Readers Respond: What features make a sewing machine an excellent tool?

Responses: 308

By Janet Wickell, About.com Guide

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I love my Bernina sewing machines. I have 2 a 440QE and a 200 artista and have had a Bernina machine since 1970 and would not have any other make. They are all a pleasure to sew on. The Bernina is easy to thread and the needle up and needle down is a must for any sewing or quilting project. Too many great features that make my sewing or quilting project a pleasure.
—Guest LJ

Thread cutter, needle up/down, 340 design stitches, adjustable needle stitches, quiet sewing, multi thread stand, bobbin winder, beautiful machine. It's a Babylock Espire.
—Guest LilyBee

My favorite machines are the Pfaff 1475, 7570 and 2170. They never miss a stitch and have been real work horses for me.
—Guest JayJay

I have a Viking SE and a Euro Pro. The SE is a sewing and embroidery machine and the Euro Pro is a sewing machine only. The Viking SE has been in for service and repair 3 times in 2 1/2 (plus it's regular cleaning) years, when it runs it's great -- but it doesn't run most of the time, has had new motor, new mother board and the timing parts have been replaced twice. The thread cutter only worked when it wanted to and one time it only wanted to sew backwards. Now the little inxepensive Euro Pro does a lot of fancy stitches and it has the needle up and down feature and automatic threading and will sew over seams in jeans like they were soft butter,so I am really not happy with the Viking SE as far as a sewing machine goes,the embroidery part works most of the time. I have heard these same complaints about the SE on several other sites. I am always careful about changing needles very often and keeping the machine clean so I don't believe it was anything I did just a Lemon of A Machine.
—ladyk1943

I have an old Morse that just does straight and zig zag stitches and a singer 9420 that I bought for 40.00 -- they are both great. I would not recommend a White to anyone.
—Guest Janet B.

I have owned several different brands of sewing machines (Bernina, Singer, Sears, Janome) but my all-time favorites are my Pfaffs. I currently own three, a 2058, a Creative Vision Embroidery, and a Tiptronic. I love the 2058 the most. It will sew through anything, it is very quiet, the tension is consistent, it has needle down, a needle threader that works, a knee lift for the presser foot so my hands are free and it has multiple settings on needle down for the foot position. What more could you want? The machine is a real workhorse.
—crazyapplequilter

I have the Viking Diamond - but that's not my first Viking. Each and every upgrade has provided me with new tools and options. I also have a Singer Featherweight, which I love - I just keep forgetting that it won't cut my thread for me. I also have a Gammill longarm - which I wouldn't trade for the world. I have a great collection of the Singer toy sewing machines - they don't sew with a darned, but they sure are fun to collect. Us gals and our toys - we love em all!
—Guest Deb

I love my Pfaff 7570 and 2140. Both machines love me and I love them. They sew anything that I ask. Very happy with my Pfaffs.
—Guest Pfaffer

I have a Bernina 1230, love most of it and use it the most. I also have a Baby Lock Ellegante with embroidery attachment. Love most of it, especially the self threading of the needle. Hate the drop in bobbin because it gets in the way of the tape I use for a perfect 1/4 inch seam. Seams also slip out of alignment while sewing, and I have to watch it closely. I find it doesn't go over heavy seams without manual urging. The Bernina takes heavy seams with a breeze and I don't have the same slipping I do with the Baby Lock. If I could combine the two, it would be just SUPER.
—Guest Sue Minnemeyer

I have two sewing machines, both Elna's. I love them both. Easy to use and reliable. One is over 45 years old and has gone through a fire and keeps on working. The other is an embroidery machine.
—rosemaryworrall

with a few extras: My Bernina 153 QE makes me smile every time I use it. reliable, needle up/down, extension table, plenty of feet, knee pedal, when I remember to use it, good bobbin winder, walking foot attachment. Many features I have yet to discover, but the essentials are right there. Bought this when my old machine would not reliably sew with nylon thread. This is a great machine for machine quilting for a beginner.
—Haggs47

I have two machines. One is a Janome 1600P.It came with my quilting frame. I have an old one I got back in 1999, and I use it only for my blocks. In 10 years it has only been to the repair shop once. I used my Janome to make my blocks till I got the other one back. If I had another Janome 1600P I would use one on the frame and the other for my blocks. When I get another new one my daughter will get the old one to learn on.
—Guest Edie

My friend bought a high end Bernina, I bought the Janome 6600. I took off sewing, she's trying to figure out hers as well as having a computer along side. Overload of excellent features on the 6600 but would like the serpentine stitch more variable
—Guest Clare

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Janet Wickell
Quilting Guide