The Destiny is the latest offering from Baby Lock. It was designed to replace the Elissimo Gold II and is such an intriguing machine that I actually visited two different dealers in order to prepare for this review.

Baby Lock Destiny BLDY

Before touching it, I attended a demonstration at Cynthia’s Fine Fabrics in Tamarac, Florida. Then within a week, I drove to Laura’s Sewing and Vacuum Center in Palm Beach Gardens to get a hands on experience.

While some people may think the extra effort was not really necessary, I am truly glad I took the time and went the extra mile(s). If I had skipped either of these experiences, I could very well have been left scratching my head and not really knowing how to present this review.

At A Glance

Tons of bright LED lights, which illuminate the entire work area

The Baby Lock Destiny is possibly the largest sewing machine for home use I have ever seen… with or without the embroidery unit attached. The good news is you do not have to remove the embroidery arm to sew.

In addition to its size, the next thin that caught my eye was the large brilliant full color LCD touch screen and the metallic highlights in the gold accent paint.

There is a laser pen and three USB ports on the right side of the machine as well as a headphone jack. More on that later.

The Baby Lock Destiny has a space under the lid where you can store bobbins and frequently used accessories like the three in one tool – a special three position screwdriver that makes it easy to change the needle, presser foot ankle and needle plate.

Laser pen and three USB ports on the right side

When the embroidery unit is not attached, you have the option of using the free arm or adding the extra-large flat workspace that includes two additional on board storage compartments.

The Baby Lock Destiny also has tons of bright LED lights, which illuminate the entire work area with extra lighting immediately above the needle, a stylus and large, conveniently placed, ergonomically designed keys that control the following functions:
• Start/stop
• Reverse
• Reinforcement stitch/stitch lock
• Needle up/down
• Thread cutter
• Presser foot up/down
• Variable speed slider
• Automatic needle threader

Features

Sewing features:

• 770 Built-in stitches including 149 Utility stitches
  • 15 one-step buttonholes
  • 1 four-step custom buttonhole
  • 442 Decorative stitches
  • 79 Decorative satin stitches
  • 20 Satin stitches
  • 17 Cross stitches
  • 63 Utility stitches
  • 5 Alphanumeric fonts
  • 30 Quilting stitches with 57 needle position options
• Adjustable stitch length and width
• Utility and decorative stitch editing
• 5 Memory settings for each Utility stitch
• Sew Utility and Decorative stitches while embroidery arm is attached
• Automatic drop feed on screen
• Mirror-image
• Lock key
• Reinforcement priority settings
• Lateral and diagonal feeding
• Variable needle positions
• Fully automatic built-in darning
• Twin needle settings
• 11.25″ to the right of the needle
• Start/stop button
• Reverse stitch
• Reinforcement key
• Needle up/down
• Thread cutter
• Automatic presser foot lift
• Automatic needle threading
• Variable speed control slider
• NeedleCam™ Digital Camera
• Edge sewing with NeedleCam Digital Camera
• IQ Designer with paper holding frame for image scanning
• Guide beam
• Needle beam sensor pen
• Enhanced stadium lighting with 5 settings
• Advanced pivoting
• Automatic fabric sensor system
• Automatic thread and hoop sensors
• Quick-set, top-loading bobbin with sensor
• Quick-set independent variable speed bobbin winding system with variable speed
• Ergonomic 3-position knee lift
• Programmable 3-step needle up/down
• Automatic thread cutter (with on/off capability)
• Needle plate with scale in inches and centimeters
• Multi-function foot control
• Free arm
• Two accessory storage compartments
• On board Operational Guide with up to 43 help topics and built-in videos
• Sewing Application Guide
• Help Messages
• Embroidery Stitch Count System – SCS
• Save settings screen images
• Updatable via software downloads
• Language conversion capabilities (12 languages)
• Baby Lock digital USB mouse

Embroidery features:

• 641 Embroidery designs
  • 316 Baby Lock exclusives including 37 Nancy Zieman designs
  • 15 Buttonhole embroidery designs in 3 sizes (45 total)
  • 15 Buttonhole embroidery frame designs
  • 160 Large decorative stitch designs
  • 14 Bobbin work embroidery designs
  • 140 Frame combinations
  • 27 font styles
  • Extra-large striped alphabet and characters (100 total)
  • Extra-large block alphabet and characters (100 total)
  • Exclusive script alphabet and characters (70 total)
  • Large floral alphabet (64 total)
  • Greek alphabet (24 total)
• Embroiders up to 9.5″ x 14″ (240mm x 360mm) embroidery field
• Memory capacity approximately 2MB
• Reads embroidery designs with a stitch capacity of up to 700,000 stitches per design
• Full color LCD Touch Screen shows
  • Design placement using drag/drop and slide/ scroll capabilities
  • Enhanced Realistic Preview
  • Design previews and needle position image can be enlarged 200%
  • Needle positioning grid
  • Estimated embroidery time display and stitch count
  • Needle advancement in 1, 10, 100, or 1000 stitch increments
  • Measurements displayed in inches or metrics
  • Color separation
  • Thread color indicator
  • On-screen hoop size indicator
  • Bobbin thread sensor
  • 300 color names
  • Screen saver customization
  • Thumbnail images viewed at 150% the normal size
• 9-Point trial check points
• Starting point key for instant alignment of characters or patterns
• Customize embroidery pattern and thumbnail back ground colors (66 options)
• On-screen grid
• Cuts jump stitches (with on/off capability)
• Embroider without removing the foot control
• Embroidery Editing Capabilities
• Combine embroidery designs on screen
• Character/text array
• Character spacing
• 0.1°, 1°, 10°, and 90° Pattern rotation
• Enhanced design enlargement and reduction ((up to 200% and down to 60%)
• Design duplication
• Automatic appliquê
• Automatic basting
• Mirror imaging
• Change color selections within designs
• Color sorting on border designs
• Monochrome option for embroidery designs
• Programmable custom thread color selection

Working on the Baby Lock Destiny BLDY

Three starting options – sewing, embroidery or IQ Designer

There are so many things to remember when it comes to working on the Baby Lock Destiny BLDY that I almost don’t know where to start. For starters, when you turn it on, you have three options… sewing, embroidery or IQ Designer.

The embroidery stitch menu contains a variety of on board embroidery designs by one of my favorite television sewing instructors, Nancy Zieman. Sewing with Nancy, her weekly PBS show is the longest running sewing program to date.

If it wasn’t for Kathy Stipe, the Baby Lock Regional Representative who ran the demonstration at Cynthia’s Fine Fabrics, I would not know half of what the Baby Lock Destiny is capable of doing.

The laser pen has a guide beam that not only pinpoints where a design or seam is to start and stop, it is also a great tool for creating professional quilt projects.

Variety of on board embroidery designs

The dual foot pedal has a small pedal attached to the left side – the side car – which can be programmed to perform one of several different functions… including cutting thread, reverse stitching, sewing a single stitch or raising or lowering the needle.

The Baby Lock Destiny BLDY has a digital dual feed, longer feed dogs and a motor driven walking foot which helps keep specialty fabrics and silks from slipping.

The multi-positional three in one screwdriver is one of the new innovations which makes removing and inserting screws at the needle, ankle and needle plate easier than ever.

There is also a couching foot and special thread guide that is attached to the upper left side of the machine, making it possible for you to work with yarn and ribbon.

The embroidery unit does not have to be removed when the Baby Lock Destiny is in the sewing mode. When sewing with the embroidery unit in place, the arm moves all the way to the left, giving you the largest workspace possible on a home sewing machine. When in the embroidery mode, the hoops slide onto and off of the unit and are clamped securely into place.

Dual foot pedal

The large embroidery hoops that are standard with the Baby Lock Destiny BLDY are reinforced and mare stable than any other hoop that is available with other home embroidery machines.

Digital dual feed

After a morning of watching a demonstration in a room filled with people who were as anxious to learn about the Baby Lock Destiny, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on one.

When I made the drive to Laura’s Sewing and Vacuum in Palm Beach Gardens, I was so eager to see the Destiny, I almost walked right past it. There it sat … right next to the door.

Large embroidery hoops

On board thread guides make threading the Baby Lock Destiny and winding the bobbin comfortingly easy… even if you are preparing to work with yarn or ribbon. The only difference is that the couching guide simply snaps into place on the top of the machine and you change the presser foot.

When embroidering, the machine not only stops to signal that it is time for a thread change, a light bar next to the spool pin even tells you what color thread to use next.

The on board camera and scanner are easy to use, making it possible for you to use the IQ Designer to transfer anything – line drawing, an illustration or an image from a computer file – to create practically any embroidery design you can imagine.

A light bar next to the spool pin tells what color thread to use next

For this review, I sampled several different decorative and utility stitches. Not only is this one of the quietest, most solidly built sewing machines, it is also one of the most comfortable machines I have ever worked on.

There is no neck, shoulder or back discomfort. The super bright on board lights virtually make eye strain impossible.

The stitch quality is excellent. You couldn’t ask for better quality stitches on any sewing machine … whether it’s made for use in the home or in a factory.

Stitch quality is excellent

Some sewing machines perform better at lower speed settings. I used each of the different speed settings and noticed no variation whatsoever in the Destiny’s performance or stitch quality.

Fabrics

• Natural fibers/cotton-linen-wool
• Fine fabrics/silk-satin-taffeta/velvet
• Knits
• Synthetic fabrics/blends-rayon-polyester
• Denim
• Leather/suede
• Fur
• Reptile skin
• Canvas/Twill
• Plastic/Rubber
• Extra thick fabrics or multiple layers

Accessories

Standard accessories:

• 16 Snap-on presser feet
  • Digital Dual-Feed System Foot
  • Couching sole for Digital Dual-Feed
  • Embroidery foot with LED pointer
  • General purpose zigzag
  • Blind stitch
  • Buttonhole
  • Button fitting
  • Free-motion open toe quilting
  • Free-motion quilting
  • Free-motion echo
  • Monogramming
  • Overcasting
  • ¼” Quilting foot with a guide
  • Straight stitch foot
  • Vertical stitch alignment foot
  • Zipper
• Sensor Pen and Holder
• Knee lifter with 3-position handle
• Stylus
• LCD cleaning cloth
• USB cable
• Easy-lock accessory case
• Multi-Function Foot Control
• Soft canvas cover with 3 storage pockets
• 2 Spool cone thread stand
• Yarn guide and yarn threader
• Straight stitch needle plate
• Bobbin case and cover
• Alternate bobbin case for pre-wound bobbins
• Cord guide bobbin cover
• Bobbin center pin
• Embroidery bobbin thread
• Extra bobbins
• Embroidery Positioning Stickers (4-Sheets of 64)
• White needle calibration stickers
• 6 Edge sewing sheets
• Multi-position screwdriver
• Presser foot adaptor
• Seam ripper
• Twin needle
• 4 Embroidery hoops and grids
  • 9.5″ x 14″ (240mm x 360mm)
  • 8″ x 12″ (200mm x 300mm)
  • 5″ x 7″ (130mm x 180mm)
  • 4″ x 4″ (100mm x 100mm)

Accessories

Maintenance

Tying Off The Loose Ends

The Baby Lock Destiny BLDY is not a machine for beginners and anyone who allows a child to work on a sewing machine like this is simply asking for trouble.

An intermediate or advanced home sewer would be fascinated by all that this machine can do. There is so much to learn about this machine that even if you have been sewing for many decades, you would want to make sure you take advantage of all the classes you can possibly attend.

I like the fact that the on board tutorials are actual live-action videos, complete with audio step by step instructions.

So much to learn about this machine

With so many brand new features, it is almost a natural expectation that certain bugs may have to be worked out after the Destiny has been in use under normal conditions in sewing rooms around the world.

Dave, co-owner of Laura’s Sewing and Vacuum told me that one downloadable update is already available to correct one minor item that has come to the attention of the manufacturer.

I thoroughly enjoyed working on the Destiny, and have no doubt that all the hype leading up to its unveiling was definitely well placed. In my humble opinion, all the great features certainly make this machine worth the selling price.

Of course, each independent dealer has flexibility in pricing and is more than willing and able to customize terms to accommodate practically anyone who wants to take this multi-faceted, much anticipated sewing, quilting and embroidery machine home.

I encourage anyone who is seriously interested in adding the Baby Lock Destiny to their home sewing room to make a point of visiting the nearest authorized Baby Lock dealer and ask for a demonstration.

Ever since starting work on this website, I’ve been wanting to review decent quality sewing machines for that were specifically designed for children.

Janome Hello Kitty 15822

After all, I got my very first sewing machine when I was just eight years old. That tiny green straight stitch only hand crank sewing machine was the beginning of a lifelong love affair between me and the art of sewing.

While visiting Ace Sewing and Vacuum in Pompano Beach, Florida, I was at long last able to review the 21st Century version of my first sewing machine – the Hello Kitty 15822 by Janome.

At A Glance

Even without the bright primary colors, the familiar kitten face and the words “Hello Kitty” emblazoned across the front of this lightweight sewing machine, the large dials and bright red and blue accents are dead giveaways that this sewing machine was made with the very young home sewer in mind.

The Hello Kitty 15822 has three large dials across the front. From left to right, they are the stitch selection dial, the stitch width adjustment dial and the stitch length adjustment dial.

Three large dials across the front

There is also a dial above the needle that controls the tension adjustment and an on board needle threader. The thread guides are clearly marked, leaving no room for mistakes when winding the bobbin or threading the machine.

The front loading bobbin is situated behind the removable accessories storage case and the oversized reverse stitch lever is on front of the machine at the lower edge on the right side.

When the accessories compartment is in place, it gives your youngster plenty of space to work on. Once it’s removed, the free arm gives your little home sewer the freedom of sewing small things, like doll clothes, sleeve hems, pants cuffs, collars and the like.

The front loading bobbin is situated behind the removable accessories storage case

There is even an easy to understand seam guide on the needle plate. If my first sewing machine had a seam guide like this one, learning fractions would have been a whole lot easier.

Features

• Front loading vertical oscillating hook bobbin
• 22 Utility and decorative stitches
• 1 one-step buttonhole
• Manual thread tension control
• Built-in needle threader
• 3-piece feed dog
• Free arm
• Reverse lever
• Declutch bobbin winder
• Extra high presser foot lift
• Stitch selection dials
• Adjustable stitch length and width
• On board thread cutter
• On board needle threader
• On board accessory storage

Working on the Janome Hello Kitty 15822

I approached this review as someone who was in the market for a child between the ages of five and nine. Working on the Janome Hello Kitty 15822 was a fun experience in that it is not only very easy to use, it is also designed to make learning to sew a fun experience.

Easy to follow, kid friendly guides take young fashionistas through the threading steps of winding the bobbin and threading the Hello Kitty 15822 in such a simple way that even a five year old will be able to master these tasks after just a little bit of supervision.

I’m not crazy about the fact that the accessories case must be removed in order to gain access to the bobbin case. But the front loading bobbin, once you get to it, is very easy for children to work with and understand. There are actually four dials, all of which are very easy to understand and even easier to turn.

The upright numerical dial just above the needle is for adjusting the tension; the dial with the apple in the center surrounded by the letters A through L is the stitch selection dial; the center dial, with a picture of a flower is the stitch width selection dial; and the dial all the way to the right, with the bowtie, is used to adjust the length of the stitches.

The Hello Kitty 15822 has an on board stitch selection card which attaches to the top of the machine head, giving your little one immediate access to a graphic display of all the available stitch choices. All that is needed to gain access to a desired stitch option is to turn the dial to the corresponding letter.

The quality of the stitches produced by the Hello Kitty 15882 is very, very good. I wouldn’t really compare I with a full sized machine designed for use by adults, but for a child’s machine, the stitches are better than those produced by nearly all of the other sewing machines designed specifically for use by children.

Very good qualiy of stitches

Unlike many of the other children’s sewing machines I have reviewed, the Hello Kitty 15822 delivers stitches that are sturdy and secure, leaving no question whatsoever that they may come apart even before you move away from the sewing table.

Fabrics

• Natural fibers/cotton-linen-wool
• Fine fabrics/silk-satin-taffeta/velvet
• Knits
• Synthetic fabrics/blends-rayon-polyester
• Denim
• Leather/suede
• Fur
• Reptile skin
• Canvas/Twill
• Plastic/Rubber
• Extra thick fabrics or multiple layers

Accessories

• 4 Clip on presser feet
• Multi-purpose zigzag
• Zipper
• Buttonhole
• Button
• Lint brush
• Seam ripper
• Scissors
• Extra bobbins
• Extra needles
• Screwdriver
• Owner’s manual

Accessories box

Maintenance

Tying Off The Loose Ends

The Hello Kitty 15822 (official Janome page) is a great sewing machine for the very young child who wants to learn to sew. Learning to sew on this machine is bound to be a fun experience … and the things your child makes will be around for more than a few weeks.

The bright primary colors, large, easy to manipulate controls and the familiar Hello Kitty motif are welcoming to children under the ages of nine or ten.

I wouldn’t recommend purchasing this for a child ten or older simply because most children that age will be outgrowing the Hello Kitty phase. I say that with the full knowledge and awareness that some girls in their teens are still very much into Hello Kitty.

The best way to determine whether or not to give a Hello Kitty to an older child is to know that child personally and to have a very clear idea of whether or not she is still a Hello Kitty diva.

