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Thread: When do you upgrade your sewing machine?

  1. #1
    sheilafri is offline Junior Member
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    Question When do you upgrade your sewing machine?

    I've only been quilting for a few months, but I love it--the fabric selection, cutting, piecing, and machine quilting--everything except binding. I have been using a small electronic Brother machine I got at Costco and it has served me well and is easy to take to and from classes, but I already have an itch for a nicer machine. I would like to upgrade but don't know if it is worth it. Do I get more experience before I upgrade? Do I get extra bells and whistles that I'm still not sure I'll use? Do I get a super long throat since I want to do machine quilting? Any help is appreciated.

  2. #2
    TamiLee is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: When do you upgrade your sewing machine?

    I have always upgraded when I felt I had "outgrown" - in one fashion or another - the attributes of my machine. They are always upgrading and offering 'new and better' features... but most of the time they aren't 'new and better' to me. If I see something or hear about a new feature that really seems to 'stick with me', that I am really thinking about, and can see where I would use it for my crafting, then I seriously consider it.

    Price is always a factor, of course. I don't go for 'new', just because it's 'new'.

    Or if there is a technique I really want to start or master, and I see a machine that can really help me, I think about that.

    You say you want to learn machine quilting - then you would need to think about that, when looking to upgrade. It's hard to learn a new craft, when you don't have the tools. And it depends on your own rate of growth and "creativity quotient"; only you know you! But I have found with me, I have always wanted to go 'a bit higher' than what I thought I was 'ready' for, just so I'd have a challenge and way to grow with the machine.

    A new machine is very exciting! Think about what you are doing now, what you want to do, your finances, and how much time you are devoting to your craft. It's like the men always say, "you need the right tools for the job". Amen!
    DeniseSm, BobW, mommamarsh and 1 others like this.

  3. #3
    BobW's Avatar BobW is online now Senior Member
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    Default Re: When do you upgrade your sewing machine?

    I have upgraded twice in the past year. The first time I was going to take some classes and couldn't carry my 1960's Singer Clone. It is all metal and weighs a ton. I did not buy a new machine, I found a dealer I really like and talked with him and told him how much money I had to work with. He had a Pfaff that fit the bill. I bought it and used it and liked it. Then I heard about features like needle down, cruise control and self-threading. This meant another trip to my dealer. I told him what I wanted and how much money I had to work with. He took the Pfaff back in on trade and got me into a Janome with the three features I wanted. He also spent about an hour with me going over the features of the Janome. Usually when you purchase they have classes that you can attend. But due to distance he showed me what I needed right then and there.

    Since then I have bought a Bernina embroidery machine from him and a couple of feet and things for the machines. I also bought a classic Singer Featherweight on E-bay.

    I have a dealer that I can call and tell about a problem and he says bring it in and he usually repairs it while I wait. It is a 45 mile drive to his store.

    I suggest you try to find a dealer who will work with you. At a dealer you can test drive the machines. See if it fits you or if the features work the way you are expecting. You also need to decide if you want to purchase new or new-to-you. I preferred to get a much nicer machine than I could afford if I had gone with a new one.
    Bob

    (If all the pieces fit perfectly, people will think it was made by a machine!) LOL

  4. #4
    GrammaBabs's Avatar GrammaBabs is online now Senior Member
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    Default Re: When do you upgrade your sewing machine?

    Bob is right,,, find a dealer and work with the one you like and feel you can trust.. also go by how patient they when they demonstrate.. I love my Janome..and Juki is great as well,,, I truly think a solid NON computer machine with a faster speed if you LOVE piecing is wonderful,,, when you become proficient at that,, then upgrade if you want... Janome has some very nice featured machines with high speed and very long lasting... get going and make those dealers work for you... that's what they are there for...
    quiltingaway, BobW and songbird857 like this.
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  5. #5
    Simply Quilting's Avatar Simply Quilting is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: When do you upgrade your sewing machine?

    Agreeing with the others that a dealer you can trust is very important. I would highly recommend taking your time and look at the various brands and sewing machine options. Then write down a list of things that you are wanting in your sewing machine. Talk to people about their sewing machines and what they like and don't like.

    I have seen people make beautiful quilts on plain jane sewing machine. So don't think you have to have a fancy machine to make a great quilt.

    For me, there were several reasons why I had wanted to upgrade a couple are - the children were starting to sew and I wanted one that I could limit how fast they were going no matter how hard they pushed the pedal, I wanted to be able to do fancy stitches when I was quilting, I wanted to be able to put on a button and do a ruffle.
    BobW likes this.

