The Sewing Place
Machine Talk => Embroidery Machines => Topic started by: Jo on June 04, 2017, 08:22:48 AM
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I am looking at buying a sewing + embroidery machine sometime this year.
Until now I've been looking only at Brother machines, but today have stumbled upon the Janome Atelier 9 and...oh my, be still my beating heart <3 http://janome.co.uk/janome_products/atelier-9/
I was wondering if any of you had Janome machines and what you could tell me about them. It seems to have a lot more features than a brother in a similar price range.
Do Janome machine use snap on feet? Will I be able to use the feet I have for my current Brother machine?
Also, does it have a software for creating your own embroidery designs?
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I have the Atelier 5, aka The Splurge.... and I adore it!!!! <3
The 9 seems to be a new model. I would look very carefully at the specs for the 9 as I found that The Atelier 7, which retails/ed at £500 more than The Splurge, only had an italicised font as a difference!! which seemed a lot to pay!
That is my recollection as someone was looking at it, Was it Fran ??? but I may well be wrong.
https://www.hobkirk.co.uk/janome-atelier-9-sewing-and-embroidery-machine?cat=67195 (https://www.hobkirk.co.uk/janome-atelier-9-sewing-and-embroidery-machine?cat=67195)
Just to tempt you :devil:
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Imi, as far as I read both the 5 and the 7 are embroidery only while the 9 is a sewing + embroidery.
I'm looking to replace my current sewing machine so I need a machine that does sewing as well as embroidery.
I did see the price and am veeeery tempted :loveit:
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I've always had Brother machines, and love them.. but people speak highly of Janome
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I have a standard Janome and have done for years. It's great, easy to find a servicer and lots of feet. I've never had a problem and my standard is a bit of a beast and will happily rehem jeans and plow over the big seams without a problem so I'd assume the more fancy expensive Janomes are even better!
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Like Syrinx, I have a standard Janome machine and I agree with everything she writes. Mine is a straightforward mechanical machine, I've had it for 4 or 5 years now, and it's great. Yes, it has snap-on feet, but I don't know whether Brother feet would be compatible with a Janome machine.
The Atelier machines are impressive. I occasionally look and dream, but I'm happy with what I've got.
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I'm close to screaming!!!! :D :D :D :D
Husband said I could get one for my birthday!
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!
<3 <3 So excited!
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Lucky you! Whatever you get will be great fun. Brother are probably the most user friendly. They also have a longer guarantee than Janome. Feet aren't interchangeable but you might be able to use your current brother feet in a new model.
Something worth thinking about is will you want to embroider and sew at the same time? I have an embroidery machine but also have a separate sewing machine so that I sew while a long winded embroidery is going on. Look at the size of the hoops too. Both Janome and Brother have offers on all the time. Brother change every couple of months and have just changed at the beginning of June. Worth having a look to see what is available. Offers will be the same everywhere. Software does not come with the machines. That has to be bought separately. It is usually around £1000 for the full software regardless of make. However, some offers may include free or reduced software on some machines.
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Imi, as far as I read both the 5 and the 7 are embroidery only while the 9 is a sewing + embroidery.
actually Jo, The Splurge and the 7 are just sewing machines with decorative stitches and a basic font but yes, on reading the 9 seems to have a proper embroidery feature....Drool.....
All the love of My Splurge with embroidery ... oooohhh, I think I need to go and have a lie down!
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Janome Atelier 7 is my dream machine. I don't think I will ever afford one though.
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Why the 7 and not the 5, Fran ???
All it has extra (that I can see) from the 5 is an italicised font ???And £500 is a lot to pay for an italicised font!
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Fran, maybe you could find a good priced second hand model?
One thing worries me about the Atelier 9: hoop size. How worried should I be about this? I don't know how much embroidery I'm going to do, but how much will a 17x20 cm hoop sizd affect me?
My other option would be a Brother V5. But to be honest Janome has a few more options that seem awesome, so I'd rather buy it if the hoop size isn't such a problem.
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My Brother V3 (second hand, well third hand actually!) has a 30 by 18cm area which I frequently use. But then I'm lazy and if I don't have to move it around I won't. It also means when doing smaller pieces I can do lots in one go and cut them out after.
With embroidery it's always go for the biggest hoop size you can afford. If you don't do much embroidery then it's not so important. The V3 is purely an embroidery machine (though I envy the massive harp space when I'm quilting away on my micro Janome!)
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Why the 7 and not the 5, Fran ???
All it has extra (that I can see) from the 5 is an italicised font ???And £500 is a lot to pay for an italicised font!
Accufeed, nicer (imo) LCD screen, electronic rather than manual knee lifter, stitch composer, upload embroidery designs through USB... I think it has the auto presser foot up which I love, but no sure if 5 has that too (though it doesn't say in the brochure)
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Syrinx, I was looking at V5 which also has sewing capabilities and could get at a similar price and it has a huge hoop. But honestly, I feel the Janome is a better value for money.
Now my only problem is: do I get it from the UK? How likely am I to need servicing during the warranty period?
