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

If you have more than one machine, tell us about it, too. Your feedback can help other quilters (especially beginning quilters) who are looking for that "best" sewing machine. Share Your Favorites

Singer and Bernina

I own 2 machines; an old Singer Futura (from the 70's) and a new Bernina which does embroidery. Love them both!

—Guest Joyce Shenberger

Hate the designer II

Problems with D cards and very very poor ..actually NO customer service by the Viking People. I will never purchase another Viking machine

—Guest joann

Singer 237

I have a Singer 237 (cast iron) that I purchased second hand close to 15 yrs ago. I love it and I don't think I would know how to use a new one :). I have made many quilts with the machine.

—SmileySunshine267

need stitch D cards

I am looking for Viking Designer 2, stitch D cards and Embroidery cards. This machine has been discontinued with no notice and I am stuck with too few stitch cards and embroidery cards. Where can I find them. My home store is out. Help please. I need many of them if I can get them. Thank you

—chickenlip

don't know what I am dong

I am looking for a zigzag foot for a Pfaff 360 sewing machine. Part No. 44088. Can anybody help me? Thanks

—Guest Ramona 44

Favourite sewing machines

I have 3 PFAFF sewing machines and really like all of them. One is for embroidery, one is a backup and one is great for just quilting.

—Guest dot hardy

Janone Sewing Machines

Janome all the way.... I have 3 of them. They are the best. One has the walking foot on it for sewing the quilt bindings on or to sew in the ditch. The other has the quarter-inch foot for sewing pieces together to make a quilt. And the third Janome has the darning foot on it to stipple my quilts. SEW much Fun...

—Guest Darlene Sheppard

crazyquilter

I just buried my Singer Slant Needle machine, it served well for many years. I purchased a new HQ16 sit down quilting machine. In Florida I have a Singer Featherweight and love it, and a Janome 4400 that isn't made anymore - love all it does. In Maine I had to buy two Featherweights, both in antique shops for what I thought were great prices. I had them cleaned and they both purr like kittens. I am really happy with all my machines, but if I ever see another Featherweight for sale I think I shall just have to purchase it -- if the price is right. Just can't have too many, now can you?

—crazyforquilts

Singer Quantum 5000

This is an embroidery machine but I love it for quilting. It has so many great features and it was worth every penny.

—Guest shopaholic97

favorite sewing machines

My favorite machines are the Brother PC8500 which features embroidery in multi-sized hoops, plus sewing functions. The machine is compatible with Babylock embroidery cards, and well worth the cost. It is also a workhorse, sewing through light leather or fine organza. It has a nice selection of built in decorative stitches as well as lettering. With a blank card and the magic box, any download will stitch out. My second favorite is the Janome 8000. It is an older machine, and has served me well over the many years I have owned it. It too has embroidery features, although the Janome cards must be purchased for it. If you have a magic box and a blank Janome card you can download designs to it rather than use the manufacturers cards. This machine also sews soft leather, and has a good selection of built in decorative stitches. The new models are lovely, and offer more features. The Janome name is one that I am comfortable with if making another purchase.

—Guest quiltladyco

Best Quilting/Sewing Machine

I use a Brother 1500 Short arm machine to do all of my machine quilting. I like it very much. I have used it for the last 6 years and have made and quilted about 50 quilts in that time. I also have a Viking Designer I for embroidery and a brother 400Q. I like both of the other machines, but my 1500 is and old standby

—Guest kay

Espire by Babylock

Just bought this machine. It's part of their Quilters Dream Series Machines. I love it for machine quilting and just plain sewing. Also my Brother feet fit it -- another bonus.

—quiltedpainter

I love my Bernina

I've owned two Berninas for the last forty years, an 850 and a 440. Love them both. Hate my Viking Designer II.

—Guest greeneyes

The absolute ultimate sewing machine

My sewing teacher from over 10 years ago sent me an email that changed my sewing life. It was a sale for the Viking sewing Machine. The Viking Quilt Designer 11 does embroidery and fancy stitches and sews absolutely great. I love the thread cutter, the memory to program stitches, the embroidery. It is a workhorse and very accurate. The Quilt Designer 11 was 1000 dollars and the embroidery unit was 250 dollars. I have a great dealer. I also own a Viking 230 machine which has been working excellently for over ten years. I love Viking. It's easy to learn to use their machines with easy to understand instruction books.

—Guest kathleen

Babylock Sewing Machines

I have 2 Babylocks, an Esante and an Ellismo, a Babylock serger & an older Singer. The Babylock is my favorite. I love the needle threader & thread cutter, plus its many other features.

—Guest marlou261