I want to thank the many of you that were such a help in my thought process about getting a new machine. Several gave good suggestions of questions to ask, trouble they'd had, or the machine they love. I am so grateful.
Today was a beautiful Colorado day and we went to my preferred dealer about 45 minutes away. I told him I was looking for a 'work horse' machine. He laughed & began with a low-mid range machine. (This again confirmed my trust that he didn't go to the top of the line and try hard to make me think it was what I wanted.) I then told him I thought I wanted to move in the direction of a quilting machine. I am only a beginning quilter, but I wanted some of those capabilities. At that point, he had a call & I talked with the co-owner. We talked about many features etc. on 3 main machines. Then I pulled out my bag of fabric and asked for time to 'play' on them. I took some silk, tulle, flannel, a slinky polyester knit and the leg of a pair of Levi's.
I sewed first on the Quest Plus. It did a good job on all the fabrics. With a size 80 needle, it sewed through several layers of denim. It finally 'stalled' when I had the denim folded to include 7 layers--including 2 layers of that flat fell side seam! I was so pleased. Then my DH wanted to have me try on the Espire. I was hesitant because it was more than I wanted to pay, but he insisted.
It sewed very smoothly and had a great 'feel' to me. It also had a size 80 needle and sewed BEAUTIFULLY! I lined up each of the fabrics to 'chain stitch' through them with both utility stitches & decorative stitches. I refolded that denim--still to include 2 layers of the flat fell seam side seam. I couldn't believe it! It didn't hesitate, or stall but kept right on sewing! After 8 inches of on & off that seam with no difficulty, my DH said 'Just like a hot knife through soft butter!" I even made a beautiful buttonhole--with no help--on that thick patch of denim. (I thought--imagine what it could do with a heavy needle!)
I had a Pfaff 2040 to trade and we felt like they made a fair deal. They priced both the Quest Plus & the Espire with the trade in and we picked the Espire! I am delighted--to say the least! I love the self threading feature. My eyes aren't getting any better as I get older and it's a great help. We got home, had dinner & unpacked the machine. A pleasant surprise was to find the extension table was included & I thought that was an 'available extra'. My habit with new machines is to use an old sheet and just begin with the first stitch & sew 6-10 inches of each one. I've gone through 1.5 bobbins already.
> It's VERY user friendly.
Thank you again so much for your help. I so appreciate all the comments & suggestions! I'm looking forward to a long time of happy sewing! Praise the Lord!
Marci--joyfully sewing in Colorado
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Anyone sew with a Babylock? Updated!