There is a Romanian Janome dealer, I've sent them an email asking if I could order it through them, but I'll have to wait until tomorrow for a reply because today is a bank holiday.
I've never done embroidery before. How hard is it to do a design bigger than your hoop? Is realigning/rehooping easy?
Fran, those are also features that draw me towards Janome. From what it says online, the 5 doesn't have a touch screen LCD while the 7 does. Not sure how useful that is tho.
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If you place your design well then it's not too hard to move and rehoop. But it takes practice and it's a case of wiggling your needle position until it's in the right place. My brother shows you where in the stitch out it is and you can also send it back a few stitches. The biggest worry for me is having to move wiggly fabric which meght shift, even with all the stabiliser in the world. Once you get the hang it's fine, though annoying.
They need sevicing every 6 months - half a million stitches but you can leave it longer. But there are quite a few service people around for various brands. My local guy doesn't service embroidery machines but recommended someone else. Local guy still gets my Janome in every year to service and clean. Even when it's full of quilting fluff he doesn't tell me off!
Generally your software will help you split the design in half in a good place. And your machine will tell you if you've hooped up too small and need to rehoop bigger or split the design.
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Thank you! That clarifies things a bit.
Looks like I might have to get it locally, sending it back to the Uk every six months is not an option for me :(
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It depends how much you use it really. You can have it serviced every million stitches. For heavy heavy use they recommend 6 months, but if you're not using it for hours every day the usual yearly service (or service when a problem happens!) is fine :)
And I've always serviced machines wherever I fancy, so if there's a local person who'll do it, no need to send it back to the UK.
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auto presser foot up
youwhatwhat ???
I hadn't realised it had acufeed, so yes that would be a noticeable extra and a big difference in price...my bad!
If I had a magic wand Fran...I would whisk one to you!!! if only!!!
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Is the Acufeed much different from a normal walking foot?
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I have the Brother equivalent of Accufeed. It is very useful, especially if, like me, you don't get on with a walking foot.
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Jo,
can i come over and unpack it with you when you do buy...
V excited!!!
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But of course you can! :D There's a direct flight from London, only 2.5 hours or so 8)
If anyone is actually interested, I could do an unboxing/first try video :sew:
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I could do an unboxing/first try video
https://youtu.be/N-Esh4W3dfI?t=9 (https://youtu.be/N-Esh4W3dfI?t=9)
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Spoke to my local Janome dealer today. He said the machine is not in stock and that he just ordered a bunch of machines not too long ago so the chances of renewing his stock soon are well...not so big.
He said to give him some time to make some calls and see if he can bring it (tho it's a bit difficult since Janome has an agreement that forces sellers to only sell in their country). Not keeping my hopes up tho.
My other option is sewingmachines.co.uk. They said it's no problem I'm from Romania as long as the shipping addrss is in the Uk. So I'll have to ship it to the Uk to a freight forwarder and from there to me.
My question (and terror) is: how likely is it that the machine would get damaged in transit? I know they're pretty well packed but still...is this a legitimate fear? I will have to give up the warranty...sort of. Will only send it to the Uk if I REALLY REALLY must. Otherwise the local Janome dealer said he would ofer paid service, so that's a plus.
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Can the local dealer add to his order from Janome ?? or has it already been delivered to him ?
Can you not call Janome Customer services ? Are they not from Germany in the first place ?
Whenever I have contacted customer services or accessories (in UK) they could not have been more helpful
Or could you not come over to the UK and buy here...maybe from FOQ... ???
(Let J know you are coming and what you want to buy and take away as I think the more expensive machines are on an order basis and you would be back at Sq 1)
Or is there some sort of electrical element to this purchase?
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I'm afraid it's already been delivered. Anyways, I'll just wait for his phone call to see what he replies.
I could come to the Uk and buy it, but then I'd have to transport it home by plane, and that wouldn't be safer in my book :D
No idea where Janome customer service is based, but I might not be able to buy it anyway. Certain models are for specific countries only (like the Atelier 9 for the UK :D), so don't think they'd be of much help.
Plus, it's about 300 euro more in Germany, I'd rahter buy other goodies worth that amount. And I'd still have to ship it to Romania.
The freight forwarder I was talking about is quite alright, it wouldn't be my first time working with him. Although this would be the most expensive and fragile item I'd send through them by far.
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They are packaged very well and if size isnt a problem with the courier,
you could always double package it within another box/ packing case.
So are the electrics compatible with Roumania ?? (says she thinking of strange two pin plugs from foreign holidays past)
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That's really no problem as both the Uk and Romania are on 220V. I just have to use an adapter, but I have plenty of those as I have many UK appliances.
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Just recieved a reply from the local dealer: they can order it for me but it's going to take 2-3 weeks.
On the plus side: a lower price + warranty if I need it.
Now if only I weren't so impatient *sigh*. I will have to wait and dream until then :D
And maybe put my machine up for sale (a Brother Innov-is NV35 - I wonder how much I could ask for it?).
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2 - 3 weeks is nothing!!! Almost every other day seems to be a Friday to me ...
Its a no brainer!
