research for a new sewing machine

The only Bernina with the larger harp is the new 820 & 830. The quilting one, the 820, isn't even available until after January, and you will need a lot of money to buy it. The Janome 1600 DB that I bought, I got Online from Pocono Sew & VAC. Janome doesn't allow online sales of all of their models, but this is one they do allow online sales of. It is the least expensive of these machine and as such has the fewest features. It has Needle up/down and Knee lift and speed control, and Seperate Bobbin wnding moter, and that is it. But as a quilting machine it does get the job done. I have done all of my bed sized quilts with it and it has helped to have that large harp area to pass fabric through. You could do worse at a greater price to get a machine as capable as this machine. The Juki is also a good machine, but I chose the Janome, because they have a good dealership network where I live and repairs, if needed are not a problem. Honestly, the machine is so simple and free of "Features" that there is very little to go wrong. That said, any machine can go south, and it helps to be able to take it to a dealer who can fix it.

John

Have you thought about the Husqvarna Megaquilter? It has useful features like the knee lift, needle down and speed control slider etc. Good throat space and not too expensive either.

In message , Michelle C writes

That's where I bought my Brother 1500 and I've had good luck with it and no regrets ! I wish that somewhere I could buy a ready made table that the sm would fit into so that the sewing surface would be flush w/ a table. It is good for MQing but w/o the sm surface being flush it is a bit awkward

--I've been looking for a ready made table that dh could retrofit for me but haven't seen one yet !! I did see an Ikea brand table online that someone did over for a sm. but then Ikea stopped selling that model !!

I understand that Janome has a freestanding table, such as you were wishing for. I think the megaquilter has the same footprint as the Janome 1600 as it was originally made by Janome. I don't know the availability or price. I just happened to see it online when I cruised through some sight, that I can't remember. You might try a google search for Janome sewing table or something like that and see what comes up.

John

Here is a link to that table that I found.

John

Bummer. I note that the link I just posted states that it is no longer available from the manufacturer. I would note that if you are at all handy or somebody of your acquaintance is, You could do what I did and inset the sewing machine into a table so that it is level with the surface of the sewing area of the machine. You would need to build a box that would act as the floor for the base of the machine and then attach it with screws to the underside of the table which you have cut out the hole that is the size appropriate for your machine. It is something that is quite within the skill level of the average home handy person. Here is a link to mine. I built the table from scratch, but there is no reason you could not modify an existing table to your own needs.

John

Thanks, John ! They don't mention the Brother 1500 in their list of sew. machines it would fit..but I'm sure it would . I'll check into it . Mary

Here is a link to that table that I found.

John

Bummer. I note that the link I just posted states that it is no longer available from the manufacturer. I would note that if you are at all handy or somebody of your acquaintance is, You could do what I did and inset the sewing machine into a table so that it is level with the surface of the sewing area of the machine. You would need to build a box that would act as the floor for the base of the machine and then attach it with screws to the underside of the table which you have cut out the hole that is the size appropriate for your machine. It is something that is quite within the skill level of the average home handy person. Here is a link to mine. I built the table from scratch, but there is no reason you could not modify an existing table to your own needs.

John

That does sound wonderful! :-) Thanks!

Hi Leslie,

I'm seeing a lot of Janome fans here. :-) Gosh gal, you ought to sell them. Your enthusiasm is contagious! I'll definitely check it out. :-)

Thanks Taria,

I'm 60 miles from the nearest Janome dealer (and most other brands except Bernina, which does have a local shop), but so many people have weighed in with good things to say about Janome that I'm very impressed--it might be worth to order online....

Thanks for the link. I've got it saved!

The only Bernina with the larger harp is the new 820 & 830. The quilting one, the 820, isn't even available until after January, and you will need a lot of money to buy it. The Janome 1600 DB that I bought, I got Online from Pocono Sew & VAC. Janome doesn't allow online sales of all of their models, but this is one they do allow online sales of. It is the least expensive of these machine and as such has the fewest features. It has Needle up/down and Knee lift and speed control, and Seperate Bobbin wnding moter, and that is it. But as a quilting machine it does get the job done. I have done all of my bed sized quilts with it and it has helped to have that large harp area to pass fabric through. You could do worse at a greater price to get a machine as capable as this machine. The Juki is also a good machine, but I chose the Janome, because they have a good dealership network where I live and repairs, if needed are not a problem. Honestly, the machine is so simple and free of "Features" that there is very little to go wrong. That said, any machine can go south, and it helps to be able to take it to a dealer who can fix it.

John

Thanks John. :-) Are you able to lower the feed dogs to quilt with the Janome 1600? Or do you simply set your stitch length to 0? I'm not likely to use a bunch of different stitches or embroider, so simple is fine. I just want more room, and a couple of the quilting features that you mentioned--needle down and knee lift for example.

Thanks Jo. No I haven't looked at that one--yet. ;-) But I will. Thanks for the suggestion!

Howdy!

I've had my (smaller) Janome (Décor Excel) for 9 yrs; I love it.

R/Sandy -- hand quilter ;-P

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The system janome uses is a thicker stitch plate that covers the feed dogs. Not as convenient as a lowering switch for the feed dogs on the Juki, but just as useful once you get the dogs covered. Janome did it this way to save on the cost of installing the lowering mechanism, I am sure. Some people use this machine for straight sewing so it was a toss up for them to fit that feature. When you get the free motion quilting foot, it comes with the feed dog plate as part of the pkg. Incidentally, that was part of the deal sweetener for the purchase of the machine in the first place. Each place has their own set of deal sweeteners, that they use to sell online. some give free shipping. Some give 100 needles. Some give the free motion foot deal. It just depends on the dealer, but you should be able to buy what is not included in the deal at the time of sale for some discounted price, if it is not included. The more expensive machines within this model

1600p and such, are not available online, so you might have to get the DB, which is their base model. I did, and love it for what it does when quilting large areas of fabric for bed sized quilts, or even Drapery construction.

John

One great thing about the Brother 1500 is the adjustable pin feed feature. This helps feed the fabric through the machine when straight stitching and really like it when machine quilting or feeding thick items through. There is also the feature that cuts the thread by just pushing a button ! Also, there is a yahoo group that is very helpful especially so if you have a frame , but even if you don't have that you will find good info there . Mary

I bought a 6' table with a wooden top from Office Depot and modified it.... I think it was under $40 back about 5-6 years ago.

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.

I modified a older (early 70's) cabinet that cost $10! Actually I cut it out to fit the Brother 1500 and then some more for the J. 6600. It works well for me.

would this table work? You'd need to measure to be sure.

Taria