New to sewing...need for second machine

[kmr3000]

I am thinking about buying another sewing machine and would appreciate any suggestions. I currently own a Brother ULT2003d. The main reason I bought the machine was for the Disney embroidery as I am a huge Disney fan. Until recently it has collected a lot of dust. In the past year I have really begun sewing. I love to embroider bookmarks, shirts, picture frames, etc. but now I have begun quilting. This has become my new addiction. The problem is I love to embroider and even embroider some of my quilting projects but to switch back and forth between general sewing and embroidery on this machine is a pain in the ass. In addition I have begun taking different classes and belong to a couple of groups and to carry this machine is almost impossible at 28lbs with cover. I am thinking about buying another sewing machine that is good for quilting and lightweight and doesn't cost $5000. Can anyone give me a suggestion? I don't know what brand is best and what sewing machine options are a must have.

[annenet]

I'm a Bernina fan. Not sure about the weight but look at the Auroras and see if you might like one like that. I've heard that Janones are good too and also a bit less expensive. Any Janome fans want to ring in?

[SewRusty]

I bought a fairly simple (but still kind of expensive  ) Pfaff that I'm really starting to like. I'm also thinking that Elnas are a good machine that may be in your price range--I was considering one pretty heavily before I decided that I wanted (OK, had to have) the IDT which was only offered by Pfaff at the time. Another good option to consider is a nice used machine. See if you can take one home and "test drive" it before you buy--sometimes it's just too hard to take the time to test out all the features you want there in the store, and sometimes it's even harder to do with the salesperson standing over your shoulder.

I tested a Janome, and while it could just be the one I tested (it was purple, if that helps any) and I wasn't terribly impressed. A lot of people swear by them though, so it might have just been a fluke. I REALLY wanted a Babylock that I tried out, but couldn't pony up the funds to buy it...I tested it the same day as the Bernina and the Janome, and personally thought it made better stitches (especially buttonholes) than any of them. My Pfaff makes kind of crappy buttonholes, but I suppose that was the trade off for the affordability factor. I think Vikings are supposed to be good for quilting, or even a straight-stitch only machine.

Sorry, kind of rambling, but hopefully there's some information you can use.

[BeeBee]

Which Pfaff do you have?

[SewRusty]

Which Pfaff do you have?

I have the 2038. It's not the bottom of the line, but it's far from the TOL.

[DeniseM]

I might suggest a nice mechanical. I have th Pfaff 1540 and love the way it sews.  There are newer models and the price is reasonable. Janome is also a good choice and you get a lot for the money with Janome (which is made in Japan and has a factory in the US as well). The best way to choose is simply to go to several dealers and try them out. It's like finding the right guy. You'll know it when he/it comes along.

[fzxdoc]

I chose my second machine (first is a Bernina, second is a Janome) for the features which it offered that my first (old faithful) machine did not have. I have them both set up, and use each machine pretty much equally, depending on the tasks I need to be performed.  I love having both machines up and available!

As Denise said, you get a lot of bang for the buck with Janome.  But as she also said, choosing a machine is very personal. What feels right to one person may not feel the same for another. So get the machine that speaks to you the best.

Kathryn

[marciae]

I have a Pfaff 1528 to carry to the cabin.  However, I've been sewing on it the past couple of weeks.  Made 2 knit T's; one light weight denim pant and one medium weight denim pant....  took up the straps on two flimsy camisole - it sewed beautiful!  I was surprised as I'd not done any 'clothes' sewing on it.  It was only $350.  One of these days I'm going to try the button hole on it.

[sewsanna]

If I ever buy a second machine to carry from place to place it will probably be a small Babylock. I have an Espire that I truly adore. I want to be able to switch feet between the machines, and I have an idea that the learning curve might not be too steep on another (smaller) Babylock. Babylocks and Brothers are very much the same machine. You might like to look at smaller versions of both brands before making up your mind.

I bought my machine after much test sewing. When I found it I knew it was the one. If the new machine is the one you want to do quilting on, then have a look at the many quilting-oriented machines out there. Babylock does make a somewhat smaller (than the Espire) Quilter's Choice. I assume there is also an equivalent Brother.

Be aware that people who do lots of quilting like a larger harp area, which generally means a larger machine.

Good luck! Have fun in your search.