Local dealer, warranty, no worry about shipping (if its broke when it arrives dealer takes the hit) and lower price!!!
Order it, I get my plane tickets sorted and see you in a couple of weeks!
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Imi, Suceava Airport from Luton 0_0
Ordered it, just have to wait for the invoice to pay an advance.
I'm so excited!!!
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Enjoy when it arrives! You do realise that it will be a VERY long 2-3 weeks. :)
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I know :S But at least I can buy some nice embroidery thread and play a little with embroidery software until then, right? :thread:
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You do realise that it will be a VERY long 2-3 weeks.
NO! It won't SS ... >:)
you're a very naughty girl!!
Go stand in the corner!!!
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Oh I'm so so jealous! Please post lots of pics :)
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Embird is good if you haven't already got embroidery software ;)
Exciting times!
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I was thinking of Brother Pe Design, seems popular and there are many tutorials around.
I just came back from the bank: paid the advance on my brand new, beautiful machine :D
Checked out the Janome ipad apps last night. There is one that lets you take a picture of the hoop and edit the design however you want: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-4DuFzUrM4
How cool is that?! :D
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You do realise that it will be a VERY long 2-3 weeks.
NO! It won't SS ... >:)
you're a very naughty girl!!
Go stand in the corner!!!
Ok. Let me know when I can come out 0_0
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Yes Brother is very popular. I don't use a lot of software now. Haven't got time for digitising. I'd rather be sewing. But like Syrinx I like Embird. I use it for any editing etc. And it,s soooooo much cheaper.
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Got a call from my local distribuitor. Turns out the machine is going to take another month :'( :'( :'(
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A month? Oh dear! Spend the time trawling the embroidery websites, just try not to spend too much money on all the lovely designs you find...
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OH!!!!!
Thats just not FAIR!
I do hope you haven't paid in full for it!
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Well, it is what it is :)
Just paid an advance, they said they can refund if I want to cancel...but I don't!
Must be just Karma trying to teach me "Patience 101" :S
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What a pain! :angry:
Are you learning how to use it from Youtube videos so that you can hit the ground running?
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Acorn, would if I could. Unfortunately not that many videos of Skyline S9. But I have been watching videos of MC15000 because some of the features on it are also on the S9.
But after almost 3 weeks I've kinda watched them all at least twice :D
Alas, some good news: received a call from the distribuitor to disclose what the misunderstanding was. Turns out their supplier had a showroom machine that could ship next week. When they mentioned (after 2 weeks of waiting) that it was a showroom machine, the local guys denied, as they couldn't sell a showroom machine as a new one (would have been really pissed if they did). So the supplier offered a 5% discount and they called me to ask if it would be ok. I would have jumped for joy, cept I wasn't feeling all to well so I was only happy in my head a little bit :D I agreed to take the showroom machine if everything's allright with it. Should have haggled a bit more, but tbh didn't have the energy.
I'm now keeping my fingers crossed that it actually arrives next week :)
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Brilliant!! 0_0 I hope that has made you feel a bit better, even if you're not up to jumping about.
Craftsy have a free machine embroidery class - here. (https://www.craftsy.com/embroidery/classes/machine-embroidered-classics/35522)
I have chosen my embroidery machine, but have to wait a little while before I order it. ><
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Oh, great, thank you about the tip about the class :)
I do feel better, it was just a "I don't feel so good today" day. I'm not jumping for joy yet as it wouldn't be the first time delivery was postponed, I don't want to be disappointed again. But I am happy :D
What have you chosen?
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A Husqvarna Topaz 25 - I felt it call to me... :)
I just hope the good deal is still available when I'm ready to order, or it'll be back to the drawing board.
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It's wonderful! I didn't even look at Husqvarna because there I don't think it's imported here (or at least I've never seen it anywhere) and would have trouble with warranty and service. But they are lovely machines, at least from specifications.
What do you plan to embroider?
My first project will be more sewing automation than embroidery. I would like to make eye masks for sleeping, but a bit different in shape than your average sleep mask. Kind of like this one (https://cdn.notonthehighstreet.com/system/product_images/images/000/835/442/original_210_lavender_eye_mask_black.jpg).
I have made several for friends and family, they turned out great and are lovely. But it takes a long time to do one if I'm very precise, so I'd like to try and make it in the hoop. Well, sort of :) It will require two hooping probably, but should be a breeze with Janome's alignement software.
I'd also like to add a personal touch with embroidery.
Holistic Silk sells the one in the picture, but at 52 GBP a piece, I feel it's too expensive for what it actually is.
Depending on how it will turn out, I might actually consider selling them too (and not for 52 GBP, because let's be honest, how many of these could you make with that amount?).
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Holistic Silk sells the one in the picture, but at 52 GBP a piece,
:o !!!! :S
Just spluttered my morning berocca all over the screen!!!!!
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I know, right?!
I'm all for paying good money for a good product, but these are quite a distance from a fair price. I did cave in and got one when they had a sale, at about 25 or 30 gbp (still very expensive) - it's a great size and blocks almost all light (the smaller ones still let light in near the nose), but why on earth would it be so expensive?
