Sewing Machine Suggestions for sorta newbie

[NancyGM]

Hi Everyone..

I am hoping to get some input, suggestions, tips, guidance on a good sewing machine to purchase. I am currently using my mother-in-law's that she kindly let me borrow. It's a very basic machine (singer1234). My goal is not to break it before I give it back to her.

Here is some info about my sewing interests, which I want my sewing machine to handle. I am a beginner sewer, but I have sewn dresses when I was a teenager. I am just learning to quilt (which I absolutely love!). I also have many friends having babies for which I would love to make clothes, bibs, receiving blankets...etc. (And one day for my own children-hopefully soon).

I would love to have a sewing machine that can handle quilting (free-motion sewing) and regular sewing projects. I don't need one with 100 stitches (I wouldn't even know what to do with them all). But I do love some of the convenient extras (needle threading, lock stitch..etc). Ideally I would love to be under $450. Just feel like more then $500 would be too much for me and my sewing goals.

So far I have come up with one machine... Janome Magnolia 7330. I have seen others but out of my price range. But then again, maybe I should wait longer and save up more money. Ideally, I would love to procure one before I manage to break my mother-in-law's.

Thank you so much for your help!!! --- Nancy

[goofyizzy]

Re: Sewing Machine Suggestions for sorta newbie

I have the Janome 8077. I think it is very similar to the Magnolia. it's a decent enough machine for a starter. It sews well for a machine this size and is easy to transport to classes and such. I started with a very inexpensive Singer (about $150) and upgraded to a Janome 8900, then I bought the 8077 to take to classes. The singer made me curse every time I used it. It's a good idea not to start with the cheapest of the cheap. You don't want to be frustrated with your machine and therefore not want to sew. Good luck!

Edited to add - I am now coveting the Juki 2010. It is only straight stitch, but has some nice features and it is so strong it will sew through practically anything. A little out of your price range, but it's not a bad idea to try out many machines before you decide.

[kensington]

Re: Sewing Machine Suggestions for sorta newbie

I looked at the Magnolia... But bought the 4120. If the hubs hadn't told me I could have a larger budget... I would have gotten the Magnolia.

I think you will be happy with it, if it does what you need it to do. I wanted the 100's of stitches for applique. And I use them. I wanted an Embroidery machine... but that was NOT in the budget. LOL

[GianasNana]

Re: Sewing Machine Suggestions for sorta newbie

I looked at the Magnolia... But bought the 4120. If the hubs hadn't told me I could have a larger budget... I would have gotten the Magnolia.

I think you will be happy with it, if it does what you need it to do. I wanted the 100's of stitches for applique. And I use them. I wanted an Embroidery machine... but that was NOT in the budget. LOL

check this from another thread here in forum "Another update on my new Singer S16: I LOVE it! I've been using it to FMQ and straight-line quilting and it is so smooth! Although I liked my old Brother PC420PRW, it really had a hard time over thick seams. The S16 can be very fast and doesn't balk at the thicker battings and such. The larger Harp space of 9" makes it so much easier to quilt. I got mine in June/July from Singer site for $410. I just checked now and it is only $385 with free shipping! Anyone on the fence, I'd jump in!"

[shermur]

Re: Sewing Machine Suggestions for sorta newbie

The Brother Simplicity SB3129.....it's in the price range you're looking in. Find yourself a local Brother dealer and test drive one...you'll be amazed! I love mine...it's one of the best machines I have ever known and it does everything I want it to. It's the first high quality machine I've ever owned. I also own a Janome Memorycraft 9700 (more for embroidery) embellishments!

http://www.brother-usa.com/Homesewing/ModelDetail.aspx?ProductID=SB3129

[Vonnie]

Re: Sewing Machine Suggestions for sorta newbie

People trade in machines all the time. Check with some local dealers and see if they have any good deals on gently used machines.

I have Babylock machines which I love but the new ones would be out of your price range. But Brother is very similar and have lower prices. Their quality has really improved over the years. My first Babylock I bought in Paducah at the quilt show. I got it for half price because it was a class machine.

[grammaterry]

Re: Sewing Machine Suggestions for sorta newbie

I think the suggestion of looking at a trade in machine or even checking out craigslist for a machine. You don't want an older machine that says "hardly ever used" because my repair guy says that if a machine sits and isn't used it will seize up even if it is new. When you find one, ask a dealer what a used machine would cost. Of course, they want to sell you one, but if they know you are looking elsewhere they may find you a good deal. Get friendly with your local shop owner and tell them what you told us. Just take your time. THe right one will come along. I started out with a White in the 60's and moved up to a Husqvarna Viking in the 70's and have been sewing on one since. THe original Husqvarna is at my granddaughters who is 10 and I bought a new one in 2006. I'm going to visit the GD Monday because she says it is breaking needles and I'm sure we can figure it out. I'm thinking its probably a threading issue...again...she's 10 and no one else at her house has a clue about sewing.

[cjsews]

Re: Sewing Machine Suggestions for sorta newbie

Whatever brand you choose you may want to look for these features. Needle down is so handy when doing the quilting. I find a thread cutter hand too. You will want a 1/4 inch X foot, walking foot and free motion foot. Check out your Walmart. I have heard good comments about those machines. Of course you can check your local machine dealers for a little better quality. Like you I do not need all those extra stitches and I have no plans to do embroidery work.

[SewingBuddy]

Re: Sewing Machine Suggestions for sorta newbie

Visit as many sewing machine dealers as you can find. Tell them you want to sew garments as well as make quilts and you have a limited budget. They should be able to help you find a machine and then let you test drive it before you buy it.

I use some of those "fancy stitches" for quilting.

[Jane917]

Re: Sewing Machine Suggestions for sorta newbie

I recently bought a Janome NQM2016. It was slightly above your budget, but has all the essentials you need. I bought it as a backup machine for my 24 year old Bernina 1530. I loved that it was light weight (which my Bernina is NOT!) and could be easily taken to classes. However, after using it for a week and loving it, I decided I needed more than it offered. I returned to my dealer, who offers full price credit for upgrades for 90 days, and bought the Janome Skyline S5. It was on special sale, plus I got an extra discount because it was used at a vendor fair one time. The NQM 2016 would go on the shelf as a lightly used machine to some lucky buyer. You might be able to find a machine that has recently been returned and discounted to a price within your budget. On the other hand, I hear the Magnolia is a very good machine at the price. Having a local, supportive dealer is important to me. There will be times you will want to run screaming to the dealer. Good luck in your choice, and let us know what you get! One feature on the Janome, and assumably on other machines, that I really love it the auto scissors feature. At first I thought it was kind of silly, but I am in love with this feature. In the meantime, my "primary" machine, the Bernina, sits in the closet as I explore what has happened to the evolution of sewing machines in the last 25 years!