The Hello Kitty 15882 is economically priced so that even if the child you are shopping for has not indicated any interest in sewing, you will not feel as though you wasted your money if it turns out that there is no real interest in sewing after the first few months.

With a machine as easy to learn and dependable as this one, however, you just might be the catalyst behind another person getting bitten by the sewing bug.

Wouldn’t it be great if it turned out that you laid the groundwork for a lifelong tradition of sewing with your daughter or granddaughter just by giving a simple gift like the Hello Kitty 15822?

I remember lengthy hours of bonding with my aunt and grandmothers over sewing projects. Even when health challenges made them quit sewing altogether, we continued to share ideas and bond over sewing.

When my own granddaughter was just four years old, I sat her on my lap and guided her little hands as I taught her how to make an elastic waist skirt. From there, she insisted upon making something every time she came to visit.

She’s in her 20s now and although she doesn’t sew much anymore, some of our best times together still take place in my sewing room. Just imagine the strong bonds you can build with your own children and grandchildren in the sewing room… and it can all start with the gift of a sewing machine of their own.

If you are going to give a sewing machine to a young person in your life, I recommend the Hello Kitty 15822 for the very young sewer. This fun machine is a perfect introduction to a lifetime of great sewing experiences filled with memories of good times with the person who gave it to them.

When I reviewed the Hello Kitty 18750 at Ace Sewing and Vacuum in Pompano Beach, Florida, my belief that computerized sewing machines should not be used by children was shaken.

Hello Kitty 18750

When you are in the market for a sewing machine for a child, you want to make sure you are getting one that is not only easy to learn, but you want the most user friendly machine you can find. This is possibly the most kid friendly computerized sewing machine I have seen.

At A Glance

Without the Hello Kitty logo and lettering, this machine looks an awful lot like the Janome 3160 QDC. The 3160 QDC is a somewhat different machine in that it has a few more stitch options and is built to handle thick quilting jobs.

The dimensions and many of the features, however, appear to be the same. The Hello Kitty 18750 has a stitch selection guide on the front column, a backlit monochromatic LCD screen, a start/stop button, needle up/down button, reverse stitch button and a variable speed slider which uses pictures of a tortoise at the slowest position and a hare to indicate the highest speed rather than the arrow graphics you find on machines built for adult use.

A variable speed slider which uses pictures of tortise and hare

It also has an easy to follow threading guide and an on board accessories case which when removed, gives the user access to a functional free arm and four directional buttons next to the LCD screen to assist with stitch selection and stitch length and width adjustment.

There is a thread cutter on the side of the machine, as well as a see through bobbin cover and the needle plate has a seam guide to the right of the needle.

Features

• 50 stitches
• 3 one-step buttonholes
• Manual tension adjustment
• One-hand needle threader
• Slide-On presser feet
• Needle up/down button
• 7-piece feed dog
• Free arm
• Drop feed
• Start/stop button
• Variable speed control slider
• Lock stitch
• Reverse stitch
• Auto-declutch bobbin winder
• Extra high presser foot lift
• Monochromatic LCD screen
• Jam-proof horizontal full rotary bobbin
• Adjustable stitch length and width

Features

Working on the Hello Kitty 18750

A youngster who has never before touched a sewing machine will be able to learn how to wind the bobbin and thread the Hello Kitty 18750 with ease.

Winding the bobbin and threading is easy

Making a stitch selection is as easy as touching the directional buttons next to the backlit LCD screen. Each stitch is shown on the column with a numerical assignment.

Stitch selection is easy

To select a stitch, first use the left or right directional button until the underscore is highlighted in the correct position. Then press the up or down button until the number you want appears. Repeat the process for the second position and sew.

If you want to change the default settings for the stitch length or width, merely use the left right directional buttons until the length or width setting is highlighted, the use the up and down buttons to adjust the length or width upward or downward.

The settings are adjusted in increments of .1, an ideal feature, especially when you consider the fact that this is a machine built for use by a child.

The quality of the stitches is comparable to those made on a machine designed and built for an adult… a major advantage for those older kids who might be taking their Hello Kitty 18750 with them when they go away to college.

I like the way this machine feels. The Hello Kitty 18750 definitely doesn’t feel like a sewing machine that was made for children. It is a bit on the noisy side and vibrates a little, but nevertheless has a solid feel to it.

Good stitch quality

It bears repeating here… if the Hello Kitty logo and name were not on the front, it could be easily mistaken for a variation of the Janome 3160QDC.

Fabrics

• Natural fibers/cotton-linen-wool
• Fine fabrics/silk-satin-taffeta/velvet
• Knits
• Synthetic fabrics/blends-rayon-polyester
• Denim
• Leather/suede
• Fur
• Reptile skin
• Canvas/Twill
• Plastic/Rubber
• Extra thick fabrics or multiple layers

Accessories

• 4 Presser feet
  • Zipper foot
  • Buttonhole foot
  • Zigzag foot
  • Button foot
• Extra bobbins
• Spool pin felt
• Extra needles
• Extra bobbins
• Seam ripper
• Screwdriver
• Lint brush
• Small spool holder
• Large spool holder
• Spool stand
• Instruction manual
• Soft cover

Accessories Box

Maintenance

Tying Off The Loose Ends

The Hello Kitty 18750 (official Janome page) is definitely a good option for someone nine or ten years of age or older. This sewing machine is not what I would necessarily call a child’s machine, but of course the Hello Kitty logo and name clearly say that it is.

I like the way it handles. Faye Nicholl, owner of Sunshine Sewing and Quilting in Margate, Florida, told me that she taught her seven year old granddaughter to sew on a Janome 3160QDC.

When she first shared this info with me, I concluded that the little girl only learned to sew on this particular machine because her grandma is a sewing machine maven and held fast to my belief that children should not be allowed to work on computerized sewing machines.

However, after taking a very close look at the Hello Kitty 18750 and comparing it with the 3160QDC, I can see how teaching a youngster to sew on a computerized sewing machine is not only possible, but actually easy to do.

I do not believe little ones younger than seven or eight should be allowed to work on a computerized sewing machine, however. Their little fingers and hands are far better suited for mechanical or electronic machines like the Hello Kitty 15822.

With this in mind, I think the computerized Hello Kitty 18750 is a better choice for the older child. I have seen people in middle and high school with Hello Kitty merchandise.

Having a computerized sewing machine with Hello Kitty emblazoned across the front is more than likely a fashion statement for someone in middle or high school.

So, if you are thinking about purchasing a computerized sewing machine for an older child, take a look at the Hello Kitty 18750. It is affordable; lightweight enough to carry to class and to the dorm; is easy to learn and to maintain; brings computer technology to the sewing room; and the Hello Kitty accents make it a trendy choice.

Purchasing a first sewing machine for someone may seem like an inconsequential act. Far from it. The truth is the first sewing machine a person works on has a great impact upon whether they like to sew or not.

If the young person you are shopping for has never used a sewing machine before, it is entirely possible that working on a machine that is overly complicated or one of inferior quality will turn them against sewing before they even begin.

The gift of a computerized Hello Kitty sewing machine will have the exact opposite effect. In fact, they just might decide that they want to be the next Project Runway All-Star. Receiving a well-made, dependable high performance sewing machine as a gift when they are still very young could make all the difference in the world.

Why not call or visit your local Janome dealer and ask for a demonstration of the Hello Kitty 18750. The staff will be more than happy to assist you.

While visiting Ace Sewing and Vacuum in Pompano Beach, Florida, I came across the Brother Innov-is NX 570Q, a Quilt Club sewing and quilting machine.

Brother Innov-is NX 570Q Quilter’s Club

This is the most recent addition to the Brother family of sewing and quilting machines that I had been reading about for a few months. Getting a chance to review this much talked about machine was real treat.

At A Glance

Keypad has icons depicting the basic utility stitches

In a way, the Brother Innov-is NX 570Q sort of looks like it should be a quilting machine. I can’t pinpoint the precise feature that gave me that impression, but even without the words “Quilt Club” and the cute patchwork design on the lower right hand side of the machine head, this machine seems to be shouting ‘quilt’.

Perhaps it’s the slightly larger than usual work space. The particular model I reviewed was not on display with the optional extension table, but the standard quilting foot was, in fact attached.

There is also a small backlit monochromatic LCD screen that displays the stitch settings, along with information regarding the proper presser foot and default length and width settings for the selected stitch option.

An on board stitch selection guide is mounted on top of the machine and the keypad on the column has icons depicting the basic utility stitches. To the left of the numerical stitch selection keys are the menu keys.

Above these buttons are directional buttons that are used for adjusting the stitch length and width along with function keys that allow the user to cut the thread, program the needle to stop in the up or down position, to sew in reverse mode or to lock stitch the stitches at the beginning and/or end of a seam, and to set the machine to sew in the twin needle mode. Beneath the ‘Quilt Club’ label is the space for connecting the knee lift.

On the left side, you will find a seam guide etched onto the needle plate… on the right side of the needle only, a ruler marked in inches and centimeters and an on board accessories case that when removed gives you access to the free arm. Above the needle are another series of function buttons… start/stop, reverse/lock stitch, needle up/down, thread cut, and a variable speed slider.

A ruler marked in inches and centimeters

If you think you read that the needle up/down, thread cut and reverse/lock stitch functions are also accessible on the right side of the machine you are right. I’ll discuss my thoughts on this duplication when we Tie Off the Loose ends below.

Features

• 129 on board utility and decorative stitch options
• 10 one-step buttonholes
• 3 alphanumeric fonts
• On board stitch selection guide
• Function buttons
  • Needle up/down
  • Twin needle function
  • Start/stop
  • Thread cutting
  • Reverse/lock stitch
• Variable speed slider
• On board accessory storage
• Free arm
• My Custom Stitch™
• Automatic needle threader
• 10 Memory pockets
• Automatic Height Adjuster™ AHA®
• Adjustable presser foot
• Presser foot leveling
• Automatic presser foot lifter
• Pivot function
• Drop feed/free-motion

Working on the Brother Innov-is NX 570Q Quilter’s Club

Following the easy to understand threading guides and winding the bobbin on the Brother Innov-is NX 570Q Quilter’s Club sewing and quilting machine is simple enough for someone who has never before used a sewing machine to master on the first attempt.

Easy to understand threading guides and winding the bobbin

Lever on the left side that is simply pushed down once the thread is in position above the needle

The automatic needle threader is even more user friendly. There is a lever on the left side of the machine that is simply pushed down once the thread is in position above the needle.

The directions for properly inserting the bobbin are equally as easy to follow. The clear see through bobbin cover is ideal.

After the machine is threaded and the bobbin is in place, identifying the proper stitch is as simple as first referring to the stitch selection guide and then making the correct menu category selection.

Once you are in the desired menu, simply dial up the stitch number on the keypad.

An image of your stitch will then appear on the LCD screen along with details about the stitch default length and width settings and identification of the correct presser foot to use.

You can adjust the stitch length and width settings by using the directional buttons beneath the LCD screen.

Simply dial up the stitch number on the keypad for stitch slection

Having all of the accessories at your fingertips is a definite advantage. The placement of the drop feed, however, is a different matter.

When you want to lower or raise the drop feed, it is necessary to reach to the back of the free arm.

The good news is you can get to the drop feed control without having to remove the accessories case.

Most of the stitches produced by the Brother Innov-is NX 570Q Quilter’s Club sewing and quilting machine are very good.

However, when I attempted sampling some of the decorative stitches, they were not well defined at all.

Most of the other stitches that I sampled, however, came out fine. Since I did not go through all 129 stitch options, I cannot say with certainty how many of the 129 stitches will not come out as shown on the stitch selection guide.

Accessories at your fingertips

Good stitch quality

Fabrics

• Natural fibers/cotton-linen-wool
• Fine fabrics/silk-satin-taffeta/velvet
• Knits
• Synthetic fabrics/blends-rayon-polyester
• Denim
• Leather/suede
• Fur
• Reptile skin
• Canvas/Twill
• Plastic/Rubber
• Extra thick fabrics or multiple layers

Accessories

Standard Accessories :

• 13 Snap on presser feet
  • Buttonhole foot
  • Blindstitch foot
  • Zipper foot
  • Button fitting foot
  • Monogramming foot
  • Overcasting foot
  • Zigzag foot
  • Stitch guide foot
  • Quilting foot
  • Adjustable zipper foot
  • Non-stick foot
  • Quilting foot
  • Open toe foot
  • Walking foot
• Free-motion grip
• Knee lifter
• Stitch selection guide
• Accessory pouch containing
  • Needle set
  • Twin needle
  • Eyelet punch
  • 3 Screwdrivers (1 small/1 medium/1 large)
  • Quilting guide
  • Lint brush
  • Seam ripper
  • 4 Bobbins
  • Extra spool pin
  • 3 spool caps (1 small/1 medium/1 large)
  • Spool net
  • Disc screwdriver
• Hard cover
• Owner’s manual

Accessory pouch

Optional accessories :

• Extension table
• Quilting guide
• Side cutter
• ¼” Quilting foot with guide
• ¼” Quilting foot

Maintenance

Tying Off The Loose Ends

The Brother Innov-is NX 570Q is a fairly good sewing and quilting machine, but I have a few reservations. First of all, I cannot help but wonder whose idea it was to double up on three of the function buttons.

In my opinion, there is absolutely no need for two separate buttons to cut the thread, program the needle to stop in the up or down position and sew in reverse or lock a seam.

If you ask me, the manufacturer could have left off the second set of buttons and added a few extra stitch options or an automatic tension adjustment feature.

They could have even included the ¼” quilting foot as a standard accessory in lieu of duplicating those three function buttons. This is in my opinion a serious faux pas on the part of the manufacturer… which is the major reason I gave it a 3 for performance.

The other reason I gave this machine a mediocre rating for performance is the placement of the drop feed control lever. If you are familiar with reviews on this website, you know that one of my major peeves is the trend toward putting the drop feed control in out of the way, hard to get to places.

Especially when you are talking about a quilting machine, the drop feed control is possibly the most essential feature when quilting and should be right there up front where the user can get to it without even thinking.

The fact that some of the decorative stitches are not as well formed as they should be is a concern, but with so many options to choose from, this is not a huge concern for some.

I, for one, however, would expect that every stitch option would be perfect on a brand new sewing machine. This is the type of issue one might encounter on a machine that has been in use for a long time, not on a machine that is brand spanking new.

Now that I have shared what I don’t like about the Brother Inov-is NX 570Q Quilter’s Club machine, I want to say that this is a very solid sewing machine that has a limited amount of noise. There is no vibration, which is a definite plus.

Because this machine weighs only 18 pounds, it is an excellent choice for taking to class or sewing guild meetings. It is also a good machine for someone who is learning to sew.

I am not certain I would recommend it for a young child, but it is definitely simple enough for a child older than ten or twelve years of age to use.

I do, however, have some reservations about recommending the Brother Innov-is NX 570Q for use by someone who has been quilting for a very long time. An experienced home sewer who has been involved in machine quilting for a long time would probably want more than this machine has to offer.

So… would I sincerely recommend that someone purchase this machine? The answer is yes and no. If you want a second sewing and quilting machine to take to sewing group meetings or to take on vacation, the answer would be yes.

If you are learning to sew and want a sewing machine to take to class, the answer is yes. If you want to give a child a sewing machine to learn how to sew and quilt by machine, the answer is probably.

If, however, you are a serious home machine quilter and are in the market for a reliable sewing and quilting machine my honest response would be definitely not.

There are other sewing and quilting machines that I believe a seasoned home machine quilter would be much, much happier with.

While visiting Laura’s Sewing and Vacuum in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, I came across a cute machine with an embroidery hoop attached and Mickey and Minnie mouse all over the front of the column.

Brother PE 540D Embroidery Only Machine

As it turned out, I was looking at a Brother PE 540D embroidery machine… one of the few machines built for home use that embroiders only.

At A Glance

In addition to the embroidery hoop and the Disney characters, the Brother PE 540D also has several clearly depicted, easy to follow instruction diagrams telling you how to thread the machine, how to wind the bobbin and how to attach and remove the embroidery hoop.

Easy to follow instruction diagrams

A slot for inserting embroidery cards as well as a USB port

There is also a see through bobbin case, as well as a convenient automatic needle threader. On the right side of the Brother PE 540D is a slot for inserting embroidery cards as well as a USB port which is used to connect to your computer and import designs, to download embroidery designs from the internet and to download updates for your machine.

Since the Brother PE 540D is an embroidery only machine, the embroidery unit is permanently attached, eliminating the need to be concerned about storing it when the machine is being used for other sewing tasks.

Above the needle are three function buttons… start/stop; needle up/down and the automatic thread cutter. On the very top of the machine on the left side is the tension adjustment dial.

Features

• 130 On board embroidery designs
• 105 Built-in embroidery designs
• 35 Designs featuring Disney character
• 5 Alphanumeric fonts
• 120 Embroidery frame combinations
• More than 5,000 optional embroidery designs available through iBroidery
• On board tutorials
• Trial position/layout function
• Ability to rotate pattern 1, 10 or 90 degrees

Working on the Brother PE 540D Embroidery Only Machine

Following the on board bobbin winding and threading guides is literally so easy a child of eight or ten could master it with very little assistance from an adult.

Once the bobbin is wound and the needle threaded, inserting the bobbin is a piece of cake with the detailed on board instructions.