So I thought to myself...heck, I could make one of these, and for a lot cheaper too! Hence I bought me a sewing machine and learned sewing. Pretty sure I invested more than 52 gbp 0_0
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So excited for you about your Splurge .... got me hankering for one.
Early last year I started a Block of the Day with Susan Clare aka The Gourmet Quilter.
I lasted a month or so (Oh the shame!) as it was incredibly fiddly ( not that that was the main cause for me dropping out, more the fiddly biddly mess, which I, as I work in the dining room had to clear up and away every time)
A lot of the girls who did this were digitising their blocks on their embroidery machines and they were absolutely fabulous and I ached with envy every time I saw them on the FB page.
This was how far I got....
https://goo.gl/photos/Yaw6aGKryjQbrehp6 (https://goo.gl/photos/Yaw6aGKryjQbrehp6)
the inner rows were to SC specifications but then I got above myself and started making my own designs and then my town... which ultimately did for me as I realised I had bitten off waaaaay more than i could chew!!!
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DEAR LORD!!!! :\ :\ I didn't even know you could do something like this 0_0 It's like painting...but with fabric! :o
Clothes are so much easier! :D
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This is one of the digitised girls quilts.....
(https://scontent-frx5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/16105848_1399065046778613_7138387582685350713_n.jpg?oh=fa30518e563d7130943e8fd785da9acc&oe=59CDC113)
and another .....
(https://scontent-frx5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/16508181_10155783996024377_4001979362046921225_n.jpg?oh=0786e9e32f1a72ff292c7a1b12c58339&oe=59E50E12)
They say it took a lot of time to digitise but once you worked out how, and you have enough to practice on, 365 blocks, it became easy...
You can see the difference between the digitised and mine, plain applique!
These quilts are winning awards at shows all over the world now!
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I've never heard of anyone ever using a sleep mask ?? -<
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Imi, that top quilt is incredible! I do love the individual blocks for the bottom one, but it's making my head hurt put together. Your blocks are really wonderful - did you put them together into anything? You've got my creative juices flowing, but I really must try not to start planning any more projects until I've completed some...
I am hoping to be able to do some quilting with my embroidery machine, but nothing that complicated. I found a site that sells lovely quilting patterns for machines - feathery or leafy designs, just the sort of thing I'm too scared to do by FMQ. Unfortunately, idiot that I am, I didn't bookmark it and haven't the faintest idea how I got there.
I am going to embroider everything. :D I opened the curtains this morning and thought 'embroidered curtains!' Mostly, though, adding a bit of design to clothes. I'm particularly partial to embroidery on denim.
Jo, those sleep masks are gorgeous - and the advantage of making something like that is that you can use the most glorious fabrics because you're using so little. Lovely idea. (Oh, and £52... :o )
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Lowena, light must not bother you in the morning then 0_0
I don't usually use them at home, as I have black out blinds. But I use them on planes/trains/hotels etc. as I am very sensitive to light and it has to be pitch black for me to fall asleep. I know many people that use them, especially those that travel often.
Acorn, maybe http://www.urbanthreads.com/ or http://www.emblibrary.com ? These have a ton!
I'm also looking forward to doing some trapunto, I just LOVE it, but like you, I haven't got the guts to try free motion.
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I agree. Sleep masks, even ordinary ones, are so useful if you are staying somewhere where the curtains don't have blackout lining and/or the place is floodlit outside at night (like my MiL's flat). DH says it's like sleeping with the Lone Ranger! A fancy one would be nice.
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I'm particularly partial to embroidery on denim.
Now there's a thought...
I must finish the jacket I'm making and get some (slightly different to normal) denim cut out and do some embroidery on it - it's a stretchy fabric (as are all fabrics I use!) and it's just a little odd, but should be ok for trousers or maybe 3/4 length, not sure which yet.
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I'm also looking forward to doing some trapunto, I just LOVE it, but like you, I haven't got the guts to try free motion.
Ooh yes - I've been doing it by hand for a long time, but I do believe I bought a book on machine trapunto a few months ago... :D
It wasn't either of those sites, but I have bookmarked them - thank you!
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I always sleep with the window open and no blinds or curtains closed. At home, we have wooden internal slatted shutters and I never close them.....and.......I have a streetlamp outside my window :o OH has got used to it :|
We regularly fly overnight on long haul journeys and you rarely see them used... in fact I said to OH, the airlines could save money by doing away with them :D
However, we're not all the same and they are pretty
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Unfortunately, idiot that I am, I didn't bookmark it and haven't the faintest idea how I got there.
Look at you internet 'history' ...
When you have a black back arrow in your bookmarks bar (above this screen), right click on it and hit Show full history
If you have an idea of the date you looked at it, scroll down to there and you should find it.
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You're brilliant Imi! :flower:
It was Embroidery Online (http://www.embroideryonline.com) - they have individual quilting designs at $1.99 as well as collections at higher prices.
But wow - I don't half get around the internet... :o
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Guess what?
