Maven,

I sent an upholstery project to another blog which posted it last evening.  Is there a time lapse that I should adhere to before I post it here or send it on?

Thanks for your thoughts. Janomes is apparently a Japanese company (Ja-NO-me means "eye of the snake" which kinda creeps me out). I have no idea where they're made...but I'll ask when I test drive them. There are 4 Janome dealers that are within 15 miles of my house, so I'll make a visit when the next mail from Bruno comes.

I never visited a sewing shop...I bought my first one at Jo-Ann's. Is as stressful as car shopping? Bermina's scare me, plus when I went to the Bermina shop near me (like 4 blocks away) to ask a few questions, they were really mean and condescending because I didn't already have them. 

I'm not worried about spending $1000, but I'm currently messing with 3 machines, and all the different bobbins are driving me crazy, and I just want one machine that works and that I won't outgrow. I'm not gonna use it everyday, but when I do, I want it to work. I'm sure I don't need Porter-Cable tools, because I only run them a few hours a month, but when I use them, they work perfectly. Same idea...I'm sure you understand. 

I'm still digging on the Decor Excel model: I like that it comes with all the feet for overcasting and overstretching (should I be impressed by that?). I read somewhere that a walking foot is really helpful for home decor projects and thicker fabric: the manual doesn't use that language...I guess I don't really know what that is. I did figure out was feed dogs were...kinda like bench dogs, right? Kinda...

Best,

Chris 

Hey Mave-

I'm ready to upgrade my sewing machine, and I thought you might have some suggestions. I think you can imagine my needs: a straight-forward machine that'll last for a couple of decades.I'm willing to spend $300-400. I currently have a modern Singer, and I like the convenience;  I'm borrowing a Singer from the mid-seventies, and I like it's strength. I thought I'd want a vintage machine, but there's alot of risks, and I find threading the tension to be tedious, and the back-stitch knob is located in a strange place.  So, I think I'd like a new model that has the durability of an older machine. Is that possible without spending $1000?

The Janome 5124 Decor Excel intrigues me, because it seems to be designed for doing some upholstery/ heavier fabric, and it's in my price range. I don't need all the fancy electronic stuff, but the display looks straightforward, so I think I could figure it out. The only thing that concerns me is that it might go a little fast for my current skills.

Your thoughts?

DM

OMG-I have sooo much fabric I could frame and make such great wall art.  I need a little more spare time to get that project completed.

How do you get so many people to view your blogon Curbly, I mean 4000 some odd views of your embroidered tablecloth!!!  That's amazing.