Know Thy Machine Blog Hop

Hi, I’m Janice and I’m very excited to be a part of the Know Thy Machine Blog Hop!  After you read all about me and my sewing machines, head over to Shruti’s blog for a giveaway! You could win a $50 gift card to Fat Quarter Shop!

Let’s jump right in!

1. What machine(s) do you have? Brand and Model.

I probably have too many machines (if you can ever have TOO many!)  They are:

1. Juki TL-2000Qi which I just got YESTERDAY.
2. Janome/New Home JNH1860.
3. Viking Overlock Machine.
4. Singer Domestic machine.  I don’t remember the model number, but it’s a basic classroom machine from the 1990’s.  I need to have it repaired as a back-up machine.
5.  Two Antique Singer Featherweights.  One is a beautiful condition, and one I am painting cherry red and rebuilding (my little pet project).

2. When and where did you buy it? What were the reasons for selecting this(these) particular model(s). What was its approximate cost.

I purchased my Janome 1860 at a Janome dealer in Santa Rosa, CA.  We had just moved and the movers DROPPED my Singer, so I was given insurance money to purchase a new machine.  I did a lot of research and I knew I wanted a Janome.   I wasn’t planning on getting something fancy and computerized (I am used to sewing on very basic straight-stitch industrial machines), but I really liked it when I tried it out in the store and it was within my $350 budget.

I adore this machine for garment making but you can see it leaves a lot to be desired for quilting.  It’s isn’t even set into a table.  Can you believe I have free-motion quilted huge quilts with it?  I have an aching back to prove it!

That leads me to my Juki TL-2000Qi:

I just purchased the Juki and took it out of the box yesterday.  I was looking for something with a large extension table (since I sew on my dining room table), fast (1500 SPM), and a larger harp space.  I also wanted something that I can eventually set into a quilting frame.

I originally looked at the Janome 1600P-QC, which has many of the same features, but it was more expensive and didn’t come with the extension bed, darning foot or walking foot, like the Juki does.  I paid $799 for my machine and it was a great deal!  It is slightly different from the Juki 2010Q, because it doesn’t have variable speed control, but I decided to save $100 and just control the speed with the foot pedal (I figure I do that while I’m driving ALL the time!)

Here are the machines next to each other, so you can see the size difference!

3. What do you like about your machine? Have you named it? Have you made a cover for it?

My favorite part of the Juki is that big, beautiful extension bed and 9″ harp space.

I am still getting used to handing such a fast machine, but here is the quilt I am working on right now:

Quilting is now a delight and not such a wrestling match!

I am also in awe at the automatic thread cutter.  I LOVE being able to cut the threads just by pushing my heel down on the foot pedal.

I haven’t named my machine.  I just asked my 3 year-old son what we should name it and he said “Emma”. That just HAPPENS to be his sister’s name, so I think she may have a problem with that.  I am adding a fun quilted sewing machine cover on my to-do list.  If this huge, monster of a machine is going to be sitting on my dining room table, I should probably dress it up a bit.

4. Does your machine give you any problems? Could you tell us a few?

I haven’t had any problems with my Janome or with my Juki, so far, except that I really want them to come with magical, never-ending, bobbins. Who wants to invent one?

5. What do you sew on it mainly? Quilts, Clothes, Bags etc. How much time do you spend sewing on it? What are the features of the machine that help you improve your work?

I mainly sew quilts and children’s clothing. Here are a few items I have made with my Janome:

I do want to try a bag next year (I have the pattern for Amy Butler’s Weekender Bag waiting to be made).

I’m not sure how much time I spend on my machines.  Some days a couple hours, some days I don’t get in any sewing at all.  I have two small children, so any crafty-time is very dear.  I have a sewing room above our garage, but I keep the machine in the dining room, so I can get more time in.  I COULD use the sewing room at night, when my husband is home, but I’ve seen WAY too much “American Horror Story” and I actually get really creeped out being up there alone in the dark!

The bigger harp space and speed of the Juki definitely helps me with my quilting, but it will never replace the Janome for garment sewing.  I love having the free-arm, so I can sew in tiny little toddler sleeves and zig-zag on appliques.

6. What advice would you give others when deciding about which machine to buy?

Research, talk to sewing friends and go try machines out! It also helps to make a list of the features you really want in a machine and set a budget, so you can tell the dealer what you are looking for. I got my Janome from a small Mom & Pop shop and they were very helpful in showing me what was in my budget and they often include a class in how to use your new machine.

7. Will you share with us a special memory associated with your machine?

I made my children’s baby quilts and clothing on my Janome.

8. If you had unlimited resources in the world, which machine would you choose to buy and why?

If I had unlimited space and resources, I would have a long-arm machine.  I’m not sure what brand, since I won’t even let myself look at them:)

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Thanks for stopping by and happy sewing!