Showing posts with label reliable. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reliable. Show all posts

2/29/2012

Brother XL3510 72-Stitch Function Free-Arm Sewing Machine Review

Brother XL3510 72-Stitch Function Free-Arm Sewing Machine
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Though the Brother XL-3510 wasn't my first choice in a machine (purchased out of a limited selection from an online retailer using a "store credit only" return policy, even for defective machines), after a marathon weekend of sewing medieval garb, I have found this to be a solid machine that handles a wide range of projects effectively and efficiently. With a drop in bobbin (SA156 is the Brother part number--same as their sewing/embroidery machines) that is oriented a little too much towards the right handed (I'm a left handed person), it's much easier to manage than the Europro I returned to the online retailer that uses a steel bobbin and bobbin case from the side. Threading is easy as well, though left handed people will have problems for a few times until you get used to the nuances of the threading. There are about 3 or 4 places that I found the machine difficult to manage as a left handed person. Sadly, as strong as Brother is, for both the industrial and home sewing markets, they have forgotten that both left handed and right handed people use the machines!!
I really like the way the stitch selector dial works. Just like a shift key on a computer, you just put the outer dial on the red SS1 for the red row of stitches or the green SS2 for the green row of stitches--it's very user friendly. Normal stitches are neither red nor green--for things like straight or zig zag. Everyday stuff like back-stitching is easy (easier than many models) and the machine doen't balk at you when you want to go through a few thicknesses of fabric like pleats. As with any machine, you might have to coax it a little by a tug or two on a stubborn section through the feeders, but I've never known a machine that always could feed anything without a little help now and again.
All in all, thie machine passes the test. It works very nicely and should be a great addition to anyone's sewing room. I'm not an expert seamstress, but I've sewn to some degree since I was six and used many many machines along the way. This machine was a good buy--but for the future I will ALWAYS READ THE FINE PRINT before buying ANY MACHINE--it really DOES MATTER WHO YOU BUY FROM AND WHAT THE RETURN POLICY IS.
READ THE RETURN POLICY--EVERY WORD--BEFORE YOU BUY ANYTHING--THIS IS EXTRA IMPORTANT FOR SEWING MACHINES.
This is a great machine. I didn't buy mine on amazon. I really wish I did.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Brother XL3510 72-Stitch Function Free-Arm Sewing Machine

The XL3510 is a 72 stitch function free arm sewing machine .The built-in stitches include those for garment construction, decorative sewing and quilting.The machine has a 4-step buttonholer with stitch balance control.The XL3510 also has a stitch width and length control to give the sewer versatility.The free-arm capability allows you to sew on small items such as shirt cuffs or pants hems as well as adapt the machine to easily sew on larger items as well.Accessories are included with the machine for quilting, zipper insertion, darning, buttonholes and button sewing.The presser feet feature a quick change design which makes it easy for you to change the foot for each sewing application.The XL3510 is lightweight with a built in handle for portability.The instructions included with this machine are bilingual in English and Spanish.
Manufacturer's note:Accessories are housed in free arm of machine.

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12/09/2011

Janome HD1000 Heavy-Duty Sewing Machine with 14 Built-In Stitches Review

Janome HD1000 Heavy-Duty Sewing Machine with 14 Built-In Stitches
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
This machine is a real workhorse. I worked in a tailor shop for years on a Bernina and fell in love with their machines, but could never afford one. This machine is as easy to use and works as well as a Bernina and I have since found out that Janome makes some of Bernina's machines for them, specifically the Bernette.
I just got this machine this week, but I absolutely LOVE it. I have gone through multiple layers of fleece without so much as a hiccup and have also done some finer work on thin cotton material, also without a hiccup.
It is a metal arm & base with some plastic parts. Has a storage box right on the front which is handy, and is very easy to change stitches, etc.
Definitely worth the money. You won't regret purchasing this machine.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Janome HD1000 Heavy-Duty Sewing Machine with 14 Built-In Stitches

