Hi there!
Last weekend I was doing so much sewing that it became really frustrating how slow my machine was. I have a Bernina and there is absolutely nothing wrong with it, it's the Aurora 430 and is approx 16 years old. But it feels super slow, even at top speed, not to mention it doesn't work well at top speed and skips stitches.
I'm looking into the Janome 6700P as it seems to be (as far as I can find out) the fastest domestic machine you can get that still does other stitches and isn't just straight stitch. It says around 1200 stitches per min which is pretty quick. I don't know what my Bernina is, but looking at videos of the Janome, it's no where near that. I wish it were possible to get a domestic that could go as fast as the industrial ones which are 5k stitches a min!! SO FAST!
What machine/s do you ladies have and what have you tried and what do you recommend? (I also have a Bernina Serger but that's fine and doesn't need updating as I don't use it nearly as much).
I have a Janome MC15000 that does everything from utility, embroidery & quilting. Max is 10000 stitches per minute. It also does 9mm wide decorative stitches and has standard stitch width adapter. It can do USB connection but not network.. It was NOT cheap. It's huge with a deep work bed. I got a deal on it with all the bells & whistles, attachments, extras available at the time. I think it's been discontinued but similar models are available. I got it as a retirement present for myself and love it. Also have an old Singer that's not so fancy but handles utility & some basic decorative stitches. No comparison between the two. The stitch balancing in the Janome is flawless... leather to silk without an issue.
Whoops 1,000 stitches.
Wow that is quite the beast!! Unfortunately there is no way I would spend that money on a sewing machine, i would only do that if i was making a living from it! (actually had no idea there were machines that expensive even!) Glad to hear that you're happy with it though! I hardly ever use all the fancy stitches on my Bernina (which is also a quilting capable machine) so that side of it isn't as important to me. Speed is the number one I think and then being able to do auto buttonholes, zig zag and the odd other alternative stitches. I did see an example of someone sewing from super heavy fabric to chiffon on a Janome... so amazing!! Thank you Jan!
I didn't pay near the list price. They took thousands off due to new model coming out. I got it 7 yrs ago. It's wonderful though. With all the attachments & being able to use old attachments from previous Brother/Singer machines, it makes life simpler. Janome is just a great manufacturer. You'll be happy with whatever model you get.
I use a PFAFF hobby nothing fancy has a great button hole attachment. Most of the machines I have had are basic straight stitch and zig zag no software to figure out. A designer once told me that is all you need to sew.
Yeah I only use zig zag and straight and buttonhole on mine, and it has hundreds of fancy stitches that I would never need!
I have a Brother quilting machine. I quilt when I’m not sewing So it’s a necessity. But it‘s really the the truth unless you plan On doing lots of embroidery or fancy stitch work a basic machine will work for you. Don’t let them oversell you.
Yeah, if I could get away with just a straight stitch I would be getting an industrial one! People don't tend to do the hard sell over here thankfully, plus I will be buying online so it's all down to my own research :)
I bought my new sewing machine 4 years ago and deliberately chose a very basic machine, because I wasn´t sure the sewing enthusiasm would last (ohh, it lasts!) and I had no fortune to spent. So I bought a Bernina 215 simply red (the absolute basic Bernina), but I am happy with it. It´s fast enough for my liking (900 stitches per minute) and the stitches are precise. Also it is sooo easy to handle :) .
I might invest in a serger in the near future, but as I do no embroidery and I had no need for more than a straight, a zigzag, a buttonhole or a stretch stitch yet, I am absolutely happy with my little hardworking and sturdy swiss girl 😘
So I holeheartely agree with merfaerie and deejfred.
wholeheartely ... no holes in my heart as far as I know 😂
Bernina really is a great brand, I have a bernina serger.
Mine will do buttonholes but I leaned to do Buttonholes by hand as a girl and I tend to stick with that unless I bind them. Lol.
Oooh that must take a while! I definitely wouldn't be as keen on making another shirt if I didn't have my auto buttonhole foot LOL
Even with all the bells & whistles on my machine, I still do button holes with markings & manually turned zigzag stitches. I prefer to do extra reinforcement on the turns. I really like the of handstitched buttonholes... are you embroidering them?
@Jan Lubin I can do the machine ones too. My mom learned in her Singer sewing class when my dad bought her her first electric machine! That was in the early 60’s. No, I just use a simple buttonhole stitch Around them. Next time I need to do any hand stitched buttonholes I’ll make sure I take pictures