Time for a new sewing machine

[Former_Member]

Does anyone have any recommendations? Or any DON'T BUY UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES? I have a Babylock, but her motor is starting to get louder, and it just feels...like it's time.

[Former_Member]

I have a Simplicity S110 Heavy Duty Performer that I haven't had a single issue with. It's a real workhorse.
I have a separate serger, btw.

[HomespunTales]

I have a lot of friends who have a BabyLock and they love it.
I have a Kenmore that I love and an Elna that I also love. I use them both almost daily. In fact I am looking for a 3rd machine to use on my quilt frame. LOL!
Oh and I have a Janome Embroidery machine.

[Former_Member]

I bought an Empress quilting machine. It is THE MOST industrial-looking thing, but it's exactly what I need. I'm lusting after the TinLizzie, of course, but I don't have the sales to justify it. Someday...

I actually purchased an embroidery machine because it was too hard to use. It came with 6 hours of free classes...which should have been a red flag.

[Former_Member]

i have a bernette 420 which i love, it works great and i must have sewed at least 50 or more dresses on it,

[Former_Member]

I have a Brother embroidery machine. An Elna which is about 40 years old. Still sews like a dream. They made machines to last in those days. Whatever you buy make sure you get good customer service - lessons etc.

[do7mi2ni9qu4e]

I can't imagine it would be time to replace my Janome HD3000, since I bought it about six months ago, but from time to time it drives me up the walls. Today, for example, three times the thread broke while I was sewing, and once the needle housing jammed, causing the fabric to stop advancing. Removing and then reinserting the bobbin worked for a while, but then it acted up again. All this while I was sewing two custom orders! Anyone have any ideas as to what might cause these problems? Granted, making sure the bobbin thread is passed counterclockwise through two wafer-thin discs in the bobbin housing is difficult, and I wonder if it isn't engaged properly.

Thanks.

[Former_Member]

Unbelievable- I JUST finished having this problem today!!! Apparently I was failing to insert the bobbin-housing (or whatever you call it. You know, the metal holder where the bobbin lives) fully into the machine.

I'm going to order a new one, because apparently they warp easily when you drop them.

Maybe you dropped yours, and now it is juuuust warped enough to wiggle it's way out after some stitches, or after you're convinved that it's "fixed" and start sewing really fast? :-)

That's really all I can think of. Hope it helps.

[SpicyAprons]

what!!!!!! I was sold on the Janome HD 1000!!!! should I not get it?

[Former_Member]

I think every manufacturer produces a random 'buggy' machine. I usually hear great things about Janomes.

(btw, I use the apron I bought from you for sewing. I can stick scissors and thimble and spool of thread in the pockets, and they don't go a-wandering.)

[SpicyAprons]

oh hi Tanya, I had to check and see which apron you bought. and how does your little one like her apron?

[do7mi2ni9qu4e]

The problem I've had with mine from time to time - yesterday it worked perfectly - could stem from improper placement of the thread between the two wafer-thin disks in the bobbin housing (there's nothing in the housing that can be dropped). Most of the time the machine works great, but when it doesn't...GRRRR!! So it might not be the machjne after all, and every other sew-er I've talked to has reported intermittent problems with theirs, too. They have to be threaded just so, and can drive you up the walls when they aren't.

BTW, please don't anybody call us "sewers" (ROFLMBO). That's why I always hyphenate the word.

[do7mi2ni9qu4e]

When I said "intermittent problems with theirs" I didn't mean just the Janome. It's different makes and models.

[Former_Member]

Depends on the day! Somedays it makes her very happy to be just like mommy, but when she wants to take it off... she's only 2, so she doesn't know how to lift things up and around her neck- she tries to pull it straight down. Silly baby! :-)

[SpicyAprons]

lol!!!