On board bobbin winding and threading guides

After the bobbin is in place, the next thing to do is to find an embroidery design that is just right. That task is just as easy as threading the Brother PE 540D and winding its bobbin. The main menu is displayed on the LCD screen.

When you make a selection, all of the design options are displayed. At that point, merely scroll through the list and when you find the design you want, just touch it with your fingertip or the stylus.

The design will appear in the screen along with a description of the thread colors you will need. Placing the embroidery hoop into place is very easy. Just align the slots in the side of the hoop with the embroidery unit and snap it on.

In the interest of time, I selected a one color design for this review. After making the selection, I decided to walk away – not to do anything in particular, but to listen for any noise and to determine whether or not this machine was as good as the promotional material said it was.

Perfect finished product

It purred along very nicely, finishing my design in just a few short minutes. When it was finished, the machine stopped and sounded a beep to let me know that it was read.

The Brother PE 540D is quiet and has a very solid feel. There was absolutely no vibration whatsoever, and the bright LED light illuminated the workspace perfectly.

The finished product, although created on an affordable home embroidery machine, had the appearance of having been done machine in a professional embroidery shop on one of those mega large embroidery machines that takes up ten times the space.

Fabrics

• Natural fibers/cotton-linen-wool
• Fine fabrics/silk-satin-taffeta/velvet
• Knits
• Synthetic fabrics/blends-rayon-polyester
• Denim
• Leather/suede
• Fur
• Reptile skin
• Canvas/Twill
• Plastic/Rubber
• Extra thick fabrics or multiple layers

Accessories

Standard Accessories :

• 1 Embroidery foot
• 4 Bobbins
• Extra needle sets
• Lint brush
• Seam ripper
• 1 Large screwdriver
• Disc-shaped screwdriver
• 4 Spool caps (2 small/1 medium/1 large)
• Spool net
• Scissors
• Stylus
• USB cable
• Embroidery bobbin thread
• Accessory bag
• Dust cover
• 4” x 4” embroidery hoop
• Quick reference guide
• Owner’s manual

Optional accessories :

• Embroidery hoops
• Large 6 ¾” x 4”
• Small 2 x 1 ½”
• 110 Piece embroidery thread set
• BES3 Embroidery lettering software
• PE Design 10 Embroidery design and digitizing software and upgrade
• PE Design Next Personal embroidery design software system
• Bobbins

Maintenance

Tying Off The Loose Ends

Very seldom do you come across a machine that does only one thing these days. The good news is when there is only one function, it normally performs that task quite well.

That is definitely the case with the Brother PE 540D. This embroidery only machine is no larger than a standard sewing machine and is so quiet, you could easily forget that it’s even running.

When a thread change is required, the machine stops and beeps the same way it did when my sample design was finished.

This is a wonderful machine for teaching children about machine embroidery. Even a child as young as eight would be able to operate the Brother PE 540D.

No doubt any youngster would be thrilled to sit down at a sewing machine and create their own projects using the on board Disney-Pixar embroidery designs.

I can attest to the fact that there are lots of other great embroidery designs on this machine as well. So, while the kids can have their fun adding Disney characters to their own sewing projects, the Brother PE 540D has a lot to offer the other members of the household as well.

Although I really like this machine, it does have one significant drawback. The embroidery field is so small. With the optional large hoop, you can add an extra couple of inches, but when compared with the super-size embroidery fields on many other combination embroidery and sewing machines like the one on the Brother Dream Machine, you might feel a little cheated.

If, however, you believe you can be satisfied with an embroidery machine that has excellent stitch quality and the added benefit of being able to download thousands of additional embroidery designs without the benefit of being able to create jumbo embroidery projects, you just might be very happy with the Brother PE 540D.

If you sew for the children in your life, they will be thrilled to see gifts embellished with their favorite Disney-Pixar characters. Besides, the things you will be making for the little ones don’t require large embroidery fields anyway.

I really believe the Brother PE 540D is a great choice for someone who already has a reliable sewing machine and wants to spread their wings by adding embroidery to their sewing projects.

It is affordable, lightweight and best of all, produces excellent quality designs. It does not take up a lot of space and is not heavy, making it possible for you to stow it away until you are ready to use it.

This machine is so much fun to use, however, I am willing to guess you might be finding yourself using it more frequently than might originally intend to.

You may not want to invest in the Brother PE 540D if you are already an avid machine embroidery enthusiast because it is not capable of doing so many of the things that the larger, more costly multi-function embroidery machines can do.

However, for those who want to explore machine embroidery before making a large investment in one of the machines that offers more stitch options and other features, the Brother PE 540D is a good option.

By first investing in this small embroidery only machine, you are giving yourself an opportunity to determine whether or not you really want an embroidery machine or not. If, after working on the PE 540D for a while, you can trade it in for a machine that has all of the bells and whistles you’ve been reading about.

I had an opportunity to review a brand new Simplicity SB 7900E embroidery only machine on a recent visit to Laura’s Sewing and Vacuum Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

The truth of the matter is, I happened to drop by on the very day that this machine was uncreated and put on display.

Simplicity SB 7900E

There was a huge sign behind it letting everyone know that it is this year’s winner of the Consumer’s Digest Best Buy Award for this class of machine.

In other words… according to Consumer’s Digest the Simplicity SB 7900E from Brother is the best deal you could get on an embroidery only machine in 2014.

At A Glance

When I first saw the Simplicity SB 7900E with its fuchsia colored accents, I thought it was a compact sewing and embroidery machine. To my delight, however, I was actually looking at an embroidery only machine.

A see through bobbin cover and an automatic needle threader

There is an embroidery card slot and a USB port on the right which makes it possible to import embroidery designs from several different sources – a computer, a flash drive or a memory card.

In addition, there is a backlit LCD touch screen with adjustable lighting and functions buttons that allow you to start and stop the machine, tie off and cut the threads and to program the needle to stop in the up or down position.

The Simplicity SB 7900E has a see through bobbin cover, an automatic needle threader as well as upper and lower thread sensors which will let you know when the thread supply is running low in plenty of time to make a thread change before it runs out.

The bright LED lighting makes working on the Simplicity SB 7900E easy on the eyes and the easy to following on board threading guide is only one of the many features that make this machine simple enough for a child in elementary school to use.

Its sheer simplicity [pun intended] is also a huge benefit for anyone who has been sewing for many, many years but wants to do more by adding embroidered embellishments to his or her work.

Features

Built-in USB port

• 136 built-in embroidery designs
• 120 frame pattern combinations
• 6 embroidery lettering fonts
• Large 5″ x 7″ embroidery area
• Easy-to-use, back-lit LCD touch screen display
• On board design editing
• Rotate 1, 10 and 90 degrees
• Mirror images
• Ability to increase/decrease design size
• Advanced needle threading system
• Automatic thread trimming
• Built-in USB port
• Slot for embroidery design cards
• Upper and lower thread sensors
• Quick-Set™ bobbin
• Built-in memory
• Bright LED lighting
• BES® Embroidery Lettering Software 2
• More than 5,000 optional designs available through iBroidery

Working on the Simplicity SB 7900E

The Simplicity SB 7900E has on board decals that show exactly how to wind the bobbin, insert it and thread the machine. There is a lever on the left side which enables you to thread the needle effortlessly.

On board decals to show how to wind the bobbin

Once the machine is threaded and the bobbin is in place, the next step is to choose the design you want to create. With so many choices, making the right selection is easy and the memory allows you to store it for future use.

The main menu on the touch screen gives you several options from which to choose. A simple touch of your fingertip will get you into any one of the stitch menus.

Touch screen gives you several options

From there, just touch the design you want on the screen and it will appear along with a listing of the colors you will need and the sequence.

Since the Simplicity SB 7900E only sews at a maximum speed of 650 stitches per minute, I chose to sample a one color simple design for this review in the interest of time.

The Simplicity SB 7900E has a solid feel to it with no vibration and very little noise. When the design was finished the machine stopped and sounded a chime to let me know it was done. The stitches came out great. They were even, smooth, and they had the perfect density.

If I had selected a design that required a change of thread colors, the Simplicity SB 7900E would have done the same thing.

Great stitch quality

It is easy to set the design, touch the start/stop button and walk away from the machine while it hums away creating your design even if you walk out of the room. When it’s time for you to change the thread, the Simplicity SB 7900E will call you back with a gentle chime.

Fabrics

• Natural fibers/cotton-linen-wool
• Fine fabrics/silk-satin-taffeta/velvet
• Knits
• Synthetic fabrics/blends-rayon-polyester
• Denim
• Leather/suede
• Fur
• Reptile skin
• Canvas/Twill
• Plastic/Rubber
• Extra thick fabrics or multiple layers

Accessories

Standard Accessories :

• 1 Embroidery foot
• 4 Bobbins
• Extra needles
• Lint brush
• Seam ripper
• 2 Screwdrivers (1 small/1 large)
• 4 Spool caps (1 small/2 medium/1 large)
• 1 Embroidery hoop – 130cm x 180cm
• Spool net
• Scissors
• Embroidery bobbin thread
• Accessory bag
• Dust cover
• Quick reference guide
• Owner’s manual

Optional accessories :

• Embroidery hoops
  • Large – 5” x 7”
  • Large – 6 ¾” x 4”
  • Medium – 4” x 4”
  • Small – 2” x 1 ½”

Maintenance

Tying Off The Loose Ends

The Simplicity SB 7900E from Brother is an excellent embroidery only machine. It is so easy to operate that I have no hesitation in agreeing to allow a child in the third or fourth grade operate it under close adult supervision.

But don’t let the simplicity of this machine fool you. I have no doubt that a seasoned home sewer with decades of experience will be very happy working on this machine as well.

With so many different designs and fonts coupled with the ability to download 5000 additional optional designs through iBroidery.com, 120 frame designs and six alphanumeric fonts, there is no limit to the creative options you would have on this machine.

I readily admit that I have seen lots of sewing and embroidery machines that are faster and have hundreds of more on board design options, but when a machine does only one thing, it is a pretty safe bet that it is capable of doing that one thing better than nearly every combination machine on the market.

In addition, the Simplicity SB 7900E is far more economical than any combination sewing and embroidery machine I have reviewed to date.

It doesn’t have nearly as many on board design options or features as the Brother Dream Machine or the Baby Lock Destiny, and the largest embroidery hoop is a lot smaller, but with an MSRP of less than $1,000 the Simplicity SB 7900E from Brother is within reach of nearly every household budget.

If the Dream Machine is just that for you – a dream – the Simplicity SB 7900E is a reasonable option for anyone who has a dependable sewing machine already and wants to add machine embroidery to their sewing capabilities.

This machine is easy to learn, easy to use and easy on the wallet. The only difficult thing about it is to decide which design to create first.

If you have taken the time to read much of the information on this site, you already know my own inventory of sewing machines is limited to two all metal mechanical machines from the 1960s and a serger.

The Simplicity SB 7900E is one of the few machines that I have reviewed over the last three plus years that I am actually considering purchasing for my own personal use.

Great machine

It impressed me just that much. If and when the day comes that I decide to add machine embroidery to my own sewing room, the Simplicity SB 7900E would be the very first machine I would look at.

There aren’t a lot of embroidery only machines on the market and although many of the combination sewing and embroidery machines are excellent, I am not willing to part with my old metal clunkers. Therefore, it makes no sense to invest in a machine that can sew as well as embroider.

This is a great machine for anyone who wants to explore machine embroidery without making a large financial commitment.

If, after working on the Simplicity SB 7900E for a while you decide that you want a machine that will allow you to create larger embroidery designs and do it at a faster speed, you always have the option of upgrading.

If, like me, you have been sewing for a long, long time and want to add the capability to create embroidery designs on a machine while hanging on to your old faithful sewing machine, you owe it to yourself to visit your local authorized Brother/Simplicity sewing machine dealer and ask for a demonstration of the Simplicity SB 7900E by Brother.

No jewelry collection would be complete without the dazzling topaz. That holds true for the Husqvarna/Viking jewel collection of sewing, quilting and embroidery machines… Diamond deLuxe, Sapphire, Ruby and Topaz.

Husqvarna/Viking Designer Topaz 20

I came across The Designer Topaz 20 on a visit to Ace Sewing and Vacuum in Pompano Beach, Florida, and simply couldn’t resist the urge to take it through its paces

At A Glance

An on-board ruler

The smoky topaz colored control panel, sleek design, large extension table, and detachable embroidery unit are only the beginning.

Like the other machines in the Husqvarna/Viking jewel series, this eye appealing machine has an on-board ruler, a start/stop button, push button presser foot controls, bright LED lights and a backlit LCD screen.

Features

• 105 on board designer and utility stitches
• 3 alphanumeric fonts
• Grayscale backlit LCD display
• 2 bright LED lights
• Sewing advisor
• Free motion with any stitch
• Pattern restart
• Fix function

Grayscale backlit LCD display

Working on the Husqvarna/Viking Designer Topaz 20

The first thing I noticed when I flipped the switch to turn on the Husqvarna/Viking Designer Topaz 20 was a notification on the LCD screen telling us that the machine was in the embroidery mode.

The following notices appeared on the screen:
1. Calibrate embroidery unit
2. Remove hoop
3. Clear embroidery arm for calibration
4. Snap on the embroidery presser foot
5. Connect USB embroidery stick

My intention for this particular review was to sew, not embroider. In order to achieve this goal, I simply removed the embroidery unit.

On board stitch selection guide

However, the machine did not automatically sense this change. It was necessary to shut the machine down and turn it on again in order for it to reset itself to the sewing mode.

With that hurdle cleared, however, threading the Husqvarna/Viking Designer Topaz 20, winding the bobbin and identifying stitches was a breeze.

The on board stitch selection guide simplified the stitch selection process. A handy on board stitch selection guide is conveniently mounted inside the top cover, giving the user constant access to all 105 available stitch options.

Stitch selection shown on LCD

The Designer Topaz 20, like all other Husqvarna/Viking jewels with the exception of the top of the line Diamond deLuxe, offers the user the option of keying in the type and weight of fabric with the mere touch of a button.

Once this step is completed the user then selects the desired stitch and the LCD screen will automatically display the proper presser foot and tension setting for the fabric and stitch selected.

The stitches produced by the Husqvarna/Viking Designer Topaz 20 are crisp, sturdy and well defined. During the review, I sampled the mirror feature by touching the button on the keypad.

Crisp, sturdy and well defined stitch quality

To our delight, I learned that the decorative stitches I selected were produced with the identical precision whether in the original view or the mirror image.

In addition to the large embroidery unit, the Designer Topaz 20 also has an on board accessories case that doubles as a work table which when removed, exposes a free arm, enabling the user to work on sewing and embroidery projects of any size.

Fabrics

• Natural fibers/cotton-linen-wool
• Fine fabrics/silk-satin-taffeta/velvet
• Knits
• Synthetic fabrics/blends-rayon-polyester
• Leather/suede
• Fur
• Reptile skin
• Canvas/Twill
• Plastic/Rubber
• Extra thick fabrics or multiple layers

Accessories

• 9 snap on presser feet
• 2 embroidery hoops
  • Crown hoop (10 ¼ “ x 8”)
  • Square hoop (4 ¾ x 4 ¾)
• 1 GB Husqvarna/Viking USB embroidery stick
• Embroidery unit
• Large work table
• Accessories case
• Lint brush
• Seam ripper
• Screwdriver
• Quilting bar
• Extra bobbins
• Extra needles
• Spool pin
• Spool caps (2 – 1 large/1small)
• Owner’s manual
• Hard cover

Maintenance

Tying Off The Loose Ends

Sewing on the Husqvarna/Viking Designer Topaz 20 is a treat – that is after clearing up that little issue with the embroidery unit when I first turned it on.

This machine would be so much simpler if it were the type of machine that would enable us to sew with the embroidery unit in place. Aside from that, this is a dream of a machine.

The Husqvarna/Viking Designer Topaz 20 is not a machine that I would recommend for use by beginners. The many stitch options, the embroidery feature and the fact that changing the machine from embroidery to sewing mode is a challenge makes this machine completely unsuitable for the novice home sewer.

In addition, I discourage the use of this machine by anyone under the age of 18, regardless of how long they may have been sewing.

Perfect addition to your sewing room inventory

Although some children as young as nine or ten learn to sew and are quite good by the time they reach high school, the Designer Topaz 20 is not a machine that I suggest a young sewer be allowed to use.

If, you have the skill set to handle and appreciate all that the Husqvarna/Viking Designer Topaz 20 has to offer, by all means, visit your local Husqvarna/Viking dealer and take a close look. It might just be the perfect addition to your sewing room inventory.

The original manufacturer’s suggested retail price for the Topaz 20 was $2999, surely not within reasonable budget range for someone still in high school, even though they might be a rather accomplished home sewer.

However, the really good news for bargain hunters is the Designer Topaz 20 has been replaced by the new and improved Topaz 25.

When compared with the Topaz 25, you will find the following differences between the two machines:

When I first compared the features on these two machines, I thought that perhaps I was reading the tables incorrectly, but I was, in fact, not making a mistake.

Aside from the number of stitch options and the interchangeable dual feed, the Topaz 20 actually has a little more to offer than the 25.

The interchangeable dual feed is the most significant addition to the Topaz 25, and in my opinion, significant enough to warrant the reduced stitch memory and mirror imaging capacity, and the elimination of the automatic drop feed.

If you are one of those people who is not impressed with the very latest and greatest but want to have a great sewing and embroidery machine at a great price, all you need to do is visit an authorized Husqvarna/Viking dealer.

