Anybody out there own a computerized sewing machine. I am looking to buy a new one and thought i'd ask if anyone have any tips or if anyone can give me reviews. TIA!
We just bought a Singer one from Wal-mart to replace the Brother one I've had for 10 years. My Brother one still works fine but we are making very large window treatments for our family room and wanted a better machine to take on this project. I don't know the Singer model off hand but I can check if you're interested. It was $189 I think.
The main thing it has that I like is auto tension. I don't know the ins and outs of how a sewing machine works and the tension thing always trips me up. This Singer figures out the tension automatically for me so I don't have to adjust it manually (although you can do it manually if you want). It's got a ton of decorative stitches that I'll prob never use.
The one thing that takes getting used to w/ the computerized machine is when you take your foot off the pedal it still continues to make some more stitches (and when it stops the needles is usually up). With my old machine, once my foot came off the pedal, sewing stopped.
There is a sewing thread in the Hobbies forum. You may want to ask for recommendations and reviews there.
I just recently got a Viking Platinum 770. It's my first computerized machine after 15 years of sewing and I love it!!! My best advice would be to go to a dealer and test drive different machines. Know what things are must haves, what things are just bells and whistles but nice to have, and what things you can do without. Depending on what you want to do it for, make sure you bring different weights of fabrics to see how the machine sews on different fabrics. I was impressed when my machine stitched through 8 layers of denim without breaking a sweat.
I was impressed when my machine stitched through 8 layers of denim without breaking a sweat.
wow, that IS impressive. Do you mind me asking what the pricing is like for the Viking machines (and the other better machines)? I guess it depends how much you sew, but do you think its worth it to get a higher end machine?
Hehe...my machine was a bit extravagant (especially considering it's not top of the line), but I sew ALL THE TIME. We got it on sale for $1900. Vikings in general are great machines though and you can get a computerized one for as low as $400. Their top of the line machines all do embroidery, and I didn't want that because I'd rather have a separate embroidery machine (so I can embroider and sew at the same time!)...but those run from $2700 to $10K!
My old machine was a Kenmore (made by Janome) and it was great. I just felt that after 6 steady years of sewing practically every item in my wardrobe and home dec stuff, I deserved something nice. Luckily DH felt the same way. This Viking is on a whole different level. Sewing was never a chore for me, but having a nice machine makes it THAT much better. The stitch quality is 100x better than the old Kenmore. It feeds better, it sews faster...and I love my bells and whistles. There's a "fix" function so you don't have to backstitch to start and end your seams. The needle up/down feature is one I HAD to have. And the buttonholes are brainless and perfect.
I have a Viking that I bought about 6 years ago (so adjust the prices!) ... I think I paid around $400 for it, and it's still going strong. I used it for about 3 years straight running a business making sewn goods, so I technically used it as an industrial machine! I've only had it serviced twice, and it's still running great. My mom had a Viking for many, many years and loved it. She's no longer sewing, but I have a feeling her machine would still be fine if we started it up now.
I know that many Joann's fabric stores have sewing centers set up within the store and they can probably give you some tips on what you need or don't need.
thanks everyone for your replies! i will also post this at the hobby thread. can you guys give me opinions on the different brands---singer, brothers, viking, hasvarqna? etc.
i'm interested in using it for quilts, sewing things for the home like curtains, slipcovers, maybe some clothing.
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wow, that IS impressive. Do you mind me asking what the pricing is like for the Viking machines (and the other better machines)? I guess it depends how much you sew, but do you think its worth it to get a higher end machine?
I've only had it serviced twice, and it's still running great. My mom had a Viking for many, many years and loved it. She's no longer sewing, but I have a feeling her machine would still be fine if we started it up now. 
