Printable View
Hi everyone, I have recently begun quilting again and I have a Janome 8900. My machine is way too big to haul to class. Can you give recommendations for your favorite classroom machine? I don't want to spend a huge amount of money, maybe $750 - 1000. Thank you, in advance, for being kind enough to share your knowledge with me.
Janome Jem.... NOT computerized... I have one and love it... Jean will tell you that their Hello Kitty one is fabulous too.. available on Amazon I think...
I envy you!
I would check out the Janome Gem. It's very portable.
Unless, of course, you can lay hand on a 'old school' Singer Featherweight....
Pfaff Passport would be my choice
Pfaff Passport. AWESOME little machine.
I recently bought a Babylock Anna. I love her! She weighs 15 pounds and is a great little machine for piecing. She is very easy to carry around to classes. I almost bought the Janome Gem Gold, which I have heard nothing but good things about. The Anna just had a few more features that I wanted. She was under $250 on sale with an old clunker as a trade-in.
Check the web, but the best thing you can do is find a good dealer that sells a variety of machines and try out as many as you like. There are lots of nice little machines out there.
I also suggest you buy a carrying case when you buy a machine if you want to bring it to classes.
I take my old Viking Rose. She's light and still a work horse.
Attachment 69765
I just traded my Janome Gold in after one year for the Janome 7360 pictured because it had a bit more on it . A bit heavier but I like it better. Paid under $500.
Pfaff Passport. IDT system is wonderful. About $600, 14 lbs. Great machine.
I would recommend the Pfaff Passport. The idt will spoil you and it is wonderful to sew on.
I have the babyLock Audrey and love her, light weight and she came with 1/4" foot, extension table and quite a few nice stitch options.
Have you considered the Viking 100 Q machine. My machine has been to a number of classes, and worked flawlessly. It has been sewing up foundation piecing for a year and a half. It is very percise and weighs about 15 lbs. Very easy and comfortable to transport. I love it.
I have Audrey by Babylock. I found out yesterday they quit making her though. She weighs only 11 pounds and came w/her own carrying case and extension table.
Just curious - what does IDT mean?Quote:
Originally Posted by Sharyn J
I have a little Janome that cost me about $230. It is lightweight and perfect for class.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRm-KAPjVrgQuote:
Originally Posted by Carol336
Omg. I want one now!
One of the classes I took with my Passport was a bag class. To sew the bag together you have to sew through 4 layers of fabric, 2 layers of batting and 2 layers of Soft and Stable. It went through it like butter. It is a great little machine.
I use mine every month at Project Linus meetings, and it sews slippery satin labels on everything: fleece, quilts, even knit and crocheted blankets, not a single pin ever needed.
Someone else brings her little Janome, and it can NOT sew the labels on well. The satin slips, the labels pucker, the stitch quality is awful and it won't even begin to sew on knit or crocheted blankets.
This is a great, super versatile workhorse in a tiny little package!
