<p>We want to get a new sewing machine</p>
<p>We have a inexpensive Sears/Kenmore type model, but for my Ds sewing, we need something a bit better</p>
<p>We have a decent budget- </p>
<p>Also, anyone know anything about surgers, etc?</p>
<p>thanks mucho</p>
<p>I have a Bernina sewing machine, which I LOVE. I also am familiar with Husquevarna Viking machines which I use at sewing class. I would recommend either brand. Expect to pay about $600 for a really good computerized machine (you can spend less on a mechanical.) Look for ease of use, threading, stability. As to sergers, they go for about the same amount of money, be sure to buy where they give you a lesson or two with your machine–sergers can be intimidating to thread. You don’t need a serger to sew, but they sure are great to have.</p>
<p>I second the vote for a Bernina— I have had mine for about 10 years now and love it! Lots and lots of stitch options and it practically purrs.</p>
<p>I have a Bernina which I love.</p>
<p>When looking at sergers do look into the ease of threading issue. I have a good serger but truly wish I had spent a little more on a self threading one. Mine is such a pain to thread - especially one needle that you almost have to be a contortionist to thread - plus not be in the ‘bifocals’ stage of life!!</p>
<p>You might try a search. I think I recall this question coming up before.I have a Pfaff that I am happy with. It is not computerized. Look for a good independent sewing machine store and go in an talk with them. I found when I was looking they gave great advice.</p>
<p>A serger is a specific type of sewing.
[How</a> to Buy a Serger | eHow.com](<a href=“http://www.ehow.com/how_8579_buy-serger.html]How”>http://www.ehow.com/how_8579_buy-serger.html)
I had a Newhome general which is a very good brand, now they are called Janome in the US.
My daughter uses a Janome Harmony.</p>
<p>The old sewing thread was back in June 2007</p>
<p>Thank you!!! We are going to go play at a local store and see what D likes…so this gives us some ideas</p>
<p>Just bobbin along</p>
<p>I do Judaic textile art for my small business. I have a Singer 9940 (lots of stitches, no embroidery) for my regular stuff, and a Viking Scandinavia 300 for my machine embroidery. This is a great regular sewing machine which includes thier basic embroidery module – if I had to do it over, I would get a machine with bigger hoop capability. The high-end Vikings can run as much as $7500 for the top end (which includes the software and stuff), but I don’t have that kind of budget (but a girl can dream…). I do love my Viking, though. </p>
<p>Both of these replaced the $99 Singer I got for my high school graduation almost (thir-ahem) years ago. I use both when I have embroidery running on one machine and need to do regular sewing in the interim.</p>
<p>You can get a very functional machine for $500-700, assuming you’re not looking for embroidery. I hear good things about Janome machines on another sewing list I’m on.</p>
<p>I think it’s a great idea to go for test drive. A sewing machine can be a love-hate relationship.</p>
<p>OK, for those of us still using (or trying to use) the sewing machine our mother bought in 1966:</p>
<p>What’s the difference between a computerized machine and a mechanical machine, besides price? Why would one want one over the other??</p>
<p>I have noticed that the computerized machine can be much better at regulating tension of the thread- not so much breaking.
For people that need all the help they can get, they are easier to use I think with nicer results, but if you already know all the quirks of your machine and would miss them- you probably don’t need something different.</p>
<p>I got a mechanical Viking in 1985 and I still LOVE it!</p>
<p>I have a mechanical Viking and a computerized Bernina. I like them both very much when they are in good tune. I loaned the Viking to a friend six months ago and now she wants to buy it… I would heartily endorse looking for a good used Viking or Bernina (people trade in old machines to get the snazziest embroidery stuff) and having it cleaned and tuned. Saves a lot of money, too.</p>
<p>One of the best things about the computerized machine is that each time you turn it on it resets. So you always start from a known point with stitch length, width, tension etc. You never start sewing having forgotten that you were doing zig zag last time, which is easy to do on a mechanical machine. I was happy enough with my Sears whateverit-was for years but there is no comparison to my Bernina.</p>
<p>How much are you willing to pay? </p>
<p>Bernina, Pfaff, Elna are top machines but also top dollar. Something like a Janome has a good reputation and is less expensive. My W has a Bernina and Pfaff but my Ds have Janome machines. They’ve worked fine so far.</p>
<p>I am also a Bernina owner. I have the 153 QE which is a midpriced model. I first had a really old, all metal sewing machine that was a workhorse. I then had a Singer for about 10 years and became very frustrated with it because of tension, skipped stitches, etc. Most of my friends have Berninas although a couple have Pfaffs.</p>
<p>Bernina also makes a less expensive line called Bernette. i don’t know anyone who has one.</p>
<p>This is actually a really good time to buy a machine. Quilt shops usually are doing inventory sales right now so I would call around in your area. A quilt shop in Northern VA marks off floor models and classroom models 40% off with a year warranty etc. every SuperBowl weekend. It might be worth the cost of shipping to buy it from them. <a href=“http://www.quiltpatchva.com/[/url]”>http://www.quiltpatchva.com/</a></p>
<p>My friend saved thousands by purchasing a very high-end Bernina embroidery machine at that sale. I would also buy from a quilt shop because their service departments have a quicker turn-around time. When you have your machine serviced from a chain (even a local one like the 4 store DC-area G Street), a lot of times your machine is shipped to a central location (ie the Rockville location) and then back to your store where you dropped it off.</p>
<p>Consider buying a Brother machine – not the kind you buy in Wal-mart, but the kind you buy in a sewing machine store. (they are two entirely different lines, and there is a significant difference in quality, imho) They are less expensive than Bernina, Viking, etc., but in my own extensive sewing experience, every bit as good (in fact, a couple of years ago a “leading consumer magazine” rated the Brother model that I purchased as one of the top 3 machines.)</p>
<p>My machine is the NX 400 (the current model number for that is the NX 450). It is computerized and has a wide selection of stitches. It does amazing buttonholes very, very easily, and I never have to adjust the tension, whether sewing leather, heavy upholstery fabrics, or satin and silk. The best thing about it is that it cost me only $500 (I negotiated with the store owner to get a lower price) – I could never have afforded the prices of a similar machine in the high-end brands–especially not with college tuition looming for the kids! :)</p>
<p>Thanks for starting this thread. I’ve been thinking I need to treat myself to a new sewing machine - would love one that does quilting. So I’ll be following this thread carefully.</p>
<p>Blind hem stitch-</p>
<p>My old machine has the stitch oriented so that the hem side of the fabric is on the left (outside) of the needle, and I have to pass all the bulky part of the piece to the right (inside).</p>
<p>Are all machines set up this way?</p>
<p>Oaklandmom,
I do quilting on my Viking, but they are small quilted pieces (wall hangings, table runners, etc.), nothing bed-sized (yet). If you want a machine for quilting specifically, get a long-arm machine with lots of room on the right side of the needle assembly to pass fabric through.</p>
<p>My old Singer was metal, mechanical and was in the shop once in 27 years. My niece uses it now.</p>
<p>Am still getting used to my new Singer — am not crazy about the tension adjustments I’m constantly making.</p>