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Posted 5 months ago.
See this poll on: http://basinpiecemakers.wordpress.com/
I have a 38 year old Viking. I have burned out, and replaced, two motors on it due to the level of sewing output I require. I sew like a Jack Russell terrier! I don't even want to buy a new machine. As the saying goes, "They don't make 'em like this any more". (Okay, I would love to be able to 'sign' my name on my art quilts with the machine, but not for thousands of dollars!)
I find it interesting how many love their Pfaffs, when all I hear around my town is how many times the owner has had to to take theirs back, many times ending in a new machine being issued. I think Husqvarna owns Brother, and heard it was taking over either B. or P., can't recall which...I love my oldy but goody!
I have an almost new Symphony Baby Lock I purchased it this year. I tried out the
viking, the Brenina, the Paff, a Singer quilter special, I ended up buying a Baby Lock. The baby lock that I have has a theader & cutter, reinforce stich, that you can program it to preform the reinforce stich, automatic cut the thread and the foot will pop up automatically so that you can end there or turn and keep going. it will sew with a push botton or you can use the foot peddle, . I love my machine and would make the same decision all over again.
I have a Bernina 180 and enjoy it. I get it cleaned once a year and have not had any problems with the machine. I had the "workhorse" Bernina 830 before this one and gave it to my daughter with strict instructions she could not sell it. I would probably continue to buy Berninas.
I have owned a Singer, Viking and Bernina. I enjoyed all of them for different reasons. Unless you are going to really use all the fancy stitches and an embroidery module, stick with a basic machine. If you can get one with a built in walking foot, great. I also think the new stitch regulator for the Bernina's is nice.
I've not had a single problem with any of my machines. Just did th regular maintenance.
Good Luck!
I bought my machine over 13 years ago, and have been pleased with it,,,it is the Lily model, but reading about the Pfaff, I would probably go that route if I was actively shopping for one again, mainly because of the larger throat place and walking foot. I use that alot with my machine that I have now...
I own a Bernina 200 with embroidery module but if I had it to do over I would definitely purchase another Pfaff..I gave my Pfaff to my daughter and she's enjoying it as much as I did...it was a top of the line at the time of purchase with attached walking foot...I believe it was a model #1530...I have never bonded with the Bernina and feel it is overpriced and lacks adequate help and assistant...had to purchase a separate walking foot and it proved to be noisy and doesn't work as well as the Pfaff's . I never need a "spider" to start sewing on the Pfaff but have to use one every time on the Bernina ... Needless to say when this machine has a problem I will be purchasing a new Pfaff...
I have a Viking #1 which is almost 20 yrs old and I really like it. Not computerized but does have a bunch of fancy stitches - which I really don't use. Except for cleaning have had no work done on it. And the cleaning isn't as often as it should be!
If I was looking at a new one might be a Phaff because of the built-in walking foot and the longer throatplate.
Viking speaks my language. All the listed brands are good machines but I like Viking best. My advice would be to try out the ones your interested in by taking some samples of things you sew, ie. piecing, binding, basting, buttonhole, and see how each machine feels to you, doing the sewing you normally want to do. Then take any classes offered with purchase, even if you don't think you will ever do that technique. It's amazing what you can find useful in quilting projects. Mine came through Sew and Vac, Moses Lake.
I have two Pfaffs now. One computer...Creative quilter 4 and a 2040.
I like the older none computer one for just sewing. They have built in walking feet, snapon feet. I have had pfaffs since the 90's. I get mine at Boyd Walkers in Spokane and always get ecellent service.