Topaz 25

Anyone who is interested in purchasing a Topaz 20 should be able to find one at a significantly reduced price. All it takes is a visit to your local Husqvarna/Viking dealer.

When you get there, ask for a demonstration of both machines and then see what kind of deal you will get for investing in the older model.

2012 marked the 140th anniversary year for Husqvarna/Viking sewing machines. To honor the occasion, Husqvarna/Viking is offering the Tribute 140C and 140M machines for a limited time only.

The 140C is a computerized machine; while the 140M was created to satisfy those who prefer a mechanical sewing machine instead.

Husqvarna/Viking Tribute 140C

When the 140th anniversary year was over, both the Tribute 140C and the Tribute 140M were retired. I was fortunate enough to be able to review a 140C at Ace Sewing and Vacuum in Pompano Beach, Florida before they disappeared.

At A Glance

Silver emblem depicting an antique sewing machine

You know at once that this machine is special because of the silver emblem depicting an antique sewing machine and the words “140th Anniversary” stamped right on the front just above the needle.

Even without this shining reminder of the company’s 140th anniversary, the crimson color behind the touchpad would catch anyone’s eye.

Features

The most prominent features of the Husqvarna/Viking Tribute 140C described below:

• 145 utility, decorative, heirloom and quilt stitches
• 4 alphanumeric fonts
• 7 buttonholes
• Exclusive Sewing Advisor® feature (with text)
• Extended Sewing Surface
• Needle up/down

Working on the Husqvarna/Viking Tribute 140C

As excited as I were to review this machine, I was a bit disappointed when I actually got my hands on it.

Stitch selection guide

The most outstanding perceptible difference I found between the Tribute 140C and the computerized sewing machines in the Husqvarna/Viking jewel series was the lack of a start/stop button.

There is virtually no difference whatsoever when it comes to threading this machine or winding and placing the bobbin. Depending upon the size of your thread supply, the spool pin can be set in either the horizontal or vertical position.

Spool pin can be set in either the horizontal or vertical position

LCD display screen and touchpad

The LCD display screen and touchpad are identical as well as the placement of the on board accessories case. It is attached to the machine as part of the workspace; sits directly behind the throat plate and easily snaps off to give the user access to the free arm.

Aside from the 140th Anniversary decal, the red color, and the fact that it has fewer function buttons above the needle, the Tribute 140C looks just like the Husqvarna/Viking Sapphire, Topaz.

It even has the same ruler decal affixed to the front which is marked off in inches and centimeters just like the machines in the jewel series.

The stitch selection process is identical as well. I was, however, dismayed to learn that not only does this machine lack a start/stop button and speed adjustment slider, the automatic tension function does not appear to be as effective as on the machines in the jewel series.

I was, not as pleased with the stitch quality as with other sewing, quilting and embroidery machines in the Husqvarna/Viking jewel series.

Ruler decal affixed to the front

As with the machines in the jewel series, programming stitch patterns and selecting stitch options requires more than the mere touch of a button, but the process is neither complicated nor challenging.

During this review, I used medium weight woven fabric and set the tension dial to ‘auto’ just as I normally do when reviewing the other machines of this type.

As with all the other that I review, I sampled several different utility and decorative stitch options. The stitches, however, were a bit loose and uneven.

Fabrics

• Natural fibers/cotton-linen-wool
• Fine fabrics/silk-satin-taffeta/velvet
• Knits
• Synthetic fabrics/blends-rayon-polyester
• y
• Leather/suede
• Fur
• Reptile skin
• Canvas/Twill
• Plastic/Rubber
• Extra thick fabrics or multiple layers

Accessories

Anyone who purchases the limited edition Husqvarna/Viking Tribute 140C will also receive a sewing kit. If purchased separately, this accessories kit would cost approximately $250. Its contents include:

• 4 essential presser feet
• 8 spools of mettler thread
• 1 pair of embroidery scissors
• seam ripper
• 10 premium bobbins
• 10 machine needles
• retractable measuring tape
• partitioned organizer tray

Maintenance

Tying Off The Loose Ends

I was quite frankly left wondering why the good people at Husqvarna/Viking didn’t put a little more into this limited edition machine.

When you consider the original $1999 MSRP and the fact that the brochure touted the Tribute 140C as a sewing machine that has everything you need to create the sewing projects of your dreams, you expect more than you actually get with this machine.

There are too many sewing machines on the market today which offer features many home sewers have come to consider as standard – such as a start/stop buttons; speed adjustment slider; and truly automatic tension adjustment.

The Tribute 140C is a good enough machine for someone who is learning to sew, but when you look at the fact that with the Tribute 140C, you get 145 stitches, seven buttonholes and four fonts with this machine, you wonder what in the world a beginner would do with all of those choices.

If I was to recommend this machine for anyone, it would be the intermediate home sewer who is adept at basic sewing skills yet still searching for their creative niche.

On the other hand, I feel that other machines that cost about half as much as this one could serve the purpose and quite probably serve it better.

Without a doubt, Husqvarna/Viking has plenty other machines on the market that I feel are far more representative of the superior quality that this company stands for.

Nobody can stay in business for 140 years and not manufacture exceptional products. In all honesty, this is one limited edition sewing machine for which the sewing public should be grateful that it was only available for one year.

I believe the idea of paying tribute for 140 years of manufacturing superior quality sewing machines is a good one. However, in my humble opinion, the Husqvarna/Viking Tribute 140 fell short on conveying that message.

It is a functional sewing machine, but I firmly believe that the honor bestowed upon it as an example of Husqvarna/Viking’s workmanship and excellence as an innovator in the home sewing arena is not a fitting tribute to a company with such an illustrious reputation and track record.

At this point, it is no longer available at authorized dealers. However, you may come across one if shopping for a used sewing machine. If you do, my advice is to keep looking. I doubt if you would be very happy with this particular machine once you get it home and really put it to work.

The Pfaff Smarter 260c is the latest addition to the Pfaff line of ‘Smarter’ sewing machines for beginners. When I reviewed it at Cynthia’s Fine Fabrics in Tamarac, FL, I was most impressed by the quality of the stitches that it produced.

Pfaff Smarter 260c

At A Glance

Stark white exterior with cool turquoise accents

The Pfaff Smarter 260c is easy on the eyes. It has a stark white exterior with cool turquoise accents. There is an on board needle threader, presser foot adjustment dial, tension adjustment dial, easy to follow threading and bobbin winding guides.

There is also a needle plate with seam guides etched on both sides of the needle, a start/stop button and a reverse stitch control above the needle; buttons that are used to program the needle to stop up or down, set the machine to tie off the ends of seams as well as stitch length and width adjustment controls and an LCD display that shows the selected stitch number and tells you which presser foot to use.

The most prominent thing, however, is the stitch selection table that appears on front of the machine. More about this very interestingly functional feature below. Beneath the stitch selection
guide is a black switch that allows the user to adjust the speed.

The free arm and drop feed control are exposed when the accessories case/work surface is removed.

Features

• 27 Decorative, quilting and utility stitch options
  • 12 Utility stitches including 1 buttonhole
  • 6 Quilting stitches
  • 9 Decorative stitches
• Start/stop
• On board needle threader
• Bright LED lighting
• Reverse stitch
• Drop feed
• Free arm
• Variable speed slider
• Adjustable stitch length and width
• Twin needle capability
• Automatic tie off
• On board information button -tells you which presser foot to use
• Needle up/down
• On board thread cutter

Working on the Pfaff Smarter 260c

On board guides make threading the Pfaff Smarter 260c and winding the bobbin very easy… easy enough, in fact for a child in elementary school t master with just a little bit of adult supervision. After just one or two times, they will probably be able to do it all by themselves.

On board guides for threading and winding the bobbin

The feature I like most of all on this machine is the stitch selection process. I couldn’t be any easier than simply touching the icon depicting the stitch you want, and that’s all it takes.

A simple touch of your fingertip on the desired stitch does it all. The default stitch length and width settings are flawless. Each stitch I sampled came out perfectly.

I adjusted the length of the straight stitch, just to see how easy or difficult it would be for a beginner and I am pleased to report that all it takes is a mere touch of the button to shorten or lengthen the stitch setting as desired.

The results of the stitches at default settings are so well defined and well formed, I can’t see much need for making any adjustments to any of the decorative or quilting stitches.

Well defined and well formed stitches

Removing the accessories case/work space to gain access to the free arm and drop feed and replacing it are literally a snap. With some machines, it is necessary to use a little bit of force to get the case to move. Not so with the Pfaff Smarter 260c.

This is just one of the many things I find on this machine that make it easy for use by children and senior citizens who want to continue sewing but are not comfortable with fully loaded computerized sewing machines that have all the bells and whistles.

Fabrics

• Natural fibers/cotton-linen-wool
• Fine fabrics/silk-satin-taffeta/velvet
• Knits
• Synthetic fabrics/blends-rayon-polyester
• Denim
• Leather/suede
• Fur
• Reptile skin
• Canvas/Twill
• Plastic/Rubber
• Extra thick fabrics or multiple layers

Accessories

• 5 Snap on presser feet
  • Standard foot
  • Fancy stitch foot
  • Blind hem foot
  • Zipper foot
  • Buttonhole foot
• 3 Bobbins
• Felt pad
• Screwdriver for needle plate
• Multi-purpose tool
• 2 Spool caps (1 large/1 small
• Seam ripper/lint brush
• Edge/quilting guide
• Auxiliary spool pin
• Needles
• Hard cover
• Owner’s manual

Accessories

Maintenance

Tying Off The Loose Ends

I tend to think that when they designed the Pfaff Smarter 260c, the manufacturer had children in mind because everything about it is so very easy and simple to use and to understand.

Not only do I believe a child as young as five or six will be able to master its use very quickly, I have no doubt that older people, especially senior citizens who are not comfortable with all the bells and whistles available on fully loaded computerized sewing, embroidery and or quilting machines.

The Pfaff Smarter 260c is an excellent first sewing machine for anyone… young of old. Students of all ages will be very happy with this machine. Learning to sew on this is definitely easy and no doubt a very enjoyable experience.

If your sewing skills are at the intermediate or advanced level, you will be pleased with this machine’s ease of operation and stitch quality as well.

Although the Pfaff Smarter 260c has an adjustable presser foot control and the manual says it is safe for multiple layers of fabric, I think a machine as lightweight as this one will run into problems if you use it for heavy duty sewing on a regular basis.

For this reason, I disagree with the manufacturer and advise anyone who purchases this machine not to use it for sewing anything heavier then medium weight denim.

Inconvenient placement of the drop feed control lever

My only issue with this machine is the inconvenient placement of the drop feed control lever. For the life of me, I cannot imagine why anyone would think that putting it behind the bobbin, beneath the accessories case was a good idea.

I have seen this on other brands as well and have complained vehemently. The good news is I am beginning to see that other manufacturers have begun moving this control to a more accessible location on their machines.

Hopefully, the folks at Pfaff will catch on and follow suit because better placement of the drop feed feature is truly the only thing that makes using the Smarter 260c a challenge, which is why I could not give it a perfect score for ease of operation.

The hard plastic material that is used for some of the exterior parts of the Pfaff Smarter 260c is a bit of a concern for me in that it may tend to become brittle and crack with age.

I cannot predict if this will, in fact, happen, but it is a concern, and something that I think anyone who purchases this machine should be aware of. Only time will tell if cracking will take place, and my gut feeling is if you really want this machine, you should not allow this concern to stop you.

An excellent sewing machine

The Pfaff Smarter 260c is an excellent sewing machine that produces excellent stitch quality and is so easy to use that anyone can learn to operate it regardless of their age or skill level.

I love the fact that it is lightweight enough to take to class, to the dorm or on vacation yet produces such superlative results.

Anyone who has been sewing for any length of time probably already knows that when it comes to true portability, you generally have to sacrifice quality. That is not the situation with the Pfaff Smarter 260c.

If you invest in this portable machine, you will not have to give up anything for the convenience. In addition, the hard cover makes the Pfaff Smarter 260c a perfect travel companion.

The hard cover makes the Pfaff Smarter 260c a perfect travel companion

Even with the misplaced drop feed control and my concerns about the materials used for the outer shell of the Pfaff 260c, I think this machine is an excellent choice for anyone who is in the market for a brand new sewing machine that is not only portable, but an ideal pick for every home sewer, regardless of whether they are young or old, or if they are just beginning to learn to sew or if they have been sewing for many decades.

The Pfaff Smarter 260c is affordable and can be purchased at any authorized Pfaff dealer. If you think the Pfaff Smarter 260c might be a good fit for your sewing room and your lifestyle, visit your local Pfaff dealer and ask for a demonstration.

While visiting Cynthia’s Fine Fabrics in Tamarac, Florida, I had an opportunity to review the Audrey, an electronic sewing machine by Baby Lock.

Baby Lock Audrey

The Audrey is part of the line of basic sewing machines from Baby Lock that includes a collection of about a dozen machines bearing the names of females that make up the Baby Lock A Line.

The Audrey is an excellent choice for the person who is learning to sew because of its simplicity of design and its ease of operation.

At A Glance

Bright LCD screen, convenient push buttons and selection guide

The Baby Lock Audrey BL67 has the trademark A-Line logo that is found on all of the machines in the A-Line series along with red accents as well as the Baby Lock Logo on the right front of the machine.

It also has a bright LCD screen that displays the stitch numbers along with several convenient push buttons that allow the user to select the utility stitch choices, to sew at a slower speed, a start/stop button, reverse stitch, and to program the needle to stop in the up or down position.

On either side of the LCD screen are vertical rows of green lights that indicate the stitch length and width settings.

The selection guide, identifying the decorative stitches is located directly beneath the utility stitch buttons.

There is also an on board accessory storage space that when removed, reveals a convenient free arm, and a drop in bobbin that makes it for the user to determine how much thread is available and a seam guide on the needle plate.

I was actually a little bit impressed when I saw that when the accessory case was removed, the free arm sat upon metal legs, not the customary plastic material that is found on so many other sewing machines on the market these days.

A convenient free arm

Features

• 66 decorative and utility stitch options
• 8 buttonholes
• Drop in bobbin
• On board needle threader
• Free arm
• Push button features:
  • Low speed
  • Start/stop
  • Reverse stitch
  • Needle up/down
  • Utility stitch selection
• LCD display screen
• Variable speed control
• Adjustable stitch length and width

Working on the Baby Lock Audrey

Threading the Baby Lock Audrey and winding the bobbin are quite easy. All it takes is to follow the easy to understand guides on the top and front of the machine.

The utility stitches are selected by pushing buttons. However, it is necessary to use the push buttons beneath the LCD screen to choose among the decorative stitches.

I found the process a bit cumbersome in that when selecting a stitch with a higher numerical assignment, it is necessary to push the buttons up or down many, many times before you arrive at the desired stitch.

The good news is when you are ready to go back to a utility stitch, all that is necessary is to push the button assigned to a particular stitch.

Good quality stitches

The quality of the stitches produced by the Baby Lock Audrey are acceptable, and of good quality, but not really what I would call excellent.

It’s one of those things that you can’t really pinpoint, but you know that you have seen better… especially on other Baby Lock machines. Don’t get me wrong; the stitches are secure and tight.

They will not come apart on you, nor will they knot up on you. I’ve just seen better quality.

I found that the Baby Lock Audrey is a bit noisy… not so noisy that it is a distraction, but noisy enough to have to turn up the volume on the television or radio if you are one of those people who likes to be entertained while sewing.

Fabrics

• Natural fibers/cotton-linen-wool
• Fine fabrics/silk-satin-taffeta/velvet
• Knits
• Synthetic fabrics/blends-rayon-polyester
• Denim
• Leather/suede
• Fur
• Reptile skin
• Canvas/Twill
• Plastic/Rubber
• Extra thick fabrics or multiple layers

Accessories

• 9 Snap-on accessory feet:
  • 1/4″ foot
  • Free motion/darning foot
  • Zipper foot
  • Straight stitch foot
  • Buttonhole foot
  • Zigzag/standard foot
  • Blindhem foot
  • Open toe foot
  • Overcasting foot
• 3 Bobbins
• Extra needles
• Seam ripper
• 2 Spool caps (1 large and 1 small)
• Tote bag
• Extension table with ruler
• Owner’s manual

Accessories

Maintenance

Tying Off The Loose Ends

The Baby Lock Audrey is one of those sewing machines that seems to be well constructed, is lightweight, easy to transport to class, to the dormitory or on vacation.

It produces good stitch quality and is fairly easy to operate. Although I have reviewed other machines for beginners that I believe are easier to operate, I am impressed by the workmanship of this machine.

The material used and its solid feel are encouraging in that I believe that with proper care, this sewing machine will last several years.

This is a major advantage since we have all encountered machines that work great when they are first removed from the carton, but disappoint after a relatively short time.

I like the way this machine feels when it is being operated. It has a very solid feel. Despite the noise, there is no vibration whatsoever, which is a clear indication to me that this portable, easy to operate sewing machine is well built.

The Baby Lock Audrey is not a super-fast machine. Even at its highest speed setting, this machine is slower than most others in its class.

In fact, when the low speed button is engaged, it sews so slowly you are almost tempted to think you could sew more quickly by hand. No doubt this feature is an ideal option for the person who is learning to operate sewing machine – especially a child.

