Tuesday, June 2, 2009

My machine

This post is all about my sewing machine so for those of you who don't sew or could care less about my machine, feel free to click on over to facebook or YouTube.

This meme came from Sew Mama Sew and since I recently bought a brand spanking new machine after working on a dinosaur that was made the year I was born, I had to participate.

What brand and model do you have?
Brother Innovis 40

How long have you had it?
about 6 months

How much does that machine cost (approximately)?
$400

What types of things do you sew (i.e. quilting, clothing, handbags, home dec projects, etc.)?
Mostly bags, clothing, softies

How much do you sew? How much wear and tear does the machine get?
I sew almost every day

Do you like/love/hate your machine? Are you ambivalent? Passionate? Does she have a name?
Absolutely love it, it was a major upgrade from my previous machine.

What features does your machine have that work well for you?
The button hole feature is awesome. Love the auto backstitch feature as well. And the free arm which my dinosaur did not have.

Is there anything that drives you nuts about your machine?
Not really, but the Brother needle is offset to the left of center as the default and that took some getting used to.

Do you have a great story to share about your machine (i.e., Found it under the Christmas tree? Dropped it on the kitchen floor? Sewed your fingernail to your zipper?, Got it from your Great Grandma?, etc.!)? We want to hear it!
I had been sewing everything on a solid steel White machine made in 1973 that I found at a thrift store for $25. It worked well, but not up for the amount of use I was giving it. Plus, it didn't have any cool features or a free arm, so it was time to upgrade. In the 6 months or so I've had it, I have made many things including 6 tutus for a school play, many bags, and a shirt for myself.

Would you recommend the machine to others? Why?
Absolutely. Brother makes a great product for a great price, but I would recommend going through a dealer to make sure you are getting the top of the line machines, not to mention great service. I went to Leabu's in Ann Arbor.

What factors do you think are important to consider when looking for a new machine?
Think about what features you really NEED. I wanted a bunch of fancy stuff, like embroidery, but just didn't think I would use it enough to justify the cost. And really, how many decorative stitches do you need??

Do you have a dream machine?
I wouldn't mind an embroidery machine someday, but for now my Brother is perfect.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am so glad to hear someone else loves their Innovis as much as my daughter and I love ours. It was a major upgrade for us as well. I thought it would make a great jr. high graduation present for my aspiring fashion designer and I was not dissapointed. It is so easy to sew on and has so many great features. Happy crafting to you!

Glenda said...

I'm new to sewing, but want to get a machine that will probably do more than I need. This is the Consumer Reports best recommended sewing machine and I trust them, what do you think? My daughter and I are eager to begin our adventures in sewing but I am a bit overwelmed with what to pick.
I've also looked at the Viking Emerald 118. thanks for any advise!
Glenda