[karent]

You know, sewsanna brings up a very good point.  I have a very (very) ancient Singer, a Janome, and a Bernina.  And a billion feet.  They are all good machines, each with it's own strong points, but I wonder if efficiency might be better if I streamlined and had one brand.  At least it would avoid having three of the same foot.  (Of course, as a general rule, streamlining is not in my vocabulary.  Still, it sounds really nice.. )  K

[DeniseM]

marciae, you got a good price on that Pfaff. Those mechanicals make excellent buttonholes, btw. I made several unlined coats on mine and some knit tops. And they have really pretty decorative stitches.

[marciae]

marciae, you got a good price on that Pfaff. Those mechanicals make excellent buttonholes, btw. I made several unlined coats on mine and some knit tops. And they have really pretty decorative stitches.

I need to play with a button hole and see what it does.  I'm so used to my Viking's auto foot!!  I'm not into many decorative stitches but have sewn them out on the Pfaff and they look good. 

[kitnrose]

I know quilters who swear by their vintage Singer Featherweights if you'd like to go with a machine with more history.  These gorgeous little mechanicals don't do all those fancy stitches but they do sew straight and are light weight (just over 11 lbs) and are gorgeous.    But I love older mechanicals and have never felt comfortable with computerized - I have two machines at present, a Viking 500 computerized machine with lots of fancy stitches (no embroidery unit) and a 1961 Singer Rocketeer that only does zig-zag if you manually insert the right cam.  And I adore my singer and the viking and I just sort of look at each other warily.  But for others the love would be the exact opposite so, yeah, go with what's comfortable for you.  Just adding one more option to the mix. 

[Joybell]

I love my vintage Singer 301a for on-the-go quilting - and for placing it on my dining room table to quilt the larger quilts. It is very portable because it has a carrying handle on top of the machine. There is no need to drag along a "box" - I just grab the machine and go. When I am not using it I store it on a shelf with a cloth cover on it. I also have the Featherweight, which I gave to my daughter to use, but I have always found the 301a to be much more practical and since it is a full sized machine there is more room on the sewing bed. It is not very heavy - maybe about 6 lbs more than the Featherweight so that is not an issue. It also makes a very nice stitch for quilting.

[Sew-Classic]

I was thinking that a 301 would be ideal too.  The featherweight weighs about 11 pounds, but when you add the wooden box cast to the mix, it adds up to closer to 20 pounds to tote around.   

The 301 actually weighs about 16 pounds, and can fit easily into many of the quilting totes and rolling cases with the handles.

Singer 301 review, specs, and tips for purchasing


Joybell is spot on about the roomy harp and bed size of the 301 and the very nice flip up/down handle built into the machine.

[SewRusty]

So you would suggest a 301a to a quilter? That's weird, because I also have a 301a, and was told that it wasn't a popular machine and that it wasn't worth much more than it's service fee. Maybe it's because mine is the "mocha" color instead of the black? I had decided to keep it and quite like it now, but find that interesting.

[Sew-Classic]

So you would suggest a 301a to a quilter? That's weird, because I also have a 301a, and was told that it wasn't a popular machine and that it wasn't worth much more than it's service fee. Maybe it's because mine is the "mocha" color instead of the black? I had decided to keep it and quite like it now, but find that interesting.

It's "weird" to recommend a sturdy, all metal, gear driven, lightweight, portable, high quality machine to a quilter?  - News to me.

The "worth" or selling price of any vintage sewing machine is all over the place.  My mother picked up a Bernina 830 Record- loaded, pristine & complete- at a garage sale once.  She paid the full asking price of $15.  So, that day, at that garage sale, that machine was worth $15.   Do a completed items search on eBay for a similar machine, and you will see that most of the feet sell for more than $15 each.  (How Much is a Sewing Machine Worth)  Anyhow I'm not sure what the "worth" of the machine has to do with it's suitability as a portable or back up machine for a quilter except to keep the cost within a particular budget.

With the criteria the OP had set forth  (“…sewing machine that is good for quilting and lightweight and doesn't cost $5000..”), the 301 fit’s the bill nicely.  When in proper order, it is a smooth, strong, durable machine that will last for generations.  I don't know why it would be "weird" to recommend a sturdy, all metal, gear driven, lightweight, portable, high quality machine to a quilter??

The color is strictly a matter of personal preference, and has nothing to do with the quality or usability of the machine.  I happen to like the lighter colored machines.  I find I get less eye strain with them  as compared to the black ones, but if someone else preferred black...that's okie-dokie...  The black long beds tend to fetch the highest prices, but they aren't "better" machines per se.   

