Re: Which is the better machine and why please

Check to see if your dealer offers a refund if you do not like the machine, in case it doesn't perform as expected, and what type refund you may expect. Many do not. Some offer a trade-up option only, or a replacement with the same "bomb" should you purchase one. A lot hinges on the dealer and the amount of service and instruction you get from them should you need it. There are reviews of machines on

and You could also check out the Bernina Artista line too (but their accessories are expensive!). Make certain you can get all the accessories you need for it. I need the single-hole stitch plate as it doesn't allow thin fabric to get sucked down into the bobbin area. Seems like it really amounts to European machines verses Eastern Asia machines nowdays. Oh yes, Pfaff is coming out with the 2144 to replace their 2140 this fall. You can learn more about it on the site. Personally, I think the 2140 has too many problems for the price. Viking (Husquvarna) took Pfaff over and seems they have a lot of problems with their latest computer models. Janome has just delivered the MemoryCrafter 10001 to dealers the past week too. You may be able to pick up the older MC10000 model for less. Some dealers have a "Xmas in July" with $1000 worth of accessories tossed in. I haven't heard anyone say they do not like their Brother ULT or BabyLock machines (almost the same). Same for the Janome MC10000. The HQ Designer 1 had a recall for some fire issue related to internal wiring; no doubt it has been fixed by now. I saw the needle bar from one Viking and it seemed rather cheap, quality wise (jmho). I agree you should try the machines out or see them demonstrated as well as the results from them (they always have scraps lying around). I thought the BabyLock was too noisy. The Janome was quieter when running side by side against the BL. The Pfaff was quiet too. Never heard the Designer 1 run. Another test, fold up some denim a few times and see if it will fit under the foot and sew it (penetrating power of the motor). Also, check on the machine's update abilities and the means to transfer designs into it. Some take compact flash cards and allow speedy transfers and more storage as well as USB. Oh, check on their digitizing programs and cost too (Warning. They are expensive!). Good luck.

B~

Just recently I had a chat about this with my dealer. He likes embroidery very much, and he is a licensed mechanic for Husqvarna, Janome and Bernina (i.e this machines are sent to him for warranty repair).

In his opinion at the moment the best machine among TOL models is Singer XL-5000. He says it is very well built machine with superb quality of stitching, and it has a number of quite advance features. Then he places Designer1 and Brother 3000 equal second but very close to the first place. About Bernina he says he does not like how many of them come to him for repair (not just for tuning but for actual repair) while still under warranty. It's also an expensive machine: everything from bobbins and feet to embroidery software for Bernina would cost you about twice more than for another brand.

Janome he does not like at all: he said they tried to put into this machine as many features as possible, and quality has suffered while price's skyrocketed . The previous models (9000 and other) are much better value for money.

Hope this help a little.

Cheers

Tatiana

Ask any reputable dealer and they will tell you the Janome 10000 is the best machine on the market, and rarely do they need to be repaired. The stitch quality is excellent, a lot less noisy than a lot of other makes, and the sewing features, special embroidery stitches etc are superb. I say this, being the owner also of the Brother machine.,

I will agree with your dealer on the Singer xl 5000 statements. However I see more HV Disigner 1's for repair than Brother machines. I like the regular stitching on the Brother Combination machines better than the HV and the quality of embroidery is Amazing. Singer has the best Features, Brother the best embroidery and price, but Bernina has priced themselves out of the market and the CD attachment is only for Bernina CD's, a big mistake. Janome is a good machine also and considering they manufacture for many of the other companies, HV,Pfaff, Singer, Kenmore, there are a lot of them sold, but I have not had much experience with the embroidery machines. Whether they just don't need repair or there are not a lot of them in my area I don't know. Janome and Brother are producing a stand alone embroidery machine this year. With the price of the combination machines thru the roof it may be the way to go.

