New machine time - need help choosing

I would recommend going to your local dealer and test drive everything in your price range. I looked on line for weeks and the machine I thought I wanted wasn't the one I ended up liking the most when I test drive all the different machines. I ended up with the Janome MC6300 and really like it. I has a 9" throat, snippers, needle up/down, automatic threader, double-needle/thread capability, and about 60 different stitches. For me, that is plenty. It also came standard with a walking foot and quilting/darning foot, the feed dawgs drop, and it has a knee lifter for the presser foot. You can also change the pressure on the foot, especially when you FMQ. It has guides that come standard on it as well. Best thing from buying from a dealer, whatever machine you chose, is that they generally service them on site, and they provide you with several hours of lessons on how to use your machine and its accessories for free. I believe mine cost about $1100 on sale from my dealer. When it came in, they even took it out of the box and made sure all the parts that were supposed to be there were there before turning it over to me. Oh, and it also came with an extender table that I love using. Also something else to keep in mind: some manufacturers will void the machine warranty unless you buy from a dealer. In other words, if you buy your machine from amazon.com, your warranty may be void, you won't get service from them, and you won't get any lessons on how to use your new machine. Whatever you decide, best wishes on finding the one you like.

I personally love my brother. I don't have the same issues with mine.

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Originally Posted by bubba

The Juki 2010 does only a straight stitch and nothing more. My big machine is a Singer Futura Quartet which I bought off of HSN. I have only had one problem with it (by my own doing), but now know who to take care of that (because yes, it happened more than once!!) and really like it. The throat area is only 9", but that is more than enough for me. The only thing it does not have is an automatice thread cutter, but at the time, I didn't know about those!

I have yet to try the embroidery part....came w/the table and two sizes of hoops, but I have never played with them and I'll have it two years this fall.

My class machine is the Babylock Audrey, which I bought for it's weight, which is 12 pounds. It does basically all the same my big Singer does not counting the embroidery.

Have fun in your test drives!

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For piecing and quilting the Juki 2010Q is perfect, I have a ce-350 for embroidery and decorative stitches. You must try the embroidery. It is so fun. Oh the possibilities.

I have an Elna excellence 740 quilting/sewing machine and I love it. It has a dual feed integrated adjustable feeding device with walking foot that is so easy to use for quilting. It also comes with many presser feet and has 11 inch throat space. It also has the knee lift lever to raise and lower pressure foot.

I love my Janome 6500. You wouldn't go wrong with it.

I went to the big JoAnns in Albany tonight. Turns out that the sewing machine department closed at 7 :( But, I was able to determine online the price range for various Husqvarna machine and realized that only one was in my price range - but the throat space was way too small. I did look at the Juki 2010 online, and have eliminated it - it's not really what I want. But I am going to two LQS tomorrow, and will look at Janome and Pfaff. The Juki F600 I would buy from sewingmachinesplus.com, with a five year warranty, and that is a dealer.

Choose the one you love and you won't go wrong.

I don't know much about different brands of machines, but I have used Janome machines for well over 20 years and love them. My newest one is the 9500, which sews and embroiders. Before Janome I had an electronic Singer and it spent more time being repaired than it did at home. Baby Locks are also very good machines. I hear good things about Juki machines but I also hear you have to clean them a LOT!

Sewingmachines : Singer, Brother, Janome : Industrial Overlock Machines : Sewing Machines for Sale : SewingMachinesPlus.com carries a wide range of machines and it's a good starting point for pricing and comparing features.

Good luck in your search...

I don't have much to add - my machine is 25 year old Kenmore workhorse. The repair/service lady I use says to hang on to it - it is one of the last ones that is all metal inside. She is very emphatic about staying away from newer Singers - she sees way too many of them with major problems because they are very cheaply made nowadays.

My wish list for when/if I ever get a new machine is pretty simple. A basic alphabet for labels and a serpentine stitch are what I really want.

I just went to one LQS - the other said online that they were open Sundays 12-4, but the door said Sundays are closed. The one I went to only has Pfaff. I got there, told the sales clerk what I was basically looking for, and my price range. She showed me a floor model Pfaff Expression 150th Anniversary Edition, on sale for $1199. It does have the IDT, and a large throat. What it doesn't have (specifically) from the wish list is an alphabet function, thread snips, or an easy way to thread - the "automatic threader" is more complicated than the one on my Brother right now. She also didn't know much about the machine, even though it had been in the store for over a year - just kept saying that the 4.2 was better because of this and this and this, but its out of price range. The other thing is that the price doesn't include any accessories, the extension table is $200, and new user classes have to be paid for. Plus, the repair program sends machines out for repair - there isn't anyone on site. I said I would think about it, and then asked to look at the Christmas fabric for the NQ3 swap - but they had about 10 bolts left. I need one more, so more shopping must be done tomorrow.

Janome and the Juki F600 are still on the list - more reviews to come.