Certainly there are MANY machines and options for the OP, and what is most important is that she finds the machine that suits her personal needs, wants, budget and preferences.

[SewRusty]

So you would suggest a 301a to a quilter? That's weird, because I also have a 301a, and was told that it wasn't a popular machine and that it wasn't worth much more than it's service fee. Maybe it's because mine is the "mocha" color instead of the black? I had decided to keep it and quite like it now, but find that interesting.

It's "weird" to recommend a sturdy, all metal, gear driven, lightweight, portable, high quality machine to a quilter?  - News to me.

The "worth" or selling price of any vintage sewing machine is all over the place.  My mother picked up a Bernina 830 Record- loaded, pristine & complete- at a garage sale once.  She paid the full asking price of $15.  So, that day, at that garage sale, that machine was worth $15.   Do a completed items search on eBay for a similar machine, and you will see that most of the feet sell for more than $15 each.  (How Much is a Sewing Machine Worth)  Anyhow I'm not sure what the "worth" of the machine has to do with it's suitability as a portable or back up machine for a quilter except to keep the cost within a particular budget.

With the criteria the OP had set forth  (“…sewing machine that is good for quilting and lightweight and doesn't cost $5000..”), the 301 fit’s the bill nicely.  When in proper order, it is a smooth, strong, durable machine that will last for generations.  I don't know why it would be "weird" to recommend a sturdy, all metal, gear driven, lightweight, portable, high quality machine to a quilter??

The color is strictly a matter of personal preference, and has nothing to do with the quality or usability of the machine.  I happen to like the lighter colored machines.  I find I get less eye strain with them  as compared to the black ones, but if someone else preferred black...that's okie-dokie...  The black long beds tend to fetch the highest prices, but they aren't "better" machines per se.   

Certainly there are MANY machines and options for the OP, and what is most important is that she finds the machine that suits her personal needs, wants, budget and preferences.

Oh dear! I'm sorry to have offended you. I just meant that based on the response that I got from the repair guy, I assumed that there was a reason (that I didn't know) that caused them to be unpopular. I had a truck like that once--mine was great, I loved it--but most of those particular motors were notorious for being a "problem child", so most people seemed to hate them. I thought there was maybe a similar situation with my 301a.

[kitnrose]

So you would suggest a 301a to a quilter? That's weird, because I also have a 301a, and was told that it wasn't a popular machine and that it wasn't worth much more than it's service fee. Maybe it's because mine is the "mocha" color instead of the black? I had decided to keep it and quite like it now, but find that interesting.

I'm guessing (and only guessing) that the 301a is a lesser loved machine simply because people wanting a vintage machine tend to go for the gorgeous black early century singers or the futuristic rocketeers and yours is neither one nor the other - but that hardly means it's not a great machine!  It does mean that it would be a low cost but very solid machine for someone looking for one.  Sure beats what you can get for the same price in a new machine.    Glad you like your little 301a!

[Sew-Classic]

I just meant that based on the response that I got from the repair guy, I assumed that there was a reason (that I didn't know) that caused them to be unpopular

Gee, I didn't think that sharing some accurate info indicated that I was offended.  That's a leap... 

FWIW, many shops would rather sell a new $5,000 machine than service a vintage one...pretty common attitude.  Thankfully, not all shops are like that, but it's common place nonetheless.

In reality, the 301's are actually quite popular vintage machines, especially among quilters.  They make a lovely straight stitch and are wonderful for piecing.  They have a smooth, vertical, rotary hook and feed dog drop that also makes them well suited to free-motion work as well.  The 301 and the venerable featherweight actually have the same hook design.

Anyhow,  I'm concerned that we are hijacking the OP question.  She is seeking suggestions as to what various machines will fit her criteria, and it seems wrong to morph that into a discussion about just one of the possibilities. 

[Greg]

So you would suggest a 301a to a quilter? That's weird, because I also have a 301a, and was told that it wasn't a popular machine and that it wasn't worth much more than it's service fee. Maybe it's because mine is the "mocha" color instead of the black? I had decided to keep it and quite like it now, but find that interesting.

Whoever told you this is full of crap. Quilters love the 301. People who like featherweights tend to collect machines (and pay collector's prices). People who actually sew adore the 301, among other vintage mechanicals.

[DeniseM]

Well, getting back to the original question, I think this debate shows it's a matter of personal preference. If you want a good second machine, go out there and test drive them all, including any used machines that strike your fancy. Recommendations are all well and good but ultimately you are the one who will sew on it and live with it, so you must please yourself.