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

Brother HE240

I really love my Brother HE240, but just bought a singer curvy 8770, and am really liking it. Bought the singer for quilting. I also have the Brother pr1000 embroidery machine, and for embroidery, it is the best I have had. I have owned two others in the past.

—Guest Cindy

Best Feature: Husqvarna and Babylock

The automatic pressure foot lift (HQ) or the advanced pivot feature by Babylock. The free hand knee lift is not for me.

—Guest Jessie

The machine makes the DIFFERENCE

I own a Brother Quattro, a Viking Sapphire, a Singer 500 Series commercial machine as well as an Elna 745 serger and I love them all. Each is used depending on project and size. Most of my clothing and home dec consturction is done on the serger. Quilt piecing, zippers and hems are done on the Sapphire or Quattro. The Quattro has proven to be best embroidery machine that I have owned (it's my third). It has handled any design that I've thrown at it regardless of density. Anything really heavy is done on the Singer which does sew very well over thick seams (that thing would sew a cow to a wooden post if you could figure out a way to get them under the pressure foot). On that note I would like to say that when you buy a machine be sure that you're going to have the support required to not only service it correctly but also offers FREE insturctions on how to use it. Having once had a dealer that was less than helpful I am very particular about where I spend my money.

—Goombasewz

Bernina Machine family

my first Bernina was in 1974; made my clothes and that of my 3 girls and even some for my husband. I also made many proms dresses and costumes, draperies... it was a workhorse. In 1997, I bought the bBernina 1630, which made wedding dresses, bridesmaids, etc., and also started my newest love at the time, quilting. About 4 years ago, my husband purchased the 440 QE, for my birthday... the stitch regulator, and embroidery features are wonderful... as are the other features of the Bernina. I gave my first machine to one daughter before she has her first Bernina and she passed it on to the second daughter, who now has a Bernina Artista. My third daughter bought her own starter machine which sews beautifully. I would say we are a Bernina family, never having any problems with all those different models.

—Guest Nancy

Love My Janome

I love my Janome Memory Craft 6600 and it is my best. I am piecing and quilting all the time Don't know what I would do without it. I also have a Viking Freesia and also a Singer Featherweight. I don't use my Viking very much and think I will soon sell it as I would like to buy another lightweight Janome such as gem .

—Guest Eileen Menke

Bernina

I love my Bernina Sewing machine. A must have is the needle threader. Bernina is wonderful.

—Guest GKaha

I love my Bernina

I bought an 830 record nearly fourty years ago and used it up until I bought a 440 five years ago. Both machine run so well. The 830r still runs like a champ but is in semi retirement and is my back up machine. I sew everything from baby clothes to quilts to dolls and toys, home dec, embroidery.... it does it all. I love the stitch regulator as I do all my own quilting, even queen size quilts. I love to sew and create and I love both my Berninas.

—Guest ellen

Favorite Sewing machine

I have a Janome 6500 and love it. If I were to buy another machine it would be a lighter Janome to take to quilt retreats and classes.

—9mary24

BERNINA 730

I've had an Athena 2000 (35 yrs) -- my first machine. Then I went to a used Viking 1A. I now have a BERNINA 730. The contrast is amazing. The knee feature, self-threader, embroidery, Bernina Stitch Regulator, separate motor for doing bobbins, tells you when you are about to attempt to make a mistake. Great! She goes in for regular service.

—Guest shirley

I Love My Babylock

I haven't been quilting as long as some of you ladies but I've had three sewing machines. One was a Singer which I returned to the store. The other two were Brothers. One which I sold and the other was returned to the store. It was a learning process for me, for sure. I knew what I was looking for in a machine. I found everything that I needed in the Babylock.

—bonnieinmissouri

My mom's 1950's GERMAN Singer 316G

I am looking for a new machine. I have been using my mother's old Singer and have been sewing with it since I was a wee tot of 8 years old. I am as old as this machine. I do not know what to buy. I have just begun learning to quilt. My sewing past has involved just about everything you could imagine as I had 2 daughters to sew lovely dresses for, household decorating and of course many many dresses and crafts. I am enjoying everyone's comments and advice here!

—Guest Rosemary

Best Sewing Machine Features

My favorite features are the built in IDT, a 1/4" foot, single hole plate, and needle up needle down. I got a new Babylock that has all these features plus it has several LED lights around the needle. This is my newest favorite feature. I can sew in the evenings now!

—Guest Robin's nest

Favorite Sewing Machines - Bernina 440

I have had my Bernina 440 for about 4 years and love it. I also have the embroidery module and have really enjoyed using it. The Featherweight is still the best for guild, classes, etc. I enjoyed my original Bernina 830 purchased in 1972 - sold it complete when the 440 came to live with me.

—Guest Bernina 440 & Featherweight 221

Sewing Machines

I continue to like Berninas -- they are workhorses. Have an old black Singer, White, Baby Lock, Janome which I do not use anymore. Have been using the Berninas for more than 35 years -- began with the 801 which I knocked on floor; graduated to 930, 165, 200 and someday hope to get the newest machine.

—Naomione

Sewing Machine Features

I am a Bernina fan, thru and thru. My MUST HAVE list is: reliability, needle threader, needle up/down, lighting to see EVERYTHING, lettering (quilt labels), enough stitches to stretch imagination and heavy enough when you need to "muscle" large amounts of fabric when quilting (I hate it if machine walks around the table like my old plastic Singer used to do). Enjoy embroidery too; oh so many designs on line (loads of freebies too) to really spice up quilting too. I currently sew on a Bernina 640E and 153 QE, am considering a lighter weight one for quilting bees (only piecing done at bees; quilting done at home). One last thing no matter what you buy, go to a dealer you can rely on - like everything else in life, your product is only as good as the person/company who sold you the product! Bernina's fit all my criteria perfectly.

—kah281