What sewing machine do you use?

Jane LaFazio wrote

on 12 May 2009 12:45 PM

oops, I replied to the wrong thread....

I'm attracted to a Bernette 66, it's a small one made by Bernina. I don't want a computerized one, nor do I want to spend a fortune. As anyone used a Bernette 66?

thanks!

Jane LaFazio

Angela R wrote

on 13 May 2009 6:03 AM

How does the Sewezi work?

cloban wrote

on 13 May 2009 10:36 AM

I have 2 machine I have a Elna Pro Quilters Dream that sew so smooth I use this with a Pro Grace Quilting Frame and love to free-motion on this, and I also have a Elna Heirloom that I do some free-motin quilting on. I adore both of my elna they are real work horse.

Dale Kathryn wrote

on 13 May 2009 10:56 AM

My Bernina Artista 200 sits on my sewing table -  I use it the most often because it's like a centipede - it has all those wonderful feet (plus all the other bells and whistles that I just HAD to have - including an acrylic extension table).

I also have a Bernina 830 that is about 30 years old and which I keep meaning to bring out of its storage space, because as much as I like to 200, my 830 was my baby for a long time. I also have a basic Pfaff "Classic Style / Fashion"  which I got to take to classes because it is smaller and lighter than my other machines.

createandsew wrote

on 13 May 2009 3:43 PM

I have Husqvana Viking SE and Husqvana Madison/Scandia  (completely mechanical) sewing machines.  I do just about everything on the SE including quilting,  crafts like table runners, purses, totes, etc., home dec., art quilts, small amounts of clothing.   I frequently use the decorative stitches - they enhance the quilting lines and embellishing lines, esp. on small projects like totes and purses- am much less experienced with the embroidery potential.

The Madison(US name) is a workhorse machine that has about a dozen decorative stitches and is great to take on quilting retreats and getaways - its also a loaner to my DD when she has projects (like Hallloween costumes)  to do.  I also have a cabinet Singer from the 1940's, a family hand me down -  I sewed all my children's clothes and home dec items on it up until the 90's.  Like The Needler, I also have the Huskystar ER 10 Embellisher - I enjoy that as an adjunct to the hand felting tools I have.  I am still in the "some experience" stage with needlefelting. 

Rae

Kelli Nina Perkins wrote

on 14 May 2009 2:56 PM

I'll throw in for Babylock. I've got a Decorator's Choice and I've really put it through its paces...even cracked some sort of metal part in the first year. I can't complain about anything. I do a ton of free motion stitching and it works wonderfully well for that. I absolutely love the needle threader and wouldn't want to live without that. The bobbin is easy in easy out--another plus. It's a nice workhorse for my mixed media.

mary j3 wrote

on 15 May 2009 7:29 PM

My Bernina Artista 165 is heaven sent - after 30 years with basic Kenmore(gasp-middle class America). If I am so lucky to keep sewing another 30 years, it will hang in there. Finally I can quilt with free motion - like ice skating on a smooth lake. About twice a year I hook up the embroidery - for a baby quilt or fncy tea towels. Mostly I quilt, embellish, mend, and yes, hem pants.  mary j

Pegfile wrote

on 15 May 2009 7:50 PM

I lovwe my Bernina 730.  It sews beautifully , embroidery is fantastic, and it is so user friendly.

Peggy File

eileenkny wrote

on 20 May 2009 3:45 AM

I have a Babylock Quest that I got last year. Still working on bonding with it. Also have a Viking Freesia 415 that I love!! It only has 15 stitches but it does more different things than the Babylock. Oh yeah, a Singer 901 workhorse-got it back in the '80s and it's still stitchin' along. Right now it's loaned out to a friend who's just learning to quilt. Hopefully, it'll come home in one piece.

I do mostly piecing on these machines. I have a Gammill Classic Plus longarm for my business and I do all my actual quilting on that.  

tiedyejudy wrote

on 20 May 2009 9:55 AM

I have a Pfaff  1528 that I purchased last year to replace my old Pfaff.  The old one was 28 years old, and the only reason I replaced it was the parts were no longer being made for it.  I was first introduced to Pfaffs in the 70's when I took a clothing construction course.  At that time I was using an old Singer, and the Singer and I fought tooth and nail every time I tried to use it.  So in '80, I bought the first Pfaff, and we had an ongoing love affair until it finally died.  The new one and I are getting along just fine, and I recently purchased the acrylic work surface for it, so I could do my free-motion quilting.  Doesn't get any better than that!

jakquil wrote

on 21 May 2009 12:48 PM

I have a Bernina 440QE, Bernina 1630, Bernina 910, I like all of them and use them for different purposes.  I also have a Brother 1500S which I use most of the time, it does a fantastic job of straight stitching and machine quilting, as well as free motion embroidery.  I have a treadle Singer and a 40's electric Singer, plus the old machine I bought when I was a senior in highschool (many moons ago).  I fall in love with all my machines and can't get rid of them.  I didn't mention my Bernina Serger 2000D whidh is a real workhorse.

Larissa Davis wrote

on 21 May 2009 2:24 PM

Does this machine allow you to drop feed dogs and do free motion? I would love to get a new machine. My 25 year old Kenmore doesn't let me do free motion so I think it's time for a new one ;-)

juanita54 wrote

on 28 May 2009 5:12 PM

I use a Bernina for the fact that it is reliable and will sew just about anything and I must admit I own a Bernina store.  And I love it.

MellyT wrote

on 28 May 2009 5:14 PM

You don't have to own a Bernina store to love the ease and beauty of this particular brand! :)

juanita54 wrote

on 28 May 2009 5:18 PM

dear Jane,

The Bernette 66 is a totally mechanical machine.  This means that you turn a dial for the stitch and zig zag.  It has a one step buttonhole and also 26 stitches I beleive/. It has a ten year warranty and 2 years on the electrical.  You can purchase a walking foot and a 1/4" foot for quilting plus a couple of other feet.  This machine is for sewers who hardly sew.  There are a couple of more bernettes up the line.