Today, I’m happy to introduce you to my new sponsor, Sew Vac Direct! Sew Vac Direct is a site that stocks sewing machines, as well as many other items that you need to get the sewing done!
I have been dreaming about a sewing machine lately. Don’t get me wrong, I love my machine and it always follows through for me, even when sewing through 4+ layers of interfacing and fabric. But what could I do if I had a machine with a larger arm space?
I looked into some of the sewing machines on the Sew Vac Direct site. They are the number one Janome dealer in the U.S. and have been in their top five for the last ten years, so I started there (besides Janome, they also carry Juki, Brother, Pfaff, Husqvarna, Singer, and more). I contacted their customer service, and was provided with some helpful tips about which Janome machines were their best sellers (7330, 5100, 6500, and 7700).
The Janome 7330 is a $599 machine, listed on the Sew Vac Direct site for $399. It’s a computerized machine, and has a lot of features that my current sewing machine has; I think you’re going to laugh, but I only use my stop/start button, which this machine also has. I always get some weird looks when I tell people that!
The 7330 looks like a great machine, but similar to the sewing machine I was already using, so I did some more research on the Sew Vac Direct site. It’s easy to use, and the products are all reviewed by users, so I spent some time reading reviews and looking at machines. I really have such a small budget, that I had to look at machines that were within reach (unless I won the lottery).
This is the Brother PQ1500S, which is a straight-stitch machine. My current machine has a bunch of fancy stitches, none of which I really use beside the straight stitch (okay, I have used the blanket and zig-zag a few times). It’s a quilting machine and looks to be what would be considered a mid-arm. I have researched some mid-arm prices, and they go up into the small thousands, but this machine retails at $1199 and is available at Sew Vac Direct for $699.
The Brother PQ1500S has an extra-large extension table, which is pictured above. There’s a knee lift, and the machine appears to operate at quite fast speeds. The best part? My current machine (as well as my back-up Kenmore) have a 5″ throat space. This Brother PQ1500S has a 9″ throat space. Sugar plumbs are dancing in my head as I imagine a queen-sized quilt rolled up in the throat, or an extra-large bag.
Upon doing some additional research, I noticed that my friend Maddie had a review of this same machine on her site. This is an extremely detailed user review, and I really appreciate all the points that the author hit.
I’m quite laughing to myself because what started as a post introducing my readers to Sew Vac Direct has turned into a massive search into an upgrade of a sewing machine for myself (and I wasn’t even looking for a new sewing machine). I actually clicked on the ‘Financing and Layaway‘ page. Am I dreaming??
I invite you to help me weigh in on this issue. What do you think? Is your sewing machine listed on the Sew Vac Direct site? I especially like the idea of purchasing a machine directly from a dealer, as I know if there would ever be a problem, I would be able to deal with them directly and I think I would feel assured that the problem would be solved. I invite you to take a look and see what they have to offer; besides sewing machines, they offer all the supplies (need a new machine foot?), quilting frames, dress forms, ironing boards, anything you can dream of!
I can truly agree with the lust for throat space! My brother that I have had for years boast and extra small one 😉 After many years of dreaming (more than 10) I finally gave in and bought an embroidery machine. Not only did I want those features but just as important if not more was the 11 inch throat! Imagine all that I can shove in that space from bags to quilts. Oh, how I love using it. It has lots of bells and whistles, and while there are many I may never use there are so many I am spoiled by. She’s a Viking Ruby and I love her! The throat space is something you will get great use out of for oh so many reasons!!
I just bought the PQ1500S in May of this year, and I absolutely LOVE it. I’ve sewn through 15+ layers of fabric (I think it was 18), plus 2 layers of SF101 interfacing like it was nothing!!!!!!!! I love the knee lift & thread cutter (I didn’t have those before), and especially the harp space. Awesome! I even put up an Amazon review, because I loved it so much! If you do end up with that machine, there is a Yahoo group for it that has a lot of resources and people answer any question you may have so quickly. Not a fan of the Yahoo format, but the resources were worth joining the group. Also, I have a .pdf copy of the service manual (the instruction manual too, but that comes in a hard copy with your machine) should you want/need it in the future!
I should also add that I do NOT like the fmq/hopping foot that comes with the machine, but the Juki 1/5″ (or Juki 1/4″) fmq/hopping foot works great in the machine!
I love my Bernina 820 – I got it after a very bad experience with Singer – I would NOT touch one of those with a barge pole. but I do love the S16… Always go with a machine starting with a B or a J is my rule. 🙂
some wonderful bargains you have found, hard to choose the best one. I have a bernina 1230 but now doing quilting I would love one with a bigger throat space. I do not use the fancy stitches at all as they look so well can`t find the right word but do use the zig zag to neaten fabric if I am hand sewing an embroidery, I do a lot of hardanger and the fabric needs to be edged.
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I have a Janome Memory Craft 6600.I like that it is tough and has a good space under the arm BUT how much do I wish some manufacturer would come up with a machine that is really tough, has a HUGE space under the arm and that only does the stitches you really need to use? All this fancy stuff is fine for people who do fancy stuff, but I’m sure there a lots of us who want a machine that does zig zag, blanket stitch and button holes but really not a lot else apart from working REALLY hard! I’m succession planning and wondering about a Bernina 5 series- but they cost mega bucks and still do all the fancy stuff….sigh….
Sarah,I appreciate all the work you are doing in research on a new machine. One question I have immediately about buying from a place outside my local shops is service. Where do you go for service on a machine and how hard is it to buy parts and pieces or extra feet if you are so inclined. Also it is hard to test drive. I know I tried out several machines before choosing my Bernina and just recently I was sewing a 60″ quilt and I almost pulled the whole machine onto my lap and I thought I had a heavy machine. I don’t know how buying direct would work. Just food for thought.
I’ve been researching the Brother PQ1500s for two years now…as soon as I can save up enough money, that is the one that I will purchase! Now if other expenses would STOP POPPING UP then I could afford to get it! LOL
Oh and another commenter mentioned the Yahoo group for this machine, I belong to that too…so much valuable information there!
I got a Brother PQ1500s a couple of months ago and it is wonderful! I did a bunch of research and its actually made by Juki. Both Juki and Babylock have the same machine but are priced a couple hundred dollars more.
I am trying to decide between this and the Janome 6600. I am hoping to find some good prices here in town.
Mine is on there, it’s the Brother NX2000, although it does say call for pricing, which usually means arms and legs will be involved ;o) I bought mine on financing though, because I knew it would be the perfect machine for me and I didn’t want to be going back to upgrade in a couple of years. It has a great throat space and is a total workhorse, positively gliding over millions of bag layers without a single quibble about tension. It has so many features that I don’t use terribly often, but to be honest I think they feel they have to throw in lots of extra ‘features’ along with the better machinery!
I have been drooling over the Janome 7700 for quite some time. I love it. The throat space is so nice!! And it sews like a dream.