Confused husband is confused - ie, which sewing machine do I buy my wife!?

Hi!

So I was googling the difference between two particular sewing machines, which lead me here. I've been trying to clue myself up on which sewing machine to buy my wife for Christmas and it was all going to be sneaky sneaky then surprise! on Christmas day, but she mentioned to me that she wanted to buy her sister a sewing machine for Christmas too, and as they sew / quilt together I thought I'd better let her in on my plan.

She currently uses her mothers machine which is an old Bernina. I went to the Bernina site to see what they had / prices etc, and just about died. $6000 for a 'basic' machine!?!? Ouch.

We went looking today at Spotlight, but as my wife and her sister are novices (and obviously I am too) we just had to believe the sales lady there. I hate doing that. I like to be better informed.

My wife and her sister have just got into quilting, but want something that they can do basic mending etc on as well.

We looked at a few machines and she likes the Brother NS30. It's currently $480 (NZD), down from $599. There was also a Toyota machine that was ~$100 more. I've also come across a janome 5027LE at a similar price.

Basically, what I want to know is, what would you recommend?

I don't want her to find in a few years time that her machine isn't meeting her needs anymore, nor do we want to break the bank. I'm happy with $500, or $600 (if it really makes more sense).

Thoughts?

Janome is my preferred brand but I mainly do the odd sewing job and mending. I have done a little quilting on it and mum was able to get the extra walking foot (needed for quilting) and 1/4 inch foot reasonably easily.
I've heard bernina's and brothers are good too. Not heard good reports about Toyota brand sewing machines or good ones for that matter.

I have the Brother Innovis 950. I love it, but it is a sewing/embroidery machine. Although it does have quilting functions. Mine was approx $800 from my local brother dealer. As long as the brother has auto threader and thread cut its probably fine. Computerised with LCD is nice as you can preview stitch patterns and adjust as needed :-) Brother is a good brand though- I had another before this one and neither have ever skipped a beat :-)

Thanks for your response.

I was leaning toward the Janome, so its good to hear from an unbiased and clued up person that that is the right way to go. Looking at a couple of second hand machines from a sewing shop. Particularly these two:


Any thoughts?

:

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I have the Brother Innovis 950. I love it, but it is a sewing/embroidery machine. Although it does have quilting functions. Mine was approx $800 from my local brother dealer. As long as the brother has auto threader and thread cut its probably fine. Computerised with LCD is nice as you can preview stitch patterns and adjust as needed :-) Brother is a good brand though- I had another before this one and neither have ever skipped a beat :-)

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Hmm ok. All taken into account! Thanks. :D

Hey, sorry moderator.

I obviously shouldn't have posted those links. I'm not the seller, promise!

:D

So those links were - A new Janome MyStyle 5027LE and a used (serviced with 1 year warranty) Janome DC2050. Both at $499.

Which would be best?

I have the Janome mystyle, though as it's a number of years old, it's not exactly the same, but it's always been a reliable machine.

I have the second one and I love it for regular sewing. Don't quilt with it though.
The parts are easy enough to come by (I believe quilters need a few extra feet) and you can get a quilting table that attaches.

Best advise would be to go down to a local dealer and ask in person though.

Brought the Janome DC2050. Wifey is very happy!