The showroom machine is incomplete 0_0 So I still have to wait 3 more weeks for a new one.
Good thing I wasn't holding my breath...
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Oh booooooo!
I have been shopping, and have been noticing all the clothes with embroidery on them - and how much better it could be...
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Slap me with a wet :fish: if you like..... but.....I always associate embroidered clothes with the old ladies haunts of Bon Marche and Edinburgh Woollen Mills :D :D
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:fish: :fish: :fish: There you go! :D
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Slap me with a wet :fish: if you like..... but.....I always associate embroidered clothes with the old ladies haunts of Bon Marche and Edinburgh Woollen Mills :D :D
...packs up embroidered 3/4 trousers to send back... :'(
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In defence of EWM, it was the only place (or its sale outlet shop anyway) I could find leather gloves when I was looking for a pair a couple of months back. They were such a good price I bought 3 pairs. Come the autumn I'll need to remember where I put them! (But I know what you mean about the style of clothes. It isn't the force it once was for winter woollies).
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No one under 80 shops at those shops in my experience down here.....old gals in trainers,embroidered t shirts / jumpers / sweatshirts, fleeces and trousers which aren't quite long enough :D :D
I'm sure it doesn't apply in Lincolnshire Bodgey <3
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I was actually in Asda, which may not be quality, but is certainly current. M&S is also full of embroidered clothes, as are the catalogues.
... and there ends my knowledge of what is currently in the clothes shops
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Just to return to this topic there was an article on the new embroidered boho look which is apparently all the rage in today's Guardian. So move over Edinburgh Woollen Mill! There was a lovely red Ukranian style embroidered dress at around £1000. A quick check on Selfridge's website revealed quite a number of similar dresses all at around £1000 a pop. Now I quite fancy making my own version but I can't find much by way of suitable embroidered fabrics. There is a nice embroidered chambray on the Textile Express website so I've emailed for a sample. Will let you know if I find anything fabulous!
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I always associate embroidered clothes with the old ladies haunts of Bon Marche and Edinburgh Woollen Mills
uh-oh :|
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Sorry, but it's true, I do :D Nowhere else around here sells anything embroidered or otherwise decorated...I've made a point of looking. I can remember embroidered jeans in the 1970s ;)
We get lots of coach parties in St Ives, mainly elderly women who dress in fleece jackets, elasticated waist trousers ( often too short ) embroidered t shirts and trainers........I made a vow never to own any of those things :D
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:| :| :|
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Lowena, when (if) I find some fab embroidered fabric for my knock off version of this summer's incredibly expensive boho look l shall turn up in a coach to visit you. You'll recognise me as not only will I be wearing a splendid embroidered dress I'll be carrying a number of Edinburgh Woollen Mill plastic bags!! ;) :D :D
I had a pair of embroidered loons (cheap cotton drill flared trousers for you youngsters) in the 1970s. I didn't get them in EWM......
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Surely the Atelier 9 has arrived by now ??? Can we have an update please???
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Nope, it has not :) Otherwise I would have braged, of course! Showroom model had a few missing accessories and the dealer couldn't guarantee for it, so I decided I'll wait for a new one. Expect it will arrive around the 20th of July.
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I'm still waiting for the money for mine to arrive so that I can order it - and keeping my fingers crossed that the offers are still on when that happens... -<
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Credit card ...
you get the deal, it defers payment til your cash arrives and guarantees stuff!
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Oh I know - I'll probably pay by credit card anyway, and Mr Acorn has suggested I borrow from joint savings.
The thing is, I'm buying it with part of some money left to me by my mother-in-law, and if I buy it before the money comes through it will feel as though I'm just paying off a bill with it rather than getting a final gift from her.
Silly, I know. :|
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If you want that super duper delicious machine with the extra cherry of the discount ... (and I know I would)
Get over it!
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Haha - I'm getting close! But the money is due to arrive in my account any second now (well, presumably not before Monday) - it's like a game of chicken! I even thought of asking Mr Acorn to buy it (from our savings) and then sell it to me when I have the money. How ridiculous is that getting!!?!
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The money has arrived! :sew:
I contacted the company selling the new one at a good price, told them I had a good offer of an 'as new'machine and asked them to persuade me to buy a new one. They told me the 'as new' is a brilliant deal and I should go for it, and even gave me some advice as to what to check up on first!
I have sent my list if questions about the 'as new' one. I just hope they reply quickly!
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They did! It's ordered!! :D
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woo hooo!!!!
So what kind of Embroidery machine should I get???
FoQ's is getting close, all the main suppliers will be there, I have oodles of time and they often do great show deals !!
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Acorn, YAAAAY!! :D When will it arrive?
Imi, you buying an embroidery machine for my birthday? :D
Would you like an embroidery only or a sewing machine + embroidery combo?
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Imi!! why would you need an embroidery machine? Are you thinking of embroidering twinsets, a la EWM and BM ??? :D
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Or this season's must have boho maxi-dresses??? :devil: :devil:
I've given up trying to buy some embroidered fabric for my boho dress. I'll just have to convey the boho look without embroidery! ;)
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I'm going to ask Mr Google Tamny, cos there certainly aren't any down here in the back of beyond -<
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Well I luuurve my Splurge so hows about an embroidery only machine?