With unsurpassed quality, a cast aluminum body, drop feed, a free arm, an automatic needle threader and much much more the Janome HD1000 is quite an impressive machine. The Janome HD1000 is powerful enough to be called a Heavy-Duty Machine (HD stands for Heavy-Duty) yet is light enough to be taken on the go. This machine can go wherever you go and give you solid performance. The HD1000 has snap on and off sewing feet for easy presser foot changes. The Janome HD1000 has dual thread spool holders, a great feature for twin needle sewing. No more aggravation over the tension, an easy to adjust tension control gives you complete control over the tension on the HD1000. The HD1000 has 14 built in stitches including utility stitches, stretch stitches and a simple to use 4 Step Buttonhole. The HD1000 has a free arm so you can sew cuffs, pants and collars with professional results. For those times you need to put your HD1000 to rest there is an included soft cover to protect your wonderful machine. The HD1000 even has a Built-In Automatic Needle Threader- Just pull down the needle threader, put your thread in the hook and in front of the needle, pull back and your needle is threaded! The HD1000 comes with a bunch of great accessories including bobbins, felt, extra needles, two screwdrivers, seam ripper/buttonhole ripper, zipper foot, hemmer foot, buttonhole foot and a hem guide. Many people say "Nothing is made of metal anymore."Well they are wrong! The HD1000 is a cast aluminum body machine. Just like the machines of years ago that lasted forever, the HD1000 is made to last. The HD1000 sewing machine allows you to drop your feed dogs - A great feature when attaching buttons, darning, stippling and other free motion applications. The extra high presser foot height gives you peace of mind when sewing bulky fabric. The HD1000 sewing machine comes with an accessory storage compartment to put all your included accessories. This beauty can sew up to 840 stitches per minute!!!

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11/28/2011

SINGER 7258 Stylist Model Sewing Machine Review

SINGER 7258 Stylist Model Sewing Machine
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
The only negative thing I can say about this machine is this: It's so much better than my Singer Esteem II that I'm wondering just how much better an even more expensive Singer would have been. Now that I've realized how much fun a better-than-basic machine can be, I'm starting to covet the machines that will do even fancier stitches and do letters.
With that said, I didn't really need to spend more than I did on this machine. So, I'm perfectly happy!
1. The instruction manual is incredibly detailed. My basic Singer Esteem covered many features so briefly that I really didn't know what I was doing. The Stylist manual even goes so far as to explain many of the included 100 stitches. The machine is pretty self-explanatory to get setup if you've sewed before. But it's nice that any questions you have are probably in the manual and won't require a long Google search.
2. It sews VERY smoothly. And it's so much quieter than my old machine.
3. The option to have the needle stop up or down might not seem like a big deal - but it's SO convenient once you get used to it. I love it!
4. The slider to control the speed of the machine without the foot pedal also gives some speed control when the foot pedal is attached. Although my daughter is too young to sew now, I imagine that being able to limit the foot pedal's speed for a beginner will be a great plus. And when piecing together long strips of fabric, in particular, the ability to sew without the foot pedal attached is a nice luxury. I was afraid it would be scary and hard to stop. But the Start/Stop button is located in a very convenient place, making it easy to stop the machine with your finger that's feeding the fabric through.
5. The stitches are really pretty. To bring back up my old Singer Esteem II - it had some extra stitches that looked quite awful and I wondered why anyone would ever use them. I kind of expected that with this model too, but since I sew mostly children's clothing, it didn't matter a lot to me if anything but standard stitches worked. But I have been very pleasantly surprised. I've already found myself embellishing some items with the pretty choices.
6. Can you believe how many presser feet are included with this machine? Really, that alone is what sold me on it. I compared with other machines that offered all the other features except for the feet, and some were even more money. I'd never gotten to use a ruffler foot before this. No more sewing a long stitch and pulling to create my ruffle - the machine does it for me! I've been experimenting with the embroidery foot. They're all awesome.
7. The ONLY problem I've had with the machine is this: When I have the needle in the setting to end "down", and I stop and need to remove my fabric, and I turn the wheel to move the needle, the thread gets too tight (upper thread) and breaks as I pull my fabric out. I've found that the simple solution is to turn the need to the "up" position, do a quick backstitch, and the thread pulls with no problem.
8. I've had zero problems with the bobbin so far. It is super easy to load. It hasn't jammed (which my old machine did all the stinking time!). And, while the plastic cover over the bobbin compartment originally concerned me because of durability questions, I'm really liking being able to see how much bobbin thread I have left. In my old, front loading bobbin machine, I was always surprised to run out of bobbin thread....often after having sewn a very long time without it (a big pain). Now I can keep an easy eye on it without having to unthread it.
So that's it. I love this machine. If you can afford a much more expensive machine, like $500+, then get it. But if you're looking in the $190-$300 range, this one seems to be one of the best. And if you're just starting sewing, skip the $100 machines and just go straight for this model. It's affordable, and makes sewing seem easier because the machine just does what it should.

