need good suggestions on a machine

Well, DH managed to completely throw me for a loop tonight. He was thinking about the "rebates" that the govt approved in addition to the regular tax refund and told me to think honestly about what machine I

*really* want - sewing machine, embroidery machine, whatever.

He said we should take the money that we get from the additional rebate and put it towards me having a proper machine and one that I really want, AND one that will benefit my business. Ah yes, that's the kicker....whatever I decide on will actually get to be deducted on 2008 taxes as a business expense . However, I REALLY want an embroidery machine so that I can take my business even farther than I had originally hoped for this year.

Anybody got any good suggestions on a sewing machine or embroidery machine??

Larisa, still reeling and off to do more research

Reply to
offkilterquilter
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If you want both in one machine, I highly recommend the Singer XL Quantum 6000. I have the 5000 and love it. I never use it for "regular" sewing, because I also love the

1960 Singer 401A I have been using steadily for over 47 years. But I have tested the "sewing' features of the XL5000, and it seems very nice, lots of stitches, automagic buttonholer, etc.

However, I bought it for the embroidery feature which includes the "endless bobbin". I have not had so much pleasure from any new technology in a loooong time. Be aware, buying the machine is *not* the end of expense for machine embroidery. You'll also have to invest in thread (lots!), stabilizers (ditto), and designs. If you want to start digitizing original designs, you'll also have to invest in digitizing software....

Good luck!

Beverly

Reply to
BEI Design

---gently snipped

Beverly, how does the 'endless bobbin' work?

Inquiring minds want to know :)

-Irene

Reply to
IMS

I love my Designer SE (viking). I also bought the software and with it this machine can do anything. It is quite expensive though (around $6000 here).

Kirsten

Reply to
Kirsten Sollie

It allows a large spool of bobbin thread to be rewound onto a special bobbin at intervals, without having to remove the embroidery hoop. Once I learned the tricky bits about getting the thread properly into the guides it works like a charm. A large design will often require at least three (sometimes more) bobbin re-winds. That would be more of a hassle if the hoop had to be removed to access the bobbin each time. Instead, the machine pauses, the bobbin winds, and the machine starts back up at the same place. I really like it! ;-)

Beverly

Reply to
BEI Design

That's absolutely fantastic! All of us have a variety of machines and we all love the ones we have; soo my suggestion is look online at the different brands, see what each has to offer in way of lessons, freebies, you know the routine; the try out a few different ones in the stores and find the particular one with which you feel most comfortable. I have both a Pfaff 7560 and the new Baby Lock & love both of them. I can move from one to the either with ease; although like others on the group, I have an old Singer Slant-Needle that I use much of the time for regular sewing. It's a 1960 with fashion discs that make a large variety of stitches. Sometimes the DGD will ask if I'll use the ribbon stitch on it for one of her dresses or skirts. She is 9-YO and has a mind of her own. I wIsh you lots of luck in your quest. Emily

Reply to
Emily Bengston

Larisa, If you're going to be doing this for a paying business you should probably look into buying a professional machine. Mainly from the standpoint of the quantity of work you will be wanting it to do *and* warranties of home sewing machines do not cover commercial applications of the 'home' machine.

Something to consider, AK in PA

Reply to
AK&DStrohl

larisa--

i have a babylock ellure that i truly do love. it's NOT my workhorse sewing machine...but, it does sew well and does a great job on embroidery.

i think it's wonderful the encouragement the DH is giving you with this...enjoy!

betsey

Reply to
betsey

Hmm.... I think the Husqvarna Vikings come with some sort of warranty for home business use - it's a while since I bought mine and I didn't need that feature but it sticks in the mind. Kate will know I'm sure!

Worth checking out. I love both my HV sewing machine (TOL NON embroidery purchased about 4 years ago now and my HV 936 serger (5 thread plus cover stitch). They are solid and produce a good stitch.

You may want to look at getting a cover stitch only serger to complement a four thread serger to avoid having to swap a single machine between modes. If you think you're going to be making curtains (which I doubt knowing you) you may want a blind stitch machine.

HTH

Sarah

Reply to
Sarah Dale

Well, they didn't quibble about replacing the handle on mine when it bust, but then the dealer didn't exactly TELL them it was a business use machine! And the left and right sides of the pond may well be different in this.

Love my Lily too. And I did love my Huskylock 910 until I wreaked it!

I think a cover stitch machine would be sensible for anyone doing much knit or stretch fabric work.

Reply to
Kate XXXXXX

Thanks for all of the replies!! I've made a list of the machines that all of you have suggested and will be researching them through a couple of different avenues that I have available to me.

I convinced DH that today would be a good "research" day - me for embroidery machines, him for flat screen tvs. COincidentally, the 2 stores I had in mind were right next to each other!! (Yes, yes, devious mind and all that). However, instead of taking our son to look at tvs, he actually stayed and wandered through the store while I got some demonstrations on the 2 Vikings that were making me drool. Sadly, they are both a bit out of the price range this go 'round. Not so sad is that, if this whols business goes as I hope, I should be able to upgrade to one of them within a year or 2...provided I sock away as much money out of each but as I can and still have money for supplies and such.

I'm honestly still not 100% sure about an embroidery machine, though I know it will allow me to expand a bit. The whole "needs specific threads" issue that has been brought up with some of the machines is a HUGE turn off for me. I do know that I want one that I can connect to the computer for designs and preferably one that doesn't take thread that will cost an arm and a leg per spool...other than that, who knows.

Right now, the machines that get regular use are the Brother serger that I got for Christmas/birthday and the old Kenmore (17 years and never been to the shop, though the presser foot takeup lever is starting to get loose, so it might go in soon). I have a EuroPro that I really only bought for the decorative stitches that I like to use on quilts and my DDs clothes, but for the time being (at least until the sewing room gets it's turn at being remodeled), it lives in the closet.

As for making curtains and such....pretty much anything goes, though I think, given the ages of my children, I will have to decline anything that is too racy or goes against the republican leanings of the area that we live in (think drag queen costumes, etc.). Granted, I could have a lot of fun making them, but....want to watch what the kids are exposed to.

Anyway, thanks again for the suggestions, I am off ot research them now...figure I have 6 months or so to research, test out, and make a final decision.

Larisa

Reply to
offkilterquilter

Don't overstress about the thread. I know someone who has used any thread he can get his hands on, including cones of serger thread, and he always does beautiful work. Different threads will give a different effect. I favor polyester thread, Sylko brand, which is not all that expensive unless I were to decide I need one of each color, which I don't. I tend to buy basic colors then a few specific shades for a specific job. Buying mini-cones, I always have a lot left, so I built up my "collection" that way.

I don't much care for rayon thread, though I have some, because it's a lot weaker and some isn't color-fast. I don't want colors running and I wash everything, so the rayon is just for things that aren't going to be washed.

Even stabilizers don't have to break the bank. Hospital laundry bags are great wash-away stabilizer. I've also used Saran wrap, though that doesn't wash out. Adding machine tape picked up in a thrift store. I picked up a roll of organza type fabric in a thrift store - it's 3 or 4 inches wide and I've used it for a lot of things, including small bags to hold home-made soap. It's great stabilizer for embroidery, and the roll will last me years.

Reply to
Pogonip

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