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sewing machine advice

I currently have a Viking 535 (Lily). Got it about 5 years ago, and have had no problems with it. But- starting in maybe 6 months I will be spending a lot of weekends away from home, and I am thinking about getting a sewing machine for the other location. Or a new one for home, and the Viking Lily there.

Here's the question? What sewing machine would you recommend, if I wanted to spend under $1000 US (OK, maybe a little bit over if I really liked it!)

Factors:

--Not wanting to stay with Viking necessarily. I live in a large enough city that I could probably test drive about any major brand.

--No particular interest in too many decorative stitches. No little girls to sew for.

--Tough is nice- I do home dec stuff as well as quilt, so sewing through a thick stack is important.

--I know there are lots of impressive machines out there for 3 and 4 thousand dollars and more- somehow I would have trouble living with those numbers, personally. Need to stay within my comfort level.

--no hurry. The need will not be there for a while yet, but I wanted to start sorting through my options early.

All suggestions appreciated. Thanks.

Reply to
Betty Maxey
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I'm very happy with my lower end Jamome (419S) it's a lovely little work horse; though with your budget you could probably afford a more expensive one with a larger harp area.

Reply to
Jessamy

I had the same problem until I went to a yard sale and found an older Montgomery SM that must have been the top of the line back in 1984. It was extra dirty, but had the book and all the feet. So I talked with the owner and got the price down to $5-----she wanted $35, but I explained that I had seen the sign in Joann's window where it would cost somewhere around $50 to have someone look at it. She had tried to sew with it a few years back after her aunt died and couldn't get it to sew. She thought it was junk. I got that baby to sew like new! I am happy. Maybe you could just keep looking at yard sales and get lucky with an older machine. Barbara in SC.

Reply to
Bobbie Sews Moore

I own a Viking Rose (wish I'd bought the Lily instead), and I've looked around at other machines. I really like the Janome machines. I recently bought one of their sergers, and I've considered the 6500. Yes, it has decorative stitches, etc. that you may not want, but I like the features of the Janome - price range, quality, ease of use, that would apply to many of their machines. I also happen to like the dealer, so that's a big plus for me!

Reply to
frood

Considering the used you will put your machine to, I would definitely think of getting one with a larger harp area. Curtains/drapes and other home furnishings would be much easier to handle, as well as quilting. They are more expensive, but some of the simpler ones - that do not have fancy stitches - might be affordable? . In message , Betty Maxey writes

Reply to
Patti

I bought a used Husqvarna Viking 1+ earlier this year for $1000, it was a trade in and was completely refreshed before I purchased it. It has embroidery capability, and comes with all the bells and whistles. The machine is about 5-6 years old but sews like it was new, I just LOVE it. Consider a good used machine to get TOL without paying TOL price....

-Irene

-------------- You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.

--Mae West

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Reply to
IMS

I got my Janome 6500 last year for about $1,000 and I love it. It has the larger harp area, needle down, knee lift, self threading, acrylic table, etc. It has some decorative stitches that I'm finally getting to use since I have a new baby niece in town. I've never regretted buying it.

Denise

Reply to
Denise in NH

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