Time for a new machine

Tired of fighting with the bobbin case on my 14 year old Bernina. My fingers just can't do it any more. Sew, I've been looking. Several friends have the Juki HZL-F600. Lots of bells & whistles, but not sure I need that. I'm a pretty simple quilter. Besides mending for [i]everyone I know![i] I just make quilts & an occasional wall hanging. Straight stitch & zigzag are my go to's. Made a list of what I really need (want!): drop in bobbin, walking foot, knee lift, up/down needle, and I would LOVE a bigger throat. I only have 6.4 inches on my Bernina.

We have only one local quilt shop . The rest are 1 1/2 hours away. Local shop sells Bernina & Baby Lock. So I took a look at the Baby Locks. The Soprano and the Lyric are computerized, has all I want and an 8.3 in. throat, but still not sure I need 300 stitches. The Jazz is mechanical (I was surprised they still made them!) It has all of my requirements AND a 12 inch throat! 28 stitches. The clerk said it is a workhorse!

I'd appreciate any thoughts you may have!

There are so many things on my machine (Viking Jade) that I don't even use and probably won't use that I would go for the simplest one that meets my criteria. That 12" throat sounds awesome.

I love my Janome, although it has way more stitches than I need, although I am actually using more than I thought I would. I use the even stitch foot for almost everything. I hated the Bernina I bought because it was really unreliable.

I guess it's a gamble...my Bernina has been a workhorse.....love it! It's probably 15 years old.

Big throat would help with quilting that's for sure!

The 12" throat sounds awesome, mine is only 5 1/2" (no wonder I struggle, never measured it before!) and Im like you, dont want all the fancy stitches, straight stitch and zig zag are all I use, walking foot is awesome and drop in the top, easy to use bobbins are great. Make sure its easy to wind the bobbins too. I love the mechanical machines, I dont want a computerised, gotta upgrade the software and plug into the computer sewing machine, I just want a simple basic machine. The 12" sounds like a good idea, what about craigs list? Might be something close by? Good luck

Buzzy I can't speak to the 2 machines you discuss. I have a huge love of mechanical only machines. They are so much easier to maintain. Maintenance of a machine is a time and $ cost many do not consider. My only electronic machine is a Viking that has been super easy to maintain. My electronic Bernina was a very expensive nightmare.

12 inch harp? Oh be still my heart

Memaw, embarrassing? I disagree. Each has a right to like what we like. Pet that machine and whisper in it's take up lever how much you appreciate it.