Click Here to see more reviews about: SINGER 7258 Stylist Model Sewing Machine


Features and Benefits
Stitch Selection and Buttonhole Sewing
Offering 100 built-in stitches, the Singer 7258 Stylist includes a large variety of stitches for all types of sewing, such as fashion sewing, quilting, heirloom, crafts, home and decorative sewing. With the push-button stitch selection, select the desired stitch with just a simple push of a button. Optimum settings for length, width and tension are set automatically. Buttonhole sewing is a one step simple process, with fully automatic, precisely balanced built-in buttonholes. Choose from 6 different one step styles and each side of the buttonhole is sewn in the same direction, creating beautifully balanced buttonholes. After effortlessly threading the machine, the automatic needle threader automatically threads the eye of the needle. Select whether the needle is up or down when the machine stops with the programmable needle up/down.

Electronic Speed Control and Automatic Tension
Singer's Staybright LED Lifetime White Lamp illuminates the sewing surface for optimal viewing. The long-lasting bulb (100,000 hours) stays cool, regardless how long the machine is operated. Electronic start and stop is an added convenience and comfort, the machine can sew without use of the foot controller. Electronic speed control allows complete control over the speed of the machine when sewing without the foot controller. This helps improve handling on more intricate projects. An automatic tension system ensures excellent stitch quality, regardless of what type of fabric is being used. The top loading, jam-proof bobbin system with clear cover incorporates a magnettype vertical axis rotating hook that ensures smooth, quiet, thread jam-resistant sewing. The bobbin case floats above the hook, precluding thread jams and the bobbin loads from the top, so it is simple to insert. The clear cover makes it easy to monitor the bobbin thread supply. Making changes from one bobbin to another is effortless with snap-on feet. No need for screwdrivers to change feet.

Auto Tie-Off Functions and Automatic Presser Foot Pressure
Auto tie-off function for straight stitch lets you tie-off straight stitches with just a push of a button. Reinforcing the beginning and end of the seam prevents unraveling. The tacking stitch, with auto tie-off function for decorative stitches, ties-off at the beginning and end of a stitch sequence, also with just a push of a button. Push the conveniently located automatic reverse button to sew stitches in reverse. Most stitches can be set for a maximum width of 6-millimeters. When sewing decorative stitches or satin stitches, the wide stitches are bolder and more pronounced. An audible tone confirms pattern and function selection and with a maximum sewing speed of 750 stitches-per-minute, projects can be sewn quickly. With automatic presser foot pressure, the amount of pressure exerted on the fabric by the presser foot against the feed dogs is automatic. Sew from the lightest weight tricots to the heaviest denim, without making presser foot adjustments.

Bobbin Features and Built-in Stretch Stitches
The automatic bobbin winding clutch feature makes sure the needle bar automatically disengages when winding the bobbin, making bobbin winding safer because the needle won't move up and down. A bobbin winder stop will automatically stop turning when the bobbin is completely filled. Never worry about overfilling a bobbin again. Built-in stretch stitches are specially designed stitches that add strength and flexibility to seams. These are especially useful when sewing on knitwear and super-stretch fabrics. Optimal settings for length and width are automatically adjusted when choosing a stitch. This can be overridden to personalize length and width choice. When tapering with the zigzag stitch, the stitch tapers to the center, not the left or right. This provides a more attractive look when tapering into or out of a point.

Twin Needle Stitching and Optimum Power Control System
When twin needle sewing (optional), selected stitches can be adjusted for the twin needle by reducing the stitch width. Twin needle stitching creates two parallel rows adding a decorative touch. Thirteen needle positions allow changes for individual projects, such as inserting zippers or cording and topstitching. Singer optimum power control system senses when additional power is required to maintain speed through thick or changing fabric conditions. This feature is most useful when sewing through multiple (6-8) fabric layers.

