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« on: May 27, 2022, 17:51:06 PM »
I popped into a sewing machine shop today to check out the Bernina 475. I am after a 5.5mm max stitch width. I was surprised that a machine costing £1,500 featured 5.5 so had to see it.
The same shop sold me a Juki DX7 which I didn’t really use properly until lockdown. I had all sorts of issues with it. The engineer actually drove out and collected it to see what was going on. He couldn’t replicate the problem I was encountering and he declared the machine perfect. I tried to get on with it but despite many peeps waxing lyrical about this machine, I didn’t like it and it was sold.
Same salesman showed me the Bernie and it sound okay on a slow speed but once he increased it, the machine was like a lumbering lorry. I didn’t even bother to have a go on it myself. He confirmed what I already knew. These machines are not like they used to be. So too, according to the salesman, are the Janomes and Brothers. They don’t sell Pfaff but I expect he’d have the same opinion about them. The best machine he could recommend was the one I had sold and I certainly won’t be buying another one. He then showed me a Britannia for less than £600 and thought that would do me. He said it was better than many other higher spec machines. I wasn’t impressed with the stitching or the buttonhole (which he deemed wonderful) so won’t be opting for that either.
Apart from the stitch width - and I would compromise on a 7mm - I want a needle up/down button and a knee lift. Good harp space would be nice. I am primarily sewing clothes, the odd soft furnishing item and would like to have a go at bag making some day. I may do some more quilting/appliqué too.
What I took away today was there isn’t a decent machine out there for me, unless I want to spend 2.5K+. Can’t afford anything like that. I was hoping to spend a grand or less because I don’t need so many bells & whistles nor 650 stitches.