TTMA Sewing Machines

[mommyatty]

I have a Brother sewing machine that is about 20 years old. Very basic. I got it from my MIL for Christmas one year. I enjoy making really easy projects, and it's been... okay.

I ordered a Singer 7258, and I just don't love it. I'm not sure if I got a wonky machine or what, but it pulls hard to the left while I see, so I have to really pull hard on the fabric to keep it stitching even nearly straight, which means the pretty decorative stitches I was so excited to get? They look like shit. And it has an automatic needle threaded that often falls off the machine and half the time won't rotate to thread the stupid needle. It's faster to just thread it the old fashioned way.

I could get another Brother, which is where I'm leaning. I'm still considering whether to drop $300-odd on one that does machine embroidery/applique or if I should get a plain old sewing machine.

So, crafty working moms, ideas? I love to make little stuffed animals, would maybe like to make some baby quilts (never have before), and it would be nice to be able to embroider or applique DD's uniforms instead of paying a gazillion dollars to have it done.

[twinmomma]

So, MIL is a seamstress. She has around 20 machines of varying degrees in her house, teaches classes, and does embroidery. This is her recommended list of "entry level" machines that all drop their feed dogs to do free motion quilting, since she teaches mainly quilting classes. Here's the info she has on her "recommendations" list for classes. I use a Singer One and love it - but it is HUGE if you plan to travel with it at all. That's partially why I bought my antique Featherweight, it'll travel more easily for classes.

www.janome.com/en/machines/sewing/magnolia-7318/ MSRP $339 (available for $299)
www.pfaff.com/en-US/Machines/passport-2-0 MSRP $699 (available for $499)
www.janome.com/en/machines/sewing/2212/ MSRP $249 (available for $149)
sewreview.com/brands/bernina/bernette66/ MSRP $499 (available for $199)
www.singerco.com/products/2251/one MSRP $699 (available for $250)
www.husqvarnaviking.com/en-US/Machines/H-CLASS-100Q MSRP $499 (available for $399)

These may be the top 6 choices for entry level machines.
The Janome Magnolia 7318 gets the best reviews.
However, I like the portability (13.9 lbs) and the IDT system with the Pfaff Passport 2.0 machine which happens to come with a nice hard case and has an optional quilting “table” available.
The Singer One (2251) wins for affordability and comfortable rounded front to the sewing surface. It also has a convenient switch to drop the feed dogs and a helpful alarm that prevents you from sewing while the presser foot is up.
The HusqvarnaViking H/Class 100Q is only 15 lbs – that’s just 1 pound heavier than the Pfaff Passport 2.0 and comes with a ¼” quilting foot and a drop in bobbin, needle up/down feature, and hard carry case – all very desirable features!

I think I would have a difficult time choosing between any of these.
It would depend on availability and price – mostly – but as for features and performance I think it’s a toss-up between the Pfaff Passport 2.0 and the HusqvarnaViking H/Class 100Q for me!
I felt it necessary to throw in a choice from Bernina – only because they are coveted by many quilters in the quilting community – so there must be a reason. I know their high end machines are all awesome – but I haven’t heard much about their entry level machines. The choice I added above for the Bernette 66 got the best reviews online.

[twinmomma]

For embroidery, I only have experience with the machines MIL has. She uses Pfaff embroidery machines, but they were like $5,000 each. So just a bit out of your price range.

[sudokufan]

So, I have 2 Brothers, both of which I love.

My first love was the NX 200 www.brother-usa.com/homesewing/ModelDetail.aspx?ProductID=NX200 which seems to not be made anymore. Not surprising, I've had mine at least 12 years. It was about $400 back then, and was one of their mid-grade machines, bought from a dealer. It's been a great, solid machine, except that I keep breaking the auto threader.

My newest one is this: www.amazon.com/Brother-HC1850-Computerized-Sewing-Instructional/dp/B008G1DJ9Y/ref=sr_1_10?s=arts-crafts&ie=UTF8&qid=1503943570&sr=1-10&keywords=brother+sewing+machine

Now, it's a cheaper machine, and some of the features are a bit cheaper than my old one (which naturally I'm keeping). Like, the auto threader is not as nice to use, and the little storage compartment for feet and accessories doesn't have the little organizer in it. But it makes nice stitches and I've been very happy with it for the projects I've completed. It has a limited alphabet that you can use on projects - the letters are small and all caps, but good enough to put your kids name on a blanket so it doesn't get stolen a second time. Ahem. The button hole looked a little skimpy after my first pass, but you can hit the button and it'll make a second one right on top of the first and it fills in nicely. For the $200, I'm very happy with it.

Oh, from a quilting/piecing perspective, the one thing I DO NOT like is that the default needle position is offset left instead of centered and there's no way to change that, so you have to be careful if you often use 1/4" feet. I have broken many needles...

[sudokufan]

Oh, and I've done a few applique projects on the new Brother using the button hole stitch.

[olenka]

I would go to a dealer and try a bunch of machines out. I personally love Janomes and have always used them. I lust after a Bernina however.

[twinmomma]

olenka, My MIL put a "name" on each of her machines to keep them organized. My kids have $50 Janome kid machines, and MIL and I jokingly named one "Bernina" because we like to pretend we're that fancy. LOL