Opinions

Better you get her one of those caddies with wheels for the 930.

My wife would like an inexpensive sewing macine to take to classes - I was

I agree with Ron -- get her a rolling cart for the 930.

************* I have to disagree with that - while a rolling cart for a machine is a nice idea, there is no WAY I would drag one of my expensive, heavy machines to class. I have a 2-stitch kenmore (originally bought as a gift for my daughter - I bought it back from her!) that I take to all my classes. In fact I leave it in the car so it is always with me!

I am not at all familiar with the brother machines, but I do know that the kenmores go on sale quite frequently, and sears will take it back if you change your mind or want something fancier. Now my machine is 10+ years old and the stitch quality is amazing (for a low-end machine) In one of my classes they "endorse" phaffs, so here I am with my $200 wonder among all of the $5000 super-machines. I always chuckle to myself when my project turns out better than theirs (not that I would ever look at anyone else's work for the purpose of comparing :)) The subtle point I always like to prove is that you don't need a super-expensive machine to turn out good quality work - you need one that produces a good quality stitch. So do make sure your wife tests out that brother before you take it home with you.

BTW, I have a small suitcase with wheels that I keep my class machine in - the handle pulls out and and I can roll it behind me if I so choose - there was no case with this machine, so it's easier to transport to and from the car when it is in the suitcase.

Holly in Edmonton

I also have to agree with Ron. Why on earth would you take an inferior machine to a class. It defetes the purpose of taking a class. I have taken my embroidery machine to every class available, and also shipped her across country to my son's to sew there. It has done this several times. Probably much safer than the ocean freighters they arrive on from Europe. Properly packed it will not suffer from transport. With many of the sewing classes machine specific it is not possible to take a cheap one to those classes. Millions of sewist every year take their machines with them to retreats, conventions and classes. I have not heard of but a very very few horror stories, and sometimes it is beneficial to see how mine compared to others of the same model and vintage. I have been able to correct a couple of glitches that way.

Unless you are taking a machine-specific class (ie learn-how-to-use-your-machine) it doesn't defeat the purpose at all! I have never had to wait till I got home to do the work because my class machine wasn't capable. It does everything it needs to do for the classes I participate in. I sew every day. My big machines are set up in the basement, most of them in cabinets. I think it is a total pain to get them out of the cabinet, attach the carrying case and lug it upstairs and to the car - then when I am finished the class I would have to take it back downstairs and set it up again. I wouldn't be sewing anywhere near as much if I had to go through all of that.

the beauty of usenet - we can all express our opinions and still remain friends! The original poster reads what each of us has to say, and makes up his own mind.

I have great respect for you, Hannah's Mom. You contribute a lot to this list, and your posts are always well worth reading.

Holly in Edmonton

thanks all - she is getting the brother machine. Her other machines are usually set up for projects along with her knitting machines.

One of my sewing students brought her machine to class and it wouldn't work at all. It had worked the week before. After a few questions I found out that she had left it in the car for the week, in January in Central USA. The durn thing was frozen litterally. After about 20 minutes it started to move, Took an hour till it was back to par. After we figured it out we had a good laugh.

Sandy E