For artists and collectors sponsored by Intercal...your mohair supplier and Johnna's Mohair Store
I'm in the market for a new sewing machine, just curious what everyone here uses, brands etc, likes or dislikes.
I have a budget around $325............ I know that won't buy a ton of bells and whistles....but should buy a pretty good machine......................
Thanks girls for all the info, I purchased a Viking maching today, was on sale so was still in my budget! I'm so excited to try it out....except it is to heavy to carry upstairs.....
Hubby will have to bring it up when he gets off work late tonight!
I use a Janome 1600p...no bells and whistles but goes like the clappers and is a real work-horse. It cost a bit more than your target price though, but was worth the extra Before that I used an old 70s Newhome...which still works really well...I just wanted something that I could easily get bits for, that was about £50. I have an old Singer too..which is great as well!! That was given to my by my mothers friend..I keep it for emergencies!
I have a Bernette 75 - ( Bernina ) and also a lovely old Husquavana that I bought with my very first pay packet.
They both go well.
Best of luck with choosing your new machine Tami.
Hugs
Carolyn
I purchased my Viking for about that price. It doesn't have any bells or whistles - it just does the basic stitches. I've had it for six years now and it runs like a champ and feeds the thickest mohair through without a problem. Ah Viking...
Husquavana makes great machines, mine is does embroidery and stuff.. but I never use it anyway.. lol... and I've heard wonderful things about pfaff and bernia. What I did when I bought mine many moons ago.. I took the VERY thickest thing I would ever sew and took that to the store to play with... and the BEST thing I did was talk to the service person in the store.. the guy who fixes the machines.. he/she will be able to give you even more information... they know the best which machine is good.
Good luck on your search!
Hugs,
Melanie
I have a Janome. Just a plain, basic model. A man who used to run a sewing store nearby told me that the Janome is the best out there. He was not trying to sell me anything, so I believed him. He was a machine repairman, not a salesman. I bought my machine for $100, but it was not brand new. So far I've been pleased with it.
FYI I was informed that Janome is now making machines for Kenmore.
2 Pfaffs workhorses and embroidery
bernina lovely machine
2 singers; treadle and featherweight; featherweight is wonderful
1970 Riccar-doesn't work yet.
Were I you, I would buy used and that way have a higher grade; like the highest grade machine from 4 years ago
you can learn alot from watching the sales on e-bay and the googling the machines you see
also there are machine mechanics have written up what they like about different makes...you can google and find them; makes very interesting reading.
Have fun!
hugs
dilu