Are you considering to buy a new sewing machine for you or for a present? We tested 10 sewing machines for making the decision easier for you!

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1 SUURI KÄSITYÖLEHTI 5/2008 TESTING 10 NEW SEWING MACHINES text Marja Viita pictures Pekka Järveläinen Are you considering to buy a new sewing machine for you or for a present? We tested 10 sewing machines for making the decision easier for you! It is worth to take some time for buying and comparing a new sewing machine. Before making the final decision it is better to visit several exclusive shops where you can try to sew a sewing machine and get some help for using the machine. In addition you l have some help of our table on the next page where you can see 10 new or newish middle priced sewing machines. The table has been made at Roihuvuori education unit of service branches college in Helsinki, where almost qualified students of clothing branch attended carefully to testing sewing machines. Ten students tested the machines nearly 400 hours during a week. (photo) The first group of testers Trainer Irja Harjula familiarizes the students with Bernina Activa sewing machine. Under her guidance of using electronic sewing machine are following the students from the left Outi Lempinen, Sara Heimolinna, Laura Liuski (sitting), Anni Kukka, Meri Norola, Karla Vallila, master Raija Passi and Maiju Malk. Testing cloths Eurokangas Sewing threads Coats Opti Crafts REALIZATION OF TESTING Ten soon qualified dressmaking students tested sewing machines during a week. They sewed basic cotton cloth, light tricot and lining taffeta. For clarifying using features of the sewing machines the students got a valuation table with the following functions: - familiarize with sewing machines and controls according to the instruction book - set up the machine for sewing - sew certain stitches and buttonholes on different fabrics - estimate functions of the stitches, sewing results with school marks laudable 10-9, satisfactory 8-7 and passable 6 - make a list of your experiences, roses and brushwood Before testing importers were given a chance to demonstrate their machines for students in the same way as they do it in shops. Berner Oy (Bernina and Bernette), Tausen Oy (Janome) and Futura Finland Oy (Elna machines) grasped at the opportunity.

2 (page 1) S/mc model and 9, ,5 mark of testing Bernina Activa Bernina Bernette 82e Brother Innovis 10A Elna 3210 Elna 5100 Anniversary Importer Berner Oy, Helsinki Berner Oy, Helsinki Brother Finland Oy, Futura Finland Oy, Helsinki Futura Finland Oy, Helsinki Vantaa (09) Additional information Additional information Additional information Additional information Additional information liisa.kanerva@brother.fi info@futurafinland.fi info@futurafinland.fi Price, about Guarantee 5 years 3 years 2 years 2 years 2 years Average school marks Clarity of i/book of test answers Usability for home Ease of use Setting up Bobbin winding the machine Threading Adjustment of stitches - according to marks on m/c on different fabric qualities Changing of presserfeet Stitches on straight zigzag stretch different fabrics - cotton tricot silk Buttonhole sewing Selling started in Finland

3 (page 2) S/mc model and 8,5 9 7,5 8,5 8 mark of testing Husqvarna Viking Janome 525 S Pfaff Select 2,0 Singer Confidance Toyota 7163 Emerald Importer VSM Finland Oy, Tampere Tausen Oy, Helsinki VSM Finland Oy, VSM Finland Oy, J & M Sonec Oy, Vantaa (03) (09) Tampere (03) Tampere (03) (09) Additional information Additional information Additional information info@tausen@pp.inet.fi Price, about Guarantee 5 years to mechanical 5 years, more accurately 5 years to mechanical 2 years to mechanical and 5 years for faults in and electronical parts and electronical parts electronical parts and work manifacture and materials made, 1 year for electric device Average school marks Clarity of i/book of test answers Usability for home Ease of use Setting up Bobbin winding the machine Threading Adjustment of stitches - according to marks on m/c on different fabric qualities Changing of presserfeet Stitches on straight zigzag stretch different fabrics - cotton tricot silk Buttonhole sewing Selling started in Finland

4 (page 3) Students brushwood Bernina Activa Bernina Bernette 82e Brother Innovis 10A Elna 3210 Elna 5100 and roses: Anniversary + Easy to use and + Practical basic machine + Clear symbols, + The machine has + Easy to use, handy lovely quiet. with easy to choose stitches easy buttonholes and clear and easy symbols, machine. + Stitches do neat according to symbol colours. their selection splendid. which can also be seen + Rather quiet. work. + Foot control guides + Adjustment of speed during sewing by lifting Finished optimal + Clear controls. sewing speed. Easy to is a good character. the machine s front adjustments can also Large extension wind bobbin and change + Diskette and cover up. be changed. table is nice. of presser feet. illustrated stencil as + Instruction book in + Instruction book + Leaves the needle + Automatic needle instructions, good Finnish is a clear copy clear, easy to select always up, when the threader. index, drawing leaflet with drawing programs. m/c stops. + Carrying bag with pictures. pictures. + Buttonhole, bobbin Jeans needle also zipper. - Winding bobbin + Easy automatic winding and threading in selection. - Unclear buttonhole troublesome. buttonholes. will be born as a dream! + Instruction book instructions, extension - General contact + Adjustable presser + Metal foot control, easy to handle, table shaky, cheap OK, suitable for foot pressing force. inclination OK, does Finnish, drawing looks (appearance). occasionally sewing. - The machine is not slip. pictures. - Instruction book quite noisy. - Troublesome to use + Carrying bag should be clearer. - You were obliged to accessory tube. with zipper. Four languages in adjust the default - Machine looks the same book, values of stitches by old-fashioned. pictures far away yourself. When I got from the text. used to it, it was easy Basic adjustments and quick to find the of stitches are right values. lacking. - It is difficult for a left-handed to raise e.g. presser foot.

5 (page 4) Students brushwood Husqvarna Viking Janome 525 S Pfaff Singer Toyota 7163 and roses: Emerald 116 Select 2,0 Confidance 7463 Note: During testing + Bobbin winding + Easy to use + Clear and good + Machine s symbols + First impression straight stitch was not and threading easy, and seems quite result on cotton cloth. are clear. good, clear and easy, sewn on tricot nor buttonholes succeed durable, mechanical. + Finnish instruction Easy to use and quick just enough functions. stretch stitch on silk well. + Plenty of different book, size handy to to thread. + Threading and because of the + Clear Finnish stitches, you can use, with plenty of + Neat stitches with adjustments of the fabric s type. instruction book adjust tension by pictures. basic adjustments. machine easy with On these points with drawing pictures, yourself. + Hard plastic - Loud noise, when the help of symbols. there are cuts in adjustments of stitches + Presser foot safety cover. foot control is pressed + Manufacturer invests the table. lacking. rises really up, you - Speed control in to the bottom. in environment. + Hard plastic can sew very thick foot control does not - Slow for a left-handed. Parts of the machine safety cover. seams. appeal to me. - Instruction book with can be recycled. - Difficult for a left- + Good instruction - Difficult to raise four languages, drawings - Loud noise. handed to use the book in Finnish presser foot for a far away from text, presser foot lifter with drawing left-handed. index OK. situated on the pictures. machine s back side. - Small selection - Reverse button of buttonholes. too small. SUURI KÄSITYÖLEHTI 5/2008