Brother or Janome Sewing Machine??

[Former_Member]

Hi,

I've been doing a lot of sewing machine research lately as I've decided to finally do the things I say I'm going to do and start creating more. I presently have a really basic Singer that I got as a gift many years ago and the bobbin winder stopped working shortly after.

I will be using it for a lot of personal projects and maybe some smaller professional ones. I would also like to get into quilting.

So far I've been considering
- Brother CS6000i
- Janome 8077
- Brother CE-550PRW

I don't have experience with those 2 brands and my price range would hopefully be under $300.

Would love some input/opinions/experience on these machines or something similar in my price range? Definitely looking to try a digital machine rather than manual.

[AGypsyRed]

I have the Brother SC9500 quilting machine as a backup backup machine. I got it at Sears for $250, though my Hancock's carries a very similiar one if not that model that they put on sale for $199 sometimes. It's a good machine and I haven't had any problems with it. I usually sew on Vikings (my two machines there are a new 875Q and a 20 year old 400) and the Brother has been a good machine for taking places and using when one of my others isn't available.

I know several people who swear by Janome machines and wouldn't own anything else, but I haven't used one of their full size machines so I don't have personal experience there. I do have the Janome Sew Mini that I use to take to craft fairs to work and for a mini machine, I've been happy with it. It's MUCH more durable than the Sew Pixie or others I'd looked at.

The Brother I have was very easy to learn and use, within 15 minutes of opening it, I had it working.

[Former_Member]

I agree with AGypsyRed, Brothers are easy to work with. Mine was a $70 machine from Wal-Mart in 07 and it's still kicking after... fifteen conventions! :D

Good luck to you!

[endenisia]

Hi,
I recently got a new janome horizon having never had a janome before and I'm very happy with it. But I do remember there being a lot of brother machines at my collage I believe because they are especially hardwearing and sturdy.

[Former_Member]

Janome's are nice, but I find Brother's more user friendly and price friendly. I've only personally used Singer and Brother and love my basic Singer for what it puts up with, but Brother machines are hard-wearing and easy to use

[TheGeekySewcialite]

My first machine was a Brother, and that sucker lived through sewing theatrical drops, working summer stock theatre (think costuming 6 huge shows in 8 weeks) and now has "retired" to my sister-in-law's house. It was (and continues to be) a great, basic sewing machine, very durable and a great value for the money. It was the uber basic model, though. No bells and whistles. But I've had great experiences with the Brother brand. Can you go to a local dealer/store and "test drive" the models you're thinking about?? Sometimes just sitting down to a machine can tell you instantly whether it's going to work for you or not.

[VataRaven]

Singer, I've always used a Singer.

Singer 590 commercial grade, it's cheap, does what any other sewing machine can do. You don't need all the fancy stuff, like a computer screen and all that.

And think...if those fancy screens ever bust, you're going to spend a crap load on repairs on those high-end models. also, buy a model on if you have like...me, I have a Singer store right in town for repairs and cleaning.

And also buy when they do demo day. I bought mine when the fabric store was doing a sell and had all these people in showing what every machine could do and what would be best for needs.

Shouldn't spend more then $200 on one, that's a good price and they'll keep if you don't abuse them.

[Former_Member]

I have seen quite a few of both of these and basicly Bother does make a very nice machine. The draw back is they use more plastic parts. (No I have nothing against plastic and in some cases it can actually make a better part then say metal.) the plastic parts they use are generally good parts and it is a sound machine.

But if you are doing a lot of heavy use, say commercial this is where the Bother falls short because the plastic parts tend to wear faster and you'll see more cost in repairing the machine. But how much more I really can't say because in the end it really does depend on how much it is used.

[ScrapEpic]

I have had two Jenome machines and trust the brand 100% - they have never let me down plus I find them easy to use.

I haven't yet used a brother - but I wouldn't be against it.

Whatever one suits you better - go with it :)