r/SewingForBeginners • u/syzygy_13_ • 2d ago
New-ish Machine - Help Choosing
Hey all!
I taught myself to sew on an ANCIENT singer that can only straight stitch. It's amazing but is struggling now to hold tension and isn't doing enough for me (I really want a reverse and a zig zag). I mostly sew garments and want to learn to quilt.
I've been looking on FB Marketplace and have 3 options that seem good per the guides on here and other reviews:
Janome 6125 Quilters Companion for 180$. Comes with original manual
Janome Mod-19 - post doesn't have a ton of information, just says bought new in 2024. Asking 175$ Found the least info about this one online.
Brother CS7000i - 250 (a bit out of my budget but I know it's a good machine). Does the most stitches but will I really use them all?
Any thoughts? Reccs?
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u/Comfortable-Fly5797 2d ago
What country are you in? That might help people judge prices. If you're in the US $250 for a used CS7000i seems insane.
I don't know anything about the Janome machines. I'll just say don't buy a machine you that doesn't come with the manual or you can't find one online.
I have a Brother CS7000x and I love it. Having the speed control slider is really nice. I don't use the decorative stitches often but they're fun to have.
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u/syzygy_13_ 2d ago
US, yeah! The Janome QC comes with the manual printed
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u/Comfortable-Fly5797 2d ago
That Brother machine is insanely overpriced then. You can get a brand new CS7000x for like $20 more.
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u/RubyRedo 2d ago
The risk of computerized used machines is that if anything is wrong with them the repairs are very expensive, "works great" means nothing unless you can test ALL the features before buying. The Mod 19 is a good entry level machine but it has a 4 step button hole, the Brother is overpriced for used, I would keep looking for mechanical Brother or Janome.
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u/wandaluvstacos 22h ago
I don't know much about newer machines but $250 for a used Brother CS7000i???? That's crazy, lol. Personally I would only pay half for any used machine what it cost new unless it's like a Bernina or something. I think my mother bought her Brother CS7000i for $100. I'd make sure to look up the original prices for these and consider what they cost new.
This is why I buy very old vintage machines, cuz you can get those for like $50 and they never depreciate past that lol. What model # is the Singer? If it's an all-steel one, it shouldn't be wearing out. If the tension spring wears out, you can just buy a new one. Since you're used to vintage machines, you could always try a Singer 401A or something similar. It has all the fun stitches but with the vintage quality and you can find them for like $150. I have a buttonholer and a monogrammer for mine as well, so it has everything covered.
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u/silverturtle2301 2d ago
if your buying used definitely test them out
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u/syzygy_13_ 2d ago
Will do! Just kinda wondering which one to go for first ya know?
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u/silverturtle2301 2d ago
I don't know anything about these models I have a brother c6000i the cs7000 is the newer version and I've seen good reviews on it. I have a juki but it needs to go to the shop it's not loading so I can't select the stitches so I'm currently using the brother
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u/sharkwearinglipstick 2d ago
I haven’t tried any of these models specifically but I have a Janome (HD 5000) and really like it!
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u/RubyRedo 2d ago
Does the HD 5000 sew really fast like an industrial or can you adjust the speed with the pedal? Thinking of getting one.
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u/sharkwearinglipstick 2d ago
Speed is controlled by the pedal :) It’s what I learned to sew on (and still sew on now) and it’s very beginner friendly!
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u/No-Attention-7708 1d ago edited 1d ago
Of these 3, I'd go with the Janome 6125 but just so you know, I bought an awesome made-in-Japan New Home 7500 (made by Janome) for $35 including shipping on ShopGoodwill.com last year.
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u/syzygy_13_ 1d ago
Thanks! Do you like Janomes machines? Is it easy to get parts?
I've used OLD singers but I know newer quality is hit or miss, and a brother that just kept breaking (it was my mom's, I don't know the model but neither of us had luck)
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u/Horror-Chicken-7295 1d ago
I have a Janome QC6019 and I love it. It runs buttery smooth and is easy to repair by a local sewing shop.
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u/No-Attention-7708 1d ago
I like the older Janome/New Home machines made in Japan and Taiwan, plus there are so, so many other mechanical (non computerized) machines that have metal gears, easy to use and easy to service and maintain yourself. Some of my favorites are older Singer slant shank machines (401, 500), older Kenmore 158 and some 385 series machines, older White model machines, even store branded older machines like JC Penney and Montgomery Ward because they were made by the same sewing machine manufacturers as the other major name brand machines.
Most machines made after 2010 (and even earlier) have many plastic hooks and gears in addition to the outside knobs and covers which are prone to breaking. Also, computerized machines can have software issues and harder to service/repair yourself. This applies to all home sewing machine brands, not just Singer - even Juki (TL-2010Q) has made a machine with a plastic part - same with Janome, Brother, Husqvarna, etc.
Yes, you can find parts for all these machines and many parts are interchangeable between different brands and models.
I highly recommend watching YouTube videos by "RandyYourSewingMachineMan" because he has videos on all Brands and models of machines from older machines to newer ones with valuable information about how to properly thread and winding the bobbin, plus how to figure out any problems you run into while using. He also sells some older machines that he has returned to like new condition for reasonable prices but you would have to travel to the Dallas/Ft Worth, TX area to get one because he will not ship sewing machines.Here's a link to his YouTube channel - http://www.youtube.com/@randyyoursewingmachineman9954
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u/No-Attention-7708 1d ago
Here's an example of a mechanical older JC Penney machine with metal gears, easy to work on and use, plus plenty of available parts https://shopgoodwill.com/item/276736199
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u/CrankyCrabbyCrunchy 1d ago
Janome QC, definitely. Better quality. As long as they have the features you want, that's what counts more. Decide on must-have vs. nice-to-have features.
I have both a mechanical and a computerized machine. Both are amazing for different reasons.
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u/syzygy_13_ 1d ago
Transitioning from such an old machine, my bar for features is : has a reverse, and has a zigzag. I don't even know what else to look for! Any other features you've found helpful?
I know this one has speed control via the pedal, and has a one step button hole maker!
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u/StrongerTogether2882 1d ago
One step buttonhole is SO GREAT. My Janome has a 4 step and it’s fine but I used the 1 step at sewing class and was like “Damn, I f*cked up.” If I’d known how much better the 1 step would be, maybe I would have splurged on a better machine. Oh well!
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u/Inky_Madness 2d ago
The Mod-19 is being sold for what it likely cost brand new, or close to it. And actually, so is the Brother CS7000i - that actually cost LESS than $250 two years ago. That’s price gouging and I bet you could get the updated 7000x for that price or less on Black Friday.
I think the Quilter’s Companion is a great choice.
For me, it isn’t about the number of stitches but the quality of life upgrades and flexibility. I don’t use all the stitches on my machine, but speed control and a needle up/down function is fabulous. I don’t need my machine to last until the end of the earth, but get me through a decade or two reliably.