This week's Favorite Things Friday is dedicated to our Juki sewing machine. She and I have had a long dry spell these past few months, but this week we were able to become reacquainted again.
We bought the Juki for one simple reason, we needed a machine that would enable us to learn to do free motion quilting. We didn't need it to do fancy stitches, embroider, or sing The Star Spangled Banner. The Juki does only straight stitching. It doesn't even do a zig-zag. The machine is built like a tank. All metal parts. It just feels solid. It has a 9" harp and is considered to be a mid-arm. I can tell you, the extra harp space makes a big difference when trying to work on a quilt of any size.
When we began looking at sewing machines--and there are a lot of wonderful machines on the market--we kept coming across machines that would do way more than we wanted them to, and their prices reflected that as well. My mom and I debated a long time. After all, when buying a machine of this caliber (as opposed to the $200 machines at Wal-mart), you want to be sure you've got it right. That first test drive after we unpacked the Juki told us that we'd made the right decision. I've been on the free motion quilting band wagon ever since.
So head on over to Quilting in My Pyjamas, and join in the Favorite Things Friday fun. Everyone is welcome to play.
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Hmmm. I just noticed that this is my 100th post. Who would have thought when I started this blog back in February I'd have this much to say?
I've been wanting one of these machines...but my 1938 is a solid, beautiful straight sewer too! Never tried machine quilting, but hope to learn someday.
ReplyDeleteok good the hear -- I've been thinking about one and surfing ebay etc...although I'm going to purchase from semi-local dealer instead...
ReplyDeletesewing machines really don't need to be fancy just reliable and roomy. my 25 year old bernina has been my workhorse but free motion quilting anything larger than a napkin is hard!
I just want an extension table. It must help so much with FMQ but every one I've seen is so expensive! Glad you made the right choice, and started blogging!
ReplyDeleteI have heard a lot of quilters like Juki's not being a machine quilter my featherweight is good enough for me and my low end Janome with 20 stitches is good when I want to use anything other than a straight stitch. I think machines are going up so high in price personally I find it weird that people are spending so much on them! It sounds like you are settling in nicely in the home.
ReplyDeleteKaren
http://karensquilting.com/blog/
What a great post! My hubby is making a phone call right now.......
ReplyDeleteHmm. You've given me something interesting to consider. Thanks for shar4ing.
ReplyDeletexo -El
That's great to hear that you bought the right machine for the job Michelle, although a pity it doesn't sing the Star Spangled Banner!
ReplyDeleteI am going to try FMQ again one day, I am, really!!! You are getting me (slowly) inspired to tip toe back into it.
Congratulations on your 100 post, so very glad that you started blogging!
Oh what a beautiful machine!! Great choice!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your 100th post Michelle. I like reading what you have to say! Keep those posts coming.
ReplyDeleteI want a singing sewing machine..I dont think
we can get them here. Ive been thinking about an extension table too.
I think we all have different needs for sewing and if you love your machine thats fantastic. So many people buy things with all the bells and whistles and dont end up using it all. My favourite sewing machine was the one before this one. It was old, relaible and had great perfect stitches.(I hope Miss Janome doesnt read this post and decide to crack the shits...)
Happy 100! I'm SO GLAD you started blogging too!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your 100th post. I don't have room for a second machine and am too chicken to try free motion quilting. It's good that you found something that works for you.
ReplyDeleteHi Michelle-just noticed we have the same background, different colors. I don't know anything about sewing machines and recently learned they come with computers and screens now. Wow. Thanks for visiting my blog and have fun sewing. Congrats on your 100th!
ReplyDeleteArgh! My comment disappeared into the ether when I clicked post. I'll try again...
ReplyDeleteYou know that I love my Juki too. I'm so glad we met on the Juki forum as we were both weighing the purchase of our new machines. It turned out to be a good decision on a number of levels!
Congrats on your 100th post, Michelle!
I still need to find my "machine heart". I also have the problem of finding a good machine, but the machines that I do like has more bells and whistles than I need. I am borrowing a very good machine, and I am happy with it. But there are a few size issues regarding the harp and the machine's age,that gets me down from time to time.
ReplyDeleteElzaan
I am like you. I don't need any of that fancy stuff. Just straight stitching and to be able to put my quilts together.
ReplyDeleteIf you get the basics right the rest just flows, isn't that how it is?? Sound like your machine and you are a perfect match :-)
ReplyDeleteI L.O.V.E. my Juki TL98E. You are right - these are awesome machines. And they sew like the dickens - I pull mine out when I do bindings on large quilts (they sew something like 1500 SPI, right?) or if I want to machine quilt on a sit down machine. I've never regretted buying mine!
ReplyDeleteYou're so awesome! I don't think I have read through something like that before.
ReplyDeleteSo wonderful to discover somebody with a
few original thoughts on this subject matter. Seriously.. thanks for starting
this up. This web site is something that's needed on the web, someone with some originality!
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