Sewing machines (again!)

[Lady Moonlight]

I'm after some recommendations if any of you lovely ladies might be able to help

I want to replace my current machine but I'm lost with all the choice out there at the moment. Budget is between £150-200. I've been shortlisting some criteria and wondered what machine might be best suited to my needs.

My wish list is:

Top loading bobbin
Twin needle sewing
Adjustable foot pressure
Snap on feet

The Janome DM2000 looks like it might fit the bill but it is at the top end of my budget so I wondered if there was another machine with all of the above but a bit cheaper!

Any advice or recommendations would be really appreciated

Sue x

[suki]

I was gong to recommend the Janome too.. I borrowed one from a friend recently and it's a really nice little machine.

[jan]

hard cover

free arm - most have this anyway

[Lady Moonlight]

Any comments on the Brother BC2100?

I don't think it has the adjustable foot pressure but as I tend to only do dressmaking, I'm wondering if that matters.

I've heard some good things about it but wanted to find out if anyone has personal experience

Thank you!

[laymon]

I've got the Janome DM2000 and it's fab

Sorry I can't recommend anything else, I've only ever had old machines that you can't buy anymore and this one.

[Lady Moonlight]

Can anyone tell me if the Brother Innovis 10A is a good machine please?

I'm really struggling with this decision as it's quite an investment at the moment and I really want to get the best machine I can for my meagre funds!

[suki]

A friendf of mine has the Innovis 30 and says its a realy ood machine...(she runs workshops and so has lots of different macihnes) I dont know about the ten though.

Id be really wary about the cheaper machines though, if you could possibly do it, I'd go for either a good second hand one for the lower end of your budget or try stretching to your top end. I know how hard that is, but with machines I truly thik you pay for what you get. (My opinion only , maybe other people think differently )

[Lady Moonlight]

Thanks Suki.

I spoke to a local sewing shop today and they recommended the Janome 4618 or the Brother Innovis 10A and said both would be perfectly suitable.

As I was a phone contact, I don't think it would have been in her interest to mislead me so I'm leaning towards the Brother simply because I can buy one at a reasonable price with a 12 year warranty.

I've just said to Mr LM that I can't fathom why I am creating such a drama over this. It's only a flipping sewing machine Any machine I buy is going to be completely different to my very old and ancient Bernina. It's just a shame that my budget won't stretch to a new Bernina!

[suki]

It' sad when something so good breaks isn't it. Still, I hope your new machine will be fun to use too.. they do make superb machines these days!! I'd be interested to know what you think of it when you get it as Im hoping to buy myself a machine at some point to go alongside my industrial monster

[Lady Moonlight]

Suki, I'm ashamed to admit that there really isn't anything that wrong with my Bernina. I just wanted a new toy and it seems like a good investment. I'm trying to work out the logistics of sewing with a bump now!

I've gone for the Brother as it really seemed like such a good deal and the machine was recommended to me. I'll just have to see how I get on with it but am more than happy to review it when it's arrived and I've had a play