Quilt in a Day Forums

So, I am afraid the time has come for a new machine. (I hope not, not sure how I'll afford one - but I can't live without a good machine)

My Viking seems to have decided to retire. I am looking for advice on what machines everyone out there is using - and what the pro's and cons are.

I am looking towards a Pfaff or a Bernina - but I'm not locked in. There are very few dealers in my area though, (For instance, these are the only 2 - there is no Babylock dealer for over 150 miles), so that is going to weigh in a bit.

Please help! I am also a professional seamstress, so my machine takes a tremendous amount of use, and stitches are also very important. A gathering foot, elastic foot and stitches, and EXCELLENT button holes, blind hem, and decorative hemstitches are a must. I'm just venturing into Heirloom sewing,so that also plays a role.

And of course - it needs to be an great quilting machine. I have free-motioned most of my quilts at home myself.

SO.... any ideas? Suggestions?

Thanks for the input. I swear... I'm thinking harder about what sewing machine I want, than I did in picking a husband (but they don't come with consumer reports

Love, love, love my Janomes, in particular the 6600.

well if i had to purchase another machine i would buy another of my viking saphire. it has the best stiches, a 10 inch throat, and i wish i had another one for everyday sewing. i have my 870 on my quilting frame so it is handy to remove it to sew something since i have a top on my frame all the time. just my 2 cents worth.
Barbara

I have the most basic Bernina - the Activa, which is all I need. I don't need the fancy stitches, just a good 1/4" seam. I'm very happy with my Bernina, but getting extra feet is pretty expensive. However, you can buy an adapter so you can use generic feet. I spent $1,000 on my machine about 6 years ago.

I love my babylock espire. I do alot of sewing(dailey) and it sews like a dream.

Baby Lock then Pfaff...Baby Lock is my favorite. Wonderful dealership and that makes all of the difference!!!

I have a computerized New Home machine which is wonderful. It is now called Janome brand...anyway, it sews wonderfully and beautiful stitches...it has a memory and lots of different stitches. All attachments came with it and I've had it nearly 20 plus years. It has never given me a problem. I'm sure other machines are great too but this is the one I have and I do like it.

I love my Janome MC6600P.

I too have a Janome, the 6500. LOVE it!

Love my Bernina, but I do go to a store with loads of support and classes which include visits and lessons from company representatives called Bernina Educators. They also have free guide classes which can be taken as many times as needed. My machine always has a new must have gadget, like a leather roller foot (used for echo quilting as well) cording feet, quarter inch foot with edge( so not to go over) I have an embroidery module as well as a BSR foot that regulates stitches over various surfaces and lets one do free motion. I use a Aurura 440QE.
I' always joke that by the time I get everything It's like the cost of a small car.
Used machines retain their value. I would suggest you shop online to email various Bernina dealers if you want a used one. I WOULD NOT BUY on ebay. Some woman last week came in for lessons with her used Babylock machine she thought was three years old. The instructor at the store identified the model for her as one from 1989.