6-Segment Feeding System
Extra-high presser foot lifter has 2 heights. The second height offers more clearance, which is needed when placing multiple layers of bulky fabric under the presser foot. A 6-segment feeding system is a specially designed feed dog that ensures that the fabric is picked up and supported from the front of the presser foot to the rear. This makes for much more accurate feeding. The Singer Stylist 7258 has an aluminum frame, giving a rigid support to hold all the mechanisms in perfect alignment for perfect, skip-free sewing.

Included Accessories
Auxiliary Spool Pin
General Purpose Foot (On Machine)
Spool Pin Felt Discs (2)
Small, Medium and Large Thread Spool Caps (3)
Screwdriver for Needle Plate
Satin Special Purpose (Decorative Sewing) Foot
One-Step Button Hole Foot
4 Class 15J Bobbins (One in Machine)
Zipper Foot
Blind Hem Foot
Needles Package
Lint Brush
Seam Ripper and Darning Plate

Warranty
The Singer Stylist 7258 has a 25-year limited warranty including 25 years parts, 5 year electronic and 1 year labor.


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9/20/2011

Janome 8077 Computerized Sewing Machine with 30 Built-In Stitches Review

Janome 8077 Computerized Sewing Machine with 30 Built-In Stitches
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I purchased this sewing machine as a gift for my grand-children. When it arrived, I checked it out to make sure it worked well and was a good machine for them. I read the manual to learn about its' features and made all the stitches on a scrap of material. The machine is quiet, runs smoothly and makes beautiful stitches, plus it is lightweight and easy to transport.
I was so thrilled that I kept raving, to my husband, about what a great little machine it is. In fact, I liked it so much, I decided to keep it for myself and I had to order another one for my grandchildren.
This machine is way better than many machines that cost much more. I already have a Bernina (expensive) and a Singer Featherweight but I fell in love with this sewing machine. I would recommend it to anyone and, in fact, I did. I told two my friends about it and they each bought one.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Janome 8077 Computerized Sewing Machine with 30 Built-In Stitches

The Janome 8077 Computerized Sewing Machine combines lots of sewer friendly features in a wonderful machine. The 8077 has 30 well thought out stitches. Included in the stitches are 6 One-Step Buttonholes that sew a buttonhole exactly for your size button. The Janome 8077 has a bright LED screen for easy view of stitch width and length. The LED screen also displays the number of your stitch. Easily adjust the stitch width or length by just pressing the plus or minus button. How nice to be able to adjust the stitch width or length with precision with just a press of the button. Janome's 7 Feed Teeth Box Feeding System assures Superior Feeding! From the lightest weight fabric to heavy fabric! The Automatic Needle Threader is simple, just pull down the needle threader, put your thread in the hook and in front of the needle, pull back and your needle is threaded! The bobbin cover is see through to let you see if you are running out of thread! In addition, if you sew off the edge of the fabric it is jam proof. Free motion quilting to old fashion darning is easy with the drop-feed system. Do pants legs and shirt sleeves with the Free Arm Feature! The precision tension dial lets you set your tension and your tension stays there. Precision tension makes sewing enjoyable. Handy Central Control Buttons: From bottom to top: Start/Stop for Sewing Without a Foot Control, Reverse, Pattern Stop, Needle Up/Down all conveniently located for your sewing pleasure. Just push the bobbinwinder to the right and the auto-declutch will automatically stop the needle from moving and wind your bobbin! The Start/Stop button allows you to sew without using the foot control. One Step Automatic Buttonhole foot, Zipper foot, Satin Stitch foot, Screwdriver, Bobbins, Needles, Seam Ripper, Additional Spool Pin, Spool Caps, and Felt are all included with the Janome 8077!

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8/20/2011

Brother XL-3750 Convertible 35-Stitch Free-Arm Sewing Machine with Quilting Features Review

Brother XL-3750 Convertible 35-Stitch Free-Arm Sewing Machine with Quilting Features
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(More customer reviews)
Its been about 12 years since I have sewed (on a borrowed machine)... I purchased this machine in Feb and it was so easy to set up and use.. I am about halfway done a baby quilt and have really enjoyed sewing again. I think that if the machine hadn't worked so nicely I would have been frustrated. I haven't sewn enough to really know how to fix problems. The instruction manual was easy to follow and at one point when the tension wasn't right, the manual provided me what I needed to fix it.... I have a friend who sews regularly who recommended this to me and I have been exremely happy.....

