Re stitch width: For the type of sewing I do, mainly dressmaking, I want the control a 5.5mm gives me. I know you do great piecing on your 9mm machine, Imi, but do you not need to change the stitch plate, use a different foot or change the needle position? Having tried out a 9mm, I would need to buy a straight stitch foot plate and a different foot which would cover half the feed dogs (correct me if I am wrong, Celia) to achieve more control when, say, top stitching a garment made from viscose fabric. The 9mm is ace for decorative stitching and I suspect would be good for heavier materials like canvas if I want to make a substantial bag, for instance. For every day sewing 5.5 is my preference.
@KayK, the Jack looks interesting. The knee lift appears to control the width of the zigzag. I have a friend who had a Brother industrial, I think, with the same feature. It takes some getting used to. I want the knee lift to raise and lower the foot. I also loved the feature on my previous Bernina when you could tap your heel on the foot pedal and raise or lower the needle. The one feature I did like on the Juki was when the foot would pop up when you stopped sewing, allowing you to pivot. I found I didn’t need or use the knee lift when using that machine. I gave the Juki far more than a week’s trial. I really did try to love it but couldn’t get on with it. I had a fiddle with the bobbin case of the Bernina 475 and I know exactly what you mean. I was also surprised the bobbin itself was plastic, albeit not that cheap clear plastic that Juki, Brother, Janome et al use.
@Celia, I love a straight stitch machine but although Janome and Juki make a good one, they are soooo expensive. My featherweight is brilliant and I wouldn’t mind sourcing a metal bodied 201 for heavier sewing to go along with it. Most of my sewing is straight stitching. I use an overlocker for finishing seams.
@Iminei, I am on a mission to make some desperately needed clothing. So much of what I wear is old, tatty, stained and just too big. Quilted garments are not my thing, I am afraid, so won’t be participating in this particular challenge. Boxy garments don’t suit me either and I was advised years ago to avoid geometric patterns. Looks like a fun project though and I will look forward to seeing the results of others.