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I'd love an embroidery machine, but, what would I make with it? How difficult are they to understand and use? Is it all too tecchy for me ( no internet access in my sewing room ) ??
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It's coming on Wednesday. :D
I've just been to M&S and I see one of their advertising slogans for this year is something like "the attention is in the finely embroidered detail".
Now, I seem to have spent £300 less than I was expecting, so I must go and look at accessories...
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Acorn??????
Wednesday come and past, no news about machine? I'm very excited for you, tell us it's everything you've dreamed of? :D
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Shes been consumed by it ... literally ... We may never hear from her again :[
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She is brilliant!
She arrived on Wednesday morning, but unfortunately the dealer had left out half the things that were supposed to come with her - including samples of fabric, thread and stabiliser, all the included designs, and embroidery needles. I managed to cobble together everything other than stabiliser to test her, and was very pleased.
The dealer has been very good indeed, very apologetic etc, and has sent on all the missing stuff, which should arrive today, and in the meantime Amazon provided me with stabiliser yesterday and I have been having great fun. I now know why embroidery needles are important. :|
I have also been trying desperately to install the complementary software and failing miserably. Part downloaded, but won't run without another part that you have to register for - quite incredibly difficult in itself - but that part either fails when downloading, or won't install. The activation number, which is printed in the manual, was rejected. Trying to get in touch with the software company is proving impossible ("We have closed your ticket because we have passed your issue on to another office.") I'm hoping the dealer will be able to help me there.
The machine, though - wonderful! :D
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Ooh, all sounds much too complicated for me..... good luck with it
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Wait...you need DIFFERENT needles for embroidery?! Like what kind?
I'm glad you're enjoying it, can't wait to see some samples :D
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They have larger eyes apparently. Because of the speed and number of stitches there is a lot of stress on the thread going through the needle - and you may be using thicker thread as well. Using a universal needle I had a lot of top thread breakages, which I think were down to the wrong sort of needle.
By the way, thank you Jo, (and Syrinx on another thread) for recommending Urban Threads (http://www.urbanthreads.com/) - they are fantastic!
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Some useful links?
http://www.emblibrary.com/EL/elprojects/Projects.aspx?cs_productid=pr1340
http://www.emblibrary.com/el/elprojects/Fabrics101.aspx
http://www.emblibrary.com/el/elprojects/HelpfulHow-Tos.aspx
and more here....
http://www.emblibrary.com/el/ELProjects/
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Thanks Lizzie - I've been shopping there this afternoon. I hadn't found their tutorials and advice though (part from one on making lace). They have an incredible amount of stuff! Very frustrating when your internet connection is as bad as mine is at the moment though...
That article on needles is excellent - for all types of sewing, not just embroidery. Thank you!
I have also bought three more hoops with massive savings on two of them (a total saving of about £185!!!!) Hoops are expensive at full price... :o
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Man, am I mad! :(
Wrote the dealer an email today, asking if they'll deliver this week. He says "sorry, delivery's been delayed until 15 august". I BEG YOUR PARDON?! Told them to give me my money back and ordered it from ebay Germany. At least I have buyer protection.
Should have it in a week or so, hopefully.
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Oh Jo, that stinks! :angry:
I'm glad you can sort something else out, and next week isn't far away...
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Thats outrageous, I had my plane ticket booked and everything!
Glad you're getting brand new with no back chat now and a week really isn't that long ...
(well at least not at this house in the run up to the FoQ)
Are you going to video the unpacking??? and trying out ??? God I sound like a nerd!
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Imi, sure thing :) If anyone's interested I'll give it a go!
Waiting to see the "shipped" email before I get excited.
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Sooo, my awesome machine has been shipped and should arrive in a few days (fingers crossed for monday).
Question is: how well is it packed? How likely is it to receive some damage during transport? I'm asking because the company that handles shipping on romanian territory is a state company and they really couldn't care less about handling the packages with care.
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Sewing machines are extremely well packed .... almost over so ... DO NOT WORRY!!
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Fingers crossed!!! (And toes!)
I moved my sewing room on sunday. Got a killer back ache (that's what I get for lugging a couch up the stairs), but an AWESOME sewing room. So much more space than before! Order some furniture from Ikea (just a desk and a drawer unit) to have a bit of storage space, will probably arrive on monday too. I'll be overwhelemed 0_0 Can't wait!
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Mine was so well packed that a very large person could have jumped up and down on it without doing any damage.
Lots and lots of polystyrene and two enormous boxes (one for the machine, on for the embroidery unit).
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Got my machine today :'( Sad to say, even though rather well packed and no visible damage on the outside, on the inside the styrofoam was quite broken in several places. The sewing part works fine, the embroidery...not so much :( It keeps telling me the carriage arm is not open, even though it is.