Click Here to see more reviews about: Brother XL-3750 Convertible 35-Stitch Free-Arm Sewing Machine with Quilting Features

It isn't often that a sewing machine satisfies novice sewers, experienced menders, and quilting hobbyists alike, but this sewing machine from Brother rises to the challenge. Lightweight, the XL-3750 sewing machine offers thirty-five built-in utility, decorative, quilting, and heirloom stitches with 73 stitch functions to accommodate any project. Quilters benefit from the sewing machine's oversized table attachment, walking foot, quilt guide, reinforcement function, and stitch width and length control. To hem pants or shorten sleeves, the sewing machine converts from flatbed to free-arm sewing surface. The sewing machine further endears itself with user-friendly features, including an automatic needle threader, built-in thread cutter, drop-in bobbin loading, automatic bobbin winding, and the one-step auto-size buttonholer.
The 110-volt sewing machine plugs in with the enclosed power cord. The user employs the foot pedal for machine operation and speed variation, running at speeds up to 800 stitches per minute. For reverse operation, the machine supplies a reverse stitch operation button while a dial enables adjustments to thread tension. Stitches are illustrated on the side of the machine for quick identification, and a light bulb illuminates the work area. Equipped with seven accessory presser feet, the machine's presser feet snap on for fast replacement. The sewing machine comes with an assortment of sewing notions; many accessories store conveniently inside a compartment in the free arm. Additionally, a user's manual with instructions in English and Spanish accompanies the machine. Integrated into the top of the machine, a handle enables transportation, and an included cloth carrying case protects the machine from dust and debris. This item is covered by a limited 25-year warranty. The sewing machine measures 15-2/5 inches long by 6-3/4 inches wide by 11-2/5 inches high and weighs 19 pounds upon shipping.

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8/19/2011

Brother XR9000 Sewing Machine Review

Brother XR9000 Sewing Machine
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The XR9000 is very lightweight, I don't know if that makes it less robust or not- it seems pretty sturdy but I would not use it for leather. The sewing mechanism is wonderful- very quiet and soft, like cutting through butter. Foot pedal is responsive and the speed limit slider works great. There's also a button control but for whatever weird reason you can not use the start/stop button while the pedal is plugged in; I don't foresee that button getting a lot of use.
There's a reverse/reinforce button which unfortunately is a temporary switch only- not a toggle. It can be used in conjunction with the foot pedal or you just hold the button down and it will go in reverse at a slow speed.
Several extra presser feet are included, e.g. buttonhole, buttonstitch, zipper, blind hem. The one thing I am missing is a quilting guide. There's a slot for it in the foot but it has to be purchased separately. While the accessories are fine, the accessory storage is not. There's a front panel section that you have to pull out and then inside there's a plastic pouch with all the goodies. You have to keep the stuff in the pouch or they'll fall out of the machine. For $0.20 more Brother could have added a proper compartment with a hinge- instead they took a very cheap and impractical storage approach.
Lighting is provided by a bright but focussed white LED. I am somewhat spoiled by having a high wattage light bulb in the previous machine which lit up the entire working area. The XR9000 LED lights up the presser foot really well but that's about it. The "automatic needle threading" is not automatic, but still extremely useful (I keep missing the eye when trying to do it manually).
Even though I wound 3 bobbins I still can't tell whether the machine has an automatic stopping mechanism or just slows down a lot once the bobbin is full. Either way you can run the winding at full speed for a minute and it's quite noticeable once it's complete. The bobbins are full-size and top-loading. There's a somewhat tricky part about catching a hook when loading the bobbin which is not well explained in the manual. The first time I missed that which resulted in unbalanced stitches; reloading the bobbin more carefully took care of it. Another nice feature is that you don't have to pull up the lower thread before you can start to sew.
The stitch patterns are plentiful and half of them look quite nice. The other half has weird default settings where the default stitch length is too long, you can adjust that in the display but it still strikes me as odd. The monogramming feature works- it's fixed size, fixed font and does not look all that great. The XR9000 does not have any adjustable settings for presser foot height or pressure. However, the included default presser foot has some kind of spring adjustment built in which is supposed to help with thick fabric layers. I have not had a chance to try it out yet. The manual and instructional DVD are great and cover all the essentials.
EDIT- 2 months later: I have been having problems with thin fabric veering off to the side which made it impossible to do blind hems or other straight stitches with tight tolerances. For 2 months I thought this was me using it wrong until I brought it to a local store. As it turns out the machine shipped with some defects- the shank was slightly angled and the feed dog timing was off. Repair was $60 and came with a warning by the mechanic that the Brother machines are not particulaly reliable due to lack of solid metal construction. Machine loses 1 star for this and the fact that Brother does not have many authorized service centers.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Brother XR9000 Sewing Machine

