or my washing machine's......but.......would my aquisitive soul be content with anything less.........I can't ever imagine it  :devil:
Triumph of hope over experience :D

Diane

Re: Which sewing machine
« Reply #21 on: June 04, 2017, 11:55:22 AM »
Diane, would you consider an ex-demo machine? I got an ex-demo Husqvarna machine several years ago that happened to be a quilters edition (which is how I started quilting). I found it reassuring to know that the machine had been "tested" in a controlled environment and that any niggles would have been sorted.

I got mine from Jaycotts, but Sewing Machines Direct and Hobkirks now also stock Husqvarna and list their ex-demo machines on their websites. I think Hobkirks have one of the models you're interested in listed at the moment.
https://www.hobkirk.co.uk/special-offers?page=all

Oooh thanks for that that I'll take a look, never thought of a demo machine.
Just had a look, oh my gosh some are £5000 or more, I could never spend that much unless I had bags of dosh, which I don't have unfortunately.
« Last Edit: June 04, 2017, 12:03:29 PM by Diane »
I’m a fabricholic on the road to recovery. Just kidding. I’m on the road to the fabric store.

Janome Memory Craft Horizon 9450QCP, Janome 4300QDC, Overlocker Brother 1034d, Husqvarna Viking Designer Topaz 40

StitchinTime

Re: Which sewing machine
« Reply #22 on: June 04, 2017, 13:53:15 PM »
Diane, as you're not in a hurry for the machine there may be some post-show offers after Festival of Quilts. Coles, the Husqvarna specialists in Nottingham usual have a stand at the show.

I'll just put this link here, just for information :P
http://www.colessewingcentre.co.uk/sapphire-965q--ex-demonew-top-of-the-range-sewing-machine-with-a-free-1-day-course-and-5-years-guarantee-new-price-is-1999-8971-p.asp

Diane

Re: Which sewing machine
« Reply #23 on: June 04, 2017, 15:27:25 PM »
Diane, as you're not in a hurry for the machine there may be some post-show offers after Festival of Quilts. Coles, the Husqvarna specialists in Nottingham usual have a stand at the show.

I'll just put this link here, just for information :P
http://www.colessewingcentre.co.uk/sapphire-965q--ex-demonew-top-of-the-range-sewing-machine-with-a-free-1-day-course-and-5-years-guarantee-new-price-is-1999-8971-p.asp

Thanks for the link, I'll keep an eye out for some offers. Like you say I'm in no rush (I hate waiting for things) I'm definitely going to go for the Husqvarna 960Q. It's on offer at the moment on the sewing machine sales website for £999, a bargain really but I can't buy for a couple of months so I'll just have to wait. Amazon also sell for the same price or a bit less so I've no doubt I'll get a good deal.
I’m a fabricholic on the road to recovery. Just kidding. I’m on the road to the fabric store.

Janome Memory Craft Horizon 9450QCP, Janome 4300QDC, Overlocker Brother 1034d, Husqvarna Viking Designer Topaz 40

Gernella

Re: Which sewing machine
« Reply #24 on: August 27, 2017, 10:04:36 AM »
Just to throw my two pennyworth in, SMD have started putting in that delightful word 'negotiation'.  I've bought two machines and haggled before and got discounts on already discounted machines.  A really expensive machine would get an  even better deal.
Stash extension 2024- 6.1 meters
Left at the end of 2023 - 66 meters now (includes fabric found hidden out of sight)  Lining fabric not included

Iminei

Re: Which sewing machine
« Reply #25 on: August 28, 2017, 08:17:21 AM »
Just been on there website ... Boy its pants ... nothing lines up and no price or link on the item Im interested in.
The Imperfect Perfectionist sews again

BrendaP

Re: Which sewing machine
« Reply #26 on: August 28, 2017, 09:06:37 AM »
Diane, if you have decided on a Husqvarna I suggest World of Sewing in Tonbridge Wells which might not be too far away from you, but they also do mail order.
http://www.worldofsewing.com/
Brenda.  My machines are: Corona, a 1953 Singer 201K-3, Caroline, a 1940 Singer 201K-3, Thirza, 1949 Singer 221K, Azilia, 1957 Singer 201K-MK2 and Vera, a Husqvarna 350 SewEasy about 20 years old. Also Bernina 1150 overlocker and Elna 444 Coverstitcher.
http://paternoster.orpheusweb.co.

Diane

Re: Which sewing machine
« Reply #27 on: August 28, 2017, 14:14:35 PM »
Diane, if you have decided on a Husqvarna I suggest World of Sewing in Tonbridge Wells which might not be too far away from you, but they also do mail order.
http://www.worldofsewing.com/

Thanks Brenda, i'll take a look
Haven't been sewing for a couple of months due to a hand injury, it's nearly healed now so I can't wait to get sewing again.
I’m a fabricholic on the road to recovery. Just kidding. I’m on the road to the fabric store.

Janome Memory Craft Horizon 9450QCP, Janome 4300QDC, Overlocker Brother 1034d, Husqvarna Viking Designer Topaz 40

Roger

Re: Which sewing machine
« Reply #28 on: August 28, 2017, 19:28:16 PM »
If you know the model you want, I find it's good to give these guys a buzz: http://www.sewingmachineworldonline.co.uk if you say you heard of them through 'the sewing forum' they do an additional discount, which gave them a real competitive edge when I was over locker buying.

Hope your hand is better soon
A bit of a vintage sewing machine nut! Singers: 500a, 401g, 48k Elnas: lotus SP & grasshopper, Bernina 530-2 F+R 504, Pfaff 30, Cresta T-132

maliw

Re: Which sewing machine
« Reply #29 on: August 28, 2017, 20:01:53 PM »
If you know the model you want, I find it's good to give these guys a buzz: http://www.sewingmachineworldonline.co.uk if you say you heard of them through 'the sewing forum' they do an additional discount, which gave them a real competitive edge when I was over locker buying.

Hope your hand is better soon
Machinesteve is a member :)
At leisure on the leisure penninsula