by Ayala Levinger, who blogs about her crafty projects here
Love it, hate it, or something in between? Love it! It is my second sewing machine. (My first sewing machine was also a new one -- a Toyota, which wasn't bad at all.)
When did you buy this sewing machine? January 2008.
When was it manufactured? I don't know, but it was new in the box when I bought it.
Where did you buy it? A sewing machine shop in eastern Netherlands. I bought the machine online (I live in western Netherlands).
How much did you pay for it? 345 euros.
How many projects have you done on this machine? Many -- I use it almost every day and I always have many projects going, all in different stages. I've made cushions and at least 2 quilts, 5 or 6 bags, and other little things such as gifts, scarves, pincushions, etc.
Describe the kind of work you've done with it. I make patchwork quilts. I use the quarter-inch foot and the needle position adjustment function in the sewing machine. I didn't have this function in my first sewing machine and it was difficult to sew the seam allowance accurately. I also quilt with the free-motion option and I make bags. I make wearable pieces with crazy quilt parts. Because these pieces should be washed sometimes, I crazy quilt with the machine. My machine has many decorative stitches and it is possible to use them in endless combinations! I love that and use it often.
What do you like and what do you hate about it?
The functions I like so far in this new machine:
* The needle position adjustment is perfect for a special 1/4 inch foot for accurate patchwork seams.
* Decorative stitches -- great for crazy quilting!
* The speed-adjustment so I can sew really really fast or realllllly slow, (or in the middle, of course).
* It is much quieter than the Toyota so I can sew when my son sleeps.
* Because the thread spool lies down instead of standing up, it never continues to roll after I've been sewing fast (which did happen with the Toyota).
* It is computerized and remembers things!
* I can choose from the start to have the needle stay down whenever I stop sewing! And with one button it goes up again.
* It has a little closet where I can put my bobbins, feet and -- most important -- the seam-ripper. The Toyota also had a closet but it was under this thing that you pull out when sewing sleeves. Now I can open it to find my stuff while sewing!
* It is beautiful to look at.
I haven't found things I don't like about it yet.
