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Thread: Sticker Shock!!

  1. #21
    Jean Sewing Machine's Avatar Jean Sewing Machine is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: Sticker Shock!!

    Quote Originally Posted by Alana View Post
    Have you tried Sears? I don't know where you are in Newfoundland but if there is a store or outlet near you there are some good little machines through them for under that price. They have a couple of Elna brand ones that are perfect for about two or three hundred dollars. Have a peek on line at Sears.ca and you may see something there.
    Janome makes Kenmore machines, and Sears aells them at a cheaper price point.

  2. #22
    alwaysinmyroom's Avatar alwaysinmyroom is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: Sticker Shock!!

    Quote Originally Posted by madampolo View Post
    One feature I really wish I had was the thread cutter. It would make life easier. I have it on the Juki on my frame. Other than that, inexpensive machines can be great. No need to break the bank. (I do long for an expensive embroidery/sewing machine though!)
    This little gadget is excellent on any machine that does not have a thread cutter--and it will work on metal or plastic machines...well worth the $5.00!

    http://www.sewingpartsonline.com/thr...f-machine.aspx

  3. #23
    madampolo's Avatar madampolo is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: Sticker Shock!!

    I too have a Brother Project Runway. It has been sewing up a storm for several years now. I would recommend it.
    Joyce "She who dies with the most fabric wins!!"

  4. #24
    Musical_Starling's Avatar Musical_Starling is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: Sticker Shock!!

    Oh Bneighbor, would you be my neighbour? lol I am super jealous that you have the Quattro AND the Winnie the Pooh machines!

    And Jean, I did NOT know that Kenmore was made by Janome! That's awesome! I'll have to keep that in mind when I'm looking for my "good" machine in the future!

    Thank all of you ladies for your help! After looking on the Brother site, I think I'm going to go with the SQ9050. It's a good price ($240) and it's got a nice quilting table attachment, comes with a bunch of different feet, has a drop in bobbin and an automatic thread cutter! So minus the embroidery (although it does do some letters!) it's what I was looking for! Although after reading the praises for the Project Runway model I may have to go back and compare lol But I think the SQ9050 will fit the bill for now.

    Thanks ladies! You're all awesome!
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  5. #25
    Peachy's Avatar Peachy is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: Sticker Shock!!

    Years ago I purchased a JCPenny (made by Brother) machine for $99. That machine has 38 stitches (including some decorative - obviously not digital). It has lasted me for 19 years, but most of the internal metal workings are mounted with plastic, therefore I lost my bobbin winder about 4 years ago and had to purchase a sidewinder. Not bad for a $99 no-name machine and I still use it all the time for workshops and travel.

    I now have a Bernina 820 - and I specifically purchased it for it's warranty and workmanship. It's top of the line, got everything computerized, etc, and comes in at a little less than $7,000. So I've had it both ways and I love both.
    Point is....it's really up to you! Do your research, set a budget and decide what is most important. Then go get her.

    BTW, I'd love to have an old Singer like that. I learned to sew on my mom's 60s Singer in that weird avocado green color that was so popular back then and I would love to have that machine...she tossed it saying she could never use the darn thing it always bunched up the thread. Mom didn't know there was such a thing as TENSION adjustment!!!!! UGH!
    Piecing on Bernina 820
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  6. #26
    Musical_Starling's Avatar Musical_Starling is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: Sticker Shock!!

    Quote Originally Posted by Peachy View Post
    BTW, I'd love to have an old Singer like that. I learned to sew on my mom's 60s Singer in that weird avocado green color that was so popular back then and I would love to have that machine...she tossed it saying she could never use the darn thing it always bunched up the thread. Mom didn't know there was such a thing as TENSION adjustment!!!!! UGH!
    MIL has only used "The Beast" for hemming pants and such. It may have been used a dozen times in the 40-some years she's had it lol So when I said I wanted a new sewing machine she offered up hers in an instant! It works well (so far! Knock on wood!) so I can certainly use it in the meantime, but having to oil it is a pain in the butt lol I can't wait to get my new one and not have to oil it! Plus it's super heavy, so even moving it along the table can be a nuisance. I've placed my order with Santa (aka. hubs lol) and I'll be getting the SQ9050 for Christmas I'd ask for it for my birthday, but it's December 2nd... Might as well wait until Christmas by then lol And the anniversary is already taken care of thanks to the Harry Potter Wizard's Collection coming out on September 7th along with a new Patricia Cornwell novel
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  7. #27
    KatiesQuiltingCorner's Avatar KatiesQuiltingCorner is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: Sticker Shock!!