With 80 built-in utility, decorative and heirloom stitches and 120 stitch functions, the XR-9000 is the ideal sewing machine for embellishing virtually everything from clothing to home décor items and for creating unique quilt designs. Equipped with a large back-lit LCD screen with computerized stitch selection and a unique flip-stitch guide, you can use the built-in sewing font for lettering, select one of the eight styles of one-step auto-size buttonholes, or use the oversized wide table to accommodate larger quilting projects. Lightweight and portable, the machine features a built-in thread cutter, Quick-Set bobbin, and one-touch start, stop and reverse features. The oversized wide table accommodates quilting and larger projects, and a hard cover protects your machine. Additional features include a unique flip stitch guide, super-wide (7mm) zigzag and decorative stitches, automatic needle threading, built-in thread cutter, fast, automatic bobbin winding, one-step bobbin replacement with quick set drop-in bobbin, and one-touch start/stop/reverse operations. Operates with or without foot control. Drop feed for free motion quilting to create free-form or traditional quilt patterns. Machine also features variable needle position and sewing speed control, and built-in stretch, quilting, decorative, and heirloom stitches. Lightweight with built-in handle for portability. Includes instruction booklet in English and Spanish. 25-year limited warranty.

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8/12/2011

Janome 7330 Magnolia Computerized Sewing Machine with 30 Built-In Stitches Review

Janome 7330 Magnolia Computerized Sewing Machine with 30 Built-In Stitches
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I am a first time sewer and I wanted a solid machine below $400. I wanted something I could grow into, but something that wouldn't overwhelm me. I had gone online to research machines. I was actually considering the Brother CS6000I before I had even heard of the Janome 7330. At the time there were 97 reviews on Amazon for the Brother CS6000I and I read every one. I was concerned b/c the low rated Brother reviews and even many of the 4 and 5 star reviews complained about the machine's tension and a finicky bobbin. The last thing I wanted to deal with was a touchy machine. If you read the reviews, without looking at the stars, most of them talk about the machine's quirks. I started to wonder if the Brother was trying to be too far reaching for it's price point. I was also wondering why so many were willing to overlook this touchiness that they all mentioned.
I went to SewVacDirect.com and did an online "ask a consultant" thing. I asked the person about the Brother CS6000I and the person directed me to the Janome. I had never heard of Janome before, but the consultant said that the Janome was far more sturdy than the Brother and that it was very easy to use. Still unsure, I decided to go to a store to see the machines in person.
After seeing the Janome and the Brother in action, I came home with the Janome 7330. After seeing the two machines work, I did feel that the Janome was better made and more sturdy. I felt more confident in the Janome's ability to grow with me through the years and felt it was more of the work horse that I was looking for. Twenty minutes after opening the box I was sewing. I'd never touched a machine before and I was sewing! It was as easy to use as they had told me. No weird finicky tricks to learn; just a solid machine.
The 7330 is computerized. It has a good number of stitches, including 5 different overcast stitches, three different one-step button holes, a darning stitch, and good number of decorative stitches. It has a free arm that has been great for doing the small arm and leg holes on the children's clothing I've been making. It has a foot pedal, although you can also use it sans the pedal. It has an up/down button that "remembers" if you last made the needle stay down when you stopped stitching. It also has a reverse button and an automatic needle threader. It's very easy to wind the bobbin and you just pop open the little lid and drop it in the hole. Super easy!
The instruction manual is very easy to follow and it comes with an all purpose presser foot, a satin foot (great for sewing on buttons!), a button foot, and a zipper foot. It also comes with a seam ripper, some bobbins, a brush for cleaning, a screw driver, and some plastic rings that hold the spool of thread in place.
When I told my friends that I had purchased a Janome, all of them said it was a very good brand. I found out that is a Japanese company and Janome means "eye of the snake" as it was one of the pioneers of using a round bobbin instead of a long shuttle back in the 1920's. Janome was the first to make a computerized sewing machine in the 1970's. I'm including this information b/c if you've never heard of this brand before, it's not a fly by night. It's been around for awhile and it has a very good reputation with those who know it. I also found that Janome sponsors a DIY website, threadbanger.com, which has some really neat ways to be green by reusing, recycling, and reconstructing things.
In conclusion, go to a retailer and see for yourself. It's a solid machine!!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Janome 7330 Magnolia Computerized Sewing Machine with 30 Built-In Stitches