A very solid feel

The Baby Lock Audrey is also a very good choice for those experienced home sewers who do not wish to use a fully computerized sewing machine.

Believe it or not, with all the wonderful features found on the new crop of computerized sewing and embroidery or quilting machines, there is a significant number of people who prefer the simple basic sewing machine, even though they have been sewing for a very long time.

It is also a good choice for the intermediate home sewer who wants to add a new machine to their sewing room or if they just want to have a machine that they can take along to sewing class, sewing guild meetings or on vacation.

The Baby Lock Audrey is an excellent option for the college student who wants to have a compact, portable sewing machine in the dormitory room.

The Baby Lock Audrey is affordable, easy to operate and at less than 13 pounds, is easy to take along wherever you may want to go.

In my opinion, it would be easier to operate if all 66 stitches were accessible with just the touch of a finger, or at least more easily accessible than the present system.

A different stitch selection feature, however, would undoubtedly, result in a higher cost and possibly a heavier machine which would mean a reduction in portability.

For the price and the features that you get with this machine just as it is, I must say the Baby Lock Audrey is a good deal… and a sewing machine that I believe anyone who wants a basic sewing machine, regardless of age of skill level, will be very happy with.

The Baby Lock Audrey is sold only through authorized Baby Lock dealers, meaning you have the benefit of personalized customer service.

If you are interested in purchasing a Baby Lock Audrey for yourself, for a senior citizen who wants a new sewing machine but is uncomfortable with a sewing machine that has tons of features and hundreds of stitch options, or for a child who is ready to learn to sew, visit a Baby Lock dealer in your local area and ask for a demonstration.

When compared with other machines in its class, the Baby Lock Audrey holds its own quite well and stands on the Baby Lock reputation of fine sewing machines for the home.

On a visit to Cynthia’s Fine Fabrics in Tamarac, Florida, I came across the Pfaff Quilt Ambition 2.0. It is the latest addition to the Pfaff Ambition line and is being touted as the top of the entire Ambition line, with more stitch options and features than the other Ambition machines.

Pfaff Quilt Ambition 2.0

At A Glance

When I first saw the Pfaff Quilt Ambition 2.0, I immediately recognized the familiar shape and style. The difference, however, was the silver colored accents.

The silver colored accents

The Pfaff Quilt Ambition 2.0 has an on board needle threader, a very large two compartment removable accessory case; a monochromatic touch screen; and a series of function buttons, including a start/stop button, variable speed control slider, needle stop up/down, reverse stitch, drop feed control, lever, needle position, stitch length and width adjustment buttons, vertical and horizontal mirror image control buttons, and two buttons to help you manage the machine.

There is also an on board thread cutter, a stylus to help you navigate through the controls on the touch screen, and bright LED lighting.

Features

• 201 decorative and utility stitch options
• 7 one-step buttonholes
• 4 alphanumeric fonts
• Twin needle option
• Variable stitch length and width
• Seam guides on both sides of the needle
• Drop in bobbin with see through cover
• On board stitch selection guide
• Extra high presser foot lift
• Manual tension adjustment
• Memory saves favorite stitch combinations
• Automatic tie off at the beginning and end of a stitch sequence
• 29 needle positions
• External drop feed control
• Exclusive Pfaff IDT technology
• Adjustable presser foot pressure

Working on the Pfaff Quilt Ambition 2.0

If you follow the on board guides and icons, winding the bobbin on the Pfaff Quilt Ambition 2.9 and threading it are as easy as can be. If you are teaching a child to sew, these features make your job a piece of cake.

Stitch selection guide

Selecting one of the 201 stitch options is a bit tricky, however… not for a seasoned home sewer, but I don’t think the process is simple enough for a beginner to master.

The first step is to refer to the on board stitch selection guide and then scroll through the listing of stitches by numerical assignment and category on the touch screen.

Stitch Selection screen

Again, this step is not a challenge for someone who is familiar with working on sewing machines with stitch types grouped together by category, but could be a challenge for the newcomer.

In order to get a specific decorative stitch, it is necessary first go to the menu section where the stitch is stored and then scroll through the drop down menu of stitches until you arrive at the stitch you want.

It is necessary to know the numerical assignment of the stitch you are going after because the screen does not display the image of the stitch, just the category name and the assigned number.

Once you get there, touch the stitch number with the stylus and sew. While it is also possible to use the stylus to rapidly touch the stitch number on the touch screen, you have to be quick.

If you are not fast enough, you will have to repeat the process several times before you can actually get the stitch you want.

Sturdy stitch quality

After going through these steps to select a stitch, I was a bit disappointed by the quality of the stitches produced by the Pfaff Quilt Ambition 2.0. They are passable, but when it came to some for the decorative stitch options, it was rather apparent that they were made on a machine at home.

The stitches were sturdy and did not come out, but they just didn’t have that look of professionalism to them.

In addition, this machine is noisier than I expected it to be. I will add, however, that there is very little vibration. The noise level seems to be a result of good construction but a need for better insulation to muffle the sound of the inner mechanism.

The placement of the drop feed control lever is problematic for me. It is necessary to remove the accessory case and expose the free arm in order to get to the switch that lowers and raises the feed dogs.

If you are working with a quilt of any size and wanted to do some freehand stitches, you would want to have as much workspace as possible. The mere fact that the workspace must be reduced in order to get to that feature is, in my opinion a major design flaw.

Having the drop feed control in such an inconvenient place on a simple sewing machine is inefficient, but to do the same thing on a machine designed for quilting is, in my opinion negligent.

Fabrics

• Natural fibers/cotton-linen-wool
• Fine fabrics/silk-satin-taffeta/velvet
• Knits
• Synthetic fabrics/blends-rayon-polyester
• Denim
• Leather/suede
• Fur
• Reptile skin
• Canvas/Twill
• Plastic/Rubber
• Extra thick fabrics or multiple layers

Accessories

• 8 Snap on presser feet
  • Standard foot
  • Fancy stitch foot with IDT
  • Fancy stitch foot
  • Blind hem foot with IDT
  • Zipper foot with IDT
  • One step buttonhole foot
  • ¼ inch quilting foot with IDT
  • Open toe free motion foot
• 5 Bobbins
• Felt pad
• Screwdriver for needle plate
• Multi-purpose tool
• 3 Spool caps (2 large/1 small)
• Seam ripper/lint brush
• Stylus
• Edge guide
• Auxiliary spool pin
• Needles
• Hard cover
• Owner’s manual

Accessories

Maintenance

Tying Off The Loose Ends

The Pfaff Quilt Ambition 2.0 is a mixed bag of good sewing machine workmanship and a machine that falls far short of many of my expectations.

The stitch selection process and the fact that the quality of the stitches is lacking, paired with the fact that this is a rather noisy machine makes me wonder. I wonder how long it will be before it starts to be problematic for long term users.

The Pfaff Quilt Ambition 2.0 that I reviewed was a floor model, and had yet to be used under normal conditions. While it performed without any significant problems to speak of during the review, I cannot help but wonder how it performs in a real sewing room.

I gave this machine an overall rating of 4 solely because it did perform as it should during the review. The questionable stitch quality is, in my opinion, indicative of frustrations to come if the machine is used heavily.

There is a very good chance, however, that the Pfaff Quilt Ambition 2.0 will perform quite well under conditions where it is not used heavily or if it is not used to sew very heavy fabric or multiple layers of fabric.

It is, nonetheless designated as a quilting machine. This categorization and the very name of this machine would indicate that it is a quilting machine, and therefore, capable of handling thick layers of fabric.

IDT is a great feature to have when quilting

For this review, I used denim, which it handled quite well. The IDT is a great feature to have when quilting because it helps feed all layers of fabric through the feed dogs evenly.

Since the IDT is not a new feature and I have seen it work well on many other machines, I daresay that it will perform well on this machine too.

When compared with comparable sewing and quilting machines, I must say that the Pfaff Quilt Ambition 2.0 does not measure up to its reputation. In my opinion, there are many other sewing and quilting machines on the market which are superior to this one.

If a Pfaff sewing and quilting machine is what you are in the market for, I recommend the Pfaff Quilt Expression 4.2. It costs a little more, but you know what they say… you get what you pay for.

It is loaded with great features, but I would rather have seen this machine come off the assembly line with fewer features and an easier stitch selection process and better stitch quality.

Ironically, the day I want to review the Quilt Expression 4.2, it had been sold less than an hour before I arrived. I am currently waiting for the delivery of another one to review.

Rest assured… I will review the Pfaff Quilt Expression 4.2 as soon as I can get my hot little hands on one.

In the meantime, I can only recommend the purchase of the Quilt Ambition 2.0 with the understanding that it is not the most user friendly machine and that the quality of certain decorative stitches is a telltale indicator that loving hands at home were at work.

While visiting Sunshine Sewing and Quilting in Margate, Florida, I had an opportunity to review the Skyline S5 from Janome.

Janome Skyline S5

This is one of the most user friendly sewing and quilting machines I have seen in a very long time. Not only is it easy to thread, the stitch selection process is ideal and changing the needle plate is possibly the easiest I have ever seen.

At A Glance

Some sewing machines just look like they are well built and capable of handling the tough jobs. The Skyline S5 from Janome is one of those machines. I can’t pinpoint it, but you just know that this is a sturdy machine by its looks.

Conveniently situated function buttons

It has cool blue accents, an on board stitch selection guide, an automatic needle threader, an on board ruler that gives you measurements in both inches and centimeters.

Large monochromatic touch screen

In addition, conveniently situated function buttons allow the user to perform the most essential sewing functions with just a touch of a finger… start/stop; needle up/down; reverse stitch; tie off; and cut.

The large monochromatic touch screen displays the stitch number along with an image of the proper presser foot to use for best results and the default stitch length and width settings. A numerical pad on the column allows you to simply dial up the stitch number easily and quickly.

The on board accessories case easily snaps on and off to give you quick access to the free arm. I was very pleased to discover that the drop feed control switch is located on the right side of the machine, beneath the balance wheel.

Drop feed control switch

Features

• 170 utility and decorative stitch options
• 91 needle positions
• Adjustable stitch length and width
• Maximum 9mm Stitch Width
• 6 ultra-bright LED lights
• Automatic tension adjustment
• Backlit Digital LCD Screen
• Start/stop button
• Automatic thread cutter
• Reverse button
• Locking stitch button
• Needle up/down
• One-step needle plate converter
• Knee lift
• Free arm
• Drop feed

Working on the Janome Skyline S5

The threading guide on the Janome Skyline S5 is not as clearly defined as you might find on some other sewing and quilting machines, but the process is so simple, detailed guides are not really necessary.

Winding the bobbin is very easy to master. In fact, I don’t think a beginner would have any difficulty mastering these two basic tasks with very little if any assistance at all.

Selecting the right stitch is as simple as referring to the on board stitch selectin guide and dialing up the number on the numerical keypad on the column.

On board stitch selectin guide

Once the stitch is selected, the default length and width settings appear as well as the identification for the presser foot that is needed to execute the stitch properly.

If you want to adjust the stitch length or width to accommodate a special desire, merely use the up and down arrows beneath the bright blue LCD display.

Not only are the stitches perfectly formed, the Janome Skyline S5 is whisper quiet and has absolutely no vibration whatsoever.

Stitches perfectly formed

I really like the fact that the drop feed control is easily accessible. Finally, I am beginning to feel like the people who design and manufacture sewing machines are beginning to take note.

Needle plate pops up and slides off easily

Rather than hiding the drop feed control, the switch to lower and raise the feed dogs on the Janome Skyline S5 is located on the right hand side of the machine, near the bottom, just a few inches beneath the balance wheel.

On board accessories case

If you prefer to use the straight stitch needle plate it only takes one hand to complete the task. Although the needle plate pops up and slides off easily, it is only engaged when you depress the black button and not before, making it impossible for the needle plate to become disengaged while you are working.

When you are ready to go back to the standard needle plate, simply pop out the straight stitch plate and reinsert the standard plate.

The on board accessories case is not only functional, it is easy to open and close while it is in place, a feature that is not always as user-friendly on some other machines.

This makes changing presser feet and needles far more efficient than having to remove the case or use two hands just to get into the accessory case.

In addition to everything else, the bright LED lighting makes working on the Janome Skyline S5 even more comfortable while it also helps reduce eye strain.

Fabrics

• Natural fibers/cotton-linen-wool
• Fine fabrics/silk-satin-taffeta/velvet
• Knits
• Synthetic fabrics/blends-rayon-polyester
• Denim
• Leather/suede
• Fur
• Reptile skin
• Canvas/Twill
• Plastic/Rubber
• Extra thick fabrics or multiple layers

Accessories

Standard accessories

• 11 Snap on presser feet
  • Zigzag foot
  • Rolled hem foot
  • Zipper foot
  • Satin stitch foot
  • Blind hemming foot
  • Overcast foot
  • ¼” seam foot
  • Darning foot
  • Automatic buttonhole foot
  • Even feed foot
  • Button sewing foot
• Quilting guide bar
• Buttonhole stabilizer plate
• 5 Bobbins
• 3 Spool pins (1 large, 1 small, 1 special)
• Extra spool pin
• Needle set
• Screwdriver
• Lint brush
• Seam ripper
• Knee lifter
• Straight stitch needle plate
• Stylus
• Semi-hard fabric cover
• Instructional video DVD
• Owner’s manual

Accessories

Optional accessories

• Straight stitch foot
• Ruffler

Buttonhole stabilizer plate

Maintenance

Tying Off The Loose Ends

The Janome Skyline S5 is an excellent sewing and quilting machine for the novice as well as the individual who has been sewing for several decades.

I highly recommend this machine for anyone who was at one time an avid home sewer, but put their passion for sewing on hold while raising a family or building a career, and now has the time to once again devote to sewing.

If you are new to sewing and want a machine that has more to offer than a basic sewing machine, the Skyline S5 might just be the machine for you.

It is not one that I would recommend for use by young children, not because it is overly complicated, but because I feel there are less costly, user friendly machines that are better suited for use by children younger than ten years of age.

A child of ten or 12 would do well on the Janome Skyline S5 because it is so easy to operate. Learning to use this machine is easy. The stitch selection process could only be easier if you could push a button to get the stitch you want.

Anyone who has been sewing consistently for a long time will be pleased with the convenient features and the ease of operation as well.

I was particularly impressed with the fact that this machine does not take a lot of time or manipulation to manage its different functions, including changing the settings, stitches, adjusting tension or to raising and lowering the feed dogs.

All in all, the Janome Skyline S5 is a great machine for anyone who likes to sew and is interested in machine quilting, but does not have the luxury of living in a home with enough space to accommodate a large quilting frame, or a long arm quilting machine.

A great machine for anyone

The Skyline S5 is large and sturdy enough to handle those large quilting jobs, but small enough to be stowed away when it is not in use and space is a concern.

The Janome Skyline S5 is one of those machines that is a real treat to work on. It is quiet, does not vibrate, has excellent stitch quality and is so user friendly that it is actually time efficient.

This is a major concern for people who have busy lives and still enjoy sewing. When I’m in the sewing room, I want to get as much done in as little time as possible.

The Janome Skyline S5 fits the bill for quick, efficient sewing in every way possible. This is why I recommend this sewing and quilting machine for anyone for whom time management is a concern.

This machine is uncomplicated yet it has all of the essential features the 21st Century home sewer could want. I believe the Janome Skyline S5 is an excellent choice for home sewers at all skill levels.

Beginners will be happy with it because learning to sew will be a delight. Intermediate and advanced home sewers who are in the market for a new sewing and quilting machine that comes with all the essential features, a large number of stitch choices and durability will appreciate it because of the careful design features like putting the drop feed control in a convenient location.

The individual who set home sewing aside for a career and raising a family will love the fact that adjusting to this new machine after many years away from sewing will be ecstatic with the ease with which they will be able to get back in the swing of sewing and machine quilting.

If you are in the market for a new sewing and quilting machine, regardless of your skill level, you owe it to yourself to visit your local Janome dealer and ask for a demonstration of the Skyline S5 before making a final decision.

While visiting Sunshine Sewing and Quilting in Margate, Florida, I discovered that this exclusive Janome dealer was now carrying sit down quilting tables for home use.

Artistic Quilter SD 18

As it turned out, the folks at Janome have partnered with Canada based Artistic Quilter Company and Janome dealers are now authorized to sell and service the Artistic line of home quilting machines.

This is great news for any home machine quilting enthusiast who is familiar with and loyal to the Janome brand. During my visit, I had an opportunity to get a close look at and review the table mounted Artistic Quilter SD 18, the first machine of its type to be offered for sale at Sunshine.

At A Glance

The Artistic SD Quilter SD is mounted on a table that has a drop leaf which allows the user to extend it while working on larger projects such as comforters for a king size bed, and keep it in the down position while working on smaller projects, allowing for more space in the sewing room.

Mounted on a table

With the leaf in the down position, the table is 47 inches wide and 30 inches deep. When the leaf is opened, the table depth of the table extends an additional 24 inches, giving you a total of 54 inches of workspace.

The arm is 18 inches long, large enough for very large quilting tasks, yet not so large that it monopolizes an entire room. The Artistic Quilter SD can be programmed so that the needle stops in either the up or down position.

There is also a goose neck lamp attached to the table, which guarantees that there will always be enough light to work on the Artistic Quilter SD at any time of day.

