sewing machine recommendations?

lisa dingle

hi there, im just wondering would anybody be able to recommend a sewing machine? i have a small budget of around 300-500e. i would have no problem getting a good reconditioned model.. im not really sure where to start looking..

im looking for a machine for patchwork quilting.. so something for piecing cotton, but i would i also like it to be able to go through a good few layers of fabric which would include cotton batting.. and that would be able to do free motion quilting (this is very important as i really want to try this properly)

i have a brother x5, which i bought initially to see if i liked patchwork but to be honest im not finding it up for the job, and would like to upgrade as im really enjoying this craft..

thanks for reading

ArtOfEscape

I'm a Bernina girl! I bought a new Bernette 82e machine at the Electronic Sewing Machine Centre on Parnell St in Dublin about two years ago and have had a great experience with it. The man who owns the shop really knows his stuff - he listened to what I needed and helped me make a good choice. He carries reconditioned models from lots of companies as well as brand new Berninas and replacement parts. He lives near me so he even delivered my machine to my door!

The Bernette 82e is my first machine so I can't really offer a great comparison, but here's my experience, for what it's worth: The Bernette range is the lower end of the Bernina line, and the new 82e is on sale at the shop for €350 at the moment. It's marketed as a machine for quilting, but I mostly make clothes so I don't use all its features or quilting stitches. Perhaps I would choose something with fewer bells and whistles if I was buying a machine today, and maybe an older machine with metal parts instead of plastic. But I have sewn through 4 layers of 10oz canvas on this machine with relative ease.

Good luck!

lisa dingle

hi ArtofEscape, thanks so much for your reply i would love a bernina or a janome.. i have a janome picked out from doing a ton of googling last night but i think i will head into the shop you recommended as i wouldn't mind a reconditioned machine esp. for the metal parts. so the next time im in dublin ill have a look. i also found a place in waterford that i might go to aswel.. on the plus side my machine is sewing again (amazing what a clean and some oil will accomplish) but im still going to upgrade as i want to have a really nice stitch on my current quilt.. thanks again!

wmpdd3

Highly recommend the Singer Center in Waterford, they guy there is so nice. He deals with a few makes and will only recommend a machine for your needs rather than an expensive one. I've been getting services there for 15 years.