Wrote them an email with pictures attached and waiting for a response. Might have to send it back though... :'(
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Oh, Jo. :'(
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I'm sorry to hear that Jo ...might be an idea to take pics of the damaged packaging as well
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OHHHHHH NOOOOO !!!!! :o :angry:
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Get a refund plus compensation for being messed around
Come to FoQ.....
Buy a show offer machine ...
Take home as hand luggage ....
:devil:
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Imi, unfortunately I don't think this can be taken as hand luggage. It's heavy as hell, 23 kilos :[ I'm honestly dreading sending it back 0_0
I did test the sewing features a little bit and it's soooo wonderful :loveit:
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Give 'em Hell Honey!!!!!
They should fall over themselves to make things right!
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Jo, can you request that they collect it?
Such a disappointment for you.
Jessie
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Imi, over the years I've learned I catch more flies with honey than with vinegar 0_0 So when settling issues I try to be as polite and understanding as I can.
Having an online business I know that even though you do your best, shipping companies can screw you over and it's not your or the customer's fault.
I've talked to them today. It appears just the embroidery unit is deffective so I will send that back and they will send me a new one. All costs covered, of course.
I honestly preffer this option ans I didn't really want to send the machine back.
I did however ask for a hefty discount on an extension table :D
My Ikea furniture for the sewing room has arrived today (just some units with drawers and a desk) so I've been assembling furniture all day. It's so awesome to have drawers to put everything in!
Gonna be posting some pictures to brag a little when I'm done!
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Sounds as if you have it sorted, Jo.
Don't bother with bragging a little - we want big bragging - with pictures.
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Well done Jo - and that means that you do have a new machine to play with, even if you have to wait for the embroidery unit. :D
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Excellent!
Im so pleased that you have a beautiful part Splurge to play with whilst you wait for all the bells and whistles to arrive.
I shouldn't expect you have to wait anything like the amount of time you did before either ...
now you are more than just an order number!
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Yes it does! :)
The machine is lovely, and it does have loads of bells and whistles compared to my old machine.
The only thing I'm afraid of is that it might have a fault I have not discovered :S Is that a legitimate fear? Any way to test everything and make sure it's in working order?
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I always get some scrap fabric and work through the manual, trying everything, just to find out what a new machine does. I try all the stitches and see how they change with length and width etc. I suppose that would also flag up any problems, but I hope there won't be any. Enjoy it!
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I jumped straight in with the embroidery side of my machine, and it really would have been more sensible to have started with the sewing basics. I am now pretty well up to speed with what it can do embroidery-wise, but when I wanted to set it up to do a straightforward twin needle topstitch a few days ago (which I only did because my other machineseems to have taken a dislike to twin needle sewing) I had to start from scratch.
I ought to exercise some discipline and get to know it as a sewing machine, but... embroidery!!! 0_0
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Im sure there wont be, but can understand your fear after your recent experience!
Regarding TaT's suggestion, I have know peeps who make a stitch bible for their machines..
sewing a line of stitches for designs available, changing width, length etc on the decorative ones to see how they go and marking down the settings by each line of stitch.
(https://d1a6t1943usoj7.cloudfront.net/v1/05e2c938-6884-40ba-96c7-6b56025e9a89/w565/stitchbookclassproject_aiid1880101.jpg)
They then compile a fabric book of these which they can then refer back to at their will.
(https://d1a6t1943usoj7.cloudfront.net/v1/afffc302-3e3a-45c2-907a-ff8d5a03f1ec/w565/stitchbible_aiid1597343.jpg)
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Thanks all for your suggestions! :)
Not sure I'll be making a stitch bible, because oh-so-lazy, but will try some various stitches to see how it does.
So far I'm quite pleased. Been playing with some silk today and am quite pleased with the results.
Haven't made a video of unboxing, I was quite upset when I saw all the broken styrofoam - no need to have that on video :)
However, if anyone's interested, I can make a video with the machine features.
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Got word from the dealer: embroidery unit is defective, could have happened during shipping, they couldn't fix it and are sending me a new one :)
+ a good discount on an extension table.
I have to say I'm very happy with them.
Other than that, the machine is just amazing and I'm loving it. Have yet to go through the hole manual, but normal sewing and buttonholes are awesome!
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:D
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Soon soon soon!!! :D
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Well, my embroidery unit finally arrived!!! :) So exciting!
I've stitched two test designs, both turned out really well :) I now need to buy some stabilizer though. Most of the things I want to embroider are stretchy, and it seems I need some cut away stabilizer. Any advice?
I wanted to order from embroideredjust4u.co.uk, but I've noticed that ordering is not available until Sunday (which Sunday tho?!).
Edit: it seams Sunday the 20th, so I'll wait until Monday to place an order. She seems to have a great assorment of stabilizers and decent prices.
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I usually use Floriani no show fusible mesh on the back of the fabric, slightly bigger than the design. I like to hoop my cutaway and then baste my knit garment rather than hooping it. I don't like the marks it leaves. The fusible mesh stabilises the knit and stops it stretching. Cutaway is great on denser designs.
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PICS!!!
