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Re: Sewing machine quandry...

Nana — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 05:02:27 GMT

Tish

You are absolutely right. You have to have a machine you love. The new Singers just aren't our mom's old singer. The don't run as well and don't sew as well.

Re: Sewing machine quandry...

tish — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 04:58:16 GMT

My Singer died too, stripped a gear inside that would be more expensive to repair than replace the repair guy said. So I bought an inexpensive Singer and hated it. A lot of time delay between pressing the foot petal and the sewing...also always stopped needle up. It was just very different than my 1970's Singer. I was at Joann Fabric last year and they have a small sewing store inside, indepentently owned, and there was a Husqvarna Sapphire on sale. I sat down, tried it out and wow! I loved it! I could only afford the 835 model, the 875 has more features and also cuts the thread, but I'm happy with the one I have. The extras are a bit pricey, walking foot, etc. Get one you love, it makes all the difference in sewing. tish

Re: Sewing machine quandry...

Eileen — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 04:29:35 GMT

Yay, Annie!! Have fun getting to know your new machine :-)

Re: Sewing machine quandry...

abcd — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 23:57:00 GMT

Annie:

[quote user="

Bella,

After a few hours of test driving some machines yesterday, I decided on a Pfaff Quilt Expression 4.0 I was considering the Janome 7700, I really liked that a lot, but when I had to change out the presser foot, I realized how awkward it felt to me and hide it strained my arthritic wrists. That was the deal breaker. I just set up my Pfaff and hope it lives up to my expectations.

Great machine, Annie! Keep me posted on what it is like to fall in love with a Pfaff, as my mom and I were wondering what this "new generation" is like. Congratulations! (and my mom is still in love with her little black 1948 Pfaff! ) :D

Re: Sewing machine quandry...

Annie — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 23:48:18 GMT

Ginny,

I was really surprised about the piece of metal that lands just along side the screw. I thought I was imagining things, and even asked the salesperson to help me move that metal piece out of the way, but she assured me that was the way it was built. I have pretty good sized hands and now with my arthritis acting up, it was near impossible for me to change out the feet.

Thanks to you ALL, I knew enough to really do my due diligence.

Thanks again everyone for your opinions, advice and most of all your warm wishes.

Re: Sewing machine quandry...

Kris — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 21:01:03 GMT

Annie,

Congratulations on your new purchase. I have the QE 4.0 as well. A bit on the loud side (compared to my other Pfaff) but I like it. I hope you enjoy yours.

Re: Sewing machine quandry...

Ginny — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 20:06:42 GMT

Annie, I completely understand about the difficulty changing the presser feet. I have a Janome DC2010 and that is something I didn't like after I bought it. The part that houses the presser foot comes down too far and it is difficult to even se what you are sewing. Hope you love your new baby.....Ginny

Re: Sewing machine quandry...

Mary — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 18:27:49 GMT

Bella:
After a few hours of test driving some machines yesterday, I decided on a Pfaff Quilt Expression 4.0 I was considering the Janome 7700, I really liked that a lot, but when I had to change out the presser foot, I realized how awkward it felt to me and hide it strained my arthritic wrists. That was the deal breaker. I just set up my Pfaff and hope it lives up to my expectations.

Nice machine! I know you will have a wonderful time with her. I'm doing my first embroidery on a Pashmina I have with my Brother SE400. I saw lots of machines I loved yesterday but until I save up a few thousand dollars, Patches will have to do. When I can afford it, it will be a Bernina...if they are still in business when I have the $$$ lol. Anyone want to contribute to my Bernina fund? lol

Re: Sewing machine quandry...

Spudgrandma — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 17:51:25 GMT

Congrats on your new machine Annie. I'm sure you will love it!

Re: Sewing machine quandry...

gini — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 17:46:30 GMT

annie, enjoy your new machine. changing the presesr feet is one of the issues i have with my sapphire. i didn't change a foot befoe i bought it and my hands are too big to fit, so i have a lot of trouble getting the feet changed. and my feet just snap on.

Re: Sewing machine quandry...

Nana — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 17:35:17 GMT

Annie

I bet you have fun with your new baby.

Re: Sewing machine quandry...

Annie — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 17:32:11 GMT

Bella:
Make a list of FEATURES you think would REALLY help, and not just what you WANT for your sewing habits.

Bella,

After a few hours of test driving some machines yesterday, I decided on a Pfaff Quilt Expression 4.0 I was considering the Janome 7700, I really liked that a lot, but when I had to change out the presser foot, I realized how awkward it felt to me and hide it strained my arthritic wrists. That was the deal breaker. I just set up my Pfaff and hope it lives up to my expectations.

Re: Sewing machine quandry...

Carol — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 04:47:37 GMT

Bella:

I bought a Bernina 830 33 years ago! (YES - the ORIGINAL 830) and you want to know WHY the NEW one is also called the 830? BECAUSE THE 830 WAS THE BEST SELLING MACHINE OF ALL TIME!!!! let me repeat: ALL TIME - next to SINGERS, and VIKINGS, and PFAFFS - And I will NEVER let it go!

You sound like me! I bought my original 830 about 27 years ago, and I feel exactly the same way about mine! I also bought another one (pre-owned so not so pricey) It's the 153, Alex Anderson Quilting edition, and I like it, too, with all the newer features, but the 830 is my favorite workhorse. I also use older Singers, and FW is fun to use, too.

Re: Sewing machine quandry...

abcd — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 18:58:34 GMT

I know, Gini, but that is just (one of) my quirks. I was also doing demos, and I just get cranky myself when it isn't smooth. Now the NEW Bernina 830 (which, to me, is a War Horse), has the biggest bobbin there is! I mean, it looks like it came off an 18 wheeler! But no thanks! I also sewed in a factory for down coats, and used the industrial machines. I don't want a huge machine that is so "industrial" unless I am in my OWN industry. I just like the smaller machines, and the front load bobbin. That's all. To each his own...(Kinda like liking a front end loading washing machine, I guess....) :D

Re: Sewing machine quandry...

gini — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 18:50:30 GMT

bella, it isn't a big deal to change the bobbin. you have to stop the thread anyway when you change a bobbin. i just swivel the fabric to the side or flip it up over the machine. i got this machine because everything on it was so much easier to reach than any other machine. now, there are machines that i think are comparable. she is starting to get cranky and i am not looking forward to shopping for a new one.