The Janome Magnolia 7330 Computerized sewing machine combines lots of sewer friendly features in a wonderful machine. The 7330 has 30 well thought out stitches. Included in the stitches are 6 one step buttonholes that sew a buttonhole exactly for your size button. The Janome 7330 has a bright LED screen for easy view of stitch width and length. The LED screen also displays the number of your stitch. Easily adjust the stitch width or length by just pressing the plus or minus button. How nice to be able to adjust the stitch width or length with precision with just a press of the button. Janome's 7 Feed Teeth Box Feeding System assures Superior Feeding! From the lightest weight fabric to heavy fabric! The Automatic Needle Threader is simple, just pull down the needle threader, put your thread in the hook and in front of the needle, pull back and your needle is threaded! The bobbin cover is see through to let you see if you are running out of thread! In addition, if you sew off the edge of the fabric it is jam proof. Free motion quilting to old fashion darning is easy with the drop-feed system. Do pants legs and shirt sleeves with the Free Arm Feature! The precision tension dial lets you set your tension and your tension stays there. Precision tension makes sewing enjoyable. Handy Central Control Buttons: From bottom to top: Start/Stop for Sewing Without a Foot Control, Reverse, Pattern Stop, Needle Up/Down all conveniently located for your sewing pleasure. Just push the bobbinwinder to the right and the auto-declutch will automatically stop the needle from moving and wind your bobbin! The Start/Stop button allows you to sew without using the foot control. One Step Automatic Buttonhole foot, Zipper foot, Satin Stitch foot, Screwdriver, Bobbins, Needles, Seam Ripper, Additional Spool Pin, Spool Caps, and Felt are all included with the Janome 7330.

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7/29/2011

Brother PC-210 PRW Limited Edition Project Runway Sewing Machine Review

Brother PC-210 PRW Limited Edition Project Runway Sewing Machine
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I bought this machine a couple of weeks ago. It is an upgrade for me from a VERY basic Brother machine. I bought mine at a sewing machine store; actually cheaper than Amazon and I get their expertise/service.
One major feature I was looking for in my new machine is speed control. I am teaching my daughter to sew; this machine can be set to sew very very ssssslllloooww. Great when trying to teach a nine year old. Threading is pretty simple; there is a nifty automatic needle threader. I'm using it but threading a machine needle was never a big deal for me. I also like the automatic needle up feature. On every machine I ever used previously, I had to turn the wheel when done sewing a line to raise the needle. This machine does it automatically.
This Brother makes a very nice buttonhole; not as nice perhaps as a machine twice its price but still, just fine. It has this neat buttonhole foot in which you put your desired button in the back and it uses that button to automatically make the proper sized buttonhole. All in one step. This is WAY better than my old machine.
The bobbin is a top-drop-in. No more bringing up the loop, just put in in and sew.
One feature I've yet to use is a front stop/go control button. I guess that if you didn't want to or couldn't use a foot pedal you could use this button instead. I can see it being nice for buttonholes; you just position your fabric, push the "go" button, and it makes all the side of the buttonhole and stops automatically.
This machine trys to make things oops-proof. If you've ever jambed your machine because you started sewing with the presser foot up, well, that can't happen with this machine. If things aren't "right", it will give you an error beep.
Another nice feature is that the machine automatically sets an "ideal" stitch length/width. You can overide it but for the most part, the defalt is perfect, especially with the decorative stitches.
There are several decorative stiches; I haven't quite figured out the best way to put them to use but that's just my own lack of creativity.
One last nice feature is a built-in foot holder. In front of the free-arm is a flip-down compartment that has molded, labeled spots for all your feet. It comes with a standard foot, zipper foot, blind hem stitch foot, decorative stitching foot, overlock foot, button attacher foot, and buttonhole foot. Also in the compartment is a molded space for a seam ripper and 4 bobbins (included). I've found it nice to have all these feet in one spot. I have a couple specialty feet from my old Brother machine and they fit and work just fine on my new one. An added plus.
One note; this machine takes bobbins that are a bit thicker than older ones. Buy a bunch of new ones; they say old ones won't work.
All in all, I'm very happy. I'm glad I went with this model and would buy again.
***edited to add: my one gripe about this machine is that the built in lights are lacking. My old machine put out quite a lot of light; this one is MUCH dimmer.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Brother PC-210 PRW Limited Edition Project Runway Sewing Machine

