researching a new sewing machine

On Nov 2, 6:02 pm, Anne Rogers wrote:

What you describe is a Janome 6600. It does have the knee lift but you don't have to use it if you don't want to. There are a number of people who have them on this forum and they seem to love them. It has a large harp area and a built in accufeed foot that is like a walking foot. It is a flat bed machine so there is no free arm, as it is a machine designed for quilting, but if you have one on your other machine then you are go to go. I think they are about $1600 or so and they are reputed to be bulletproof. If I was looking for another Janome I would definitely consider that one. If you only want a straight stitch machine for quilting, then look at the Janome 1600 db. It has the large harp area and you can pick one up online for about $600 or so. It does allow you to use it for free motion work also with the adapter plate and accessory foot. I have one and it is great for pushing large amounts of fabric through the machine for quilting large bed sized quilts. It never misses a stitch. Another straight stitch machine is the Juki 98QE which is like the Janome 1600db but a few bucks cheaper. I am not sure about the Juki 98QE as far a service and reliability, but a number of people have them here also. Those last 2 machines are straight stitch only so if you need more stitches, you will have to go for the higher priced machines. The machines available at our local Joanne's are low priced Singers so I don't think they are in the same league with these machines mentioned above. Your store may have other machines offered so you will have to take those into the equation. I have used Janome for years and have one of their sergers also. They are bulletproof. I also use Bernina's and like them but they don't make one with the large harp area. That is a failing of marketing on their part and I think they are losing potential sales because of it. If they come out with one I would buy it in a heartbeat. Hope this is helpful.

John

Hey Anne:

There are several 9 inch harp SM out there, but are all straight stitch.

John mentioned two and here are a couple more. Viking Huskvarna and Brother 1500S.

I have the Brother to use on my machine quilting frame. I also use it on the sewing table I have. It is a flat bed machine. Needle up/ down, needle threader, thread cutter, the feed dogs have 4 positions plus pin feed. It comes with all kinds of feet including a walking foot. You can sew everything from fake fur to silk with it. It also has the extension table included along with a knee lift, if you want to use it. Most machines come with a 5 years warranty but Brother has a 25 year one. The cost is comparible with the Juki 98Q. Oh and the bobbin area is very easy to access. I need that in particular because of changing bobbins on the quilt frame.

These machines have brochures on their various websites so you can print them off and compare their features and your own personal wants and needs.

I have pieced several quilt tops, quilted several quilts and am in the process right now of making a hooded coat lined with fake fur all on the Brother 1500S.

The only problem I've had with it is operator error. I didn't thread it correctly. The one thing these machines don't have is the horizontal thread holder, but that can easily be purchased or can be home made.

There is a comparison chart out there and I could e-mail it to you privately is you want it. Most of these 9 inch harp machines are less than $1000.00 U.S.

Kate T.

Our local JoAnn store has a Viking Dealership, and I've purchased two machines from them. They service is excellent, the free user classes are great, and the support outstanding. I would definitely buy from a dealer for those reasons. That they are local is a big plus for me. I specifically wanted to go with a local dealership for the support and classes. I would say go with the Sapphire. They look to be a great machine, and are much praised on the Viking groups.

-Irene

I've test driven both the Janome 660 and the husqvarna machine with "quilt" in the name, maybe quilt designer? I thought the husqvarna was way overpriced for the way it 'felt' - kind of loud, or rattly. DH says that husqvarna chainsaws are terrible, so I'm kind of shying away from husq. I also didn't like the Janome 6600, because no matter what the dealer and I did, the quilt wouldn't feed easily through the machine, needing way too much 'push' from me to move. I'm going to the big international quilt show in Chicago next weekend and plan on test driving every machine there that costs 2000 or less. My specific desire is like yours - I need a bigger harp. I purchased a Flynn frame that I'm getting used to and need a machine that'll quilt more than a 4 inch row!

