I bought a Janome Horizon (7700) last August and I *love* it!! It is amazing for quilting and has been a dream for garment sewing too. It was quite a splurge (even with a super discount/introductory price...much better than list price) -- the only real luxury item I have ever bought -- but I don't regret it one bit. We play together almost every day :)
I LOVE my Juki HZL-F400. Juki was known for making wonderful industrial machines. I sew mainly with upcycled fabric, much of it bulky, like felted wool. I wanted tough first and foremost and I got it! "Hazel" (yes, I named her) can sew over ANYTHING! But she has lots of bells and whistles and is geared toward quilters. Check for a dealer in your area and try sewing on one. You will love it!
I love my Berninas! I have the vintage 930 (electronic) and the computerized 163. For years I struggled with a different machine, most especially with the tension, and repeated repairs of same. I finally gave up sewing because of that machine. I remembered my late uncle, who was in sewing machine sales and repairs, telling me, when I was only 11, that Bernina was the best. Saved up for the 930 and have loved it ever since. Would never do without it. I've been thrilled with both machines. Never a tension problem - ever! Both will go from tulle to denim with no adjustments necessary. I've had my 930 since 1985 and it has only needed one minor repair. They make sewing and quilting sheer pleasure. They both do great jobs with buttonholes (manual on the older one and automated on the newer). They both have the needle down feature that is so great. They both have great embroidery stitches, too. I highly recommend Berninas! (No affiliation, by the way.)
Julia - 13 years ago
I absolutely love my Brother cs600i! I was looking for a new machine last year but knew that we would be moving internationally. I didn't want to take a chance on an expensive machine being ruined by the move or from constantly using a transformer with it. I figured that it would be an easy buy that I could justify replacing in a few years once we get back stateside. At this point, I don't know why I would replace it because I love it so much. I use it for everything- quilting, crafting, clothing, drapes. It is a very lightweight machine but I haven't had any issues with stability. I just consider it another bonus as it makes it more portable. It is so much easier to operate than my old Husky and I could kick myself for not getting it sooner. I ordered mine online from Walmart and it included many of the optional feet and accesories. This machine has all of the features you are looking for plus some! Have fun shopping!
I have a Viking Topaz 30 sewing/embroidery. I love it - it has every thing I could ever wish for. But...I'm actually selling it, if you're interested. Due to some medical issues since the first of the year I'm just too tired to use it and keep up with everything. It's bittersweet, but I hope she goes to a good home where she'll be loved. My favorite features - the auto-needle threader, fix stitch and one-step buttonholes - talk about making life easier!
Heather - 13 years ago
I have a Kenmore 385.19110. It has all of your requirements except the free arm (?) - I used to sew with a Pfaff from 1973. The push button stitch selection is awesome. It is not metal, though - that is the one thing I miss about my all metal Pfaff - that machine could stitch through anything, and this one gets fussy about two many layers (in fairness, it currently is fussy about seven layers, four of which are corduroy). I don't think this machine has a drop feed either. For the price, though, it is a great machine.
I just got a new Janome (DC2010) and I am in love! I also have a Janome serger that I bought used that is wonderful as well. I had a Kenmore before my Janome (Janome makes Kenmore) and it was great and never had a problem in 11 years, with about 3-4 years of really heavy use. I decided to get a Janome the second time around mostly because of the warranty. I use my machine a lot and wanted the assurance that I could get help if I needed it, not the case with Kenmore. I've never used another brand of machine, but it's like my Toyota car. I've always owned a Toyota and I've never had a problem. Reliability is what it's about for me. Here's post I did on my Janome sewing machine: http://zaaberry.blogspot.com/2011/01/new-friend.html
I bought a Janome Horizon (7700) last August and I *love* it!! It is amazing for quilting and has been a dream for garment sewing too. It was quite a splurge (even with a super discount/introductory price...much better than list price) -- the only real luxury item I have ever bought -- but I don't regret it one bit. We play together almost every day :)
I LOVE my Juki HZL-F400. Juki was known for making wonderful industrial machines. I sew mainly with upcycled fabric, much of it bulky, like felted wool. I wanted tough first and foremost and I got it! "Hazel" (yes, I named her) can sew over ANYTHING! But she has lots of bells and whistles and is geared toward quilters. Check for a dealer in your area and try sewing on one. You will love it!
I love my Berninas! I have the vintage 930 (electronic) and the computerized 163. For years I struggled with a different machine, most especially with the tension, and repeated repairs of same. I finally gave up sewing because of that machine. I remembered my late uncle, who was in sewing machine sales and repairs, telling me, when I was only 11, that Bernina was the best. Saved up for the 930 and have loved it ever since. Would never do without it. I've been thrilled with both machines. Never a tension problem - ever! Both will go from tulle to denim with no adjustments necessary. I've had my 930 since 1985 and it has only needed one minor repair. They make sewing and quilting sheer pleasure. They both do great jobs with buttonholes (manual on the older one and automated on the newer). They both have the needle down feature that is so great. They both have great embroidery stitches, too. I highly recommend Berninas! (No affiliation, by the way.)
I absolutely love my Brother cs600i! I was looking for a new machine last year but knew that we would be moving internationally. I didn't want to take a chance on an expensive machine being ruined by the move or from constantly using a transformer with it. I figured that it would be an easy buy that I could justify replacing in a few years once we get back stateside. At this point, I don't know why I would replace it because I love it so much. I use it for everything- quilting, crafting, clothing, drapes. It is a very lightweight machine but I haven't had any issues with stability. I just consider it another bonus as it makes it more portable. It is so much easier to operate than my old Husky and I could kick myself for not getting it sooner. I ordered mine online from Walmart and it included many of the optional feet and accesories. This machine has all of the features you are looking for plus some! Have fun shopping!
I have a Viking Topaz 30 sewing/embroidery. I love it - it has every thing I could ever wish for. But...I'm actually selling it, if you're interested. Due to some medical issues since the first of the year I'm just too tired to use it and keep up with everything. It's bittersweet, but I hope she goes to a good home where she'll be loved. My favorite features - the auto-needle threader, fix stitch and one-step buttonholes - talk about making life easier!
I have a Kenmore 385.19110. It has all of your requirements except the free arm (?) - I used to sew with a Pfaff from 1973. The push button stitch selection is awesome. It is not metal, though - that is the one thing I miss about my all metal Pfaff - that machine could stitch through anything, and this one gets fussy about two many layers (in fairness, it currently is fussy about seven layers, four of which are corduroy). I don't think this machine has a drop feed either. For the price, though, it is a great machine.
I got a BabyLock Decorator's Choice about 4 years ago and I adore it.
I just got a new Janome (DC2010) and I am in love! I also have a Janome serger that I bought used that is wonderful as well. I had a Kenmore before my Janome (Janome makes Kenmore) and it was great and never had a problem in 11 years, with about 3-4 years of really heavy use. I decided to get a Janome the second time around mostly because of the warranty. I use my machine a lot and wanted the assurance that I could get help if I needed it, not the case with Kenmore. I've never used another brand of machine, but it's like my Toyota car. I've always owned a Toyota and I've never had a problem. Reliability is what it's about for me. Here's post I did on my Janome sewing machine: http://zaaberry.blogspot.com/2011/01/new-friend.html