Create hip, fashion-forward clothing like that seen on the runway with this Limited Edition Project Runway sewing machine. The unit comes equipped with great tools for both beginners and experienced seamstresses alike, who are inspired to create their own couture creations fit to pass the critical eye of the most discerning diva. With the touch of a button, the computerized sewing machine's LED screen displays the stitch pattern number. The needle-position change function allows for moving the needle to the left or center, making it easy to sew fabric at the precise point for a needed stitch. In addition, the Quick-Set bobbin ensures fast and effortless sewing without worry, and all 50 stitches are available for reference whenever needed to make that next stitch. The machine also provides five styles of one-step automatic buttonholes, automatic reverse/reinforcement stitch and needle-stop position control, and presser-foot pressure adjustment and a presser-foot leveling button. Other highlights include stitch length and width control, a large sewing work area, six-point feed dogs for feeding all types of material, and an advanced needle-threading system. A hard cover comes included for storing when not in use. The sewing machine measures 17-1/3 by 7-7/8 by 11-2/5 inches and carries a 25-year limited warranty, a 1-year labor warranty, and a 2-year electronics warranty.

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7/26/2011

Brother PC-420 PRW Limited Edition Project Runway Sewing Machine Review

Brother PC-420 PRW Limited Edition Project Runway Sewing Machine
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
This a nice machine. I read the manual through once and was able to sew on it with confidence. I usually have trouble getting used to a new machine. It's very quiet and sews like a dream. There are many features that most seamstress' would love. My favorites are the automatic threader, the adjustable sewing speed (you can go real slow when working on something intricate), the auto thread cutter and the one touch reverse stitch. There are so many more features that I haven't used yet. I've only found one thing I don't like and that is the automatic presser foot lift and lower feature. There is a metal bar thing that goes under your sewing table and you use your knee to raise and lower the foot. It's kind of hard to do although I'm sure it would get easier with practice. I just do it manually. This is a solid, well built machine. I was using a $700 Husqvarna. Boy did I get ripped off when I bought that one. This machine can do so much more and was almost half the price. I did a lot of research looking for a new machine. Consumer reports recommended a different "Project Runway" machine. I looked everywhere but couldn't find one to purchase. I came across this machine and found it was similiar to the other but with more features. So I started reading reviews about it by people who purchased it. I could not find one bad review! That tells me all I need to know. If you're considering this machine you can buy it with confidence. It is a fantastic sewing machine at a fantastic price!!!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Brother PC-420 PRW Limited Edition Project Runway Sewing Machine

Fuel that creative impulse to fashion customized clothing with this Limited Edition Project Runway machine. Complete with a wide array of built-in stitches, the computerized sewing machine allows both novice sewers and professional designers to create fashionable projects tailored toward their unique preferences. Choose from 294 utility and decorative stitches, including 10 styles of one-step automatic buttonholes and 3 lettering styles, each with 55 alphanumeric characters. With Direct Stitch Selection buttons, pre-programmed stitches are ready to use with the simple touch of a button. Even more, the machine offers My Custom Stitch creation program--a must-have for all designing sewers. Design stitches using the built-in LCD panel, and save them to the machine's memory, ensuring quick access for treasured designs. In addition, the programmable thread trimmer cuts the upper and lower thread at the end of each task. Other highlights include direct 10-key stitch selection and an LCD screen, an advanced needle-threading system, twin needle function, digital stitch length and width control, and a built-in knee lift that raises the presser foot in order to reposition or remove fabric. A hard cover, quilting foot, and walking foot come included. The sewing machine measures 17-1/3 by 7-7/8 by 11-2/5 inches and carries a 25-year limited warranty, a 1-year labor warranty, and a 2-year electronics warranty.

Buy NowGet 35% OFF

Click here for more information about Brother PC-420 PRW Limited Edition Project Runway Sewing Machine

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