    Sewing/embroidery combo machines are typically between $500-700. The embroidery areas on these machines won't be very large, usually 4x4 as a maximum size. You'd be better off finding a good sewing machine with the features that you like and then shopping for a stand-alone embroidery machine (Brother PE770 is a good one that does 4x4 and 5x7).

    Like someone else said - ask the dealer about their trade in machines. You'll find great deals that way!
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  8. #28
    icwilson's Avatar icwilson is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: Sticker Shock!!

    Quote Originally Posted by Sewbee View Post
    I own 2 of these Brother PC 420 Project Runway machines. Bought the first one 2 years ago, loved it so much I bought another one last Fall. I keep one setup for piecing and general sewing and the other is setup for Free motion quilting or using my walking foot. LOVE these machines. Currently available on Amazon for $399. I bought both mine from Amazon and have had no problems with either of them. Just read the user reviews to see how well it is rated.

    26275[/ATTACH]]Amazon.com: Brother Project Runway PC420PRW 294-Stitch Professional Grade Computerized Sewing Machine with 3 Built-In Lettering Styles, and Carrying Case: Arts, Crafts & Sewing
    Linda, do you know what the throat measures on this machine? I'm sewing on a Kenmore - works like a dream but is the dickens to quilt anything of size. I've been looking at this for a week now and if I knew the space from the needle to the right was larger than 6" I think I'd go ahead and buy it.

  9. #29
    MSzat's Avatar MSzat is offline Junior Member
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    Default Re: Sticker Shock!!

    You may want to take a gander at the Brother PC420 Project Runway .. Excellent buy for what you get .. Lots of very nice options .. A sewing and quilting machine .. Work horse

    FYI the harp is 7 inches

    I have one as well .. And a Janome 6300 .. Harp is 9 inches .. Love both for different reasons
    Have done queen size on both .. Janome a bit easier .. But both dooable
    Last edited by MSzat; December 11th, 2013 at 01:58 AM.
    icwilson likes this.

  10. #30
    easyquilts's Avatar easyquilts is online now Senior Member
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    Default Re: Sticker Shock!!

    I have bern doing a lot of research lately, and I believe you can get a reliable machine in the $200 - $500 range. I have three good Janomes.... Two Jems, and a DC2097LE.... All were under $400. The 2007 is the one I use all the time... It is almost 7 years old, and I've never had it in the shop.

    Brother has several good machines in that price range, and believe it or not, so does Singer... Singer has several models with a metal frame....

    Do test drive whatever you consider.... When you shop, take along the kind of sewing you for.

    There are a couple of features I consider to be essential for a quilter... The one I love most is the needle threader, of course, but I really love the needle-down capability.... It's invaluable, whether you are piecing or quilting.... I don't have a thread cutter, but my next machine will have it, for sure.

    Many of the new machines...in all price ranges gave a smart bobbin... You drop the bobbin in, run tuber the ad through a guide in the plate....and sew... No more bringing the bobbin thread up. It's hard for me to see the loop, so I want this feature, too....

    I really don't think that most sewers/quilters really need to spend big bucks for a reliable sewing machine.. Of course I might change my mind if I had more money..... Or if I ever got to test drive a very high end machine.... . But, I don't think so.

    Sewing machines are like everything else... There are Fords and Chevies, and there are Cadillacs and Porsches.... Both ends of the spectrum will provide good, reliable service....but the higher end models will be more luxurious. We each need to look at our budgets, and then get the most bang for our bucks possible... Sales, coupons and trade ins help a lot.

    The important thing us to do your research, test the models that interest you, and buy the best you can comfortably afford. Don't worth about the opinions of others.... Buy what you think is right for you...
    icwilson likes this.


    Sandy from Cincinnati


    AKA Kermit

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