It also uses an M size bobbin, which allows you to sew for longer periods of time before having to stop for bobbin changes, and holds up to four large thread cones.

A goose neck lamp attached to the table

This feature really comes in handy when you are pressed for time and want to change thread colors in as little time as possible.

An added time saving advantage is the separate bobbin winder which allows you to wind lots of extra bobbins while you are sewing.

Features

• 18” throat
• Programmable needle up/down
• Soft touch control buttons
• On board separate bobbin winder
• Uses M size bobbins
• On board gooseneck lamp
• Variable speed control
• Self-contained oil reserve
• Space saving drop leaf

Working on the Artistic Quilter SD 18

Setting up the Artistic Quilter SD 18, threading it and winding the bobbin are not nearly as daunting as one might first suspect when looking at it.

There are no on board threading guides that one might find on many home sewing machines, but if you are at all familiar with the sewing machine threading process you can figure it out.

No on board threading guides

The good news is the threading instructions are in the owner’s manual, so there is no need for guesswork as to how to thread the Artistic Quilter SD 18 or how to wind and insert the bobbin.

I do not claim to be a quilter, but know enough about the process to be able to affirm that working on the Artistic Quilter SD 18 is as easy as sitting down and with each hand positioned about six inches on each side of the needle, and simply guiding the fabric in any direction you like while engaging the presser foot.

It is not what I would call quiet, but neither is it disturbingly noisy. Listening to music, a movie or a television program while working on the Artistic Quilter SD is a definite possibility without having to turn the volume up to levels that are uncomfortable when the machine is not in operation.

The stitches are even and well defined. The table is solid and does not vibrate at all while you are creating your quilt designs.

Even and well defined stitches

Adjusting the stitch length or programming the needle to stop in the up or down position are very easily accomplished with just the touch of a finger and raising or lowering the drop leaf is no more complicated than performing the same tasks on a portable cutting table.

Fabrics

• Natural fibers/cotton-linen-wool
• Fine fabrics/silk-satin-taffeta/velvet
• Knits
• Synthetic fabrics/blends-rayon-polyester
• Denim
• Leather/suede
• Fur
• Reptile skin
• Canvas/Twill
• Plastic/Rubber
• Extra thick fabrics or multiple layers

Accessories

Standard accessories

• Oil dispenser
• Screwdrivers
• Bobbins
• Needles
• Owner’s manual

Optional accessories

• Water soluble thread
• Hardware/software/programming [purchase these packages to give your quilting projects that professional look and feel]
  • Robot with stitch regulator
  • Quilter’s creative touch for quiltmotion
• Free downloadable patterns [use these as guides for your freehand quilting projects]
  • Day Lily
  • Flowers
  • Swirls
  • Sewing machine

Maintenance

Tying Off The Loose Ends

Although I am not a machine quilting enthusiast, I have performed machine quilting tasks from time to time and can certainly appreciate the craft of quilting – by hand as well as by machine.

The Artistic Quilter SD 18 is a machine that a person like me could appreciate. Rather than standing for hours at an oversized frame, quilting enthusiasts can sit down and create quilts without experiencing hip, leg and joint fatigue.

The drop leaf is an ingenious idea. With this feature, space is not a concern, especially for those who are working in areas with limited room to spread out. When the leaf is in the down position, the Artistic Quilter SD takes up just a little more space than an average sized sewing machine table.

If you have never before used a sewing machine, I do not recommend starting with a quilter such as this. While starting out on a quilter is not impossible, I believe having a familiarity with basic sewing machines and how they operate is helpful in understanding and operating a machine such as this.

Once the basics of sewing machine operation have been mastered, operating the Artistic Quilter SD and other machines of this type will be much easier to comprehend.

If, like me, you are familiar with, but not by any stretch of the imagination an expert at machine quilting, you can start out with the basic Artistic Quilter SD 18, like the one I reviewed.

This is not a machine for children. I do not believe any child younger than 12 or 13 should be allowed to even attempt to work on the Artistic Quilter SD 18. It is, however, a good first honest to goodness home quilting machine for anyone 13 years of age or older.

One thing I like about this machine is that it can be upgraded. As your skills improve, you can add one or more of the optional features and accessories which have been designed to enhance the quality and appearance of your finished projects.

Removing the bobbin is a little bit of a challenge

I certainly encourage you to investigate some of the downloadable patterns. With these in place, you can create interesting designs and enhance your work right from the start.

They appear to be very easy to follow, and by operating the Artistic Quilter SD 18 at the slower speeds, even a novice machine quilter like me should have no problem whatsoever in executing perfect designs on the first try.

Unlike the many combination sewing and quilting machines on the market, the Artistic Quilter SD 18 is dedicated to quilting only. Therefore, it is necessary to also have a sewing machine available to finish the binding and other non-quilting tasks you may want to perform on any quilting project that you create on it.

This is yet one more reason why the space-saving drop leaf is such a great idea. If you really want to, you could actually use that leaf to support your sewing machine or serger, making even more efficient use of the space in your sewing room.

You could conceivably have a sewing corner in your home with a sewing machine and a serger set up on the same table as the Artistic Quilter. With this set up, all you need to do when you want to change machines is simply move from one side of the table to another.

There aren’t too many other machines that come with this kind of flexibility… and I’m willing to hazard a guess that it probably wasn’t even an intention of the manufacturers when they created this table design.

I like the Artistic Quilter SD 18 for its overall ease of operation. Its design, however, seems to make inserting and removing the bobbin a little bit of a challenge, but not one that is so daunting that you would be put off by it.

In order to reach the bobbin, it is necessary to use a screwdriver to completely remove the needle plate. This is also necessary when it comes to cleaning the bobbin housing and feed dogs.

After a few attempts, however, I doubt this will be a challenge, but it is something anyone interested in purchasing this machine should be aware of before making a decision to take it home.

This is, however, the only drawback I see to having and working on the Artistic Quilter SD 18. All in all, I think this is an excellent machine.

It not only has the reputation and background of the Artistic Quilting Company backing it up, it also has the backing of the Janome brand … one of the world’s most trusted names in sewing.

If you are interested in adding a dedicated quilting machine to your sewing room, but are concerned about space and the physical stress of standing at a full size quilting frame, visit your local Janome dealer and ask to for a demonstration of the Artistic Quilter SD 18.

I happened to stumble across a Janome 634D on a recent visit to Sunshine Sewing and Quilting in Margate, Florida.

Janome 634D

The Janome 634D is a 2, 3, 4 thread, 1, 2 needle serger that is designed to perform basic serger tasks only. This basic, no frills serger is, in my opinion a great choice for beginners… people who are new to serging and those who have never even touched a sewing machine.

At A Glance

The Janome 634D has a user friendly lay in threading system, a differential feed, a stitch length adjustment feature and an on board seam guide.

A stitch length adjustment feature and an on board seam guide

In addition, there is a retractable upper knife, and a switch that allows you to change the machine settings from standard sewing to the rolled hem feature.

The telescoping metal wand is used to stabilize the threads and to keep them from getting entangled while the machine is in use. Inside the looper door are two separate decals that show detailed diagrams of the threading process.

There is, however, no on board space for storing essential serging accessories like tweezers, a needle threader or extra needles.

There are, however, two doors that open … the looper door and the door on the left side of the machine, which makes cleaning the Janome 634D easier than ever.

In addition to facilitating cleaning away lint, dust and fabric debris, control knobs used to raise and lower the upper knife and to adjust the setting for using the rolled hem feature are inside the door on the left.

On front of the machine are two small windows on the right side. The upper window shows the stitch length setting; the other displays the setting of the differential feed.

Stitch length and the differential feed control dials

The dials that actually control the stitch length and the differential feed are located on the right side of the Janome 634D, above the balance wheel and the power switch.

The dial at the top controls the stitch length. The lower dial is used to adjust the differential feed.

Beneath each of the lay in tension dials is a display of what the threads are supposed to look like when each of the dials is turned to the proper setting.

Features

• Lay in threading
• Differential feed
• Adjustable stitch length
• Roll hem setting
• Retractable upper knife
• Snap on presser feet

Working on the Janome 634D

The lay in threading system and easy to follow color coded threading guide inside the looper door simplifies the entire threading process.

The Janome 634D has a lever inside the looper door designed to release the lower looper, making threading even easier.

Color coded threading guide inside the looper door

When it is time to sew without the upper blade, open the door on the left and push in the upper dial [shown in the red circle in the photo].

While pushing in, turn the dial toward you and the blade turns down. When you are ready to sew with the blade again, repeat the process, turning the knob away from you to return the blade to the cutting position.

In order to use the rolled hem feature, open the door on the left, push the front and turn it toward you. This action will loosen the red lever and allow you to move it forward to disengage the lower blade.

[See the yellow circles in the photo] When you are finished with the rolled hem feature, return the red switch to its original position by opening the door on the left and turning the knob back to the original position.

Sew without the upper blade

During this review, I found that it took a little bit of effort to actually get these dials to turn. Perhaps it was because of the moisturizer I had on my hands at the time.

Perhaps it was because I have very little upper body strength due to carpal tunnel syndrome. Perhaps it was because this is a brand spanking new machine and everything is just super tight until it has been is use for a little while.

Whatever the reason, turning the dials was challenging. When they did turn, however, the results were impeccable.

All of the stitches created on the Janome 634D are well formed, evenly spaced, and secure. To put it bluntly… the stitches are downright pretty.

Fabrics

• Natural fibers/cotton-linen-wool
• Fine fabrics/silk-satin-taffeta/velvet
• Knits
• Synthetic fabrics/blends-rayon-polyester
• Denim
• Leather/suede
• Fur
• Reptile skin
• Canvas/Twill
• Plastic/Rubber
• Extra thick fabrics or multiple layers

Accessories

Standard accessories

• Screwdrivers
• Needle threader
• Tweezers
• Extra needles
• Seam Ripper

Optional accessories

• Snap on presser feet
  • Blind Stitch Foot
  • Piping Foot
  • Taping Foot with Reel
  • Beading Attachment
• Cloth Guide
• Gathering Attachment

Maintenance

Tying Off The Loose Ends

The Janome 634D serger is ideal for the person who has never used a serger before. Whether you are new to sewing altogether or if you have many years’ experience working on a traditional sewing machine but never attempted to use a serger before, you will be very happy with this machine.

It is also an excellent choice for the person who has been using a serger for a long time and wants one just for basic serger tasks like finishing seams, or for sewing athletic wear and knits and delicate fabrics.

Because of the blades, I do not recommend this or any serger for use by young children. a child of ten or eleven would be able to learn basic serging techniques on the Janome 634D because it is so easy to operate.

I hesitate to recommend the use of any serger by a younger child, however, because it is too easy for little fingers to get in the way of the blades.

You will not be able to get coverlock stitches or many of the other features available on the top of the line Janome Coverpro 1000 CPX with the Janome 634D, but you will be able to perform all of the basic tasks necessary to create an entire wardrobe of athletic wear or knitwear; finish all of the seams on your tailored slacks, jackets, skirts, and coats; create ruffles; add decorative borders and rolled hems to just about anything and even attach elastic.

The Janome 634D is available only at authorized independent Janome dealers. Anyone who purchases one of these basic sergers is eligible for free classes where they will be able to learn how to do all the tasks described from the pros, and the very reasonable MSRP puts the Janome 634D within reach of practically every budget.

The Janome 634D is also lightweight with a built in carrying handle on the back. It is compact and can be packed up for a trip to the college dorm, sewing class or even to take along as a vacation companion.

If you are shopping for a basic serger for yourself, for the sewing student in your life or for a home sewer with advanced skills who just wants a serger to perform basic tailoring and sewing tasks, make it a point to pay a visit to your local Janome dealer and ask them to explain all of the advantages of owning a Janome 634D home serger.

I had an opportunity to review Juki’s brand new affordable serger, the MO 51e while visiting Gold Coast Sew and Vac in West Palm Beach, Florida. To date, the MO 51e is the most affordable serger produced by Juki.

Juki MO 51e

With the Juki name behind it, I was anxious to see if this serger could maintain the Juki reputation for excellence and be economically accessible to a greater number of people at the same time.

At A Glance

One of the first things I noticed on the Juki MO 51e was the cute fuchsia colored flower at the directly above the looper door.

Cute fuchsia colored flower

More important, however, were the bright primary colors on the tension controls, and the lay in threading system.

On board storage compartment on the left side of the machine

Stitch length control dial and on/off switch

When I opened the looper door, I could see that the folks at Juki had the beginner in mind. The Juki MO 51e has possibly the most uncomplicated threading system I have ever seen on a serger.

There is a very easy to follow diagram which displays the step by step threading process, and an on board storage compartment on the left side of the machine, next to the differential feed control, which gives the user the advantage of having all their serging accessories and supplies at their fingertips. The stitch length control dial and on/off switch are located on the right side of the machine along with the hand wheel and power cord connection.

Features

• Lay in threading
• Six essential stitch options
  • 4 thread overlock
  • 3 thread narrow overlock
  • Frill 3 thread rolled hem with differential feed
  • 3 thread Flatlock
  • 3 thread overlock
  • 3 thread rolled hem
• Adjustable lower knife
• Retractable upper knife
• Adjustable stitch length
• Differential feed
• Automatic lower looper threading
• Finger guard
• Bright LED lighting

Working on the Juki MO 51e

It takes a little bit of time to get the hang of threading the Juki MO 51e, but once you get the hang of it, threading this portable home serger is quite easy indeed.

Automatic threader

In order to thread the Juki MO 51e, you must first follow the thread guides at the top of the machine, near the tension dials in sequence, starting with the upper looper, the second position from the right.

Threading the lower looper is simplified with the addition of an automatic threader to help the user navigate the steps required to send the thread through the eyes buried inside.

Once the lower looper thread has passed through the easy to reach guides, the automatic threader takes your thread inside through the final, most difficult to reach position.

Threading the needles is easy enough for a child to accomplish. Even without the detailed instructions provided in the owner’s manual, anyone familiar with the operation of sewing machines can easily figure out the process for threading the needles by simply following the on board guides.

After the Juki MO 51e is threaded, selecting the proper stitch option is easier to accomplish than threading the machine. The owner’s manual very clearly describes the steps necessary to achieve each of the six stitch options with ease.

For this review, I sampled the four thread overlock stitch option. The results were perfect. Each stitch was perfectly spaced, well-formed and secure.

Perfectly spaced, well-formed and secure stitch quality

Fabrics

• Natural fibers/cotton-linen-wool
• Fine fabrics/silk-satin-taffeta/velvet
• Knits
• Synthetic fabrics/blends-rayon-polyester
• Denim
• Leather/suede
• Fur
• Reptile skin
• Canvas/Twill
• Plastic/Rubber
• Extra thick fabrics or multiple layers

Accessories

Standard accessories

• Screwdriver
• Tweezers
• Net
• Hexagonal wrench
• 4 spool caps
• 4 thread nets
• Lint brush
• Waste collector
• Extra needles
• Oil dispenser
• Dust cover
• Instructional DVD
• Owner’s manual

Optional accessories

• Snap on presser feet
• Piping foot
• Gathering foot
• Taping foot
• Elasticator foot
• Beading foot
• Universal blindstitch foot

Maintenance

Tying Off The Loose Ends

The Juki MO 51e is an excellent choice for someone who has never used a serger before. The easy to use threading system is ideal for the beginner.

Following the user friendly instructions for setting up the machine for the six different stitch options are so simple and well written that a child in middle school would have no difficulty in navigating through the necessary steps.

The on board accessories case is a definite plus. Several of the newer sergers are now equipped with this feature. I cannot help but wonder what took manufacturers so long to figure this out.

For quite a few years now, on board accessory storage was standard on sewing machines. It has only been relatively recently that you can find a serger with the convenience of an on board accessory storage compartment.

While lots of sergers came with space inside the looper door to hold the most essential serger supplies such as tweezers, needle threader, spare needles and lint brush, having a separate space to hold all of your accessories makes so much more sense.

Placement of the differential feed

I am not altogether thrilled with the placement of the differential feed, perhaps because I have become accustomed to finding it on the right side of the machine, where you can still find the stitch length adjustment dial and of course the hand wheel.

It’s not often that we use the differential feed, but in my opinion, I like having all of my controls in the same place. With the differential feed on the left side, an adjustment to the way we function in the sewing room is necessary.

With this machine, the user must remember to reach to the right to adjust the stitch length and to the right to change the differential feed setting.

Even with this small adjustment, I feel that anyone who uses the Juki MO 51e would be very happy with the way it is handled and with its performance. Its user-friendliness is ideal for the beginner as well as the home sewer who has been sewing for a very long time, but still new to the use of a serger.

Although there is a finger guard, I do not recommend the use of the Juki MO 51e or any other serger by children younger than ten years of age. As far as I’m concerned, no child at the elementary school level should ever be allowed to operate a serger.

Even with the closest adult supervision, it is possible for little fingers to get in the way of the upper knife. With this in mind, I have no reservations whatsoever in recommending the Juki MO 51e for use by a child in middle school.

The maturity level and ability to pay closer attention to what they are doing makes all the difference in the world between a child in the second or third grade and one at the sixth grade level.

The user friendliness of this machine makes it the perfect learning tool for a young person who is learning the art of sewing and serging.

It is also lightweight, making it easy to transport to class or to the college dorm and even to take on vacation if you are one of those people who cannot bear to be away from your sewing machines.