A dealer I visited sells Pfaff, Elna, Singer, Simplicity, Babylock, and Janome. He used to like Pfaff but said their quality control hasn't been as good lately since the take-over by VSM (Viking Sewing Machine). Janome and Elna are about the same machine and Janome makes the Elna. He personally owns a Janome and likes the features of it better - and he does a lot of embroidery!. So far he claims the Memory Crafter series are good machines and accessories don't cost so much like the Bernitas (3-4x or more), with the exception of the Digitizing programs which seem to cost a lot no matter what brand. Prices on the emb/sewing combos have been coming down since everyone is jumping into the market. Saw some models down to $499! Pays to look around.

Mack

My Bernina dealer has a 30 day money back guarantee, no questions! I think that with the complexity of the machines a learning curves goes along with it. Could the repair frequency be linked to user errors? Take classes and learn how your machine breathes! Avoid forcing and read your manuals. Just my 2 cents.

I personally don't think that is the case, My customers range from 9 to 90 and all seem to be able to handle the new machines. If they can handle a computer they can handle these computerised machines. They are just sewing machines with very small simple computers and not that much of a stretch in the learning dept. Pfaff has taken a big hit since the take over with the only 2 machines that HV has had any involvement in being very problematic. Especially the last non embroidery one. They have stopped production till the machine can be made stable. Now they are introducing a new TOL in order to correct the problems with the last one. There is a good Janome dealer in town and I would suspect that there are plenty of them around. As a repair tech I just do not see many. The head tech for Pfaff North America opened a shop when HV let everybody go and he sells Janome, Singer, Brother and Pfaff. He was my instructor for many years and I do trust his judgement and he is well pleased with the Janome 10,000 and the new stand alone model.

It is personal choice whatever feels right to you, take your time and try them out for yourself.

I have the Brother 3,000 machine after owning the Bernina Artista 180 which I absolutely hated. It was quirky to use and as I did not have the software I was limited to the range of cards available. The fabric disappeared down the throatplate and it was difficult to do a good buttonhole unless the fabric was flat - you had to put a leveller under it. There is no flexibility on the sewing machine for embroidery you would have to buy the software which is rarely available secondhand. I sold it and bought the

3,000 and the Brother software secondhand. I really like the 3,000 and I think it is streaks ahead of the rest. I particularly like the large screen and the floppy drive. I inherited a Janome 9,000 but found the software very limiting and the embroidery area was much too small. The Janomes are good on the sewing side. Liz

Flower Power or Tatania, can you help me please? Between the Brother ULT3003D and the Janome 10000 + upgrade for 10001. Which will be a better machine as they both will cost me the same. The brother with PE-Design ver

5.0 and the Janome with the Digitizer 10000. Your opinion will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Can I get a little guidance please. I would lilke to get your opinion about the following embroidery machines, so I can deside which machine would be the best and easier to use for both, embroidery and quilting. What is good or bad about them.

1. Bernina 185e With ArtLink software which doesn't support digitizing (only read and transfer design from computer to machine)
2. Brother ULT2003d With the PE Design 5.0 software
3. Janome MC10000 (plus upgrade to 10001)with the Digitazer 10000 software.
4. Bernina 165e + CPS Artista Designer 4.0

All priced around US $5000

V/R Frank

I have a Brother.......and love it. It has never failed to do a good job.......I have PEDesign 4, and am really amazed at how little I use it...........are you sure you want to do a lot of your own digitizing?? Sure can buy a lot of designs for what that costs!!!

I have the Brother too and love it. Also have PED5 which I have used heaps. Have digitized..... among other things.....a whole Medieval Alphabet for a quilt plus lots of a movie star (who shall be nameless) to wear for a special occasion, plus used many of the 35 built-in alphabets for poems, monograms, sayings, whatever for family, friends.... and last but not least... used unusual true type fonts (of which I have a gazillion) for lettering.

Edna

Is the PED5 really a good investment. Is it easy to use? Can it really allowme to digitized pic easy? My dealer is offering this program, supposely free. They toldme the price for the machine, and them told me that they will include this program for free. I don't really know what is the real price for this machine, since none of the online dealers/store put the prices on their net.

Thanks

PacoKun