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I have the Atelier 5, aka The Splurge.... and I adore it!!!! <3
The 9 seems to be a new model. I would look very carefully at the specs for the 9 as I found that The Atelier 7, which retails/ed at £500 more than The Splurge, only had an italicised font as a difference!! which seemed a lot to pay!
That is my recollection as someone was looking at it, Was it Fran ??? but I may well be wrong.
https://www.hobkirk.co.uk/janome-atelier-9-sewing-and-embroidery-machine?cat=67195 (https://www.hobkirk.co.uk/janome-atelier-9-sewing-and-embroidery-machine?cat=67195)
Just to tempt you :devil:
Funnily, Imi, it's the Atelier 5 that dealer number two suggested to me but I ended up going with a Bernina from dealer number one. I only chose a Bernina because it's what I have used for the last 35 years but the Atelier 5 looks really, really nice!
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it is ... i adore it!
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There is an Atelier 7 for sale on facebook. I'm trying to resist temptation, but I may have messaged the seller. Hopefully someone will buy it before she gets back to me.
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LINKY ???????
How am I (or Fran ... I know she desperately wants one and it is Christmas soon) meant to save you from yourself if we don't know where it is ????
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I've tagged you.
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It is my dream machine *drools*. Boyfriend has his dream Jaguar XF, but I have my Atelier 7 <3
I hope one of you manages to snag it!
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What makes the Atelier 7 over the 5 Fran ... Im guessing you would know !
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It has an updated computerised interface in comparison to the 5, an increased number of stitches (240 I think). Don't know if the 5 has the auto presser foot lift or knee lifter either. It's got a few features more but the 5 is still pretty nifty!
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They both cost an arm and a leg (and possibly several other parts).
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Yes to the knee lifter, though I have never even fitted it let alone used it
and No to the auto presser foot, which I can imagine could be a neat addition!
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Cautionary tale about knee lifters :S
I used mine for the first time and trapped my sciatic nerve. Result:- excrutiating pain and a large monthly bill from the osteopath, which is still ongoing 12 months later. :devil:
Post script:- I've learned to live without a knee lifter. :D
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:D Tried mine once, couldn't see the point and hated it. It's packed away again now :ninja:
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I love mine. It's especially useful if you are doing quilting and having to turn the quilt round a lot.
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I quite often find myself holding delicate pieces together and needing to turn or otherwise raise the presser foot. I think it'd really help.
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Not sure about the 7, but the 9 has a pivot function, as in it lifts up the presser foot when you stop sewing (needle up or down, however you choose). Not all the way, just a little bit so that you can pivot your work. It's AWESOME and I use it all the time. Never use the knee lift as I can't really reach it properly with how my machine is set up.
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Hi Jo, long time no see ?!?
Can you turn that auto presser foot lift option off ie manually lift the foot when you wish ???
This is the only thing that is annoying me (I think)
I understand it being useful when you want to pivot during sewing but when I have finished chain piecing I would like to lift the presser foot, and perhaps here we have the nub of it, lower the presser foot myself when I start sewing so it doesnt CLUNK down!
I love the ability to alter the needle position but I would like to know what the increments are.
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Imi, long time no see indeed :)
Yes, you can turn the pivot function off as well as the automatic presser foot lift. I'm not sure what you mean by the "Clunk", as mine lowers very smoothly, both from the button or the presser foot. In any case, you can turn that off and use the lever if you want to.
The increments for the needle are 0.1mm :) 4.5 mm is the middle position, and you can adjust 4.5 mm to the left and 4.5mm to the right (from 0 to 9 mm).
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Been up since :S O'clock and have been finishing the back and layering of my current project.
Just having elevensies/brekkie before I start quilting on The Splurgess!!!
I have just attached (more fiddly than the WF to The Splurge) the Dual feed foot (nasty plasticky looking thing with a closed toe :( ) and engaged the IDT ( ???) and the auto presser drop/lift which engages and disengages when you press the foot pedal :o ....
All new territory for me !!! Scary stuff !!
This will really be the make or break point on this new machine for me ... Fingers crossed!
How do you turn the auto presser lift off Jo ????
When I (forget and) try to lift the foot manually, its obvious The Splurgess doesn't like it as it makes an 'Orrible noise!
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Imi, you can use the lever to lift manually, it's no problem (or at least it shouldn't be). To turn off the auto presser lift you...well, just don't use it :) I'm kidding, but it's actually very simple. When you turn on the machine, just press the foot down button and then lift the presser foot with the lever. That will switch to manual mode (it does make a sound, but it's normal, don't worry about it). I find it an awesome feature tho, as it allows me to use both hands to position the fabric underneath.
If you use the pivot function, make sure the option to stop with the needle down is activated, otherwise it's very frustrating (not sure how the menu is on the S7, but this option is in the Sewing Settings which you access by pressing the wrench key on the right of the screen).
You can buy several feet for the walking foot, including a open toe and a 1/4 inch seam.
If you need any help, just send me a message and I'll troubleshoot you through it :)
Also...might be a stupid question, but did you read the manual? I had several "oooohhh!!" moments when I did.
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the Splurgess
Imi, have I missed the introduction of the Splurgess to TSP?