Anyone who wants the convenience of a serger without a lot of the extra bells and whistles that come with a combination serger/coverlock machine would be more than satisfied with the Juki MO 51e.

This lightweight portable serger is not only user friendly and an ideal teaching tool, it is also one of the most affordable high quality sergers on the market.

Despite its affordability and portability, the Juki MO 51e feels like a much large serger when it is in use. There is very little noise and practically no vibration at all.

The Juki MO 51e comes with all the great workmanship and the outstanding reputation of the Juki tradition. An internet search revealed that the Juki MO 51e is available at authorized independent Juki dealers as well as select internet dealers.

Anyone familiar with reading reviews on this site already knows my position on purchasing sewing machines and sergers online.

While you may be able to save a few dollars by purchasing a serger or sewing machine though the internet, you will not have the advantage of personalized customer service, someone to call when you have a question, hands on training and on-site service.

In my opinion, those intangible assets are well worth the additional cost of purchasing a machine from a brick and mortar store. My very strong recommendation is that you visit your local authorized Juki dealer and ask for a demonstration of the Juki MO 51e.

You just might be surprised at the true value of every dollar you spend with someone you can actually look at, put your hands on and talk to when you need them.

While visiting Gold Coast Sew and Vac in West Palm Beach, Florida, I came across an Alphasew PW 200 portable walking foot sewing machine. According to Brad, the store owner and manager, this particular machine is very popular in the sail boat maintenance business.

Alphasew PW 200

With this machine in the inventory, boat owners can call someone to come to the boat and repair their sails right on the spot, reducing the amount of time the boat is not seaworthy.

He added that lots of sailboat owners have purchased this machine so they can repair their own sails without having to even go back to shore to pick up someone to mend a damaged sail.

At A Glance

Small tab on the base at the front and hinges on the back

When I first saw the Alphasew PW 200, I mistakenly thought it was an ordinary mechanical portable sewing machine. Upon closer inspection, however, it was plain to see that this was no ordinary sewing machine.

The permanently mounted walking foot was the first signal that this was a sewing machine with the ability to do more than any ordinary sewing machine was capable of doing.

The next thing I noticed was the small tab on the base at the front and hinges on the back that allow the user to lift the head for cleaning. This is something that I haven’t seen on any new sewing machine for many years.

With this little nondescript feature, it is possible for anyone who knows how to service a mechanical sewing machine to thoroughly clean and lubricate the Alphasew PW 200 without having to take it to a sewing machine service professional for routine cleaning.

Adjustable stitch length control

The only reason to take this machine in for servicing is when and if there is an actual mechanical problem or a part needs to be replaced.

In addition to the tab that gives you the ability to raise the head for cleaning and lubrication, the Alphasew PW 200 has an adjustable stitch length control situated on the column.

Adjusting the stitch length is quite simple. All that is required is to loosen the set screw and sliding the control up or down.

Adjusting the stitch length is a bit of a guessing game, but after using it for a little while, the user will no doubt develop an instinct as to where to set it in order to achieve the perfect stitch length for every single task. There is always the option of using a Sharpie to mark the gage indicating preferred stitch settings.

Presser foot lift

I found the placement of the presser foot lift quite interesting. The on board bobbin winding and thread guides were very easy to understand.

But finding the presser foot lift was another proposition altogether. After looking in all the places that I am accustomed to finding the presser foot lift failed, I did what I always tell people to do first… read the owner’s manual.

Who would have thought to look on top of the machine head above the tension dial for the presser foot lift? That’s exactly where it was! Another thing that I found in an unusual place was the on/off switch.

Practically every other sewing machine I have ever seen has the power switch on the right side somewhere near the hand wheel or the front. Not this one. It is on the upper left side of the Alphasew PW 200.

Features

• High tilt walking foot
• Handles Materials up to 1/4″
• 150 Watt, 1.5 Amp, 110 Volt, 60 Cycle Motor
• Built in 1/4″ welt foot High tilt walking foot
• Fits regular portable case or cabinets
• Spring loaded reverse
• Uses 16 class welt foot
• Adjustable stitch length – up to 4 Stitches per inch,
• Sews 900 stitches per minute
• Straight Stitch

Working on the Alphasew PW 200

The thread guides are easy to follow for anyone who is familiar with the workings of a sewing machine. Winding the bobbin is just as easy.

There are no on-board threading guides, however. So, a person who has limited experience working on a sewing machine might be challenged to thread the Alphasew PW 200 properly without assistance.

Adjusting the stitch length is as simple as loosening the set screw and sliding the stitch length adjustment lever up or down until you arrive at the desired setting.

The stitches produced by the Allphasew PW 200 are some of the best formed stitches I have seen in a very long time. The quality is excellent.

Stitch quality is excellent

The stitches are not only well formed, they are also beautifully balanced, regardless of the size and exceptionally sturdy as well.

Fabrics

• Natural fibers/cotton-linen-wool
• Fine fabrics/silk-satin-taffeta/velvet
• Knits
• Synthetic fabrics/blends-rayon-polyester
• Denim
• Leather/suede
• Fur
• Reptile skin
• Canvas/Twill
• Plastic/Rubber
• Extra thick fabrics or multiple layers

Accessories

With the exception of the owner’s manual, all of the accessories that come with the Alphasew PW 200 are contained inside the plastic accessories case.

• 4 bobbins
• 2 Screwdrivers (1 medium/1 small)
• Oil dispenser
• Extra needles
• 2 Felt spool pads

Accessories

Maintenance

Tying Off The Loose Ends

The Alphasew PW 200 is possibly one of the best portable walking foot machines on the market. According to Brad at Gold Coast Sew and Vac, when I comes to sewing sails, the only machine better than the Alphasew line is made by Sailrite, a company that specializes in making machines dedicated to the marine industry.

Like every other sewing machine built for heavy duty or industrial use, it is noisier than a machine built for home use. It also has a tendency to vibrate as well, but not enough to be a major concern while in use.

The one thing about working on the Alphasew PW 200 that I was uncomfortable with is the placement of the presser foot lift. This is the very first sewing machine I have seen that has the presser foot lift in this position.

Adjusting to that change, especially if you have a sewing room filled with machines with the presser foot lift in the traditional place, might be a challenge.

I don’t know whose idea it was to put it on top of the machine head or why, but it is definitely something that can slow you down when time is a concern.

I like the fact that the Allphasew PW 200 is so easy to care for. Cleaning underneath the head is easier than most machines on the market today.

This alone can save anyone who purchases this machine lots of money because they can clean and service the Alphasew 200 themselves, limiting the amount of time it is out of service because it is in the shop getting cleaned and lubricated.

The fact that the Alphasew PW 200 is built to fit any standard portable sewing machine case is a major advantage, especially since the Alphasew PW 200 is used to carry on board sailboats and other sites where it is easier for the machine to go to the job than for the job to go to the sewing machine.

Although the Alphasew PW 200 doesn’t sew very faster than 900 stitches per minute, I don’t recommend it for use by beginners unless they are old enough to understand clearly that this is not an average sewing machine.

Another advantage of the Alphasew PW 200 is that it is affordably priced, putting it within easy reach of anyone who is in the market for a portable straight stitch only walking foot sewing machine.

In addition to working with sailcloth, the Alphasew PW 200 is a great machine for sewing upholstery, drapery and thick leather. It is entirely possible to use this machine to make bags and small luggage pieces.

In fact, Brad recommends this machine in lieu of heavy duty home sewing machines for the home sewer who is interested in sewing their own leather purses, tote bags and carry- on luggage. It is also great for working with thick leather and suede, fur, canvas and heavy duty vinyl.

With the exception of the awkward placement of the presser foot lift, I have nothing but praise for the Alphasew PW 200.

A brief internet search revealed that it is also available in a zigzag model… the Alphasew PW 200 ZZ. This is great news for those who might be hesitant to purchase the straight stitch only model.

Whether you prefer the straight stitch only model or the model that is capable of rendering zigzag stitches, I believe anyone who acquires this machine will be quite happy with the Alphasew PW 200 and the stitches it produces.

On a visit to Gold Coast Sewing and Vacuum in West Palm Beach, Florida, I had an opportunity to review the Consew 206RB-5 industrial sewing machine.

Consew 206RB-5

This particular machine looked extremely familiar. A search of past reviews revealed that I had actually reviewed a smaller version of this very same machine – the portable Consew 206R a while back.

The Consew 206RB-5 is larger, heavier and therefore, designed to handle more challenging tasks, such as auto, boat and furniture upholstery; tents; tarpaulins; sails; camping and sports equipment; awnings; umbrellas; shoes; purses; luggage and the like. It is also a good option for sewing apparel and coats for men, women and children.

At A Glance

An extra-large bobbin

The Consew 206RB-5 is a full size table mounted machine with lots of features that are not available on the portable 206R. Some of these features are available on the 206RB-5 merely because it is mounted on a table.

Those features include a separate bobbin winder and a bobbin storage compartment on the right side of the machine. There is also an on board ruler and lamp as well as a cone thread stand that is designed to hold two extra-large cones of thread simultaneously.

In addition to those enhancements, the straight stitch only Consew 206RB-5 also has an extra-large bobbin, a large reverse stitch lever, adjustable stitch length up to 10 mm and a centralized lubrication system that makes routine maintenance quick and easy.

The stitch length adjustment dial is on the column. The oversize reverse stitch lever is directly beneath the stitch length adjustment control. The proximity of these two controls is not only efficient, the design is ergonomic as well.

Features

• Extra-long stitch length (10mm – 2 ½ stitches per inch)
• Large Bobbin
• Extra high presser foot clearance ( 9/16″)
• Centralized lubrication
• Gear driven hook mechanism
• Safety clutch
• Adjustable forward and reverse length
• Accessories (presser feet, needles, etc., interchangeable with Consew models 226R-2, 255RB-2)
• Changeable needle plate and feed dog
• Locking stitch regulator
• Drop feed

Working on the Consew 206RB-5

On board ruler and lamp

Threading the Consew 206RB-5 and winding the bobbin are not difficult tasks for those who are accustomed to working on older model sewing machines or industrial sewing machines.

The process is relatively easy to figure out. The super quiet Servo motor is a major advantage over a clutch motor.

With this motor installed on an industrial sewing machine the noise level in a workroom is reduced so much that it is actually possible to hear a pin drop when it is turned on and idle.

Like all industrial sewing machines, when the Consew 206RB-5 is engaged, there is noise, but not so much so that I would consider it to be excessively loud.

There is also some vibration, but not so much that it would interfere with the machine’s operation or its finished products.

The stitch quality is superb. This is to be expected when working with a single function machine.

When a machine does just one thing, you are entitled to fully expect it to do that one thing exceptionally well.

That is definitely the case here. Each stitch, regardless of the selected length, comes out with precise accuracy and perfection.

Superb stitch quality

Fabrics

• Natural fibers/cotton-linen-wool
• Fine fabrics/silk-satin-taffeta/velvet
• Knits
• Synthetic fabrics/blends-rayon-polyester
• Denim
• Leather/suede
• Fur
• Reptile skin
• Canvas/Twill
• Plastic/Rubber
• Extra thick fabrics or multiple layers

Accessories

• Extra bobbins
• Extra needles
• Oil dispenser
• 3 Screwdrivers (1 large, 1 medium, 1 small)
• Two double head wrenches (1 large, 1 small)
• Spool pin
• 2 Hex keys (1 medium, 1 small)
• Extra screws
• Knee lifter
• Owner’s manual
• Parts manual

Accessories

Maintenance

Tying Off The Loose Ends

The Consew 206RB-5 can easily handle nearly all types of materials, including light to heavy weight fabric, leather and suede of all thicknesses and weights, upholstery fabric, canvas, twill and sail cloth, faux fur, all weights of vinyl and laminated fabrics of all thicknesses.

Sewing on the Consew 206RB-5 is comfortable and lightning fast. A sewing speed of more than 3000 stitches per minute can be intimidating to anyone who is not accustomed to working on an industrial machine. There are plenty of sewing machines designed for industrial use that are not as fast as this one.

Needle

The heavy duty walking foot and the extra-large bobbin make it possible to work for extended periods of time without having to stop to change the bobbin.

Having the table mounted bobbin winder paired with the bobbin storage tray alongside it is an added advantage because you can wind multiple bobbins while sewing and have as many bobbins as you need to finish a task at the ready.

Wind multiple bobbins while sewing

Working on the Consew 206RB-5 is not a real challenge for anyone who is accustomed to using a sewing machine. Reading the manual, however, is no real help.

Like the manuals written for all Consew models and other machines manufactured in parts of Asia, the manual is written by people for whom English is not the first language. The grammar, spelling and sentence structure is quite challenging to say the least.

When it’s all said and done, I think the Consew 206RB-5 is a reliable, dependable industrial sewing machine that would be an asset to any workroom – even if that workroom is in a private home.

If you are interested in making shoes, handbags, luggage, or if sewing upholstery whether it is for furniture or automobiles, the Consew 206RB-5 might be the perfect fit to satisfy your needs. The fact that it can handle sailcloth, and all weights of leather, suede and vinyl is a definite advantage.

The Consew 206RB-5 is affordably priced and its whisper quiet Servo motor makes it an ideal choice for any busy sewing room – especially a very busy one where noise can be a distraction of any type.

The excellent stitch quality and the fact that this machine can produce stitches up to 2 ½ inches in length makes it an excellent choice for those large scale sewing tasks.

While stitches as long as that are not required by the average home sewer, they are an absolute necessity for those of us who engage in special projects and especially for those businesses that engage in manufacturing certain types of specialty products.

If your sewing projects are too large or bulky for the sewing machines in your home, you owe it to yourself to take a close look at the Consew 206RB-5.

If your business is one that requires the type of sewing machine that can sew more than 3000 stitches per minute and sew through extra thick layers of fabric as well as leather, vinyl and canvas with ease, I suggest that you visit your local authorized Consew dealer and ask for a demonstration of the Consew 206RB-5 the next time you are in the market for a new straight stitch only sewing machine to add to your workroom.

My one word of caution is to be sure you are comfortable working on this machine before purchasing it. The owner’s manual is going to be of little help if you need to refer to it in order to set the machine up, operate or maintain it, or to troubleshoot any problems that may come up during the life of this machine.

A site visitor asked for a review of the BERNINA 880. I am pleased to say that while visiting Once Upon a Quilt in Ft. Lauderdale, I was able to fulfill that request. It wasn’t until doing this review that I came to understand just how similar the 880 is to the BERNINA 830.

BERNINA 880

There are, however some very distinct differences between the two machines. More about that when we tie off the loose ends below.

At A Glance

A variable speed slider, automatic tension adjustment

The BERNINA 880 that I reviewed had the optional embroidery unit attached. There a large full color seven inch touch screen along with a series of function buttons above the needle that control the following functions: start/stop; needle up/down; thread tie off and cut; design start/stop; reverse stitch; presser foot up/down and an automatic needle threader.

The see through bobbin cover and thread sensors help you make sure you have enough thread on the bobbin before starting an embroidery design or an intricate sewing task.

The BERNINA 880 is illuminated by 30 bright LED lights and has a variable speed slider, automatic tension adjustment and an automatic drop feed function that raises and lowers the feed dog depending upon the selected stitch options and machine settings.

Two USB ports, a headphone jack and a port for connecting a monitor

Two USB ports, a headphone jack and a port for connecting a monitor enabling computer connectivity and easy downloading of updates and additional embroidery designs are located on the right side of the machine, beneath the balance wheel.

The needle plate has seam guides on the left and right sides of the needle as well as diagonal guides to aid in a wide range of creative sewing and patchwork tasks.

Features

• 1764 total stitch options
  • 400 embroidery designs
  • 12 alphanumeric fonts
  • 20 buttonholes
  • 40 utility stitches
• Sews up to 1200 stitches per minute
• Embroidery speed up to 1000 stitches per minute
• Stitch memory
• Full color touch screen
• Large removable extension table
• Extra-large bobbins
• Free arm
• Dual feed
• On screen animation and tutorials
• Automatic needle threader
• Reverse stitch
• Shape designer
• Stitch designer
• Stitch distortion
• Color wheel
• Mirror image

Working on the BERNINA 880

One of the things that I really like about the BERNINA 5, 7 and 8 series is that all of the machines are threaded the same way. The bobbin winding mechanisms and procedures are identical as well.

See through bobbin cover and thread sensors

This similarity makes it extremely easy to move from one machine to another with ease. Not only are the bobbin winding and threading steps identical, the easy to follow on board threading guides make each of these sewing, quilting and embroidery machines even easier to set up for use.

Once threaded, selecting the desired stitch setting is quite simple and user friendly. The challenge is deciding which of the more than 1700 stitch options and 400 on board embroidery designs to select.

Unlike most other reviews, I decided to take the time to sample an embroidery design rather than a series of utility and decorative stitch options.

After the design was selected, the touch screen changed to a dual display that showed the embroidery design on the left as well as a grid displaying the size details of the selected design.

Dual display touch screen

This feature enables the user to make the design larger or smaller to suit their specific needs for the task at hand. I elected to go with the default size setting. All that was left was to make sure the correct thread color was loaded and press the start/stop button.

The BERNINA 880 is faster than practically any other home embroidery machine I have seen or reviewed in the past. It is also relatively quiet and has almost no vibration at all.

For a machine that is so fast, this is a definite plus. Usually, machines that sew at speeds up to 1000 embroidery stitches per minute also come with considerably more vibration than this one.