  6. #6
    Lightwriter's Avatar Lightwriter is online now Senior Member
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    Default Re: When do you upgrade your sewing machine?

    I had a no name piece of a machine I bought when I was young and just married. I hated that thing with a true passion. After Mom died I used her Touch and Sew circa 1962. Loved the bobbin winding on that machine. It got worked on several times by a local guy who knew that generation of machines...and has passed on now...finally bit the dust with no one to work on it. Bought a Mechanical Janome online...mistake. Learned the hard way the true value of having a reputable dealer who really knows how to repair and troubleshoot. When I retired and wanted to really get into quilting...a long term wish...I looked at my machines. I read up on a lt, drooled over Bernina. Took a long look at my budget and just couldn't justify top of the line anything. I don't live close to any dealer...but one day drove to a dealer I found about 60 miles away. They took the time to really talk to me and explain the machines. I decide I wanted needle down, auto scissors, threading aide, and large throat. I have been happy with the machine I bought for a reasonable sum of money. The dealer had been great in helping me with a couple of minor hiccups. He even fixed the mechanical Janome so I would have one to carry around. Moral of this Long story...you don't have to break the bank to get a good machine. Know the features you want, but concentrate on finding a great dealer who will support and work with you. A machine that is solid and dependable and will do what you ask really helps you be a better quilter. My 1/4 inch foot has helped me as well as consistent stitching. Get one easy to operate..complicated is not better. It will be good to keep your present machine as a backup. Welcome to this crazy world of quilting and have fun!
    Last edited by Lightwriter; December 3rd, 2014 at 07:11 AM.
    BobW and Claire Hallman like this.
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  7. #7
    snippet's Avatar snippet is online now Senior Member
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    Default Re: When do you upgrade your sewing machine?

    Congratulations on being bitten by the quilting bug! Isn't it fun?

    I'll be in the minority and say to keep using your machine. A new machine won't help you bind better, and a bigger throat may cost you a pretty penny. You can do a lot on your current machine. Lots of us are sewing on machines we got on sale, at a garage sale, or was handed down to us. I suggest you spend your money on classes (if you have any nearby) and LOTS and LOTS of fabric. That will help you in your new addiction! LOL

    Welcome to the forum. Take photos of your work and post it for us to see! We love sharing.
                •.ΈΈΈ.•*¨¨*•• Carol ••*¨¨*•.ΈΈΈ.•

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  8. #8
    IBake is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: When do you upgrade your sewing machine?

    I upgraded to my new Viking when my first one died after 40 years of marriage and sewing. That machine has been repaired and is used up at the cabin for summer use only as that was the recommendation of the repair man.

    I am happy with my Viking and will keep it until I am no longer happy and have the "need" for a new one. My hubby is a love and will suggest that I need a new machine b4 I get the bug myself. New machines are so fun....
    BobW likes this.
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  9. #9
    cathym is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: When do you upgrade your sewing machine?

    I've bought a new machine a couple times. My first machine was the cheapest Singer. We didn't have a machine and I bought it instead of the toy machine my young dau wanted for xmas. We used it a few years, but it was often aggravating with tension issues. When I got interested in quilting, but wasn't sure I'd get into it enough to justify a very expensive machine, I bought a Kenmore Elite (computerized maybe made by Janome?). It was a joy after sewing on the Singer and it had many more features with needle down being the best. I still use it at my summer place and it's been good for 17 or 18 years. Honestly, it was the peer pressure (yep, sad to say) that influenced me to buy a Bernina. I went to classes and Bernina Club at my LQS (Bernina dealer) and heard repeatedly about the superiority of Bernina. I bought one of their Patchwork edition, a lower end computerized ones when they said the Bernina models coming out next would have more narrow throat spaces. While it is a great machine and I've had it about 12 years, it isn't that superior to my Kenmore and the Kenmore has more stitches. I also like being able to see how much thread is left in the plastic bobbin on the Kenmore, though Bernina's metal bobbin is supposedly superior. If I'd been smarter, I would have waited to buy another machine until I truly outgrew my Kenmore. I'd advise waiting for you unless there are features you really need now or your machine messes up a lot. At this point, I'd like one with a stitch regulator or dual feed, auto scissors and a wider throat, but it feels too self indulgent to buy another when I have two that work great. : )
    BobW likes this.

  10. #10
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    LRM is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: When do you upgrade your sewing machine?

    Lightweight you described my needs/wants perfectly. What machine did you ultimately get?
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