Musicmaker

That 'push' problem might be to do with the surface of the base. I find mine (6500) very un-slippery. Most of the time that doesn't matter, as I tend not to do large quilts; but, when I mentioned it here before, polishing with a silicone polish or covering with a silicone sheet were mentioned as helps. . In message , Musicmaker writes

I know there has been a lot of talk on here at various times, about setting a sewing machine into its table, and I have never really considered it before, as my sewing table is also my desk in my study. So, I never thought they could be combined if I were to make a cut-out. If you think that really could be an answer, Taria, I will give it some thought - look at the feasibility of such a move. . In message , Taria writes

No question in my mind - that Sapphire 870 is sweet. If that had been around when I bought my Husqvarna SE, the 870 would be sitting on my sewing table instead. Would have save me tons of $$$$$ and I would have had virtually the same machine minus the embroidery capability that I don't want anyway.

I LOVE that 870.

Cindy

Taria, I also think having the sm recessed into the table for a flat surface makes a HUGE difference! The quilt top or sandwich can't get caught on anything nor do you have the weight pulling downwards on the top/sandwich. I couldn't go back after using the recessed cut-out.

Leslie, Missy & The Furbabies in MO.

one:

there is one made for Janomes: They aren't real pretty but the folding one would be handy to have> around.

I did a hunt for British suppliers of the table Taria showed and I have found one! I'll now have to see if I can make a way of fitting it into my sewing room. So many masters can't be wrong! . In message , Leslie & The Furbabies in MO. writes

On Nov 3, 2:30 pm, Patti wrote:

Pat, something to think about is whether your machine has a flat bed or one of the free arms. With a flat be the process is simplified. I did just that on a table I made for my Janome and it is the best thing I have done for making large quilts. I had to construct a box and attach it to the underside of the top, to support the base of the machine, as there was no lip on the flat bed of the machine to rest on the top. If you have a free arm machine then you will have to do something about filling the space that surrounds the free arm so that it is level with the other surface of the table. I know that there is one company somewhere that makes plexiglas fillers for just that purpose and they are made to fit most modern machines. I understand they are kind of pricey also. I am sorry I don't remember the name of the company that makes them, either. You could probably make one yourself if you have the tools and the inclination. Heck, you could even make it out of the wood that you cut out of the top to fit the machine into. Here is a link to a picture of my machine inset into the top of a sewing table I made. There is a little trap door to the left of the needle plate to access the bobbin case with a finger hole to lift it up. This table is also capable of fitting a Janome 6600, and I have been eyeing one and then would use the 1600 on a quilting frame. That would be the slick setup for me. I hope this gives you some food for thought. It does make sewing large quilts much easier.

John

Thanks for all the info - looks like it is a case of deciding between the Janome and the Husqvarna Viking Sapphire, so I'll have to go and try both. I think I do want this kind of machine rather than the semi industrial straight stitch only, though I'll try to test drive one of them as well.

We have a Viking dealership in JoAnns, which is literally across the road, I know most of the ladies who work there, there is another Viking dealership very close, which I've never visited. We have another sewing machine shop fairly close which seems to consistently have a offer of

2500 for one of the semi industrial straight stitch machines with a frame, I think they have Pfaffs and Brothers, I should probably should try some of them for comparison. Unfortunately the nearest Janome dealership is in the next town along, it's not too far, but not on the doorstep, but I think it's going to be worth a trip. I'd rather take my time and get what I really want than rush into it and wish I'd got something else.

Cheers Anne

that would be great if you could, my email is annekh23 at yahoo dot co dot uk

the Husqvarna Viking Sapphire says it has a 10 inch harp, at the place in JoAnns, last week it was listed as 1799 reduced to 1399, so a little more than the straight stitch only, but it's kind of all singing all dancing.

Cheers Anne

Thanks very much indeed John. I have a Janome 6500, so the free arm question is sorted. I realised last night that the table I use is extended at the moment; so, if I put the leaf down, there will probably be room for the set-in table. But I'll have to think of a way of housing all the drawer units I have that live under the overhand of the table!!! And, the bobbin is at the top, so that's OK too. If I can't solve the problem spatially, I'll re-think the cutting. Thanks very much for the info on that. . In message , John writes

Have you considered a Juki? It has a bigger harp and comes with an extension table. It is only a straight stitch machine, but comes with 2 free-motion feet and a walking foot. It covers all my quilting needs except for machine appliqué. I got mine at Sew Unbelievable two years ago and just love it.

believe it still comes with a $300 shopping spree at Superior Threads. They have a pre-selected package of threads, but you can choose your own.Not affiliated, just a satisfied customer!