The embroidery design produced by the BERNINA 880 was p erfectly executed. When a thread change is required, the machine stops and sounds a chime, letting you know that you attention is required.

The on board multiple thread stand makes thread changes quick and efficient. The on board thread guides are most helpful in making the thread changes fast and error free. Each stitch is precise and well-formed. The final product was flawless in every way.

Flawless final product

Fabrics

• Natural fibers/cotton-linen-wool
• Fine fabrics/silk-satin-taffeta/velvet
• Knits
• Synthetic fabrics/blends-rayon-polyester
• Denim
• Leather/suede
• Fur
• Reptile skin
• Canvas/Twill
• Plastic/Rubber
• Extra thick fabrics or multiple layers

Accessories

Standard accessories:

• Snap on presser feet
  • Standard
  • Buttonhole
  • Buttonhole with slide
  • Overlock
  • Blind stitch
  • Zipper
  • Button
  • Open embroidery
  • Sideways motion
  • Patchwork
• Long shank adaptor
• Knee lift
• Screwdriver
• Lint brush
• Extra bobbins
• Extra needles
• Owner’s manual
• BSR – BERNINA Stitch Regulator
• Extra bobbins
• 3 Embroidery hoops (1 small/1 medium/1 large)
• Extra-large extension table
• Dust cover
• Instructional DVD
• 360o Directional sewing

Optional accessories:

• Snap on presser feet set
  • Jeans foot
  • Tailor tack foot
  • Darning foot
  • Free motion couching foot
  • Eyelet embroidery foot
  • Edge stitch foot
  • Bulky overlock foot
  • Cordonnet foot
  • Zipper foot with guide
  • Gathering foot
  • Braiding foot
  • 2 Cording feet (3 groove/ 5 groove)
  • Free motion embroidery foot
  • Applique foot
  • Quilting foot
  • 4 Pintuck feet (3, 5, 7 and 9 grooves)
  • Piping foot
  • Invisible zipper foot
  • 3 Sole walking foot
  • Patchwork foot
  • Double corded foot
  • Zigzag hemmer foot
  • Rolled hem foot
  • Ruffle
  • Binder foot
  • An assortment of non-stick and clear presser feet are also available
• Leather roller (aids in working with sticky fabrics)
• 2 Multiple spool holders (3 spools or 15 spools)
• Thread guide for free motion couching foot
• Circular embroidery attachment
• Seam guides
  • Slide on free arm table
  • Patchwork
  • With scale
  • Left or right hand
• Buttonhole cutter with wood block
• Cutwork needles
• Crystalwork punches
• Stylus
• Embroidery unit
• Pintuck attachment
• Cutwork template
• Straight stitch needle plate
• 9mm needle plate
• Embroidery hoops
  • Hoop ‘n Buddy-z
  • Mega hoop
  • Jumbo hoop
• Short shank adaptor

Maintenance

Tying Off The Loose Ends

The BERNINA 880 is an ideal addition to any sewing room where home embroidery is a major area of concentration. This machine is fast, precise and quiet.

It is not, in my opinion, a good choice for the person who only engages in home machine embroidery on a sporadic or occasional basis, but a definite asset for the true machine embroidery enthusiast.

When compared with the BERNINA 830, the 880 has the following advantages:

The BERNINA 880 actually comes in two different models… the 880 which I reviewed and the 880 Silver edition, which is pretty much identical to the 880, but comes with many standard accessories that are listed here as optional.

The decision as to whether to get the standard 880 or the 880 Silver edition is entirely the choice of the consumer and their particular sewing and embroidery preferences.

Whether you opt for the standard version of the 880 or the Silver edition, you will be pleased with your selection. I strongly recommend anyone interested in either of these machines visit their local BERNINA dealer and ask for a demonstration.

The sales team will be more than happy to take time to show you the BERNINA 880 and all that it is capable of doing. In addition, anyone who purchases a BERNINA 880 or 880 Silver will have the added advantage of free classes, where they can learn how to use all of the features and accessories step-by-step.

I couldn’t find anything at all wrong with this machine with the possible exception of the fact that it is priced out of range for many home budgets. The manufacturers’ suggested retail price [MSRP] is a bit high, but not this machine is not as pricey as some of the other machines in its class that I have reviewed.

The really good news is that the MSRP is just that… the SUGGESTED selling price. Each and every BERNINA dealer is authorized to negotiate the final selling price and the details of the deal so that practically anyone who is genuinely interested in acquiring one of these sewing and embroidery machines can get a deal that is comfortable for them and their individual budgets.

While visiting Once Upon a Quilt in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, I came across a charming little pink and white mechanical sewing machine… the Limited Edition BERNINA Bernette Sew Pink Sublime.

Bernina Bernette Sew Pink Sublime

Lisa, the owner and manager of Once Upon a Quilt explained that the Sew Pink Sublime was released during in October 2014 in observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and that BERNINA donates a portion of the profit from the sale of each machine to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Even if my own mother had not lost her life to breast cancer in 1999, the fact that the folks at BERNINA set aside part of their profits on this little pink sewing machine made an impression on me.

At A Glance

Pink is one of my favorite colors. Perhaps that’s why the BERNINA Bernette Sew Pink Sublime originally caught my eye.

Stitch selection guide is prominently displayed

Anyone familiar with sewing machines would know in an instant that the BERNINIA Bernette Sew Pink Sublime was designed for use by a child or anyone else who may be learning to sew.

Stitch selection dial

The stitch selection guide is prominently displayed across the top of the machine head. A reverse stitch lever is situated to the immediate left side of the stitch selection guide and a large window on the column allows the user to easily see the selected stitch.

The stitch selection dial is on the right side of the machine, beneath the balance wheel. A tiny dial next to the stitch selection dial adjusts the width of the buttonhole stitches, making it possible for the user to customize the buttonholes to their liking.

There is also an on board accessories case with a six inch ruler decal which slides off easily to give the user access to the free arm, an easy to see and use seam guide on the needle plate and three dials on the very top of the machine head.

From left to right, these dials control tension adjustment, stitch width and stitch length. Easy to understand and follow thread guides are on the top and front of the machine as well.

Features

• Limited edition sewing machine
• 26 pre-programmed utility, decorative and quilting stitches
  • 1 Automatic one-step buttonhole
  • 10 Utility stitches
  • 13 Decorative stitches
  • 2 Quilting stitches
• Semi-automatic needle threader
• Easy loading drop in bobbin
• Adjustable stitch length and width
• Free arm
• On board accessory storage
• On board ruler
• Seam guides on needle plate
• On board quick reference guide

On board quick reference guide

Working on the Bernina Bernette Sew Pink Sublime

The on board guides for winding the bobbin and threading the Limited Edition BERNINA Bernette Sew Pink Sublime is simple enough for a child in elementary school to learn and master in just a few minutes.

Detailed instructions for winding and inserting the bobbin

I am certain a child of seven or eight will be able to perform these tasks after preparing the machine to sew just two or three times with close adult supervision. The on board quick reference guide is an added benefit, especially for those who are new to sewing.

With this at your fingertips, you have immediate access to even more detailed instructions for winding and inserting the bobbin and threading the machine.

After the machine is threaded and the drop in bobbin is securely in place, selecting the correct stitch from the 26 utility, decorative and quilting stitch options is as easy as turning a dial that’s located on the side. As the dial is turned, picture of the stitch is displayed in the magnifier window on the column.

The quality of the stitches produced by the Limited Edition BERNINA Bernette Sew Pink Sublime are adequate, but not what I would necessarily call perfect.

They remind me of the stitches made on some of the sewing machines I have seen that were made specifically for use by children. I hasten to add, however, that they are tight and quite secure.

Adequate quality of stitches

With this in mind, I can honestly say that the BERNINA Bernette Sew Pink Sublime is one of those machines that is good for clothing construction, making accessories and mending. I also noticed an increase in noise and vibration when sewing at higher speeds.

Fabrics

• Natural fibers/cotton-linen-wool
• Fine fabrics/silk-satin-taffeta/velvet
• Knits
• Synthetic fabrics/blends-rayon-polyester
• Denim
• <Upholstery
• Leather/suede
• Fur
• Reptile skin
• Canvas/Twill
• Plastic/Rubber
• Extra thick fabrics or multiple layers

Accessories

Standard accessories:

• 5 Snap on presser feet
  • Standard/multi-purpose foot
  • Buttonhole foot
  • Button foot
  • Zipper foot
• Seam guide
• Dust cover
• Lint brush
• Seam ripper
• Screwdriver
• Bobbins
• Needles
• Owner’s manual

Optional accessories:

• 6 Additional Snap on presser feet
  • Blind hem foot
  • Cording foot
  • Darning and embroidery foot
  • Gathering foot
  • ¼” Quilting foot
  • Overcasting foot

Maintenance

Tying Off The Loose Ends

The BERNINA Bernette Sew Pink Sublime is one of those sewing machines that is ideal for someone who is beginning to sew as well as the experienced home sewer who does not sew frequently.

I would not recommend it for heavy use, but it might be perfect for the occasional home sewer. The free arm, removable accessories case and on board seam guides and ruler make the BERNINA Bernette Sew Pink Sublime one of the most user friendly mechanical sewing machines on the market.

Very hard plastic material

I am a bit concerned about the very hard plastic material used to make the accessories case. It reminds me of the type of plastic that can become brittle and crack if it is dropped or used more than once in a while.

No doubt, manufacturers are turning to less costly materials when and where they can in order to keep costs low for consumers. As a result, I’m finding that more and more of this type of plastic is being used.

The good news is that I have not noticed it where it really counts. In other words… in the case of the Limited Edition BERNINA Bernette Sew Pink Sublime, the main parts of the machine appear to be made with more sturdy, durable material.

The accessories case, which is an excellent feature, but to be honest, non-essential to the machine’s operation, is the only component I observed that was made with what I consider to be an inferior material.

You can also tell that there is not a lot of insulation inside the BERNINA Bernette Sew Pink Sublime because of the level of noise and vibration… especially when the foot pedal is fully engaged.

The truth of the matter is that insulation on a sewing machine is not essential to its functionality and operation. A machine’s noise level and vibration may be a distraction, but it does not affect its finished product.

Breast cancer awareness symbol

In the final analysis, I recommend the BERNINA Bernette Sew Pink Sublime mechanical sewing machine for occasional use, as a learning tool and for use by children.

It is ideal for anyone who does not sew often or who sews on a regular basis but only for short periods of time, regardless of their skill level. I do not, however, believe it will be a good choice for anyone who sews for hours on end, like I do.

I applaud the folks at BERNINA for their commitment to contribute $20 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation for each Bernette Sew Pink Sublime sold.

This machine is not their best, but definitely worth a close look for anyone in the market for a back-up sewing machine or a sewing machine for a little one who wants to learn how to sew.

Even though Breast Cancer Awareness Month has passed, the BERNINA Bernette Sew Pink Sublime is still available at authorized BERNINA dealers across the country and will remain in stock until all of the models on hand are sold.

I urge you to visit the nearest BERNINA dealer in your local area and ask for a demonstration. Check it out and determine for yourself whether or not the Limited Edition BERNINA Bernette Sew Pink Sublime would be a good fit for your own sewing room.

Available in pink and in limited supply, BERNINA will contribute $20 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation for each machine sold.

It wasn’t until a recent visit to Once Upon a Quilt in Ft. Lauderdale that I discovered the BERNINA E 16, a multi thread embroidery machine made by BERNINA.

I was fully aware of the extensive line of BERNINA quilting frames, but that was the extent of my awareness of what I like to call oversized BERNINA sewing machines.

At A Glance

Bernina E16

So many large cones of thread

Even before walking into Once Upon a Quilt, I couldn’t help but notice the large industrial multi-thread embroidery machine in the window, sitting right next to the door.

There were so many large cones of thread, I couldn’t tell exactly how many thread cones were actually mounted on this huge machine by just looking at it, but I didn’t bother to count them.

The machine sat atop a large black cabinet with lots of storage space beneath and a numerical control pad with a slide out quick reference guide on the right side.

The oversized bobbin housing is situated directly beneath the work bed and above the spacious storage cabinet. The BERNINA E 16 has a patented cylindrical arm – the smallest in the industry – which makes working on very small items like pockets and baby clothes much easier than ever performing similar tasks on other machines of this type.

Oversized bobbin housing beneath the work bed

Features

• Automatic tension adjustment
• Narrow cylindrical arm
• Sews up to 1400 stitches per minute
• Chenille technique enables 3D embroidery
• Computer compatible
• Extra-large embroidery field – 400mm x 350mm
• Laser alignment
• Rotation 1, 90 and 180
• Automatic thread trim
• Automatic thread change
• Automatic thread trim
• Adjustable presser foot pressure
• 1000 on board designs
• BERNINA exclusive Go Pro hook system

Working on the BERNINA E 16

The sixteen cone thread pad and needles have very easy to follow thread paths, making this professional multi-thread machine as easy to thread as possible.

The on board quick reference guide is not only helpful in setting the BERNINA E 16 up for creating any one of the 1000 on board embroidery designs or working form one of the almost infinite number of downloadable images on your computer.

Keypad mounted on the right side of the machine

The keypad, which is mounted on the right side of the machine, is used to navigate through the 1000 on board design patterns which appear on the computer screen.

You also use the keypad to adjust the design size and to program thread color sequence in case you decide you want to customize a specific design. A handy, easy to understand quick reference guide which is attached to the right side of the keypad helps the user navigate through the entire process.

Laser technology allows you to quickly and easily pinpoint the center point of your design to assure that it is placed exactly where you want it to appear on your sewing project.

When all your settings are locked in all you have to do is press the green button on the keypad, stand back and watch as the BERNINA E 16 creates your design flawlessly.

At 1400 stitches per minute, it doesn’t take long for even the largest most intricate of designs to be completed.

For this review, I watched as a multi colored design came to life in what seemed like a flash. When it was time for a thread color change, the BERNINA E 16 paused momentarily while it automatically tied off the first color and moved on to the next. The finished design was flawless in every way.

Flawless finished design

Fabrics

• Natural fibers/cotton-linen-wool
• Fine fabrics/silk-satin-taffeta/velvet
• Knits
• Synthetic fabrics/blends-rayon-polyester
• Denim
• Upholstery
• Leather/suede
• Fur
• Reptile skin
• Canvas/Twill
• Plastic/Rubber
• Extra thick fabrics or multiple layers

Accessories

Standard accessories:

• Go Pro operator’s kit
• 4 Embroidery hoops
  • 36 x 30 cm
  • 44 x 30 cm
  • 10 cm round
  • 15 cm round
• Cap embroidery field 36 x 8.2 cm

Optional accessories:

• Additional cap hoops and drivers
• Specialty frames and hoops
• 3 Pocket frames
• BERNINA embroidery software compatibility
• Exclusive BERNINA design compatibility

Maintenance

Tying Off The Loose Ends

When it’s all said and done, I think the BERNINA E 16 is a good single purpose industrial embroidery machine that can be used at home, in a factory or a studio where customized embroidery is featured.

Anyone who would invest in one of these machines for home use should be committed to machine embroidery in a major way.

Not only does it require a lot of additional space – much more than a traditional sewing machine or a combination embroidery and sewing machine – it costs significantly more than most home sewing and embroidery machines or single purpose embroidery machines designed specifically for home use alone.

Bernina E 16 requires a lot of space

The BERNINA E 16 is not the first multi thread embroidery machine I have seen or reviewed. There are, in fact several from which to choose… the Janome MB4, the Brother Entrepreneur Pro 1000e and the Melco Bravo.

When compared with the others, I found that the BERNINA E 16 can hold its own. I do, however, have concerns about the fact that this machine, like most of the other multi-thread embroidery machines that I reviewed, has not been on the market for a very long time.

With this in mind, I must give the same caution to anyone who is ready to take the BERNINA E 16 home that I give everybody who is seriously considering a machine that is relatively new on the market.

We do not have a history with this machine or a gage against which to compare how it will fare after several years of use. In the showroom and right out of the carton, the BERNINA E 16 works beautifully.

If the name and reputation of the manufacturer is any indication of the E 16’s durability, I can say that you should expect it to give many years of reliable service.

This does not, however, mean that I would not recommend the BERNINA E 16. It is capable of doing things that other multi-thread embroidery machines cannot do… namely produce chenille textured 3D designs.

The BERNINA E 16 also has the smallest cylindrical arm ever produced on a machine of its type, enabling the user to create embroidery designs on pockets and baby clothes with ease.

With all this to its advantage, I encourage anyone in the market for a multi-thread embroidery machine to take a very close look at the BERNINA E 16.

This machine is not by any means what one might call cheap or economically priced. It is, however, a BERNINA, and brings with it all of the workmanship and quality that BERNINA is known for.

The BERNINA E 16 is not for everyone. For that matter, very few of the people who sew for personal use or professionally will have a need for any multi-thread embroidery machine.

However, it just might be the perfect choice for the machine embroidery enthusiast who spends more than seventy-five percent of their time on machine embroidery projects as well as for the embroidery professional who is in the market for a new addition to their studio or busy workroom.

Before making a final decision as to which multi-thread embroidery machine to add to your personal sewing room, your professional workroom or embroidery studio, I think you owe it to yourself and to your clients to visit your local BERNINA dealer and ask for a demonstration of the BERNINA E 16.

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