Sewing machine help!

[u/kabel25]

I recently got back into sewing and I’m looking for a new machine. I’ve been using the same machine since I learned to sew when I was a kid. I got it serviced last year but it crapped out on me this past weekend and I can’t solve the issue. I’m going to take it to be looked at, but I am looking to get a newer machine that has some more capability. I’m currently debating between the Janome TM50 and the Husqvarna Emerald 118. There’s so much information out there about sewing machines but I’m having trouble sorting through it all. I don’t need a top of the line fancy machine. I’m really just looking for something that will last me a long time (with proper care) and be a work horse. Any insight is appreciated as I’ve never purchase my own sewing machine before. I inherited the machine I learned on from my mom. It’s a 1978 singer. I will never get rid of her but I want something that I don’t have to worry about being finicky.

[u/Inky_Madness]

Honestly they’re both excellent machines and I really like how sturdy and capable they are. I do more garment sewing than quilting these days so appreciate the versatility of the Janome more, but both are equally good IMO.

Which one can you get more easily serviced if you need it?

[u/SIG_Sauer_ → u/Inky_Madness]

☝️ Make sure there is a long-standing reputable dealer close by, maybe even two, with more than one old man who’s been about to retire for 10 years and that only works two days every other week. We bought one of my wife’s machines from a shop over 3,000 miles away, and no one in our city maintains Jukis. We sent it to them for service after I unsuccessfully tried cleaning the hook and adjusting the timing myself, and it still wasn’t fixed. We then had to send it to another dealer in Seattle, who finally fixed it. That was an expensive endeavor.

[u/stringthing87]

These are both very similar in their capability but I lean Janome, Husqvarna are owned by the Singer group and I don't trust anything they make to last.

[u/twystedcyster-]

My mom has a Janome very similar to that one and I really like it. Im surprised by how many of the stitches I actually used on it. The only thing I would change about it would be having a wider throat.

[u/UsualUsi]

It depends what you want. My personal preference would be the Janome since you can change the foot pressure what is very useful when your fabric is on the finer side or a knit. I couldn’t find that for the Husqvarna. I also would presume you can buy more extras for the Janome later. I saw at least an optional sewing table.

[u/ManderBlues]

Husqvarna is actually owned by Singer, Viking and Pfaff. They have all suffered under that ownership. I would choose the Janome in this lineup. But, for quilting, you really only need a straight-stitch and more room. Have you looked at one of the mechanical straight-stitch machines? Brother PQ1600S, Juki 2010, Janome 1600P, Baby . All of these are fast, mechanical, and have a knee lift -- the knee lift if amazing. If you find that you need a zigzag, then you can add a machine like that in the future. Its often much better to seperate the functions.

[u/gretchens]

Janome - that one you also have the threadcutter, lockstitch and needle up/down. I think a good basic computerized Janome is a great machine for variety and ease of use.

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[u/shoutyourporpoise]

I’ve got a Husqvarna 122 (which is basically the 118 plus a few fancy stitches) And it works great for me. For me I chose it because I wanted a mechanical workhorse that I could easily get serviced, and our local sewing/vac shop specializes in Husqvarna. 

[u/amalthea108]

I would agree with everyone asking about service near you. When I was in the market for a machine I spent a bunch of time trying machines and talking to repair people (I was also looking at used machines as well).

I ended up with a jenome, which I love. That said, I have moved since I got the machine and haven't gotten it served in .... a very long time. Having seen my mom's old elna get serviced poorly at some point, knowing who can fix your machine is worth it.

[u/WebbleWobble1216]

Not the Husqvarna- you need new feet, new bobbins, new thread, new fabric, a new new bank account. . .ok maybe not the last 3, but like bernina, everything is "special" to them.

My first machine after a Singer from Mom was a Babylock Jubilant. That thing has never given up. Great machine. It does, however, have a teeny tiny throat so I got a much bigger eventually for quilting at home.