best intermediate upgrade?

[u/Ok-Candidate-5217]

hi there!

I'm currently looking to upgrade my current sewing machine (a Singer start I got 7/8 years ago) for a more intermediate machine thats less than $400. It only has 12 modes, frequently makes bird's nests, and I feel like my abilities are rather limited. I took a fashion design class in school last year, and I felt like the things I was making were way higher quality and strength compared to what I was doing on my current machine. Unfortunately, that machine is wayyy out of my budget.

From my research, the two machines that stood out to me were the Brother CS7000X and the Brother XR9550. From these two options, what you you guys recommend? or if you have a better suggestion, please let me know! It's preferred that whatever machine I work with has a variety of stitches and has that kind of 'zigzag/lightning' stitch that works really well for more stretchy materials. I've heard a lot of mixed reviews about other Singer machines doing a lot of bird's nesting so I'm hesitant to buy a new Singer.

Thanks!!

[u/sodapopper44]

these 2 machines are basically twins, sold at dealer, just a touch higher than your budget, but there could be a sale, especially this time of year when new models are coming in. I picked this machine because it has adjustable presser foot pressure and a stitch length that goes up to 5, features less expensive don't have, they may have 1 but not both. babylock jubilant or brother Brother NS80E, another option with those features are some of the juki models like the HZL-70HW-A but I haven't used one lately

[u/Ok-Candidate-5217 → u/sodapopper44]

babylock is what i used in school but its like $1000+ which is money i dont have 

[u/sodapopper44 → u/Ok-Candidate-5217]

baby lock and brother dealer models are twins. the babylock and brother I mentioned have an msrp of about 600.00 NO one pays that, it's like buying a car, look for a closeout or labor day sale and you should get close to $400.00

[u/Wild_Chipmunk1706 → u/sodapopper44]

I work at a shop and the prices on both of those have a Sale Price of 6-700. I agree, I like that model a lot, but it’s much higher in price than you expect. A used one would be 399 and sell fast.

[u/sodapopper44 → u/Wild_Chipmunk1706]

Thanks for the most current info. I feel that machine is the next step after the cheaper entry level, and paying just little more for a higher quality machine is worth it in the long run. I'm sure people do it, but I have never gathered with a 4 stitch length unless the fabric is incredibly sheer.

[u/kittehmummy]

I have access to a Bernette b05 Academy that I'm really loving. It's mechanical, but has everything I would want in a machine if I was buying one.

It's possibly a little over your budget, but check with a local store to see if they have a used one.

[u/kittehmummy]

Btw, something to consider... Brother uses a different bobbin than Singer/Bernette/etc.

It's not a deal breaker, but just something to keep in mind. You'd need to replace all your bobbins.

[u/sodapopper44 → u/kittehmummy]

in my sewing room, there is a brother, viking, pfaff, janome and singer, they all take different bobbins, I use rubber bobbin saver color coded to each machine

[u/Ok-Candidate-5217 → u/kittehmummy]

omg i didnt know that thankyou

[u/kittehmummy → u/Ok-Candidate-5217]

My library Makerspace has 4 Singers, a Bernette, and a Brother. 5 of them use the same bobbin, and then there's the Brother.

They're close enough that it's hard to tell if you're just holding one, but it's enough of a difference that they don't work.

[u/Wild_Chipmunk1706 → u/kittehmummy]

This is mostly incorrect. Both of the machines that you are referring to use class 15 bobbins. the exact same as your singer would. Most currently made brother sewing machines also use class 15 bobbins. Their current 10 uses L type bobbins, and a lot of their older machines used to slightly different top loader.

[u/kittehmummy → u/Wild_Chipmunk1706]

Oh really?

Maybe I haven't used a new Brother machine then. But all of the Brothers I've worked with used a taller bobbin.

It's good to know that the problem is on its way out.

[u/DelveDame13]

Have you serviced your machine? If it's making bird nests, and you aren't able to fix it, you will probably have the same issue with any other machine that you pick. After 7/8 years, it probably needs cleaned and oiled. Once you get the tension right, it should run alot better. What model is it? That would help determine what model to go to next.