My sewing machine just decided that is was done working... ARRRGGGH!!!! Suggestions on a new machine...

[donac]

I have an an Elna and I love it but I have good things about the heavy duty singer that Joann's usually has on sale. A couple of my friends have one.

 

[ktlm]

My 14 year old loves to sew- she did not get that from me. She makes costumes etc. She has 2 machines. She started off with a Brother, but it did not do well with different types of fabric and caused frustration. She switched to a Singer Heavy Duty and has had no issues with any type of fabric since then. I think they have 2 models of the Singer Heavy Duty online at Jo Anns. She loves that sewing machine.

 

[Anne Ritchey]

I know that Singer 44XX (XX= number of stitches) Heavy Duty gets glowing reviews--over 4000 5 star at amazon. However, it really isn't "heavy duty" as such; it's just not super light weight--more metal than light duty. I bought the 4423 9 yrs ago for $130. It's worked pretty well UNLESS fabric was heavy. Even heavy denim is all right for just joining seams but three-layers such as hems-- not good--even with a denim needle. A week ago, mine was packed and ready to donate after crapping out while making masks out of muslin. I decided fixing it was easier than trying to find--decide then actually locate-- a new machine. Fortunately, there are a LOT of videos online on how to fix issues for that machine--and find out if something isn't an issue. My machine is working again. I was able to finish the last mask--even the 4-layer muslin over-stitch. I don't do much sewing, but I take on some projects that require real heavy-duty needs. For me, with my budget doubled to $500, I did decide on the janome DC2019 which actually is supposed to handle up to eight layers of sturdy material. But finding it near me (warranty repair concerns) was impossible. Now, I'm good with my revitalized machine. Maybe when/if janome 2020/21 comes out, I'll be in the market again. I did have the Elna Elnita EC30 on my list as well as the Janome MyStyle100. Both of those were under $300, iirc. Good luck to you. The Singers are usually available.

 

[crisi]

I have an inexpensive Brother machine from Costco. I love it and use it for general purpose sewing. They ship! They have a great return policy. Also, I have a nicer, pricier Janome which is a lovely machine that I use for quilting.

Do you free motion quilt on your Janome? And which model? I have a Singer 9960, but the throat is only six inches - getting a quilt through there is tough and really hard on my shoulders. So I'm shopping. I like the Singer, it works really well - except for the free motion quilt limitation.

I also have a cheap Brother that is 20 years old, and I'm sending off with my daughter for their first apartment. Its ok, but it doesn't do heavy duty well at all. And I have my grandmothers machine - probably original from the 1930s - but it needs repair. It worked fine for a while, but without my grandfather's constant care (he died 30 years ago), it didn't last long. Old machines ARE workhorses, but they often worked so well for so long because someone in the house really KNEW how to care for them. I'd stay away from estate sales for that reason - you might end up with as big a repair bill as if you just went out and bought new if the machine can't keep tension.

 

[ajw28]

I

Do you free motion quilt on your Janome? And which model? I have a Singer 9960, but the throat is only six inches - getting a quilt through there is tough and really hard on my shoulders. So I'm shopping. I like the Singer, it works really well - except for the free motion quilt limitation.

I also have a cheap Brother that is 20 years old, and I'm sending off with my daughter for their first apartment. Its ok, but it doesn't do heavy duty well at all. And I have my grandmothers machine - probably original from the 1930s - but it needs repair. It worked fine for a while, but without my grandfather's constant care (he died 30 years ago), it didn't last long. Old machines ARE workhorses, but they often worked so well for so long because someone in the house really KNEW how to care for them. I'd stay away from estate sales for that reason - you might end up with as big a repair bill as if you just went out and bought new if the machine can't keep tension.

I'm not the original poster, but I have the Janome Skyline S3 that I use for quilting. I have used it for free motion quilting, not that I am very good at it. I need to practice more. It also came with an extension table that helps hold the quilt up.

 

[crisi]

I

I'm not the original poster, but I have the Janome Skyline S3 that I use for quilting. I have used it for free motion quilting, not that I am very good at it. I need to practice more. It also came with an extension table that helps hold the quilt up.

I'm not good at it either, but I enjoy it and it really seems like you are taking the "quilting" out of quilting when you send your top off to be done by a computer.

 

[NKHarris329]

I have a Janome 7330 and really love it. It doesn't have a bunch of fancy stitches (which I only sometimes wish I had) but it was easy to learn and has done everything I've asked of it. I don't do a ton of heavy duty work with it, but have done a few projects here and there. I would definitely recommend this machine to someone who doesn't need a ton of stitch options, and feel comfortable recommending the brand in general.

One thing to consider - if you have local dealers see what brands they carry and service. No point in spending $$ on a machine that you can't get serviced around you.

 

[disneyeveryyear]

Mine crapped out on Monday night while making masks. It is a 30+ YO Kenmore that has 12 stitch choices, of which I think I have maybe used 2. Luckily a friend had her 30+ year old Janome which I was able to borrow to continue my mask making. I am now trying to find a sewing machine repair place open to see if mine is salvageable.

Luckily mine was repairable and only cost $70.00. I used my friend's machine for 2 weeks so I had it "tuned up" before I returned it at a cost of $60.00. So after making masks for friends and family I did sell a few for $5 each. So after using that $ to pay for the repairs, I was only out about $50 out-of-pocket for repairs and supplies.