question for the advanced sewers on sewing machines?

Question

i bought a brother xl-3510 sewing machine and its nice and all... and a neighbor of mine offered me her janome sewist-905, apparently 350 retail price and she got it for 150 on sale. now i bought the brother at about 150, and im wondering whether i should get the janome and sell the brother machine?? i havnt used it much, but i like that it has more decorative stitches than the janome.. however ive heard good things about janome. i am a senior in high school, pretty experienced sewer and i hope to go to FIT for fashion design, so i want to have a good durable, portable machine to lug around, that can help me with whatever more projects ill have in the future... should i keep my brother or buy the janome?

Answer 1

To be perfectly honest, if you can afford it, you should own both. You'll have to give your main machine up once a year for a week for tuning and cleaning, so it's nice to have a spare. And if one machine breaks, the other is there as backup. I have several machines and I use them all.
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Answer 2

I've had my Janome 10001 for about 4 years now.
I like to do new exciting sewing so far, my janome has had all the tools I need to be able to sew (and embroidery) everything just perfectly. Its a steady work horse that has never in 4 years let me down. And considering that I drag it to embroidery class clear across town 2 times a month I think that's doing very well. I do get serviced still. We have had no other need for service.
I don't know if your like me. One year I was really into heirloom sewing and I used those stitches alot. the next was the embroidery learning all about that. BytW I use Embird rather than pay the price for customizer. this year finds me sewing alot of costumes so thats just sewing in general with some designs done on the heirloom side and some done in embroidery. I love reproducing an old lace pattern,
One other big advantage the Janomes has is their very quite
sound when the are running. I adore that. 2ed would be that they are built like workhorses they just keep going with out any problems. 3ed They give you enough stuff on the machines, you will never be bored.
I don't have anything Brother so I can't say anything about that one. So, best wishes for deciding.

Answer 3

Janome is a good brand, but so is Brother. Think about why you like it better. Both are made in Japan. If the extra decorative stitches is what you like, then look around at other machines that have more decorative stitches before you commit to this model. There are so many great sewing machines now, that you should do your homework before laying your money down. Eurpoean made machines have a better track record than Japan and Taiwan made. Always go to computerized if you can. Most sewing machine dealers have great deals on used machines and give you a warranty with them. Check around before you jump in because you tried one other model and thought it better than yours.

Answer 4

i have a brother machine, 2 actually a new one xl 3500t and one that's dated in 1947... I have pfaff130 1942, singer 66 1949 and two more singers Athena 2000 and a singer 1970 something lovely stitches. I have used janome and I love it but still my favorite is the older machines work horses they are but for dresses and easy stuff my brother takes a lick and keeps ticking.
the Janome is a better machine but with love and care the brother last long time also.

Get you that dream machine, go to goodwill and get a iron work horse not as much stitches but they can last FOREVER!
Pay next to nothing get it cleaned and then you have 2 ....

Just remember to check warrenty, how long you plan to have and what you plan to use it for.

Answer 5

You have your wish list. Now visit as many dealers as you can - all the brand they sell are good brands. Tell them you want to do garment construction and that an adjustable blind hem feature is a must, as well as a well sewn buttonhole. Take a button with you just in case they do not have one for the demo. They will demo the machines and then let you take a test drive. I have found it is best to buy from a dealer that you like and the rest will fall into place. I went shopping for a top of the line Bernina and was turned off by the dealer. I then went to a dealer that I really liked and purchased a top of the line Babylock and it has been a super fantastic sewing machine.

Answer 6

Hello and good luck with your future plans, Ive had a Janome for many years, I had thought of trading it in for a newer model with lots of newer patterns, but then i decided that the patterns i had on this machine, were hardly ever used, fashion designs just dont need a lot of fiddly bits mostly just good straight sewing, Oh and a overlocker is a must i find, it really comes down to what you are going to be making and if you really need all those extras,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, so hope you sort it out happily
Fran

Answer 7

I highly recommend Janome of any style. they have an outstanding warranty on thier machines. I think that you would be well advised to get the janome. that sounds like a great deal... i have just purchased my second janome machine and i absolutely LOVE IT!

Answer 8

Will you actually *use* the decorative stitches?

Me, I have additional machines just for occasional applications. My husband once asked if my "four Singers from the 60's" were the Beatles or the Fab Four ... now I'm tempted to expand the collection from 4 to 8 :-)

Yes, it's good to have a tote-around machine. Yes, it's good to have some fancy stitches ... me, I consider zig-zag and stretch-stitch and hem-stitch to be fancy stitches. I realize that there are now 100's beyond those.

Do you have secure space for two machines? If you do and you can afford them, go for it.