sewing machines, not for quilting

I would stick with a dealer as they usually do better on things like maintenance (in house that is) but then we don't have a Joanne's here so I can't comment on them.

I personally have a Janome 419S a non computerised machine with all the stitches you need for mending as well as a semi automatic buttonhole and a blind hem stitch. the other day I managed to sew through: 8 layers of fabric, 2 layers of batting *and* 4 layers of extra strong interfacing and ended up with a nice bag :-D and 2 years ago it survived falling off the table onto the floor with just a cracked case and the back stitch lever lost a thingy that was easily fixed

NAYY (wish I was though.. I'd love one of the bigger machines for quilting )

Investing in a sewing machine, whether a small amount or a large amount, is best done through a dealer that can also provide service, and that will take it back in a trade in when the time comes for an upgrade.

That category does not include the fabrics stores (Hancock, JoAnn, etc.) that sell machines.I wouldn't waste my money on a machine at one of those stores.

JMHO - Laurie G. in CA

I a dealer fan myself! Never buy machines from anywhere else... OK, so quite a few of my heard CAME from elsewhere, but NOT bought by me" ;)

I'm also a well-known fan of Husqvarna, and older Singers (pre-1964), and Bernina.

One of these might be just the ticket:

Doh! That *should* say: "I'm a dealer *fan* myself!"

The machines sold in the sewing machine department of JoAnne's are Viking-Husquarvana (or however you spell that!). Locally, it is run by a dealer. Some stores have a V-H entity. If you have a JoAnne's, I would include them in your search.

Mary

She should find a reliable dealer that she can work with (not JoAnns or one of the big box stores). The major companies all have good machines; it depends on what she likes best. She might want to consider a good used machine. The dealers often have good machines that people have traded in on new machines. A pre-1960 Singer can be inexpensive and very reliable; you can sometimes pick those up at a thrift store or garage sale for very little money.

Julia > A friend of mine is thinking of buying a sewing machine for "occasional

One of the JoAnns in our area carries Viking machines. I though all along that the local Viking dealer was in the JoAnns. Just found out that he isn't and that if customers have problems with the Viking they bought at JoAnns, they have to take it into the Joanns store, it is then boxed up and shipped off to a JoAnns service center out of state. No thank you! I'll buy from a local dealer that will service my machine.

It depends on the Joann's. Some have a space that is rented by a local Viking dealer and ''manned'' by employees of that dealer for demos, sale and classes. Other Joann's just have a contract with Viking to sell the machines. You'd need to check with your Joann store to see which they are. And do NOT let them double talk you. If you can't get a firm, clear answer ask to talk to the store manager and get a firm, clear answer. Get whatever you feel is important information in writing, that request alone will generally weed out who is a dealer and who is not.

Val

Thank you all!

Martha

I started out with a "just for occasional use" machine, a pretty generic one I COULD have gotten anywhere - however, I very much agree with everyone here who has said go to a *dealer*. We don't have JoAnn's in Canada, but I would certainly check with wherever - do they have a trained mechanic on-site, do they handle warranty themselves, also on-site, is there annual service included, etc etc.

A good dealer will sit down with your friend and let her try all kinds of machines. They'll ask what she wants TO DO, not what features she wants, because they shouldn't expect you know the machines already, they should expect you have something you want to get done and their job is to help figure out what you need to do it. I'd be very concerned that a big chain store wants to sell you what they've got - not what you need. Different brands and different models will suit different people. Dealers will usually sell several different brands, and will also stand behind them -because they don't sell machines that come back and cause them trouble, it's bad for business.

I'm always bragging about the mom'n'pop sewing store I deal with. In

They earned $220 of my business that day - and thousands and thousands more since, because I'll never go anywhere else.

Johanna

Martha wrote:

However.... Some of the Jo-Ann's lease space to a machine dealer. These are the ones where you have to pay for the machine stuff in that department, not the regular checkout. Don't get them confused. I know that some Whites are carried on the shelf in some of the Jo-Ann's but don't think any others are.

One of our Hancocks leases space to a Bernina dealer too. Same type of thing, totally separate but located within the store.

Pati, > Investing in a sewing machine, whether a small amount or a large amount, is

that may be a problem. In many areas there is a deficiency of trained sewing machine technicians. Viking/Husqvarna owned stores often send machines to a central repair facility. (in our region it happens to be the store that I have used for years.) All machines that need service from the area, including some out of town are brought to this one shop. There are some warranties that will only be honored at a factory authorized repair facility too. On the other hand, I know that any of our local stores, including the ones inside Jo-Ann's will provide owner's classes and so on, regardless of where the machine was purchased. That is part of the purchase from the company. If there is a store that won't provide such service, I would check with the regional manager or company office in Ohio.

(It's nice having an "in" with people in the company.)

Pati, do they