Nacktschnecken omlet Cube

[Parsley]

I have decided to splash my Christmas money on a new sewing machine and would appreciate some guidance.

At the moment I have a very basic one which I use to do simple alterations, cushions, curtains and the odd (sometimes very odd!) bit of dresmaking.

I would like to branch out to do a bit of patchwork and quilting and have decided after checking this Forum to go for a Janome but am confused by all the different models. I have a budget of £200 to £300.

What features do I need to look for and do I go computerised or electronic - and what is the difference!

Thank you for your help!

[Mrs Webmuppet]

I have just been through this myself.

 

In the end I bought a Janome 720 Jem Platinum ,it came with a quilting kit ( apparently the kit has all the feet I will ever need for quilting). I can recommend Sew Creative in Bury St Edmunds. The staff were really nice and let me and Little Miss Webmuppet play with the demo model for as long as we wanted.The machine cost £299. Heres the link the price has gone up since I bought my machine.

 

 

 

http://www.sewcreative.co.uk/janome.htm

[Valkyrie]

You will need a walking foot so that the material moves through the machine evenly. Also there is a foot that measures quarter of an inch margin for piecing your patches. A darning foot is used for quilting. I can't think of anything else at the moment.

[Plum]

You need to be able to drop the feed dogs for free machine quilting which you will want to do after a bit, I haven't used a needle plate cover but understand its not as good.

 

It helps to have a needle up and needle down position so you can pivot your work.

Other things I would look for is a reasonable amount of room under the arm for your work and perhaps a presser foot you can vary the pressure with. Reverse stitch for finishing and starting.

A computerised one remembers your settings and stitch length etc but I never bother with that feature. Some have loads of stitches but I rarely go beyond straight and zigzag even though I have done loads of patchwork and quilting.

 

Have fun looking